How to look like a New Yorker
5 tips to blend in with the city folk
In the summertime, it’s always amusing to see the throngs of tourists wherever you go, especially if you live in destination cities like New York or London.
I’ve been lucky enough to live in both — 10 and 2 years, respectively. And I’ve traveled to most tourist favorites in the world.
Which is why I feel I am slightly qualified when it comes to the topic of tourist fashion.
Generally, I’ve found that people fall into 1 one of 3 categories when dressing on vacation.
3 levels of tourist style
Don’t care
These people don't care at all about how they look. Mismatched colors, clothes, and accessories, the world needs them, tooCare a little
These people make an effort, but still have a few tells that reveal they’re out-of-towners (like the scrunchy episode on “Sex and the City,” circa 2003)
We’re not from here Blend in
These people totally blend in and look like the locals
Out of these 3, I think I fall into the last category.
No matter where I am in the world, I do my best to adapt to the local style.
But one place where it’s hard to not look like a tourist is New York City.
In this New York Times article, someone asks how to not look like a tourist.
The answer is on point; the city is such a melting pot of characters with eclectic senses of style; it's not what you wear but how you wear it.
The city’s fashion reflects its edge and grittiness; the clothing exudes the confidence of the person wearing it.
And, it’s more about body language. New Yorkers walk purposefully and quickly.
So, if you’re traveling to New York, then here are some tips to blend in.
5 ways you can look and sound like a native New Yorker
1. Don’t stop short
Don’t. Stop. Short. In other words, don’t just be walking, and then decide to come to a full stop on the sidewalk.
Just don’t do it. In the street or subway or anywhere.
God knows how many times I’ve cursed a tourist or person who stops short in front of me in the street or in the subway station, and risks getting bumped into by everyone behind them.
Nothing invokes New Yorkers’ wrath more (or makes you look like a tourist more) than people idling or congregating in the middle of the sidewalk, unsure of where they’re going and how.
Instead, duck into a neutral corner or building foyer and devise your next travel spot.
2. Give geographical (not location-based) addresses
Next time you’re in a taxi, impress your friends and family by giving a cross street instead of an actual address. You’ll sound like a tried and true New Yorker.
For example, you wouldn’t say “555 Lexington Avenue.”
Instead, you would say “50th and Lexington,” or even “50th and Lex.”
As you’re approaching your destination, ad because all city streets are directional on a grid system, you could tell your driver you would want to be dropped off on the right or the left side of the street and on the near or far corner of the intersection.
3. Wear black, gray, white and other muted tones
There’s something that happens after you’ve lived and breathed the city air. It seeps its way into your closet in the form of head-to-toe black.
Only in New York have I found that black on black is fully acceptable as a daily uniform.
If you wish to branch out, then add white, gray, or denim of any wash.
And don’t forget to carry a canvas tote, which may or may not be printed with the label of a cool bookshop or fashion retailer.
4. Women wear flats
Forget Carrie strutting around town in her Blahniks — she was walking no more than a couple of blocks before she hopped into a taxi.
When I’m people-watching from the back of an Uber or taxi, the single, most-defining article of daytime clothing that says, “I'm not from here,” is a woman’s high heeled shoes.
The rest of her outfit probably also indicates she’s not from there, but here’s a simple fact: New York women don't wear heels to get around town.
They need to get to where they’re going and fast. Heels prevent this.
If they are wearing heels, they're not walking in the street for long because they're hopping in and out of cabs or cars, or they've got a spare pair of flats in their bag.
This was the case when I lived in London, and was also true for my time in New York.
5. Ride the bus
The bus system may seem complicated to conquer—but it’s really not!
In fact, the day I rode a Manhattan city bus was the day I felt like a true New Yorker.
Busses operate all along the city’s grid of streets, and reach hyper local areas where the subways don’t.
You also eliminate going down into the subway, which in the dead heat of summer is more reminiscent of eau de weed and piss.
Do you try to blend with the locals when you travel? What universal pieces of clothing do you travel with, that work no matter where?
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Until next time,
Shindy
On Instagram + TikTok
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I don’t think of myself as a “Birkenstock person” but their white Madrid (single strap) sandals are my new go-to travel shoes. Wearing them around LA as j type.