For all the speed walking New Yorkers do, when it comes to fashion, the fastest option is not always the most preferred.
One great aspect of living in New York is the diversity of personal style. In a world with more micotrends than NY pizza shops, it’s refreshing to see people confidently owning their style despite it all. The environmental damage that big fashion brands cause is a well-known problem. And they’re able to perpetuate the destruction because brands are adept at convincing people that their seemingly “new” or perfectly good clothes are already outdated. Why else would we accept 52 fashion seasons a year?
With this constant stress of trying to keep up and fit in, there’s little time left to actually find your style. That’s half the fun of fashion, anyway. Don’t let them take it from you.
Moving away from fast fashion isn’t about sacrifice; it’s about finding a style that represents you more authentically and makes you excited to speed walk down the streets of New York City– or, walk at a normal pace wherever you are.
While finding your personal style sounds exciting to some, it can be a daunting task to others. That’s why so many of us turn to influencers and articles to tell us what to wear. We know there’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but we hope some inspiration from three New Yorkers, each on their own sustainable style journey, will help you on yours.
How Three New Yorkers Use Style as Self-Expression
Tijen, Upper West Side
Tijen moved to New York City after college. Growing up in Minnesota with a Turkish mother and extended family, she was shaped by a blend of influences. Now, as she balances multiple roles—dancer, teacher, barista—her wardrobe reflects her multifaceted life. She mixes intentional, classic pieces with bold, showy elements that express her diverse background.
“I’d describe my style as ever-evolving,” she says. “It’s an outward reflection of my constant desire to grow who I am, how I show up in the world, and how I see myself.” For Tijen, every day is a chance to try something new. “Every day is a new outfit, a new look. The way I choose my clothes very much depends on how I’m feeling.” Whether she’s teaching a dance class or making coffee at the neighborhood café, Tijen’s outfits are always intentional, thoughtful, and uniquely her.
Aditi, Williamsburg
Aditi’s style is a blend of bold colors and elevated basics, shaped by her upbringing in California and Indian heritage, which created a love for travel and embrace of cultural influences. “I love vibrant colors—cobalt blue, hot pink, and especially reds,” she said. Her wardrobe reflects her personality, full of confidence and individuality.
Aditi is all about the essentials but with a twist. “I don’t own a ‘proper white tee,’ but I have a long-sleeve crop top and a boat neck instead.”
And, she’s not afraid to get a little quirky. “I love getting weird! I’m a slightly eccentric person, and when I started owning it, life got really fun.” Overall, she uses a mix of signature hues and unexpected silhouettes that create looks that are streamlined, but attention-grabbing.
Dylan, Bushwick
Dylan grew up in rural North Dakota with the life-long dream of living in New York City. He describes his style as a “grungy, edgy, rockstar kind of vibe.” He has one foot in the creative world and the other in the analytical, working as an accountant by day and a photographer in his free time.
Dylan’s personal style keeps him connected to his creative side. Elements like denim, leather, and deconstructed pieces help him express his inner artist, even when he’s not behind the camera.
From Following Trends to Finding Their Personal Style
Personal style isn’t about following trends. Rather, it’s about finding what truly resonates with you. For Aditi, Tijen, and Dylan, developing their style meant aligning with what felt authentic rather than trying to fit someone else’s mold.
“I evolved from just wearing what everyone else was wearing, to wearing what I actually wanted,” Aditi explained. Learning about fabrics and being conscious of what she felt comfortable in helped her build a wardrobe that reflected her personality. Moving to New York was a pivotal moment: “No one here judges you for being ‘extra,’ and that’s really freeing.”
Tijen followed a similar path. “When I was young, I tried a lot of trendy things,” she said. But over time, she discovered that style is more about how it makes you feel than what looks good on others. Growing up surrounded by fashionable women in her family, she inherited a love for fashion—and plenty of hand-me-downs that still shape her wardrobe. “My style is a mix of inspiration from family, things I’ve been given, and pieces that feel true to me.”
The Link Between Personal Style and Sustainable Fashion
For Aditi, moving away from big-box fashion brands was key to owning her style “When I stopped feeling like I needed to follow trends, it became easier to focus on what I actually liked—and that naturally made my wardrobe more sustainable,” she said.
Shopping vintage and secondhand has helped Dylan find his style as well. “When I was younger, I wouldn’t even think of shopping at a thrift store–social suicide,” he recalled. “But now, I love finding vintage pieces that feel more like me.” Spending time thrifting has helped him understand what he actually likes–what styles, fits, and colors–instead of being swayed by the trends of the moment.
Tijen also spoke to the benefit of spending time in thrift and secondhand stores. Rather than following trends, Tijen builds her wardrobe over time, picking up pieces that speak to her. This approach has not only helped her reduce waste but also made her wardrobe more reflective of her evolving style: “In spaces with a lot of different types of clothing sources from different places and people, you get to create something that feels more like you rather than buying things that you know a lot of other people are buying.”
As Dylan, Tijen, and Aditi have learned, turning to slow fashion can help you find your style, and finding your style, in turn, will help you live more sustainably.
8 Tips To Find Your Personal Style
For Aditi, Dylan, and Tijen, developing their style has been an evolving journey. Personal style goes beyond appearances—it starts with shifting your mindset, discovering what truly resonates, and then finding the looks that make you feel confident. Here’s some of their best advice.
- Note your inspirations: “First, notice what inspires you,” said Tijen. “Whether it’s others’ fashion, something you already own, movies, or costumes in a show or ceramics or paintings or anything that visually inspires you…try to have your wardrobe reflect that. I’m very inspired by old Hollywood, the wardrobes and costumes and sets, though I don’t always reflect that in my everyday wear, it definitely influences what I look for.”
- View thrifting as research: Thrifting is not just about buying items; it’s a great way to learn about your style, too. “Instead of being caught up by the latest trends, it makes you see what older styles you’re drawn to, it makes you ask why do I like this, what do I like about how this fits me, what do I like about this fabric? So paying attention to those pieces you do like, what elements do I like, what aspects do I not like? Those are the big questions when trying to find your style,” Dylan told us.
- Use rental programs: Rental programs are one way Aditi developed her style: “Renting clothes is a great way to see ‘I like this style. This one isn’t for me.’” As someone who used to love to buy new things, renting has helped Aditi change her relationship with shopping, and slowly shift her mindset away from wanting to buy into trends.
- Make thrifting a habit: Tijen advises making thrifting a habit, so you can slowly build a wardrobe you love. “Instead of waiting until I need a specific item, I like to browse different thrift stores more regularly to see what pieces speak to me that I really like so that I slowly build a wardrobe and then have options to pull from, as opposed to waiting in till the last minute and having to go to a fast fashion source for my clothing.” This is how people with great style are able to shop in their closets.
- Use big-box fashion items as inspiration instead of purchasing: Dylan suggests using moments when you’re drawn to cheap, low-quality items as a way to understand your style instead of adding them to your wardrobe. “When I see a piece I like from those low-quality brands, instead of purchasing it, I say to myself, ‘okay, now I know what I’m looking for’ and try to find that style, color, or similar item from a better brand or secondhand. It’s a way to do my research and know who I’m buying from.” You can also implement a waiting period on items. If you forget about them, they weren’t meant to be part of your style.
- Shop family and friends’ closets: “I have a rule with my family: no one is allowed to donate clothing without showing it to me first because that could be my next favorite piece,” Aditi said. “One of my favorite blazers is my husband’s old blazer that got a little small for him and is now a perfect oversized one for me.”
- Invest in quality over quantity: Dylan believes in buying fewer, better-made pieces. “Instead of buying something cheap, I look for a similar item from a brand that produces more ethically (i.e. paying living wages and knowing their suppliers) and sustainably.”
- Buy special pieces while traveling: “I really like to buy something when I travel because it makes that piece even more special. I’ve been buying rings when I travel… they’re all from local, small businesses in those areas, which connect me with the place in a unique way,” Aditi says. We recommend looking up some stores and checking their ethics before you go too.
The Best Secondhand Stores in New York City
No gatekeeping over here! Our New Yorkers shared their go-to spots around the city to find the best secondhand pieces.
- Unique Boutique (Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Murray Hill) “A thrift store with reasonable prices for clothes, home goods, and shoes.” – Tijen
- L Train Vintage (Lower East Side, Williamsburg, Bushwick) “The graphic tees, the denim, the flannels. I would recommend it to anyone.” – Dylan
- Beacon’s Closet (Flatiron, Greenpoint, Bushwick) “It has a wide range of brands, and there’s always something unique and fun. Lots of items from different eras, both true vintage and newer thrifted stuff.” – Tijen
- Crossroads Trading (Union Square, East Village, Flatiron, Williamsburg) “It feels like a more hand-picked collection. The pieces are bold and unique, and I’ve found some nice brand-name pieces there.” – Tijen
- Second Street Vintage SoHo (SoHo) “They upcycle and reconfigure a lot of great pieces, with flannels, and denim in a way that’s super unique.” – Dylan
- Metropolis Vintage (NoHo) “Sometimes pricier, but super legit band tees and jackets.” – Dylan
- Le Grand Strip (Williamsburg) “Curated, high-quality real vintage pieces.” – –Aditi
- Monk Vintage (Williamsburg) “A place to sift through tons of racks and find hidden treasures.” -Aditi
The Details that Define Their Personal Style
Personal style, used right, pierces through the mundane surface level. It’s an engine for storytelling and staying connected to the places and experiences that shaped you, all while embracing more mindful and sustainable choices.
Connecting with What Makes You, You
For Tijen, personal style is about showcasing what makes her unique and creating conversation pieces that reflect her authentic self. One of her favorite finds is an Audrey Hepburn purse. “Although I’m not always wearing vintage 50s/60s outfits, this is a way I can bring that era with me. My mom got it for me at a garage sale because she knows how much I love Audrey’s movies. Whenever I wear it, I feel connected to the arts, and I love talking about it.”
Another cherished item is a pink coat she bought while traveling in Prague. “I saw this coat in a vintage store and immediately knew it was mine. It was the perfect mix of classy, feminine, and sustainably made. It was expensive for me at the time, but it spoke to me. Every time I wear it, I feel comforted and beautiful because it encapsulates so many parts of who I am.” For Tijen, clothing is about expressing those deeper parts of herself and feeling proud in doing so.
Bridging Your Roots With Your Present
For Dylan, finding his style came from embracing his past and melding it with his present. “I was back in North Dakota visiting my family. I had these black flare jeans that were too clean-cut for me. So, I used my dad’s dremel tool to distress the ends. Then, I was with my sister in rural North Dakota and found a pair of cowboy boots and a big belt buckle. I paired that with a shirt I cropped and some jewelry I loved and wore that a few weeks later to Pride. I still wear those pieces today. It’s a nod to my North Dakota roots; I never felt like I truly fit in there, so it was fun to bring this country style from where I’m from, but in a way that I felt great doing it.”
Weaving Memories Into Your Wardrobe
For Aditi, her wardrobe is more than just what she wears—many pieces tell a story of where she’s been and the memories tied to those moments. One of her favorite items is a linen pant set from a small town in Italy. “I was drawn to it by the high quality and ethical processes. They don’t over-produce and use different dyes. Though it was the top of my budget, it’s versatile, and I wear it all the time… it reminds me of traveling in Italy, it’s more than just clothing to me.”
Aditi also cherishes a ring she found in a small vintage shop in Mexico. “It was from a designer outside of Mexico City who uses blue topaz from the region. The shop owner even took a photo of me wearing it to show the designer because each purchase meant so much to him.” For Aditi, that ring isn’t just an accessory—it’s a reminder of a special trip, a connection to a place, and something she’ll treasure forever. Not to mention, it pairs nicely with her sapphire bracelet, a gift brought back from India.
Personal style isn’t about fitting in. It’s about letting go of trends and embracing what truly represents you. It’s a journey, not a race. So take your time to see which of these tips resonate, experiment, and enjoy the process. Fashion is much better when we slow it down—even our fast-paced New Yorkers would agree. Need some help? Hire Kasi for a visioning session to develop your style before you shop.
Author Bio:
Jackie Warehime is a New York-based designer and sustainability advocate with a background in product design. She writes about sustainable design at www.jackiewarehime.com to explore and expand the ethical and sustainable approaches to crafting our world.
Photos submitted by those featured.
