I'm So Over Unrealistic Street Style

 There's inherent glamour in going to fashion shows, but for me, a day can be studded with plenty of un-glamorous moments too. Running for a subway train, jostling my way through throngs of showgoers to find my seat, wolfing down a sandwich on the go – these are all #NYFW moments that may not make my Instagram stories, but are part of the reality. Along with the reality is a fact: I dress for a week of work. 

Ask anyone the "point" of fashion week, and they'll say to check out the upcoming collections of top designers. Yet, with the rise of Instagram, what showgoers wear on the way to their seats generates its own sort of buzz, with many women (myself included) looking to street style for outfit inspiration. In turn, the streets can sometimes feel like a frenzy, full of people lingering outside of shows with the solo purpose of being photographed, dressed in sky-high heels, and climate-inappropriate ensembles. They're aspirational sure, but not achievable. 

I offer plenty of props to my friends and fellow editors whose own personal brand of street style is about making practical fashion feel special. When the daily step count tops 12,000, there's no room for wearing clothing (and shoes) that can't handle the job. Increasingly I've found that the outfits that inspire me most are ones that are actually wearable (read: not head-to-toe designer), but still manage to capture a little something special.

Below, I'm highlighting a few of my favorites from this week. Outfits where you might not know who each woman is wearing, but they all still offer a style to aspire to. A certain ease and polish that on my most frazzled days, I hope to achieve (even though I likely fall short). My mantra: bring back practical fashion. 

Read off the pieces of this ensemble aloud and they might not jump out at you: a fisherman sweater, wide leg pants, black boots. But, the colors, a simple hair tuck, her visible belt, all make this outfit unique while undeniably simple to recreate.

Many of us consider jeans and black boots the staples of our weekly wardrobe, but an eye-catching jacket and colorful purse instantly make this outfit stand out from the crowd.

While a floral skirt may not be typical winter fair, it's the expert layering that caught my eye with this ensemble. A turtleneck, oversized jacket, and ankle-high boots make for an eclectic but cool combination.

When the forecast calls for rain, a water-slicking coat is wholly appropriate. And while white boots may not initially seem like a great choice for wet weather, they're every fashion insider's secret. It turns out, white hides a bit of dirt better than black does.

I can easily imagine myself recreating the elements of this ensemble with my own wardrobe. The elegance, styling stripes with a fun print, and then keeping the bottom half uniform, is simple, but never boring.

I can't emphasize enough the power of a great sneaker. while I know it can feel too casual in some office settings, I love the way it was paired with a more ladylike coat and bag to create a cool contrast.

This season I saw plenty of remixing of the classic suit set, but out of all of the, I particularly loved this look. Simple white sneakers, and a pop of color are ways to instantly refresh a classic in a youtful way.

For days when a heel is a must, I'm all for a lower block or kitten heel styled with neutrals and a single pop of color. tailored separates are a fixture in many women's wardrobes and I like how an infusion of color makes them feel oh-so-new.

Ok, so I know that on the "realisticness" spectrum (is that a thing, maybe not, but let's go with it here) a mini bag may at first seem impractical, but I actually find it to be doable if you have an approach in mind. As a New Yorker, I find myself destined to lug a tote around every day, so why not pair it with a cute little bag. 

What I love about this outfit is that it's undeniably warm, even sans coat. A furry sweatshirt and leather skirt are a seasonal combination that simply works.