8 Trends New York's Style Elite Are Wearing Right Now

Fashion month has kicked off with its first stop of the season: New York. While we naturally anticipate the moment when the torch passes to London, there’s always a palpable excitement when the first shots from across the pond begin to land in our inboxes. After all, New York Fashion Week sets the tone for the entire month, and if the first few days are anything to go by, this season is shaping up to be quite the spectacle.

To ensure you have insight on what the editors, influencers and celebrities are wearing to take in the shows, we enlisted the talents of not one but two skilled photographers, who have been pounding the pavement to find the best street style looks from the week. With their assistance, we’ve clocked countless ensembles we wouldn’t mind re-creating ourselves this spring, from the coolest accessory moments to the standout colour trends.

Knowing that you too like to have your finger firmly placed on the fashion pulse and get just as much satisfaction outfit spotting as we do, we’ve whittled down the key looks and trends you need to see from February 2022’s New York Fashion Week. Scroll on to see the street style trends that stood out during the shows.

1. FUN FEATHERS

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(Image credit: JASON JEAN FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Feathers are a recurring theme in fashion right now, so it’s no surprise that they were the embellishment and texture of choice during NYFW. 

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(Image credit: JASON JEAN FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Look for bright tones to keep the look fresh and springlike. 

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2. CORSET TOPS

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(Image credit: JASON JEAN FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

The Y2K mood was evident on the streets of New York City, where we spotted more corsetry-inspired tops than we could count. 

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(Image credit: JASON JEAN FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Keep the look classy with neutral and monochromatic colour palettes and less-is-more styling. 

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3. CUT-OUT MAXIS

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(Image credit: JASON JEAN FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Maxi hemlines are a huge 2022 trend, and already, street stylers are tapping into it. Tick off two major looks in one by investing in a cut-out iteration. 

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(Image credit: JASON JEAN FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Cutout maxi dresses were everywhere, even catching the attention of the celebrity set—hey, Nicky Hilton Rothschild. 

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4. OVERSIZED BLAZERS

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(Image credit: CLAIRE GUILLON FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

If you’re yet to invest in an oversized blazer, consider this the sign to do so. The cover-up of choice for the unexpectedly pleasant February weather, this is a staple you’ll wear right through until summer. 

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(Image credit: CLAIRE GUILLON FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

A cream or white blazer will give you every outfit you wear a refresh. 

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5. OVAL SUNGLASSES

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(Image credit: CLAIRE GUILLON FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Sometimes, it’s the smallest things that can make the biggest difference to your look. Cue sunglasses—specifically white oval-shaped sunglasses, which dominated the New York Fashion Week street style scene. 

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(Image credit: CLAIRE GUILLON FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Minimalists and maximalists alike are getting in on the white-oval-sunglasses action. 

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6. COLUMNS OF COLOUR

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(Image credit: JASON JEAN FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Assuming you’re already up to speed on our trend report, you’ll know that columns of colour—wearing one shade top to toe—was a major look on the S/S 22 runways. Naturally, street stylers took note and paraded in a rainbow of hues on the NYC sidewalks. 

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(Image credit: JASON JEAN FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

We applaud the dedication of this look. How dreamy is that sunny yellow Prada Cleo bag? 

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7. WIDE-LEG TROUSERS

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(Image credit: JASON JEAN FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

One trend that isn’t going anywhere is wide-leg tailored trousers—the slouchier, the better. 

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(Image credit: CLAIRE GUILLON FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

The street style elite wore theirs with flat shoes—everything from trainers to chunky loafers. 

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8. DECORATED PONYTAILS

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(Image credit: JASON JEAN FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Hats have been dominating the accessory scene for a few seasons now, but it would appear those in the know are reaching for hair embellishments once more to elevate their ’dos. 

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(Image credit: CLAIRE GUILLON FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Whether it's ribbon intertwined in a braid or a sleek style accompanied by chains, decorated ponytails were all the rage at New York Fashion Week. 

Shop the trend:

Next Up, Spring/Summer 2022 Trends: The Only 17 Looks You Need to Know About

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.