5 Outfit Formulas That Stylish New Yorkers Are Wearing This Summer

Everyone has a season they love to dress for. For me, it's summer. I love the freedom summer gives you to play with colors and silhouettes. You're not forced to hide all of your pretty dresses under a coat, and I have a thing for great sandals, so needless to say, summer wins when it comes to my favorite season to dress for. This summer, New Yorkers are taking dressing for the heat up a notch. I've seen so much outfit inspiration every time I walk out the door that I knew I had to create an outfit guide of the chic and elevated looks I've seen stylish New Yorkers wear on repeat. I found looks you can wear from work to happy hour, on a first date, on nights out, or at events. 

Keep scrolling to see which five outfit formulas have an absolute choke hold on me for summer 2023.

1. Tank Top + Midi Skirt + Chic Sunnies 

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(Image credit: @chasemarieee)

New York City women everywhere have embraced skirts with longer hemlines for summer 2023. I remember when it was all about the miniskirt, but this season we're opting for longer lengths and pairing them with the perfect tank top. I love how the look above was accessorized; the pearls and heeled mules are perfection. 

2. Ruffle Dress + Moto Jacket

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(Image credit: @chanelmckinsie)

It's rare to need a jacket in the summer, but there is something about the juxtaposition of a romantic dress with ruffles paired with a moto jacket that feels so cool and fashionable. I'd wear this look to dinner or a night out. 

3. LBD + Sandals + Sunnies

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(Image credit: @gracejoshua13; PICTURED: Dolce Vita shoes; Versace Sunglasses; Bottega Veneta bag)

This is my go-to look for super hot days in New York City. A little black dress never fails me, and when it's 90°F and humid, I'm going to opt for whichever option has as little fabric as possible. Add your favorite sunglasses and a heeled sandal, and you'll look chic no matter where you're going.

4. White Outfit + Black Accessories

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(Image credit: @linhniller)

This is the summer of white outfits with black accessories. It falls perfectly into the quiet-luxury trend and feels so Parisian and elevated. Whether a dress or pants and a tank, this all-white vibe topped off with black accessories is so good. 

5. Midi Dresses + Ballet Flats

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca; PICTURED: Free People dress; Loewe bag; Tory Burch shoes)

If you're looking for an outfit to carry you from the office to drinks, this is the one. A good midi dress is an ultimate basic, and styling it with ballet flats feels so pretty and on trend. I'm copying this look from our editor Anna above ASAP. 

Next, Surprisingly, Everything For My Next Trip Will Be Anti-Trend—31 Items In My Cart

Assistant Editor

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Grace has always been a lover of all things fashion and beauty. Upon receiving her first degree in visual communications from FIDM in Los Angeles, she moved to New York City and continued her education at LIM College, majoring in fashion media with a minor in society and culture. Grace has worked for PhotoBook magazine, Insider, and Harper's Bazaar. As a writer, Grace has had pieces published covering topics including racial justice, fashion, politics, and current events. During her free time, she loves wine tasting, creating content for her social media, spending time with friends, traveling to new places, and Pilates, and has a love for reality television, especially The Real Housewives. Grace is the person in your friend group everyone goes to for recommendations for the best place to grab drinks in NYC on a Friday night or the best hotels and restaurants to try when traveling to a new city. While fashion is her main love, she loves all things wellness and lifestyle as well. Her ideal sunday is brunching with friends then walking around furniture shopping and listening to a podcast. As the assistant shopping editor at Who What Wear, Grace loves finding the best buys out there for the WWW readers.