I was shocked by the outfits at New York fashion week – so many were NSFW like sheer bodysuits
AMONG Soho’s cast-iron architecture, New York City goers swarmed the cobbled streets in colored patchwork, designer drip, and homemade cutout creations during February’s fashion week.
Being two enamored style fans, Nadgeena and I, Kaleigh, thought we’d emerge ourselves in the fashion hub to catch people roaming the neighborhood between runway shows.
While fashion week is known to host celebrities, industry leaders, and trendsetters at a series of collection shows, thousands of people spend the five days dawning style diversification on the streets.
Expensive designer wear isn’t a requirement. And the majority of people tend to stray from solely sporting big-name brand emblems.
When we hit the streets on Tuesday evening, individuals bore unique ensembles made up of sourced vintage, cheap finds, and original pieces.
Two men walking down Spring Street caught our eye immediately.
At first glance, their two all-black outfits appeared simple.
Luckily, I caught the particulars, which included the structure and additives to their base pieces.
I was unable to contain my excitement at finding out that the two men were wearing items that ranged in price.
Evan sported a T-shirt from Hood By Air, and Niko wore a throwaway shirt he cut up himself.
In the mix of the two looks were items from Zara and Dr. Martens.
Niko, agent and longtime fashion week participant, had a few things to say about what he’d seen this season.
When asked if he noticed anything different from the previous week in September, he asked: “Do you want to know the honest truth?”
Of course, we did.
“It’s actually trash. It’s the worst fashion week in New York I’ve ever seen and experienced as an agent,” Niko told us.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t at bay to reveal why.
If you asked a first-time attendee like myself, our perceptions would be quite different from those who have experienced the chaos of the five days many times before.
It’s safe to say the pleasure I took in my exhaustion and sore feet was not shared by many, and I didn’t ask, but I can only assume Niko wasn’t a fan.
The lack of patience became vastly apparent after the fifth stranger on the street outwardly ignored our request to speak with them — even when we opened with a compliment.
Yet, amidst the unwillingness, Bella, a lifestyle influencer and content creator who flew in from Dallas, Texas, took the time to break down her chic look for us.
Her entire look mainly consisted of pieces from the Spanish brand Mango, with the exception of her long white trench from NA-KD.
However, she held on to her Jacquemus Le Chiquito Top-Handle Bag and kept Chanel sunnies on her face.
The fashion devotee admitted: “I’ve seen a lot of crazy and impressive looks on the street.
“I mean, it’s New York, right? Everyone looks unique in their own style, and that’s what I love.”
A group of young girls couldn’t agree more with Bella.
The trio displayed their take on streetwear, adding trendy Y2K bits with a collection of Fashion Nova items.
To them, wearing only designer items wasn’t what they considered “fashionable.” Incorporating personality would make a look stand out.
Two students studying fashion went so far as designing and stitching pieces under a brand called “Gen-Z” they hope to create in the future.
A simple pair of white trousers were layered with black fabric with circle cutouts down the pant legs.
The one-of-a-kind design was derived from their identity as a part of Generation Z.
Mimicking the mod building of the neighborhood, a black-and-white combination seemed to be the theme.
However, an older man meshed pinstripes with polka-dots and plaid, while another woman was in a colorful patchwork pullover with an exclusive color block crossbody bag.
Keeping with the fast pace of fashion week, the last couple we talked to hastily through their half-smoked cigarettes on the sidewalk and detailed their outfits piece-by-piece.
The man put together a mix of informal and formal items, wearing an Assembly blazer with an Asspizza T-shirt.
One vintage coat from her mom and a forgotten black dress comprised his partner’s look.
Though levels of enthusiasm seemed diminished, originality was not on the Soho streets.
Everyone was wearing something different, using New York City as their never-ending runway.