How to Wear Black Like a New Yorker

If you’re living in New York City, wearing black is pretty much a requirement. New York is the fashion capital of the world, but it’s also dreary and cold most of the year. Black is a New Yorker’s way of saying, “I’m busy, I’m chic, I’ve got things to do.” You wouldn’t understand unless you lived there, but the point is, if you live in New York or you’re planning on moving to the city, you’ll need to learn how to wear black in the concrete jungle and how to wear it well. In order to wear black like a New Yorker, you may need some help on finding the right fashionable pieces for your wardrobe, so we’ve picked out some pieces to black you out from head to toe.

This corduroy zip up black dress from TopShop is the perfect piece to add to your collection if you want to wear black like a New Yorker. You can pair this dress with a long sleeve shirt underneath, and the corduroy material is also thick enough to get you through those fall and winter months. With or without layers, this dress makes the cut for New York City fashion.

These super ripped jeans from TopShop are stylish and perfect for your black New Yorker wardrobe. Thankfully, these are a lighter wash of black, so you can have a little variation in your closet when you decide to wear black all year round in the city. These jeans go perfectly with boots, heels, tanks, sweaters...pretty much anything, because jeans are life.

If you want to stand out amongst the sea of black in New York City, try wearing something like this tuxedo coat from TopShop. This is something you’d be sure to see in NYC fashion shows. If you want to wear black like a New Yorker and also feel like a model in the streets, this is the way to do it. Not to mention, this coat looks super warm for those rainy, winter months. It’s made of wool and has a stylish leather look on the lapels. Wear this with a gown for a night out or a business look during the day. Either way, you’ll definitely make a statement.

If you want to wear black like a New Yorker, you’ll have to own a proper pair of black high heel pumps. These pumps by AQUA are a classic black suede, and they will keep you looking fashionable in the concrete jungle from head to toe. Whether you’re Editor in Chief of the New York Times or working at a coffee shop down the block, every New Yorker understands how essential a pair of black pumps is. Wearing black in New York is a religion all on its own.

If you’re wanting a more casual weekend look in the city, but you still want to wear black like a New Yorker, there’s a simple alternative to the heels and stylish coats. Try a pair of these side tape joggers by Missguided, and you'll see what I mean. While you can match the women in the fashion shows and wear a pair of pants like this with some heels, you can also rock these joggers with some comfy sneakers as well. Either way, you’ll be able to walk through the park and relax a little easier.

Speaking of sneakers, with all the walking you’ll be doing as a New Yorker, you’ll want a pair of sneakers to heal your toes from the high-heel pumps occasionally. This shouldn't mean you have to stray from your style though, right? There's no reason you can't still wear black like a New Yorker and be comfortable, and these leather platform sneakers by FRYE are the ticket to both comfort and style, so long as you know how to wear platform sneakers. The big silver zipper down the front adds some bling, and the platform on the bottom will give you just enough height to see above those crowded streets.

Yohji Yamamoto is one of the best Japanese designers out there, and this accordion tote bag is a necessity if you want to wear black in New York City and keep all of your essentials protected from the rain or snow. The accordion design on the bottom of this bag makes it stand out from other, simpler black tote bags. This bag will complement all of the black clothing in your wardrobe, and it is big enough to hold everything you need to carry through the streets of NYC.

A classic leather jacket is another one of those token items that you’ll need to own if you want to wear black like a New Yorker. Leather jackets are practical and fashionable. They provide warmth and rain resistance, as well as an edgy look. This leather jacket from ASOS has large silver ring pulls for added bling.

These pointed Chelsea booties from Marc Fisher are perfect for fall in New York. These water-resistant booties go great with skinny jeans, a sweater, and a scarf, and are among the most comfortable and classic Chelsea boots you can have, let alone any other shoe in your closet.

If you want to veer away from the all-black look and add a little flavor, this Snoop Dogg oversized tee is a great way to do that. You can still wear black like a New Yorker while adding your personality into the mix. This shirt has a vintage look to it, and can be found relatively cheap at Urban Outfitters.

To wear black like a true New Yorker, you need to do more than find black clothing. You need to wear your clothes with confidence through the streets, and be ready for all weather conditions. New York City is made for the brave. If you can handle the crowds and one color fashion, then it might just be the place for you.