Here's How New York's Most Stylish Women Are Dressing for Spring

With fashion month fully underway, it's time to hand it over to our friends across the pond. The sun may be setting on New York Fashion Week for another season, but in five whirlwind days, it has given us plenty of stylish moments to discuss. While we waited with bated breath to see just what London, Milan and Paris have up their fashionable sleeves, the outfits people were wearing on the streets of the Big Apple caught our attention just as much as what was shown on the runway. 

While Gabriela Hearst showed restrained, monochromatic tailoring, Tory Burch explored a tonal palette of navy, grey, tan and pops of red, and Khaite showed the elevated staples that we know and love. Outside on the streets, showgoers treated us to a cacophony of colours, textures and playful pieces that echoed free-spirited Americana. Of the many looks that we saw, the ones that resonated the most were the easy outfits made special with a key piece (e.g., a simple knit and jeans that look expensive with the addition of a maxi coat or a dressed-up pair of leggings with a particularly good leather jacket). The beauty in these outfits is their replicable nature, and noticing a pattern of the same hero pieces re-appearing time and again, we've pulled together a list of some of the most popular pieces to come out of NYFW street style, and the good news is they may well be in your wardrobe already. 

Just like their Scandinavian predecessor, cosy coats were as just big on the streets of New York as they were in Copenhagen, with fluffy faux fur and shearling being a major focus. There was also a lean towards the hyper-romantic this season. Among the jeans and casual flats were full A-line skirts, midi dresses and plenty of heels. But fear not. Although New Yorkers love statement shoes, they prefer theirs with a practical edge, so expect to see mid-height and kitten heels as opposed to skyscraper platforms. 

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676457401934-main

To find out which pieces stylish New Yorkers are wearing now and shop some of their key buys, keep scrolling for the very best street style looks to come out of New York Fashion Week. What more could you ask for from the city that never sleeps? 

The Best of New York Fashion Week Street Style 

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676447075010-main

Style Notes: We already love striped shirts and midi dresses, so what better way to improve on two staples than combining them into one easy piece? 

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676446687546-main

Style Notes: Head-to-toe tonal always has an impact, but it looks particularly expensive in this shade of cream. 

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676447625274-main

Style Notes: Living in leggings? Pairing them with a cropped biker jacket always looks effortlessly cool and gives you an excuse to wear flats. 

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676448252481-main

Style Notes: In case you hadn't noticed, Mary Janes are having a moment, and while the sunnier weather has yet to make an appearance, they look exceptionally good with tights. 

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676446230214-main

Style Notes: Last summer may have belonged to the micro mini, but this year, there's a new skirt in town. The midi-length, full-skirted A-line is the fashion insider's skirt of choice. Unconvinced? Check out Pernille Teisbaek's chic styling.

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676446872848-main

Style Notes: We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Kitten-heeled slingbacks should be on your radar. If you need dressy shoes that you can comfortably wear all day, they're the fashion person's current shoes of choice.

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676447877450-main

Style Notes: We spy an It bag, and as everyone from Harry Styles to Cate Blanchett has been snapped with Gucci Jackie bags, this seriously star-powered accessory shows no signs of slowing down.

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676447446090-main

Style Notes: We might be transitioning into spring, but it's still bitterly cold outside. Nothing beats a big, fluffy faux-fur or shearling coat to keep out the cold while looking extremely luxurious.

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676473870807-main

Style Notes: Welcome back to trench-coat season, the seasonal in-between that comes around every four or so months. This leather variation is a reminder of just how good this topper is for layering over summery pieces till the weather heats up.

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676447286852-main

Style Notes: It doesn't take much to convince us that the answer to any sartorial dilemma is wide-leg trousers, and this high-waisted pair looks particularly good with a menswear-inspired coat and chunky loafers.

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676447727819-main

Style Notes: Sorry, skinnies—it's time to share the limelight. New York has officially declared the return of baggy jeans, but keep them "grown up" with an oversized blazer and pointy heels.

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676457533227-main

Style Notes: Denim not your thing? Try switching your laid-back jeans for a pair of trousers with a little more polish. Leather trousers come into their own in autumn, winter and the start of spring, so make the most of this wise wardrobe investment by wearing them now with a T-shirt and jacket.

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676457815813-main

Style Notes: It might have originated in Britain, but the trench coat feels as natively New York as the Empire State Building, so pay homage to the classic by opting for a traditional camel trench with two-toned loafers.

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676458266323-main

Style Notes: Trend-spotting involves zeroing in on the buzzy clothing that we know you'll love and wear on repeat, but it equally applies to accessories. After the resurgence of the mini baguette, this Wandler tote is a sign of much bigger things to come, and we can back any trend that is this practical too.

KEY BUY:

new-york-fashion-week-street-style-february-2023-305565-1676462860445-main

Style Notes: This slingback-meets-wedge silhouette has its own cult following, and for good reason. I'm not sure whether it's the bold colour, the sculptural heel, the slingback strap, the logo or a combination of all of the above. But this unforgettable shoe style is still on the most-wanted lists of fashion people across the world two years after its original release.

KEY BUY:

Up Next, Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends: 21 Expert-Approved Looks You Need to See

Remy Farrell
Fashion Editor

Remy Farrell is a London-based shopping editor with nearly 10 years of editorial experience covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. After graduating with a journalism degree and working on the editorial and fashion teams for titles such as Grazia, Elle, Cosmopolitan and British Vogue, she moved into the luxury e-commerce sector, working as fashion assistant at TheOutnet.com styling for the social media channels and helping to develop the collections for the in-house brand Iris & Ink. After expanding an assisting and styling portfolio that includes shooting talent such as Gigi Hadid, Victoria Beckham and Miquita Oliver, she also branched out into beauty, creating tried-and-tested reviews and diverse beauty content.

In her role as shopping editor at Who What Wear, Remy is interested in discovering new and exciting brands to share with the Who What Wear readership and particularly loves uncovering hidden gems at affordable prices to make shopping accessible to everyone.

Born and raised in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Remy moved to London in 2014 and lives in the Docklands with her partner and pug Billie.