The New York fashion scene is a cultural force.
From Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw strutting in royal blue Manolos to Gossip Girl’sBlair Waldorf redefining prep with a twist, New York has always been the backdrop for iconic fashion moments.
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The 2000s rom-com era further cemented the city's stylish reputation, with heroines like Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada capturing the transformative power of clothes in the concrete jungle.
© GC Images
Major American fashion houses like Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, and Calvin Klein have long shaped the New York aesthetic - polished yet practical, timeless yet trend-forward. The American metropolis has always stood as the more monochrome, sleek sister to its European counterparts of Paris, Milan and London - commercial and composed in equal measure.
© Gossip Girl
Today, New York Fashion Week is entering a new era of energy and innovation. With a wave of emerging designers, diverse voices, and immersive digital experiences (think Collina Strada, Puppets and Puppets and Willy Chavarria), the city’s fashion calendar is more thrilling than ever.
Take it from natives such as Katie Holmes and Leandra Medine Cohen, both of whom have cultivated uniquely striking wardrobes that ooze New York nonchalance with a tinge of street style edge. Their style pays homage to the fact that in NYC, the streets are your runway and the crowds are your audience.
Hence, the stakes are high when dressing for a NYC summer staycay. East Coast summers can be humid, so best to pack breezy, light essentials that radiate preppy chic.
What's more - we’ve done all the hard work for you. Discover what to pack for the ultimate New York vacation below.
Our top New York holiday essentials SS25:
Almadia Dress
DÔEN
Trust us when we say NYC is humid in the high summer. Ensure your wardrobe is a breezy dream with the cutest mini dress by DÔEN.
Brooklyn Bag
Coach
The It-girl American brand of the moment, Coach is brimming with chic accessories to house your city essentials. Our choice would be the Brooklyn Bag in chocolate - stylish and spacious in equal measure.
Medalist Stripe T-Shirt
Bode
Enter vacation mode with ease thanks to Bode's striped tee. An easy-wear gem from the cult American brand, this sweet pick is utterly cool-girl coded.
Marlow Long Denim Shorts
Citizens of Humanity
Lean into quintessential Americana style with a dose of denim. Citizen of Humanity's mid-wash shorts are a casual staple for ample city strolling. 100 per cent cotton, 100 per cent chic.
Ballet Flats
Camille Repetto x Marine Serre
Featuring Marine Serre's iconic crescent moon monogram, these block pumps are the prettiest shoewear staple. Crafted in collaboration with Repetto, the leather pumps ooze polished cool.
Ribbon-Detailed Capri Trousers
& OTHER STORIES
It's official, capris are back and better than ever. Step into style with these sleek bottoms by & Other Stories, complete with split hems and cute bow detailing.
Ribbed Tank Top
Tory Burch
One of New York's most timeless brands, Tory Burch is an endless vault of SATC-coded pieces. Carrie Bradshaw would be all over this floral-detail tank, which we'd pair with a Y2K handkerchief hem midi skirt.
Tie-Detailed Cotton-Poplin Midi Skirt
Deiji Studios
Combat the intense NYC heat with a lightweight cotton-poplin skirt. Known for its elegant collection of breezy staples, Deiji Studios is out go-to for cool, composed staples.
Silver Mega Starlink Earrings
Collina Strada
One of our favourite American brands, Collina Strada is rewriting the sustainable style book. Brilliant and bizarre, the brand's out-there designs are firmly etched on our radar.
Short Dress with Combined Design
Mango
Serve up preppy style with Mango's affordable mini dress, complete with a gentle puff skirt and classic Breton stripe detailing. Very Serena Van Der Woodsen.
Floral Embellished Skirt
Rotate
Shock horror - another Carrie Bradshaw-inspired piece! Rotate's shimmering sequin midi skirt in sky blue has been front and centre of my mind as of late - ideal for summer frolicking in the city. Pair yours with kitten heels and a white tank top for true Y2K perfection.
Spotted Elaphe-Printed Leather Sandal with Knot Detail
Jimmy Choo
Originally released in 2000, Jimmy Choo's point toe pumps are a an Upper East Side dream. Y2K with a luxury feel, these tasteful yet playful heels are primed for Big Apple frolicking.
How we chose:
- Style: We've selected an array of city-chic pieces Carrie Bradshaw would absolutely approve of.
- Price: The SATC lifestyle doesn't come cheap, but we've included a range of high street and high fashion pieces.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit ourFAQ page.
