What’s Hot and What’s Not: An Interview with a FIT Student
Dress to impress, NYC style
by MADISON MANCZKO ★ MARCH 24, 2021
Are you a Syracuse student who loves keeping up with the latest fashion trends? Do you often wonder if your outfits would be considered stylish in NYC? Lucky for you, I have a fashion-forward friend at FIT to steer upstate New Yorkers like us in the right direction. So, take some advice from my dear friend Abby Weiss and learn how to dress like a New York City fashion student.
Q: What do you usually wear for a day of classes?
A: My first day of classes both semesters I tried (a little) the first couple days. I went for a lace-trimmed tank paired with a silky button-up. Now my class attire generally consists of joggers and a cami.
Credit: Abby Weiss
Q: What are some of your favorite NYC street style trends right now?
A: Hmmm that's hard because there are so many absolutely stunning trends right now but I'm seriously obsessed with vintage-looking corsets and bustiers. I'm also living for chunky boots, vintage fur hats, and psychedelic swirl patterns.
Q: What are your favorite current runway trends, and how can college students realistically incorporate these looks into their wardrobes?
A: Runway and high fashion trends I'm loving right now are highlighted construction and seaming (Ottolinger, Alexander McQueen, Charlotte Knowles, Mugler).
The best way to find authentic pieces that fit these aesthetics on a college budget will be to get these styles second hand whether that be thrifting or online resale (Depop, ThredUp, Thrifted). In my opinion, layering can be one of the best ways to achieve this look. It might seem like a lot but give a pair of chaps a chance and layer some colorful tights or biker shorts underneath. Find materials that contrast each other in colors that make the pieces stand out. Seeing each piece as its own organ that is vital to the outfit can help mend opposites together.
Credit: Instagram (@abbyyweiss_)
Elevated knits have really been given a moment with younger brands such as Thebe Magugu, Isa Boulder, and Charles Jeffrey Loverboy. For this look, it's really about hunting for pieces you genuinely like and can be the star of the show either because of pattern or pristine fit. You could even take up knitting or crochet and draw inspiration from pieces you like.
Credit: matchesfashion.com
Credit: matchesfashion.com
I've also been loving inspirations of melodramatic glamor. It can come in the form of nearly shoulder-high silk gloves or gaudy furs. You can see brands such as Schiaparelli and George Keburia modernize these tropes with a playful self-awareness. My tips for pulling off the ironic aristocrat look is taking a chance on vintage pieces that look lost in time and something you find in your rich great aunt's closet rather than the local influencer's.
Credit: Pinterest
Credit: Pinterest
Q: What does a FIT student wear on a typical weekday? Weekend?
A: I'd say I dress similar to your average FIT student. On the weekdays at Trader Joe's you'll catch me in a puffer coat, wide-leg pants, and whatever vintage top I happened to grab. On weekends you'll see corsets, cargo pants, ankle-breaking boots, and probably a fur coat. Some will opt for ruched dresses and leather and others will wear worn-out Levi's and ironic graphic tees.
Credit: Instagram (@abbyyweiss_)
Q: What are some trends you wish college students would stop wearing? What’s “out” right now?
A: The trends I'm not loving are (specifically) vinyl puffers and faux plushy totes. Also the Aliexpress drop-shipped patchwork jeans I’m REALLY tired of.
Credit: Aliexpress
Credit: Pinterest
So there you have it: an inside look into NYC style, from one of its very own fashion students. If I were you, I’d start investing in some vintage corsets, faux fur, and cargo pants, as they are all the rage in the fashion capital. At the end of the day, however, the best fashion advice is to rock everything you wear with confidence because the key to dressing like a true New Yorker is to own your style.
For a more detailed look into runway street style and life in NYC, follow Abby at @abbyyweiss_ on Instagram.
Happy shopping!
Cover photo credit: Instagram (@abbyyweiss_)