What to wear in New York to be at the peak of fashion

Want to look fashionable - wear only one-color black. Or white. And if you want to add a little Antwerp “chic” - beige or gray. Photo Yegor Tsodov

“Early in the morning, I come out of my entrance in Soho, from head to toe in black - a slip dress, a biker jacket, glasses and sneakers. And someone will definitely tell me on the street: “Oh, you look like a real New Yorker!”, admits my friend Olya Krasnova, director of the international channel FashionOne, over coffee (black, of course). Between us we have 20 years of experience in the fashion industry (gloss, television, cinema and PR). And of course, we learned our lesson early - if you want to look fashionable and not “take risks,” wear only plain black. Or white. And if you want to add a little Antwerp “chic” - beige or gray.

But the rule of black in New York has reached an incredible absolute: in the wardrobe of any New Yorker there should be black pumps, black “washed-out” jeans, a black well-worn jacket-black jacket, black sunglasses and a sign black bag (regard it as the main attachment).

Olya Krasnova, director of the international channel FashionOne. For two, we have 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. Photos from the personal archive

Depending on seasonal trends, additional elements appear, but the basics remain in New Yorkers' wardrobe all year round, regardless of the change of seasons, weather disasters and the decisions of fashion designers. Yes, the New Yorkers have become almost independent from them.

The “faceless” fashion of New York is in contrast to many cities: in Shanghai, fashion has become “powdery” colors - blue, pink, mint, lemon. “Fashionistas” dress as if they work in a candy store. In Italy there are bright, flashy colors and no less bright flowers that “jump” on skirts, dresses and jackets. And although now we all live in an era of globalization, it is impossible to judge fashion by “youth” - H&M, Zara and Forever 21 have overwhelmed everyone, from 12 to 21 years old and older.

But such intolerance to “color”, as in New York, is no longer found anywhere in the world.

Honestly, when I first went to New York, I expected the heroines of the TV series Sex & TheCity and GossipGirl to parade along the streets of the city, I expected bright, unusual dresses in the style of the 50s, large brooches, ballet tutus, bold cuts.

But imagine my disappointment - getting to the first fashion week and realizing that all the glossy workers don’t wear black. I went for a walk on Madison Avenue - and again everyone was in black. I went down to Soho - everything was the same. And even in Chelsea, where it would seem that you can see artists and gallery owners dressed in a variety of different ways - again, not a single interesting image.

Such intolerance to “color”, as in New York, is no longer found anywhere in the world. Photo Yegor Tsodov

Six years later, the situation does not change, except that New Yorkers have added more gray to their palette, but the bright colors are still not recognized here.

For example, when I got together for a career consultation with a large American PR company in the field of cinema, in the middle of a hot July, I put on a white dress, a white jacket and light-colored shoes. In Moscow, I was always in white at interviews and important meetings and was the winner. What was my surprise when, in the middle of the consultation, the vice-president of the company recommended that I no longer appear in this form.

The uniform in the media, as he said, is simple and uncomplicated - sneakers, blue jeans, a white T-shirt and a black jacket. No exceptions.

But what about Samantha Jones and her bright outfits? “There is no fashion anymore,” Olya throws in me, and indeed, in New York, the mod seems to have disappeared - all you have to do is recall the films and pictures from 50, 60, 70 and the same 90, each the era was special, and it’s not so important where local dandies were from - from the Bronx or Upper East Side, they looked like no one - furs, eccentric costumes, canes - this style was copied, imitated and interpreted all over the world. Now ugly style reigns here. Thank you, for this, by the way, I must say to our compatriot - Gosha Rubchinsky - it was he who set the gop-mode, and teenagers from sleeping areas from disadvantaged Moscow districts became his heroes. And soon she was picked up and developed by Vetements designer and Balenciaga creative director Demna Gvasalia, by the way, is Georgian by origin. He put on all New York and Paris in hoodies with the inscription “Zemfira” on the back.

Over the years, the situation has not changed, except that New Yorkers have added more gray to their “palette”, but the bright colors are still not recognized here. Photo Yegor Tsodov

“I often feel too preppy in New York. When you go out into the street, you notice that the most fashionable people are dressed casually. Tattered jeans, a stretched T-shirt, rough boots - all in muted tones. The goal is not to show that you care at all about what you look like. And believe me, such a “look” takes no less time than getting ready for a business reception,” Olya admits, and I agree with her. To be honest, in 3 years of living in New York, I took out the iron twice, the steamer - no more than 10 times. New York doesn’t just forgive dirty shoes, wrinkles on shirts, or an incorrectly buttoned button on a jacket, it has begun to cultivate these violations. Now it seems that the dirtier and more torn your jeans are, the better. I got a T-shirt from my uncle who works at DHL - feel free to wear it to a fashion show, and from my dad I got a sheepskin coat that literally “burst” in places - there’s no price for it, dust it off and get ready for the flashes of street style photographers.

So what remains for fashionistas? Oddly enough - perfect appearance.

At the time when it seems, clothes do not mean anything and completely different indicators come to the fore. For New Yorkers, these are perfect teeth and nails. When you can find a beauty salon on every corner of New York, where in 20 minutes and $ 8-10 your nails will be in order, because walking with burrs is at least strange. Special attention - teeth.

For example, in the 2000s, outfits “shone” with Swarovski crystals, and teeth were set with small crystals (sometimes diamonds). In the 80s and 90s, hip-hop culture was all the rage and inspired everyone to get gold teeth. Now everyone wants to radiate health - and here the indicator is a smile.

Dentist Leonard Umanov, who has 15 years of practice in New York and thousands of clients, notes: “If 10-15 years ago a snow-white Hollywood smile was the preserve of the “chosen few,” today it is an affordable procedure. Now every third or fourth patient asks me about teeth whitening, and laser whitening is in demand in New York. In a city where everyone is in a hurry, it only takes an hour to get your teeth in order.” According to the dentist, every person in America whitens their teeth to some extent. What’s true is that try going to the pharmacy and finding a toothpaste without a whitening effect.

So what remains for fashionistas? Oddly enough - perfect appearance. Photo — Egor Tsodov

By the way, one of the “star” dermatologists admitted that “bleached” skin is also in fashion - looking at me, green and tired, he said that Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour would “kill” for such a skin color.

Now, New Yorkers are not running to the stores to buy the latest items, no, they all go to the gym, give each other the coordinates of their cosmetologists, buy special eyebrow makeup kits (!), And do not mind going to the other end of the city to the organic food store . As for feathers, sparkles and other artificial materials, they will have to wait until fashion returns to New York.

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