These Are the 5 Defining Trends of NYC's Coolest It Crowd

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(Image credit: @chanelmckinsie)

You likely haven't gone one month without overhearing a mention of Dimes Square, which is actually more of a triangle shape that takes up about three blocks on Canal Street in Chinatown. The specific Manhattan area has been trending for a while—to the point that people are probably sick of all the Dimes Square discourse. It's known for its scene of skateboarders, writers, self-proclaimed artists, and just generally fashionable people who flock to joints like Clandestino, Cervo's, and Dimes (where its name stems from) to grab dinner and a drink. 

I recently visited New York for a weekend and stayed at the Moxy East Village, which is about a 30-minute walk from Dimes Square, so I could get the lowdown on some of the trends happening in this micro-neighborhood. The exact boundaries of it are disputed, as a similar crowd also spills onto nearby Orchard and Ludlow Streets, so I also kept an eye out for trends as I walked down the streets from my hotel into the epicenter. The new Nine Orchard Hotel, which houses the Swan Room and Corner Bar, has also become a popular spot for the fashion set to sip on cocktails, and the Moxy just opened up a new Lower East Side location nearby, so it's safe to say the buzz of Dimes Square isn't going away anytime soon. 

Here, I rounded up five fall fashion trends I spotted during my trip that define the Dimes Square scene, from mid-calf boots to pleated miniskirts

Pleated Miniskirts

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(Image credit: @laurenelson)

You might've thought this was a spring and summer trend, but it can be transitional too! I saw people wearing theirs with tights to make them work for fall, but leg warmers and knee-high socks are also solid options. 

Mid-Calf Boots

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(Image credit: @meccajw)

Okay, so hear me out: They aren't quite knee-length boots, but they're not ankle boots either. You might not have a pair that hits somewhere in between, so I found some for you. 

Bucket Hats

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(Image credit: @chanelmckinsie)

Yes, bucket hats have been around, but the folks walking around Dimes Square gravitate toward darker hues and fall textures like quilting and shearling. 

Edgy Leather Jackets

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(Image credit: @anaasaber)

Leather jackets with distressed details, silver hardware, and an overall grunge look to them popped up again and again, so I had to take note. 

Big Pants

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(Image credit: @madelynnfurlong)

Next: This Is How It Girls Are Wearing Cropped Pants With Booties

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Lauren Adhav
Freelance Fashion Editor

Lauren Adhav is a freelance fashion editor based in Los Angeles. Originally from Orlando, Florida, she always wanted to work at a fashion magazine. After finally getting an internship at Town & Country in 2015, she moved to New York City and continued to get her footing in the industry with stints at Cosmopolitan, W magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and Moda Operandi. In 2017, she returned to Cosmo full time, starting off as the beauty and fashion editorial assistant and working her way to fashion editor. She contributed to both the website and print issues, pitching new ideas, forecasting trends, covering red carpet events, and informing the overall coverage and brand voice. After five years in NYC, she moved to the West Coast for the sunshine and the change of pace. As a freelance fashion editor, she still contributes to Cosmo and now Who What Wear. She's always trying to get ahead of the next big trend before it goes mainstream and loves discovering fashion brands with a unique point of view (Chopova Lowena, Sandy Liang, and Bode being some of her current favorites). She also spends an unhealthy amount of time online shopping for the perfect piece, and now that she's in L.A., she's rediscovering her soft spot for malls. On the weekends, you can find her walking around the Silver Lake Reservoir, trying to catch up on her tan at Venice Beach, and probably ordering a Chinese chicken salad at Joan's on Third.