7 Basic Items NYC Girls Will Constantly Wear to Look Fashionable in 2020
New York City girls are truly in a sartorial league all on their own. Out of all the style sets, this group has expertly mastered the fashion yet functional sensibility more than anyone else thanks to their on-the-go lifestyle. As a result, they’ve developed quite the wardrobe of practical (but forward) basic items to use as the building blocks in their effortlessly cool ’fits. In fact, after scrolling through a range of imagery of some of our favorite New Yorkers, it became quickly evident that there’s a small sampling of simple pieces most wear on repeat.
And what’s particularly interesting is that while some of the coolest NYC fashion girls have been wearing said items over the last year, all of the staples in question will still be relevant in 2020 and beyond. To that, we believe even more city girls will embrace this edited assortment of basics throughout the year. So with all that in mind, keep scrolling for a bit of visual and shopping inspiration as we break down the seven simple items—everything from sleek booties to modern outerwear silhouettes—that New York City women will perpetually wear to look chic in 2020.
Forward tailoring brought that polished vibe to the outfits of many NYC girls in 2019—and the elegant look (especially slouchy blazers) won’t go away in 2020. Trust.
While New Yorkers definitely brought out their reimagined trench coats last year, the look will infiltrate throughout the city in an even greater way in 2020 as one of the chicest outerwear pieces out there.
Anna Wintour named flatter shoes to be one of the biggest trends of the year. New Yorkers are clearly all about the trend as they’re constantly hustling and desire comfort. While flats will be around, we bet NYC girls will consider lower-heeled pumps and booties to elevate their fits.
If NYC girls are slipping into a dress this time of year, it’s often a midi dress. That said, we’re not talking about just any old style, but rather those classic finds with a twist featuring unique asymmetrical cuts to make an impact.
If there’s one denim cut that will continue to reign supreme for this style set, it’s ’90s-inspired straight-leg jeans to bring an effortless cool vibe to any city ensemble.
Moto jackets have undoubtedly been a NYC girl-staple for years and years, but it’s the slightly oversize silhouettes that will upgrade even the most of-the-moment outfits this year.
Sling silhouettes ruled the 2020 runways with everyone from Sies Marjan to Bottega Veneta showcasing different iterations of slouchy styles. While this shape is already a go-to for many New Yorkers, we bet the look will keep invading in 2020.
Next, check out more outfits NYC girls love to wear.
Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.
-
Bella Hadid Wore the Pants Trend L.A.’s Chicest Women Wear Instead of Skinny Jeans
My other style muse just did, too.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
4 Dated Sweater Trends I'm Purging From My Small NYC Closet by the Year's End
And the chic knitwear I'm making room for.
By Natalie Cantell
-
There's Nothing Like Shopping in New York—Here's My List of Must-Visit Stores
Uptown edition.
By Eliza Huber
-
Native New Yorkers and Cool-Girl Transplants Agree on One Thing: These 31 Nordstrom Black Friday Sale Items Are *It*
Start the shopping.
By Ana Escalante
-
The Affordable Trend New Yorkers Will Wear Instead of Suede This Winter
Chic and cheerful.
By Natalie Cantell
-
I Live in Brooklyn—These Are the 5 Current Trends I Never See People Wearing
Plus the items that are buzzier than burgundy or suede.
By Natalie Cantell
-
I Just Went to NYC—This Was My 3-Day Capsule Travel Wardrobe
Versatile staples ahead.
By Bobby Schuessler
-
The Elevated Basics I'm Recommending to My Friends Who Live in NYC, Chicago, and L.A.
Fall staples.
By Bobby Schuessler