I don’t know why this post about New York City v London street style was so easy to think about but so hard to write. I had so many ideas about this and had so many discussions with friends but just couldn’t manage to get the right words to write this up. You know I was really looking forward to seeing the street style in New York – I considered this almost a separate tourist attraction! And almost everyone who knows about my New York trip and interest in fashion asked me what I thought about the street style there as compared to London. So here goes.
As soon as I started walking around the city and looking at the way people dressed, some patterns and types of differences really stood out to me.
Sporty
NYC: New Yorkers generally as people dress more ‘sporty‘. Ok honestly sporty is probably not a good description but its definitely not as prim and proper as Londoners. New York style is definitely very sporty chic. Let me explain.
After seeing the way people dress the whole obsession with Lululemon and fancy leggings makes so much more sense to me. New Yorkers really know how to dress for the gym and beyond. I do love how going to the gym or wearing workout clothes is such a normal part of your day which makes the gym session and workout easier to fit into your day as well. Also, its not just gym clothes – its a gym outfit. The clothes are styled. New Yorkers wear workout outfits. Its not just leggings and a tee and I love this. Honestly, I always wondered how those cute cropped jackets or sweatshirts and running jackets fit into everyones wardrobe and I see this now. Seeing the people around me, I also wanted to be one of those chic people in a cool workout outfits pulling on a chic sweatshirt after my workout to have brunch with my friends in the West Village. I was so tempted to take a photo of this lady I saw in her leggings, with her waterbottle, cropped top/ sports bra, cropped jacket on top with a baseball cap with her perfect ponytail clipped into her cap and cute sneakers. You get the picture?
London: In London, gym wear is definitely not something you would wear unless you are going, coming or in the gym. Maybe if you are catching a coffee after gym in the weekend. But honestly, I haven’t even seen people wearing leggings during weekend brunches. This is just not a thing. Honestly, London is a little tradiotnal when it comes to things like this and the fact that some restsaurnst now let you in wearing sneakers is all I can hope for at this point. Leggings outside of gym is still something that would be looked down upon.
Casual
NYC: The general vibe with clothing is much more casual in New York. For the first few days I did feel overdressed since I had my outfit on – clothes, bag, accessories, shoes, lipstick – the whole bit. New York style is definitely more casual and well, less ‘stuffy‘ than London. It feels a little more effortless. I saw people in light jeans in a cocktail place we went to which surprised me.
London: Maybe my idea of how formal London is a little skewed because I spend most of my time in the city where I work. But its definitely more formal. I’ll be honest, I like dressing up and the London style suits me well. The casual New York style looks great but I definitely prefer the London look for myself.
Thrift
New York: This was something I loved! There is a definitely a major thrift and vintage style culture in New York. The cool effortless way people wear thrifetd clothes is beautiful. I saw a lot of vintagy camis, jeans, sundresses and wraps. Its a really chic effortless style which I desperately aspire to! Very Olsen twins or Kate Moss but slightly less edge and more feminine. New York wins the thrift style hands down.
London: So maybe I need to hang out in Shoreditch a little bit more but the city isn’t exactly the place for thrift style. Second hand and thrift shopping is definitely cathcing on in London but it isn’t as pospular as what I saw in New York.
Jacket: Denim and Leather
New York: Now this was such a noticeable difference to me. So many people in New York were wearing denim jackets! A lot of the jackets were the oversized ones over dainty dresses which is a great look. I also saw a lot of cropped denim jackets and some vintage thrifted jackets.
London: London is the city of leather jackets. Leather jackets are a part of the London uniform. I have a weakness for leather jackets. I currently use a fake leather jacket from Forever 21 which I have used for about 5 years now. My next one will probably be second hand. The only issue being that getting my size second hand is quite a feat.
(FYI, all details about this outfit is in my previous post!)
I don’t own a denim jacket. Honestly, I am not sure where it would fit into my wardrobe. Its definitely not substantial enough for someone like me who feels cold all the time. So I am on London’s side again on this – leather jackets forever!
And there you have it. My scientific analysis of New York City v London street style. I can’t believe this mammoth post is finally over! Finally! Sorry guys, I know I am behaving like I wrote up some epic mythology but I think have been working on this post ever since I came back from New York which was almost 3 months ago. Would love to hear some feedback and comments especially from locals in the two cities. Do my observations make sense to you or are you wondering what I am even talking about? Comment please – either below or on Instagram. Let chat it out!
Also make sure you have seen my New York shopping posts in case you want to get hold of some half-price Chanel!
All my photos by the Instagram husband, DJ.
– Anisha
NYC style definitely are here for the leggings baseball caps and sneakers. I’m from NJ and we love jean jackets over our dresses t-shirts etc. such a chic look. I didn’t realize London is much more formal Great pics!! now let’s talk about that stunning dress you have on Beautiful!! We would throw a Jean jacket in the evening right over it … haha loved your comparison
It’s interesting to hear your experiences about London sports fashion. Living in London I have to say I see a number of people wearing leggings and some I now have them as daily wardrobe staples. There are different types, of course, depending on if you are doing sports or wearing them for casual wear.
Ah interesting. I see people in London wearing leggings but never for instance, out for lunch – only to the gym and stuff and this was very different from what New Yorkers wear it!
Interesting! I would of never known that they were more casual. Though, got to give them the thumbs up for sneakers! Love Sneakers!
I am a major sneakers fan too! But in true London style I do feel I need to dress up even more to makeup for my causal sneakers!
Do you think leggings are just an acceptable form of attire in the US and not accepted in other countries? I’ve never been to NY but from my time in London, I don’t remember anyone wearing work out attire! that’s funny because I didn’t realize it. I live in Vail, CO and it seems if you’re walking around in workout clothes, it needs to be a brand name like Lululemon so I’m digging this NY style.
Haha! Yeah – wearing leggings sounds so odd in London but its so normal in New York! But New Yorkers really dress up their workout outfits!
It is really interesting to hear the difference in styles between these two stylish locations. I would love to make it to NYC and have a nose myself and check out what people are wearing for myself! I always love seeing peoples different styles and looks.
I’ve never really noticed much of a difference in style of people in New York whenever I’ve been there before but I’ve probably just been surrounded by tourists not from New York x
So true because most of the places we as tourists go would be with other tourists! I ended up seeing a lot of the style also because I have some friends living in New York so met other New Yorkers through them and so on. Always fun to see the street style!
It’s so interesting that there’s such a different in styles. We loved it in New York and we found it definitely is more relaxed when it comes to style.
It is fascinating to find out how the styles vary from city to city. I definitely see NYC as having a more sporty and casual vibe.
Great dress! I think London is smarter than New York in general although I did go to a Michelin Star restaurant in New York and someone was wearing jeans.
I like the relaxed style of NYC, there is a whole mix of styles which is great to see