THIS IS HOW YOU DRESS LIKE A NEW YORKER

– In 5 manageable steps –

How a Parisian dresses, we have studied extensively. Understated chic, expensive brands but heaven forbid a label is visible anywhere. Done undone hair, little makeup, and excruciatingly slim, voilà the appearance of the average left bank lady. It’s a skill, approaching a Parisian.

Dressing like a New Yorker is a lot easier. Here, over the top and uncomfortable are the magic words.

1. The leather jacket

Essential in a New Yorker's wardrobe. Ideal for business meetings and it fits perfectly for a quick visit to the Moma and is the perfect outfit for lunch at Pastis. By the way, is that open again? It seems like the Ritz in Paris as long as they are renovating there.

2. The perfect jeans

With a good pair of jeans, you can't go wrong anywhere, but especially not in New York. If you want to fit in with the cool girls, you take one from Rag and Bone (don't be shocked by the price tag) or from J.Brand. You can choose whether to wear it slim cut or prefer the boyfriend style. Anyway, ripped is still the word in New York, so tear away.

3. Nails, hair, nails, hair

Baudelaire once said that it was a tough job to be a beautiful woman. He probably meant all those men you have to fend off, but hopefully, the French philosopher also recognized all the work that comes with it. And in New York, the aesthetic bar is set quite high. They like to see you ‘toned’ (so off to the gym, every day) and with hair in place and nails polished. Luckily, there are plenty of skilled types in New York for that, but it still costs you time. And money.

4. Shoe’s that girl

It is often said that New York women carry their heels in their bags and only walk in sneakers. Of course, there are sneaker girls. But the real career princesses just walk around all day in heels. They have a black car that takes them from Avenue to Boulevard and love to show off their Choos or Louboutins on their pedicured feet. This is pretty much the opposite of Paris where label-less (or at least not visible) ballerinas or biker boots are ‘en vogue’.

5. And then the bag

If a Parisian opts for a Jérôme Dreyfuss (he started designing bags because his Parisian friends refused to carry a bag with a visible label and he was annoyed by their linen alternatives), a New Yorker flashes with her designer bag. The PS11 from Proenza Schouler for the more hip and patriotic type (Proenza is an American label), a Victoria Beckham, a good old Chanel, or a nice Balenciaga for the tougher type.