On the New York Dress Code: Outerwear 101

Photo by myself in Midtown, around 57th Street and Fifth Avenue.

Here's a quick lesson on outerwear in New York.

Above, a well-dressed street corner in a fancy area of Midtown. Fifth Avenue is known for boutiques and larger flagship stores. Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany's and Prada are all located within a few blocks of each other.

The above photo was taken before all the snowfall. Even then, it shows how well-equipped some people are, with their coats and hats and scarves and boots.


A typical street corner in Midtown.

The second photo was taken Wednesday morning during yet another snowfall. Huge flakes started falling early and went on through the day. The snow is expected to continue through the night, totaling up to ten inches.

Note there are five people in the photo (four on this corner, one on the opposite corner) and they are all dressed in black. Even I am wearing black. This is the typical New York proletariat dress code that everyone jokes about.

I'd say 80% of New Yorkers wear shades of black, grey, dark green or navy on a daily basis. If you scroll down and look at other recent photos, this is consistent.


At the De Kalb subway station in Brooklyn, a lone figure in white.

Finally, the easiest way to be noticed in New York is to dress completely in white, head to toe. Seriously, you will be noticed.

I saw this fellow twice in one week, and I know it was him because the chances of seeing two fellows in white pants, a white top, white shoes and white hat, carrying a white duffel bag were just too slim.

I have a hunch that this guy is a street performer, and his costume is made to draw attention to himself. Either that, or with the recent snow, he is actually dressed in camoflage.

Related posts: Portrait of a Film Shoot, in Prospect Heights, Portrait of Five New Yorkers, on the Upper East Side and On the Picket Line, in Hell's Kitchen.