The Windy Style

Spending a weekend in Chicago, I was struck as to how differently I dressed from the other people around me (aka the locals). Wearing a black and white color block tee with a pair of skinny jeans and Prada Sport dress shoes/sneakers, I realized how I didn’t see anyone who dressed or event remotely looked like me. And Chicago is a big diverse city.

Having lived in New York for 15 years, I have assimilated into the urban tribe’s look of sleek and modern style. This includes plenty of dark slacks/jeans, statement shoes/sneakers, and a lifetime worth of coats and jackets for any weather front possible. To back this up, I recently added a waterproof parka in lieu of Auntie Sandy’s visit last October. She was a hot mess and my new H&M parka is amazing. It says “I Heart Music Not the Rain.”

So it always intrigues me to see how other city tribes dress. Naturally it’s based on the law of averages. The number of times I see a bright pair of neon-colored crocs versus the number of Prada loafers catches my eye. How frequently I see an oversized LL Bean fleece sweater come towards me on a hot summer day in July on the street also says a lot about a city. And my powers of observation are only attuned in local areas and neighborhoods versus a tourist spot (i.e. Times Square, Hollywood Boulevard, Epcot Center).

Based on my non-scientific studies and built-in stereotypes, I’ve deduced the following:

1. There’s a reason why New York Fashion Week is the only globally recognized place where everyone needs to be in order to see what will be the next big trend of the year. Sure it’s due to the longstanding history of manufacturing and a home base to designers. But NYers are also obsessed about being current and what everybody else is wearing now. That guy cuffed his pants and doesn’t look so gay, I’ll try it too. 

2. Bostoners and Washington DC locals, will forever keep Ralph Lauren in business. Whether they be Democrat, Republican or Boston Tea Partier, they all have the right to bare polos. Granted, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen an American patriot playing polo. What do I know?

3. Chicagoans dress like they just stepped out of a Macy’s catalog. Not meant in any disparaging way, but they really do look like the men and women you see in Macy’s monthlies. You’re not inspired to wear something different unless it’s been watered down and made safe by uncle Macy’s.

NOTE: This also applies to all of the southern cities and small Midwest towns I’ve visited. They look like Dillards, Belk or a Super Target (#obsessed with Super Targets).

4.     L.A. people dress like male and female starlets. All the guys dress like they are auditioning for a role of girl or guy next door. For examples, please turn your TV on to a Lifetime melodrama.

5.     San Francisco locals dress like hippies with money…lots of internet start-up money.

6.     The people in Seattle were tough to pin down since it was so spread out. Overall, they looked like New Englanders with their sporty fleece, parkas and plaid. They frozen in a grunge look and I’m totally okay with that.

YES
Find your zip code in relation to the above and see how much of your personal style holds true. Own it!

NO
Just because you're a transient and don't have a permanent mailing address doesn't make you an individual. It makes you a schizophrenic. Your style is all over the place. Settle down. Apologies if you're homeless. I'm not that insensitive.

MAYBE
You're bicoastal and have two sets of wardrobe. Lord knows when I land in Hawaii, the loafers come off and the flip flops come on. Hey-loha!