Things I Learned in New York, Part I: The New Uniform

I spent a few full days in NYC this past weekend, soaking up the sights, the sounds, and the smells. We ate a lot, walked a ton, and managed to get a little bit of rest too on the vacation.

I like to think of myself as pretty fashion-forward. But this weekend, I was TOTALLY out of my element. I hit up NYC at least two times a year, even if just for an afternoon, but this was the first time where I ever felt completely out of place and tourist-y with my otherwise planned-out ensemble. It was not quite winter coat weather, and so I got to see a whole new style in play by the Manhattan ladies.


One word: Leggings. Everywhere. Black ones, mostly, but some were beige or brown. Worn with layer upon layer of tops and shoes and hats. Long sweaters and vests. Short ankle boots. Tall flat boots. Necklaces and wraps and scarves. Underneath the different ensembles, though, was the same pair of black stretchy leggings.

(Note: top pic is actually from FabSugar in 2006! Proof that these styles resurface every few years. Bottom pic is H&M today)


So what did I do? I went to H&M. I knew I could count on them to keep me hip with the latest style. Every H&M store is slightly different, tailoring its offerings to the locals. So of course, what do they have in the NYC stores, but walls upon walls of leggings. And these huge sweaters you should wear over them, and small ankle booties to finish the look.

I have never felt so out of place in an H&M. This leggings-look is so foreign to us in Atlanta! For one, the huge sweaters would kill us, since Atlanta never gets cold enough to pull that those off. But the leggings with lighter longer tops, I can try. A nice salesgirl helped me pick out a top (I seriously had to ask for help, I was so over my head), and I have made a mental note to find some knee-high flat boots to throw on, too.

So, the look is supposed to be effortless-looking, but wouldn't you know, I am going to have to actually TRY to pull it off :) Today I am flying to DC, and am wearing the new pair of leggings under a jumper and shirt outfit, paired with black flats for the plane, but with gray stacked heels for the office. Definitely a new look for this Betty, but I am willing to experiment!