KEYONA ELKINS | THE SPECTRUM
White sneakers, leather jackets and amped-up denim are New Yorkers’ current wardrobe staples.
North Dakota State students majoring in apparel, retail merchandising and design traveled this summer to the nation’s fashion capital.
The study tour to New York City featured visits to Tommy Hilfiger, Kleinfeld Bridal, Nanette Lepore, Ross Stores and Kate Spade; it was a great learning opportunity and full of inspiration.
But as any modern fashionista knows, the real style inspiration in New York is on the streets. New Yorkers are known for their flawless urban style, but what we saw strutting through the concrete jungle was surprisingly basic. The natives kept it simple, proving that when it comes to style, it’s not so much what you wear but how you wear it.
Here are the top three trends I spotted while in the Big Apple.
These styles are easy to wear; you will be ready for class in a “New York minute.”
White Chuck Taylors
It must be an unspoken rule that along with living in the state for 12 consecutive months, you need to own a pair of White Chuck Taylors to get official residency in NYC.
The Converse classics were everywhere, specifically the low-top version in basic white with red and blue stripes. I would suggest investing in the brand new Chuck Taylor All Star II style. The beloved look is still the same, but the upgrade includes cushioning, arch support, a non-slip tongue and matching eyelets.
While the white color may not be the best choice for running around the city, these new comfort features add a dose of practicality. Keep the rest of your look effortlessly chic when wearing them to look like a true New Yorker.
A tried and true pair of white Converse sneakers looks just as cool with cuffed jeans as it does with a printed skater skirt.
Leather Jackets
Around the city, great-looking leather jackets were almost as easy to spot as Starbucks — Manhattan has nine of those per square mile. A leather jacket is a wardrobe staple that will forever be chic and add the perfect touch of edge to any outfit.
New Yorkers were wearing them with everything from jeans to cocktail dresses.
One styling tip I picked up in the Manhattan neighborhood of Nolita is pushing up the sleeves. It adds some bulk, but it also does your body a favor by creating more flattering proportions. While leather jackets come in a wide variety of styles, a moto cut feels most current and is universally flattering.
They are also a great option for this time of year when you need a light stylish jacket for brisk mornings going to class or chilly evenings out on the town.
Denim
This trend goes beyond basic skinny jeans. I spotted denim and chambray (a cotton button-up shirt that resembles denim) in all shades of blue and all kinds of silhouettes.
After a few years of jeans being clean and fitted, the style setters in New York are having some fun with denim again. Ripped jeans are back, and frayed edges are having their fair share of the spotlight, as well.
Denim isn’t just sticking to pants, either. Boxy tops, frayed A-line dresses and even jumpsuits styles showed up on the street.
Button up chambray shirts with jeans were a chic go-to, with city-dwellers achieving the denim-on-denim look by using contrasting shades like a light wash top with dark wash jeans.
So take a cue from the city that never sleeps and take a few risks with your denim this year.
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