The Lower East Side Brand Stylish New Yorkers Are Wearing This Summer

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Published In Buying Guides
Alex Mill tote bag and ballet flats.
(Image credit: Alex Mill)

It’s my job to notice when something starts popping up in slightly niche ways. I’ve gotten to the point where I identify what someone’s wearing on the street in my head all the time: “Those are Levi's 501 '90s ankle length,” or “That skirt is from Cou Cou.” My best instance might be asking a server if her nail polish was Essie's Clam Bake a few summers ago and getting a pleasantly surprised, "Yes, how did you know that?" Most recently, the latest thing I’ve been clocking are personalized canvas tote bags and colorful leather ballet flats from Alex Mill all over New York City.

As I looked into it, the label first started in the Lower East Side in 2012 with the idea of making the perfect shirt. While researching, I found out the family lore: The founder, Alex Drexler, is the son of Millard “Mickey” Drexler, who founded Old Navy and Madewell and was also CEO of Gap and J.Crew. Beyond Manhattan and Brooklyn, I’ve also been seeing it online, worn by Courtney Grow, Julia Mervis, and our editor in chief, Kat Collings. I even saw a TikTok that called it "Alex Mill summer." Right now, The Perfect Weekday Tote and the Prince Street Ballet Flat are on my summer wish list.

Below, shop Alex Mill at Nordstrom, Shopbop, or directly on its website.

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Audry Hiaoui
Associate Shopping Editor

Audry Hiaoui is a writer based in New York. For Who What Wear, she specializes in emerging designers, independent labels, and brand discovery, as well as interviews both on and off camera. Her writing has appeared in AnOther, Wonderland, Office, Interview, Love, and i-D, among others, with multiple cover stories and features in print, and she has worked as an editorial producer for Vogue during fashion months. She holds a master's degree in journalism and documentary filmmaking from City, University of London, and has an extensive background in film, having worked for Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, and Vice UK as well as on various projects including documentaries and music videos and most recently as a writer's assistant on an upcoming HBO/A24 series.