9 Things People Are Wearing on the Upper East Side
And links to shop them secondhand
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“The Upper East Side is one of the best neighborhoods in Manhattan because it lacks trends.” This is what my friend, Lulu of
explained to me when I asked about the fashion destination in question. I love that Lulu lives Uptown. And in the best way, her style reflects all the best bits of neighborhood.
Everyone, specifically the older half, is effortlessly well-dressed. It's very refreshing to see people dress without trends in mind. I spent an afternoon wandering, taking notes in my phone, and spending $9.87 on a matcha at Ralph’s to get a sense of the scene. Lulu’s advice? Post up at E.A.T. on Madison Ave for prime people watching. “I saw the best outfit there the other day: a white semi-sheer blouse with a red rick-rack, a long red and white skirt, ballet flats, a straw hat, and a vintage bag.”
We’re lucky that two of the best living fashion writers,
and , both call Uptown Manhattan home. And they’re both great reminders that UES style is so much more than a preppy uniform. Want to fit in with the moms unpacking their Escalades on Sunday evening after a killer drive back from Quogue with Sugarfish in one hand and a monogrammed Paravel duffle in the other? Read on.
Straw hats and general SPF best practices
Spend $4k on three rounds of lasers to have them ruined in an afternoon? I think not. And the women of the UES agree. The straw hat I saw was distinctly not beachy—plenty of structure and rim. Paired with sunglasses, it’s easy to see the appeal of this disguise when hurrying down Madison.
I’ve gone on record naming this my favorite summer hat by
($100)
Keep it classic with something canvas. ($85)
Janessa Leoné just feels like the unofficial uniform of this neighborhood. ($287)
Try something striped for a festive feel. ($25)
Belgian Shoes
“Belgian Shoes are an Upper East Side staple, partly because the only place you can buy them is on 55th Street. They are the best shoes, I have a closet full of various colors—the Midinette is the classic for women (and Mr. Casual for men).” Lulu looks so good in hers. Olivia of Chava Studio wears them, too. In short, they’re the classiest shoes IMO. You’ll have to plan a trip to NY to get your own pair or shop them secondhand.
Tweed-y jackets
I met
for a coffee in LA and she showed up in the most divine tweed jacket from St. John. I borrowed a tweed jacket (this one) from the brand for a shoot and have been dreaming of owning my own since. It feels quintessentially uptown and I’m happy to report many tweed pieces were spotted—even in the summer heat.
The stitching on this jacket is sooo good. This one’s under $100, too!
Here’s a timeless option for $220.
Or shop one from Isabel Marant from TRR for $75!
I love how fresh this option from Hill House looks.
A CRISP white button down
This street style photo of Tina Chow in 70s embodies the Uptown take on menswear. It’s crisp, almost costumey compared to a slouchy, wrinkled version I’d more readily associate with Fort Greene or Greenpoint. Custom comes into play here, as well as really special materials which give the button downs I spotted a starchiness I can only describe as “cripsy.”
It’s fitting that the last time I saw Olivia (aforementioned founder/designer of Chava) was on the UES, at the Mark Hotel. This shirt would be very at home sipping a cappuccino in the lobby.
Here’s my personal version of the crispy button down. I wear mine with trousers and Patagonia baggies alike. ($225)
Searching secondhand? Try Charvet, Sofia Coppola’s shirt of choice. This one’s $85.
Big belts
I forget to wear belts. In fact, I have no idea when the last time I wore one was. But on the UES, belts are just as ordinary an accessory as a bag or a bracelet. Statement belts these are not. Instead, they’re medium size and often, come with a buckle affixed with a logo. I’m as surprised as you are.
No logo, but no problem. This 1995 Chanel belt makes it pretty clear. It’s only $200.
Another 90s belt, this Ferragamo one is just darling and a perfect balance of label and design. It’s under $100.
Doesn’t a black and brown reversible belt sound incredibly practical? This Gucci one is $80.
In the market for something new? This $285 Kallmeyer belt should do the trick.
Dressy shorts
One of the best outfits I spotted hinged on a pair of black trouser shorts. Its wearer was in a matching blazer, big black belt, Chanel crossbody, and pointed, patent flats. Incredibly inspired.
These from Staud are $137 and would be great with a plain white tshirt.
Genuinely impressed by these from Banana Republic! And under $100!
The length on these is great if you’re a little traumatized from Bermudas.
Tonal socks with loafers
This is the kind of thing I tried very hard to capture, but it turns out, I’m no Bill Cunningham. So you’ll just have to take my word from it. This detail comes from the men of the Upper East Side, picking up lunch at the office and buying Zyn at the breakfast cart. Instead of matching your socks to your loafers perfectly, why not go a shade lighter? The result, when executed well, feels like a new classic.
Best socks for pairing with loafers. They’re under $5!
Socks beloved by the fashion set. Don’t ask me why!!
My go-to loafers are Bass Weejuns. Order a pair to get your size right and then look on eBay! You’ll find loads of colors and most are half the retail price.
My more $ go-to loafer—also beloved by fashion girls.
Pendant necklaces with nothing else
This necklace haunts me, in the best way. I love Arielle Ratner, an UES dweller, and her work SO much. It makes sense that when I was scouting for fashion trends, I noticed lots of singular pendant necklaces. It’s bold. It’s timeless. And it’s an interesting pushback on the reign of layered/dainty.
Consider this my soft launch for this as a 30th bday ask…
I ride for Lizzie Fortunato. This necklace is so cool!
Another highly covetable option comes from The Ben Shoppe.
This $24 necklace feels like a fun way to play into the seashell trend.
Still very obsessed with this necklace my friend
designed with Pistache!
Rue de Verneuil bags
“I've noticed a new, trendier item recently: Rue de Verneuil bags. They look similar to the Hermes Fourre Tout Tote.” Lulu was right, duh.
Bet you didn’t know a canvas bag could look this good either.
This Alex Mill one is a little cheaper and comes in multiple sizes. My friend Shannon wears her so well that every time after I see her with it, I save it on a tab in my phone.
There’s something so chic about carrying in a broken-in LL Bean Boat and Tote. This one’s $45. Want to break in your own? Dunk it in the ocean and let it dry in the sun.
Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, shop my Notion template, and as always, respond to this dispatch for my direct line x
the starchy shirt thing is so interesting. to me this is not about materials as much as maintenance - the dry cleaner, the assistant, etc. it’s a class signal and it may not feel the same to wear one “with abandon” when it was you ironing it in your tiny hot apartment. ruth goodman goes into the ruffled collar that was all the rage within the nobility in tudor england in her book “how to be a tudor” - they were a visual subdivider of classes as well as job for someone to clean, starch, and pin. love the support for the shoe guy tho.
I spent a few days walking through the UES last month and loved the classic style of the older residents, mainly. I don’t pay attention to luxury bags, shoes, or belts so that went way over my head, but what struck me the most was that if you took a picture in black and white, you wouldn’t really be able to tell what year it was taken. With trends, you can pinpoint almost to the month. They may look good now, but next year people may cringe seeing themselves in those photos our phones like to remind us are out in the world.