All of fashion’s “it girls” share one thing: a New York moment. We all know New York City is the catalyst for all the trend cycles we see months later around the country. It all starts with a prized nepo baby, socialite, or actress, wearing a cool new piece of clothing or style. We mere fashion wannabes from small towns look up to the “it girls,” who run New York and the media.It is easy to idealize these figures, but seeing New York’s finest firsthand was eye-opening. On social media, our algorithms show us only a select group of women and influencers. At the epicenter of fashion, I witnessed a sea of “it girls,” – each with a unique style and presence. The appeal lies in the unattainable nature of their outfits, but clothing companies quickly adapt these styles for the masses in the following season.

A year is a long time to sit on inspiration, but I am here to help you prepare. Take this insider’s perspective on trends for next year, grab a fun beverage, your dad’s credit card, and get ready to shop away.

Let’s start with an unexpected, but surprisingly fun trend: scarves. When you first think of scarves, you probably picture a cold-weather outfit, but not this time. This is the accessory of 2026, a year-round, durable, exciting item. The scarves I am seeing are triangle scarves, bandanas, skinny slinky scarves, and a simple silk scarf.

The first look with this accessory I came across was one I will absolutely be recreating: a silk square scarf folded in half and tied around the waist over jeans. My immediate reaction was simple: I am obsessed!

This chic look can be carried through many seasons; for example, a windy spring day is perfect for a triangle scarf tied over the top of hair for an instant Euro-chic look. Moving from spring to summer and beyond, a slinky little scarf draped over the shoulders with a strapless top is a one-way street to effortless elegance. Being ahead of this trend will reward you with endless compliments and a look that feels timeless enough to last for decades.

An all-time favorite of mine and the best gateway drug into looking chic is a monochromatic outfit. New York was full of many women and men in all-black, as you would expect, but it perfectly displays the cool, classic nature of a NYC native. I love an all-black look, but to avoid it looking funeral-bound, try playing with textures, materials, and even a bold accessory.

From my Instagram feed to the sidewalks of New York, I can give this look the Chloe stamp of approval: the iconic Canadian Tuxedo or double denim. Denim on denim is my current favorite outfit when I am trying to look like I belong on a Pinterest board without overthinking it. This look has proved fashionable for both men and women; look at Brittany Spears and Justin Timberlake. Building on these NYC-inspired styles, it’s clear that the streets of New York have been full of Pinterest-esque outfits that you can recreate in everyday life. Your first step is to embrace the monochromatic look.

Shifting from monochromatic and denim-focused styles, another trend I’ve noticed is how Western influence is taking hold of the east side through a Westernized style. Western looks can quickly go from cute and costly to cheap. Here’s how the New York women are elevating this style one fringe at a time. Suede is everywhere, from boots to jackets, but here the cowboy twist that makes it cool: fringe. Fringe is on pants; it’s on jacket sleeves; it’s really anywhere to make a mark on nice clothing pieces.

Of course, in New York, walking from place to place is part of the culture, and the girls of NYC know how to make every step count. In a city where it’s hard to stand out, shoes have become both an outlet for creativity and a necessity for survival. One style I kept seeing everywhere was the tabi shoe. It is instantly recognizable by its split-toe silhouette that gives it an almost hoof-like look. Strange at first glance, yes, but undeniably cool. They’ve replaced the predictable ballet flat as the footwear choice of the fashion-forward.

Alongside them, classic Mary Janes, retro-inspired sneakers, and sleek loafers are making their own statements. The key is that shoes are no longer just functional; they are the focal point of the outfit.

Another aesthetic dominating the streets is the rise of what I can only describe as CBK style: clean, sleek, and deeply rooted in 90s minimalism. Think understated elegance with an air of effortless indifference.  Looking polished in a way that says, I didn’t even try, even though every detail is intentional.

This means tortoise-shell headbands, structured black handbags, perfectly worn-in denim, and timeless loafers. It’s simplistic, refined, and above all, wearable. The beauty of this look is that it feels both current and permanent, a trend that resists feeling overly trendy.

New York remains what it has always been: the birthplace of what we will all be wearing next. What starts as a fleeting sidewalk moment in SoHo quickly becomes next season’s must-have. As California girls, we can easily adapt these East Coast trends to our weather patterns. To do this, simply focus on key elements of said trends. For example, a scarf around the head works well for summer, but avoid thick, clunky ones. Similarly, when adapting the double denim look, you can switch from jeans and a denim jacket to denim shorts for a breezier feel. Living in the valley, we also achieve the perfect mix of cowgirl style. To spice up your look, consider adding a fringe bag or jacket and suede boots. These trends are becoming more prevalent on social media, which makes it even easier to find pieces and adjust them for our valley weather. With this in mind, if you want to stay ahead of the cycle, start now.

The girls in New York already are.

For more from The Feather read Girls Soccer ends season on a high