By Teller Thomas
With the start of summer, a whole host of new activities are officially unlocked. This not only means we get to have a lot more fun — it also means planning a lot more cute outfits. Whether you’re browsing galleries in Chelsea on a Thursday night or sipping an Aperol Spritz on a rooftop in the Lower East Side, here’s your NYC girl’s guide to dressing for every kind of summer plan.
Rooftop Happy Hour
We all know summer and happy hour are practically synonymous. The sun’s out, it’s hot, we need a refreshing cocktail — and luckily, the rooftops are back in business. Whether you’re at Mr. Purple or Two Thirty Five, you’ll feel right at home in a pair of white jeans or a white denim mini, a silky scarf top with exposed shoulders, and, of course, sunglasses to stay cool and stylish. Shoes? This outfit works with sandals, Jordans, Sambas, or heels. Take your pick. And take your pic.
Gallery Openings
The Chelsea galleries overflow with people every Thursday night — the perfect place to be social while soaking up the city’s creative energy. Gallery dressing calls for a bit of sophistication, but NYC summer demands light and breezy. So on Thursdays in Chelsea, we do both. Pair wide-leg slacks — plain or striped — with a black or white upscale halter or boat neck top. Add your go-to jewelry, loafers or kitten heels, and an easy updo. If there’s a breeze, throw on an oversized blazer or button-down. You might just be mistaken for part of the exhibit.
Soho Saturdays
When you’re shopping in Soho, your outfit should look just as good as whatever’s hanging on the racks. Nothing says downtown summer like a perfectly executed off-duty model moment. Throw on wide-leg jeans or denim shorts, a tank top or long sleeve, a cap, and your favorite sneakers. Add hoops, layered chains, and a sleek watch or stack of bracelets to tie it all together.
Park Picnics
Washington Square, Tompkins, Central Park — take your pick. There’s no better time to pack a charcuterie board and a bottle of wine, lay a blanket down on the grass, and let the afternoon unfold with friends in nature. For the perfect picnic fit, try a breezy long skirt or lightweight linen pants, a cropped tank or tie-front top, and open-toed shoes that you don’t mind kicking off (Birkenstocks never fail). Sunglasses are a must, and don’t forget sunscreen, a tote bag for snacks, and maybe even a paperback or portable speaker. Bonus points for a gingham moment.
From rooftops to galleries, shopping sprees to sunshine sprawls, summer in NYC is a season of main character moments — and the right outfit always completes the scene. Wherever the city takes you, dress like you might end up in someone’s camera roll.