After Living in NYC for 10 Years, I'll Never Make These Fashion Mistakes Again
Seemingly overnight, I became a New Yorker. In reality, this moment has been years in the making—10 years, if we go by popular consensus—but as of 2019, I will have lived in New York City for a decade. For those of us that aren’t born and bred New Yorkers, there are several rites of passage one must encounter before earning this coveted merit badge:
Live in a mouse-infested apartment? Check.
Walk 20+ blocks in four-inch heels because you can’t get a cab? Check.
Accidentally get on the express train and end up in Queens? Check.
But there are also some great moments: attending your first NYFW show, scoring big at a sample sale, and finally landing your dream job. I like to think I learned a few things over these years of trials and tribulations, but at the very least, I’m sure I’ll never make these fashion mistakes again.
Accumulating a Closet Full of Saturday-Night Outfits
Reality check: Even though you might live in New York City, odds are it’s a weekday. After accumulating a few too many sparkly going-out tops and random cocktail dresses, it became clear that my wardrobe was prioritizing nights out in the Meatpacking District instead of, well, the mundanity of midtown. Now that I have a more responsible schedule, I love the idea of a capsule wardrobe. Some great basics, a little black dress or two, and of course some pumps with personality.
Commuting in Uncomfortable Shoes
Speaking of shoes, remember Melanie Griffith’s character in Working Girl? She wore dad sneakers before they were cool. After taking the Staten Island Ferry to her office in lower Manhattan, she’d change into some killer ’80s heels. You, my friend, are also a working girl. You too will be commuting in all sorts of weather. Buy some dad sneakers if you like, or stick to these tried-and-true classics.
Stella McCartney's take on this Adidas classic features an eco upgrade with vegan leather.
If you insist on commuting in a sandal, Birkenstocks are your best bet. The arch support is a lifesaver when walking around the city in the summer.
I'll be wearing these to and from the office all winter.
Buying Something Just Because It's on Sale
On that note, if you can score a deal on those Balenciagas (the ones that look like socks!), go for it. Or not. I once bought a really gorgeous pair of Prada loafers that were 30% off and a half a size too small. I loved them in the store but hated them on my feet (see: commuting shoes). If you see something shiny on sale but it’s not your size, tell a friend instead of trying to make it work.
DVF makes a quality shoe, and these on-sale booties let me dip my toes into the white boot trend without breaking the bank.
Forgetting to Dry Clean Cashmere Sweaters
Real talk, I love a cashmere sweater. I would live in a cashmere lounge set if it were socially acceptable and seasonally appropriate. You know who else loves cashmere? Moths. And yes, moths live in Manhattan, too. Do your future self a kindness and dry clean your sweaters before you put them away for the summer. Trust me on this one.
I already own about seven Everlane sweaters and just added this one to my cart.
Vince also makes wonderful knitwear—I love this season's cropped styles.
Wearing the Wrong Size Bra
At some point growing up, you were probably gifted either Our Bodies, Ourselves or The Care and Keeping of You. One thing these books neglect to mention is that your body continues to change during that defining decade between 20 and 30. Whether you need (yes, need) a strapless bra for a particular dress or top, find yourself wanting a bit more support, or just want to treat yourself, make sure you’re buying a bra that fits you right now—not that fits you after you lose or gain weight—one that fits you today. It’s not something you can always see in a mirror, but you can definitely tell in photos. Note: This counts for sports bras, too.
When I find a great-fitting bra, I always buy it in black and nude.
Hanging onto Outdated Denim
I spent a ridiculous amount of money on some bedazzled low-rise jeans in college. That style is never coming back—and even if it was, I’ve aged out of it. Fortunately, several stores offer discounts when you bring in your old denim. I’ve traded in a few dated pairs at Madewell and scored these much more appropriate styles for 20% off.
The rise and the wash on these jeans are perfect for my shape and style.
The frayed hem on these jeans gets better after every wash.
Sleeping in Worn-Out Pajamas
Have you ever woken up to a fire alarm and had to evacuate your apartment building at 3 a.m. in the winter? Then you’ll know pajamas with holes are not your friend. I love J.Crew's affordable sleep sets, and I’m dying to get my hands on a silk pair.
This vintage-inspired sleep set is undeniably cute, but I still don't recommend getting locked out in your PJs.
Alternatively, if you get trapped inside your apartment, you could spend the whole weekend in these.
Forcing a Trend
I love to see what myBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing colleagues wear to work every day, especially during NYFW. They are the best at mixing and matching prints and trends and colors! Myself, on the other hand? A stripe is about as wild as it gets—and if I’m feeling really crazy, I might even wear a color like navy! The truth is, my style is classic prep: button-down, jeans, loafers. But every New Yorker needs a leather jacket. I got mine at the five-year mark and wear it daily in the spring and fall.
I've had this Madewell tote for literally 10 years. It was my first NYC work bag and still looks great.
It's impossible to have too many versions of the classic Breton-striped shirt.
Leather jackets only get better with wear and tear. Invest a little, and it will last a lifetime.
Accidentally Flashing People on the Subway
Thank goodness for Bella Hadid who single-handedly brought back the biker short trend last summer. But actually—it was so hard to find cute biker shorts before then! No one wants to see (or be) a flasher on the subway, and that includes even those accidental ones. Wearing a dress on your commute? You’ll want to pair them with these.
Forgetting a Swimsuit
One of the best parts about living in New York City is leaving the city. You never know who is going to have access to a rooftop pool, hot tub, or an open spot in their summer share house. Even if it’s cold—or winter—throw a swimsuit in your bag just in case.
Underdressing for a Work Event
While the media industry tends to be pretty casual, there’s nothing worse than showing up in your everyday office attire when everyone else is showing off their street style chops. While my preferred emergency fix is a bold lip and a black pump (pairs nicely with a button down and jeans!), I always try to gauge the fanciness of an event before attending. If you find it difficult to decode the differences among summer chic, dressy casual, and cocktail attire, it never hurts to overdress. Jewelry and accessories are an easy way to upgrade any look.
It only took me 10 years to gather all this knowledge, and I’m still learning every day from my friends atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing . Thanks to their expertise, here are a few more fashion mistakes I’ll never make again:
8 Style "Mistakes" Fashion Girls Notice
Editors Cringe Every Time They See These Styling Mistakes
This Mistake Was Making All of My Outfits Look Cheap
Drew Elovitz is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has spent the last decade living and working in New York City. She earned a master's degree in media and popular culture from New York University, then began her career on the internet as the Twitter voice of Barbie. She worked previously atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing as the director of content strategy and also spent several years leading the social media teams at Teen Vogue and Entertainment Weekly. You'll find her byline on the site around topics such as celebrity fashion, must-have basics, beauty favorites (particularly nail polish), and wellness tips and tricks. Her personal style tends to favor the classics: She loves crisp white button-downs, sneakers, and skinny jeans—and no look is complete without a great pair of oversize sunglasses and a trusty leather jacket. After she finishes reading the entire internet every day, she can be found dining out at her favorite restaurants, trying new beauty treatments, or indulging her historical-fiction habit.
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