New York State Of Mind

Sartorial influence from the Big Apple.

New York, New York – What a Wonderful Town

I’ve only been to New York once, but it feels like I’ve been there many times. My obsession with the city started when I was young, and it was always my dream to visit. So, when I finally did, I went all out—doing all the touristy things and more. I experienced the city as both a tourist and someone looking to discover its hidden gems.

I even wandered around without looking at the GPS, which, in hindsight, wasn’t the best idea… but we won’t get into that.

This isn’t a travel journal; it’s more of a reflection on the bigger picture. It would have been interesting to write this before I’d even visited because, for me, New York has always been more than just a city to visit. Like Ivy style, it’s something that has influenced the way I dress, the music I listen to, the movies I love—New York is a lifestyle that goes beyond its physical boundaries.

I did something that New Yorkers typically advise against—I stayed in Midtown Manhattan, right opposite Rockefeller Center. I can already sense your eyes rolling, but I had my reasons. I wanted to be fully immersed in the city, and staying in Midtown allowed me to explore every area possible. 

It shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it almost was: all the things I imagined Americans wearing, they actually did—at least in New York. Just steps from my hotel were Brooks Brothers, J. Crew, and J. Press. People were heading to work in loafers and Oxford cloth button-downs, dressing exactly how I envisioned Americans should. I realise that Midtown likely played a role in this image, as it wasn’t the same when I went to Florida.

Larry David, a born-and-bred New Yorker, is a hero of mine. I’d argue that Curb Your Enthusiasm is one of the greatest comedies of all time. His co-creation, Seinfeld, also sometimes reflects an Ivy League aesthetic.

But what is it about New York that creates this particular “state of mind” aesthetic? Here are some of the items I believe contribute to that look:

I’m a Mets fan. Over the last few years, I’ve really got into baseball, and I’ve always liked the Mets. They’re not the Yankees; they’re not the obvious choice, and that’s part of the appeal.

New York brand Aimé Leon Dore showcases how well a Mets cap can be styled alongside a collegiate look. It’s a natural fit when you consider that Ivy style and varsity style both originate from sportswear.

What I love about New York is how every area has its own distinct style. Just like in London, where you can see a shift in fashion from Soho to Camden to Westminster, New York’s neighbourhoods each have their own vibe.

I have a particular fondness for is Greenwich Village. Its history and the people who lived there fascinate me—Steve McQueen, Jimi Hendrix, and, of course, the cast of Friends (just joking!). 

It’s easy to imagine turning a corner and seeing Bob Dylan sitting in a suede jacket and Levi’s. The Village is the perfect setting for a Simon & Garfunkel song. It makes me think of corduroy jackets that match the autumnal colours of the buildings. It’s a real New Yorker look that merges well with Ivy style: a cap paired with a blazer, wearing the first things you see in the wardrobe without a second thought—although, of course, that effortless look is often carefully curated.

This look was everywhere, and it’s one I love to emulate. Seeing men dressed like this, picking up a bagel, made me think, “That’s a real New Yorker.”

A Classic Diner Experience

While I was in the Village, I stopped by Bandits Diner in the West Village, a spot I’d seen on Instagram and thought I had to check out. It was a classic American diner, but with a twist. The menu was limited, focusing on a few food items but offering a variety of cocktails. I loved how it embraced the past while evolving for the future. There’s something nostalgic about diners that I adore—they make me want to dress up for the occasion, and I do, anyway.

I also visited PJ Clarke’s, the exact one featured in Mad Men (even though it was recreated in an LA studio). I had one of the best burgers I’ve ever had there, and everything about the place was perfect—the red gingham checked tablecloths, the dimly lit, candlelit setting.

Mad Men captured it well in the scene where Peggy dances in front of an awkward Pete Campbell.

It felt like a setting for a Drake’s photoshoot. It’s funny how a location can inspire you to dress a certain way. But it’s no surprise—New York has that effect. It has the grandeur, the glitz, the glamour. It’s the kind of place you’d expect to see Tony Soprano meeting with Carmine or Robert De Niro sinking a few drinks before heading into the ring.

One thing that stood out to me was the continued presence of classic American style, particularly penny loafers. In the UK, you don’t see many people wearing them—not the heritage ones, anyway. I thought this might be the case in the US as well, but in New York, people still wear them to work. I’d see people walking around Manhattan, looking like they were between meetings, wearing penny loafers. It didn’t seem like they were trying to be fashionable—it’s just a classic staple of American style.

Being in Manhattan, especially around Radio City Music Hall, I noticed how many classic menswear shops Ivy stylists love were just dotted around the block—J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, and so on. These brands are widely available in New York, whereas in the UK, you’d likely find them second-hand or in a TK Maxx.

Brooks Brothers has tried to establish itself in the UK, but for whatever reason, we’ve made it too stuffy. I know it’s quite a conservative look in America, but some people don’t see it that way—they style it in their own way. And that’s something New Yorkers do so well with their style.

Here are two looks that I believe reflect my own interpretations of how I've been influenced by New York style.

For me, it’s about practicality mixed with being smart. The city is big, and there’s no time to go home and get changed. Dress in a way that allows you to go shopping, go to work, and then finish the day off at a five-star restaurant.

I think I’m not alone in saying this, but America feels like the cooler younger brother of the UK. It reminds me of the Allies during World War II. If you compare what British soldiers were wearing to their American counterparts, the Americans were practically dressed for style as well as functionality, while we Brits seemed focused solely on functionality and tradition.

There’s a stereotype that Americans don’t dress well these days, but in New York, people were very much in tune with style. Whether you liked it or not, they were conscious of what they were wearing.

New York is bigger, it’s better, and it was everything I wanted and more—a canyon of culture that continues to inspire me.

Thanks for reading,

Tom