Frequent Flyers in NYC Know How to Dress—7 Outfits I Saw and Want to Copy RN
NYC is the land of frequent-flyer miles. New Yorkers often joke that people move to this city just to leave every weekend. JFK and LGA are the most frequently visited airports, and they have certainly humbled me countless times with their strict bag-weight regulations, yet I find myself coming back to them time and again to go out on another adventure. As I've lived in and out of New York for over eight years, I've made way too many visits to JFK and LGA to count, and every time, one thing remains the same. I am always captivated by the stylish individuals frequenting these airports, especially since I started floating through the private lounges before a flight.
Some of my most worn purchases were actually items I noticed travelers wearing at these airports. My friends who live in New York and love fashion choose these bustling travel hubs to show off, planning airport looks together before we take flight. On my most recent visit, I decided to actually jot down notes on the amazing outfits I saw gracefully flouncing down the aisle of the aircraft. Below, discover and shop the aesthetic of the seven types of travelers that caught my eye at JFK, leaving me utterly obsessed.
Every cool New Yorker's casual style begins with a pair of very cool sneakers. Lately, color and retro styles have made a splash, and pairing this look with a utility jacket is a no-brainer.
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Baseball caps with elevated staples will never get boring for me. I'm obsessed with everything about this look, especially because layering is so important to me on planes, and it's easy to fit in a sweater or extra tee with this look.
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Jeans and a skirt in one fashion item will always amaze me. I'm here for this outfit because the jacket can also double as a blanket if your travel day makes you feel a bit cold.
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Most people would choose a black or brown coat in the wintertime, but if there's one thing that New Yorkers will do, it's that they will surprise you. On a flight to somewhere cold, a coat is always on my body because there's no way I'm squeezing it into my suitcase.
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A graphic T-shirt on a flight is always a good idea. I'd wear one with an all-white look, and even though it's not practical, it feels like a standout among everyone else on the plane.
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All-black outfits are required if you live in New York. A lot of luxury travelers that you'll spot among first class and lounges are making their lives easier by wearing an all-black look on the plane.
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While at airports in other cities, I see sweatsuits worn in a more basic way. New Yorkers seem to know how to accessorize a set like this and make it 10 times cooler than it was when they bought it.
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Sierra Mayhew is a fashion editor at Who What Wear, bringing a decade of experience in the fashion industry to the editorial team. Since joining Who What Wear in 2021, Sierra has made her mark by expertly blending luxury and accessible fashion content. Whether she's decoding the latest runway presentations or crafting a perfectly curated shopping list, Sierra's keen eye and relatable approach have solidified her as a trusted voice in the fashion space. She's also reported on major industry events like Paris Fashion Week and lent her expertise to red carpet coverage, ensuring her audience gets an insider's view of the most glamorous moments in style. Before joining Who What Wear, Sierra sharpened her skills at Harper's Bazaar and Elle, with bylines in Bazaar.com and collaborated with iconic brands such as Gucci and Ferragamo. Her ability to translate editorial expertise into viral social media content sets her apart, seamlessly bringing her articles and personality to life for a new generation of readers and followers. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Sierra brings a unique perspective to the fashion industry that is informed by her love for travel, music, and discovering the hidden gems that make New York City a constant source of inspiration.