The Summer Trends You'll See on Every UES Corner, From Bemelmans to the RL Mansion
Khaki skirts! Strappy mules! Poplin pants!
The Upper East Side is having a much-deserved moment right now. People can only take so much of the chaos in Williamsburg, SoHo, and the Lower East Side, and they've found that when you jump on the 4, 5, or 6 train and keep going past 59th Street, a far slower experience awaits. The stores—even the same ones that exist in SoHo—are less busy and more spacious, and the restaurants rarely have lines out the door (unless you're trying to get frozen yogurt at Madison Fare or Butterfield Market). Plus, if street style interests you, there's a whole new world to see and take note of, as completely different trends gain popularity on the streets of the Upper East Side compared to downtown Manhattan.
In the wintertime, Fifth, Madison, and Lexington will be filled with long fur stoles, cashmere wrap coats, and sleek pointed-toe boots from the Manolo Blahnik flagship store, one of many shops to stop into if you find yourself uptown. Soon, those same streets will be adorned with some of the best dressers in NYC, wearing strappy sandals, pencil skirts, dainty jewelry, and little white dresses. These aren't trends. Rather, they're classic pieces that feel especially relevant and fresh because of the way that they're styled on Upper East Siders. Think a flower brooch on a simple tank dress or a patterned bandana dressing up linen Bermuda shorts and flip-flops.
This summer, when you don't know what to wear, take a trip uptown, where the chic trends below will be executed perfectly by some of New York's finest.
Upper East Side Summer Trends to Shop
1. Strappy Sandals
The shoes you'll likely spot most on an early Saturday evening on Madison Avenue this summer will be some variation of Manolo Blahnik's Callamu sandals, which feature two crisscrossing straps on the toes and a mule shape. They're classics worn by everyone from Carolyn Bessette Kennedy to Hailey Bieber, and their timeless design has kept them popular for years, especially on the UES. Style them with a pencil skirt, vintage jeans, or a cocktail dress.
2. Embossed Animal-Print Accessories
This summer, every clutch, tote, and pair of kitten heels will be embossed with some sort of animal print, from crocodile to snakeskin to ostrich to eel. Classic leather will always be in, but if you want to look 2026 on the UES, opt for textured accessories, playing with jewel tones, mismatching materials, and styling them with toned-down apparel, like a crisp button-down shirt and tailored skirt.
3. Dainty Jewelry
I know large, statement-making jewelry has been everywhere lately, but that isn't exactly the case on the UES. Sure, you'll find a lot of large diamond rings, but when it comes to everyday jewelry, chic women uptown are donning smaller, daintier pieces that feel casually elegant, prioritizing high-quality pieces that impress, no matter their actual size. Think dangly earrings with subtle stones and tennis necklaces.
4. Poplin Pants
Skip jeans this summer and opt for a pair of clean, polished poplin pants instead. Trust me. Whether you style them with flat or heeled sandals, you'll be regret-free unless you spill something on them, but that's what bleach is for. They instantly elevate every summer outfit, as proven by countless women on the UES, who will be donning this pant trend all season long.
5. Flower Brooches
Arguably, the most trend-forward item on this list comes next in the form of beautiful flower brooches, as seen on the runways at Chanel and Dior in recent seasons. They're 3D and quirky, making them a perfect addition to simple outfits, like a white linen dress or T-shirt and jeans.
6. Pointed-Toe Mules
Another rich-looking shoe trend that I frequently spot on the UES is pointed-toe mules. They're easy yet elevated and will make every jeans outfit and skirt suit appear modern and stylish, readying you for any occasion, from a casual dinner on a restaurant patio to a night at one of the UES's many museums and galleries. They're the "do it all" shoes that you'll wear again and again.
7. Silk Bandanas
Want to take an okay outfit to compliment-worthy status? Add a silk bandana. It's the summer trick for making any look appear interesting and put-together. Tie it around your head, as seen above, or get creative by turning one into a top, tying it around your waist like a belt, or even making a bag out of it.
8. Khaki Skirts
If you want to look like a Ralph Lauren woman who sips martinis at the Polo Bar and Bemelmans on a Friday night, invest in a tailored, khaki-colored column skirt. Black is chic, of course, but in the summertime, a lighter alt will get far more wear. Pro tip: Style it with your Manolo Blahnik Callamu sandals and a lightweight knit tank.
9. Raffia Bags
On the bag front, you can't go wrong with a raffia bag for summer. But before you start styling yours with beachy pieces to match its vibe, try elevating the handbag style with more elegant items. It's called the wrong-bag theory, and it works every time.
