New York Street Style Schools Us in Late Summer Dressing
Say hello to daytime sequins, playful hats and plenty of It bags.
The mood on the streets of New York City during Fashion Week is decidedly one of excitement. NYFW kicks off the Spring/Summer 2026 Fashion Month season—one with a record-setting number of creative director debuts. It feels like the hotly-anticipated result of a year-long game of designer musical chairs (Matthieu Blazy at Chanel! Miguel Castro Freitas at Mugler! Demna at Gucci!) and a welcome reset to an industry that’s been hit with everything from tariffs to shifting consumer tastes.
What does one wear to attend such a seminal season? Daytime sequins, Western-inspired belts and low-key basics layered with expert ease. Some show attendees let the accessories do the talking—whether via a jaunty pillbox hat or a freshly desirable archival Celine bag.
And while neutrals seem to rule, punches of red, chartreuse and pink offered refreshing alternatives to the ubiquitous all-back NY uniform. Still, the ultimate unifying thread of New York Fashion Week street style? A polite refusal to let go of summer. Even with the sun setting earlier and leather jackets entering the picture, most outfits felt like a glorious ode to warm-weather styling.
Photo via Launchmetrics/Spotlight
Liz Guber is the Editor-in-Chief of FASHION. In her own words, she's "less interested in telling you what to buy, but rather why you want to buy it." Her work has appeared in The Kit, ELLE Canada, The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star and Girlboss.
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