New York Fashion Week Wannabe

I can’t say it’s “always been my dream” to go to New York Fashion Week, but ever since I entered the world of fashion blogging in 2016 and started following certain bloggers religiously, I’ve had this itch to partake in the madness that is fashion week. I mean, you get to dress up in fancy (and a little crazy) outfits, you tour around NYC in the true New Yorker chaos, and you get to experience high-end fashion with some of the most stylish ladies on the block. Sign me up! Fashion Week officially starts tomorrow and ends on the 14^th. So until I can snag a plane ticket to the Big Apple (oh, and a few tickets to the runway shows), I decided this year I would create my own street style look that I would be wearing at NYFW if I were going. Paparazzi, please no photos!

While I’m not interested in wearing designer items (here’s why) and I don’t always think high fashion is actually the most fashionable (I mean come on guys—lot’s of the runway looks seem pretty “out there” and unwearable by the normal population), I DO still think it would be an absolute blast to watch the runway shows at NYFW. I may not like the majority of the clothing because it lacks practicality, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the art and craft of each of the pieces. Not to mention, the experience and comradery of NYFW is what I’m after anyways!

I have this fantasy that I go to NYFW and the paparazzi stop to question me and snap some photos:

Paparazzi: “Who are you wearing today?!”

Me: “Oh this? I just threw it together.” (In reality it took me many tries to land on this outfit!)

I’ve always believed that expensive and designer items aren’t necessary to be stylish. It would be so cool to create a rocking outfit for NYFW out of items that don’t have labels and came from stores the other fashion bloggers would never touch. How awesome would it be to impress them with your affordable, practical style? Just saying.

When I started brainstorming high-end looking outfits from pieces already in my closet, I started by choosing items with fancier materials and jewel tones for fall. I landed on this lace maroon tie-neck blouse, this plaid skirt (my favorite!), and these velvet flats. While I loved the combination, it seemed too corporate for NYFW and not edgy enough. After some contemplation and many piles of clothes later, I decided this was the right combination, I just needed a way to spice up the pieces a little!

Fast forward, and I made a few changes to the look to give it the extra Fashion Week umph it needed. I took the tank top liner out of the lace shirt so you could see my bra (that’s definitely not work appropriate, hehe) and I untied the part around my neck to make it more casual than a bow. With a little help from my friends, i.e. an on-trend headband, a big bow clutch, a chunky statement bracelet, and an edgy pleather jacket, I managed to accessorize my otherwise corporate outfit into something chic for Fashion Week!

The great thing about this outfit is that while it is very fashionable and has the juxtaposition often characteristic of Fashion Week street style, the ensemble is still very practical. All these pieces are wearable by themselves, and in a multitude of ways, so it’s not like I bought some crazy avant-garde blouse that would only ever be appropriate in New York. In addition, I’m wearing an insanely fashionable pair of flats! This girl ain’t about to strut around town in 6 inch stilettos! (I would certainly fall and break an ankle, and that’s the best case scenario.)

Would you wear this outfit to NYFW? What about a normal day, since it’s not too over-the-top? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and let me know in the comments if you’ll be following along at Fashion Week this year!

Have a fantastic Thursday and weekend.

Miles of smiles,

Grace

Maroon Tie-Neck Blouse: Banana Republic, $30 // Black Pleather Jacket: Blank NYC via Gracie’s Boutique, $25 // Plaid Skirt: Cabi Clothing, $89 // Velvet Flats: Sundance Outlet, $40 // Black Sunglasses: Charming Charlie, $7 // Blush Bow Clutch: Stitch Fix, $50