hoe je je moet kleden als een New Yorker

– In 5 simple steps –

We’ve already covered every detail of Parisian street style. Understated chic, expensive brands, but hell no will you ever find visible brand label. Well done messy hair, makeup to a bare minimum and petite frames. Voila, the average look of any French lady on the left bank. It’s a job in its own you know, approaching a Parisienne.

Getting that New York look is a tad easier. Here are the over the top and uncomfortable magical words.

1. The leather jacket

Indispensable in a New York closet. Ideal for business meetings and the perfect go to piece for flash trips to the Moma or lunch at Pastis. Has it finally reopened by the way? Seems like the Ritz in Paris which is taking an eternity to rebuild.

2. The perfect jeans

You can never ever go wrong with a good pair of jeans in New York. Want to be a part of the cool girl squad, then opt for a pair from Rag and Bone (don’t let the price tag scare you) or J. Brand. Whether you want them boot cut or the boyfriend type is all up to you. Ripped is still very ‘in’ in New York, so go ahead and pull out those scissors.

3. Nails, hair, nails, hair

Baudelaire once said that it’s a hard job being a beautiful woman. I’m sure he was probably referring to all the male hearts you have to break, but hopefully the French philosopher also took note of all the hard work it takes. And in New York the esthetic level is high. The ladies enjoy looking ’toned’ (and so they’re gym bound ever damn day) with a perfect head of hair and polished nails. Luckily New York has a ton of addresses you can go to for quick pitstops, but all together it takes quite a bit of time. And money.

4. Shoe’s that girl

You sometimes hear people say that New York women carry around a pair of heels in their bag while they walk around in sneakers. Of course the city has sneaker junkies too, but the really #bossladies, they’re always a few inches up. They have big black beamers anyway that’ll drop ‘em off from Avenue to Boulevards showing off their perfectly manicured toes in their Loubie’s or Choo’s. Pretty much the exact opposite of the French who walk around in unbranded (or at least invisible) ballerina’s or biker boots that are ‘en vogue.’

5. And then the bag

Where a Parisienne would opt for a Jerôme Dreyfuss (who started designing in the first place because his Parisian friends hated walking around with a bag with an obnoxious label), a New Yorker prefers to have flashy bags. Proenza Schouler’s PS11 for the ‘hip’ proud nationals (Proenza is American), Victoria Beckham, a good old Chanel or a Balenciage for the edgier bunch.