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It’s an honor and a privilege to attend Fashion Month. The artistry, talent, and hundreds of hours of labor that go into putting on a runway show are a sight to behold. Truly, nothing beats experiencing the latest and greatest styles in person, where you can marvel at every ruffle, fringe, and buckle IRL. But witnessing the forthcoming fall/winter collections is also stressful, energy-depleting, and, well, extremely cold.
When this year’s attendees were treated to an especially frigid week of 20-degree mornings and arctic winds blowing off the Hudson River—not to mention a few inches of snow to commute around town in—complaining about the weather became an Olympic sport to rival cross-country skiing in terms of stamina required. Thankfully, there are a few tricks and tips that every fashion week vet has up their sleeve to make a gray day in February just a little less grim. After all, it’s imperative to keep calm and carry on.
Fashion considerations are, of course, top of mind. Never forget to layer up, as InStyle editor Frances Solá-Santiago reminds. And functional footwear is key to navigating icy pavements, cough, in style, according to executive editor Danielle McNally. There’s also the mode of transportation to consider—car, subway, or even on foot (if you dare!).
Editor-in-chief Sally Holmes cites the Lincoln Nautilus car and driver she tapped this winter as her sanctuary between shows—the vehicle even has a front seat “Rejuvenate” experience while the driver is idling between late-to-start runway showings. The seats recline, heat or cool, and massage while a scent and screen help you relax. The perfect ride for a packed schedule of traipsing up and down Manhattan longitudinally does exist.
Fully charged phones, meticulous notes, and nervous system regulation are all necessary when the fashion circus comes to town—and team InStyle has been through it all. Ahead, read the editors’ survival guide to getting through whatever the CFDA schedule (and weather) throws at them.
When in Doubt, Throw a Sweater Over Your Shoulders
Alejandro Sanchez Ochoa
Standout Outfit: Before this season, I’m not sure I successfully put together a winter snowstorm outfit that’s actually chic. Enter my Wednesday Addams cosplay (picture above). It was truly my favorite outfit of New York Fashion Week, not only for the accomplishment factor, but also because it really showed how an all-black outfit can still be interesting.
Cold Weather Styling Trick: This is by no means revolutionary, but tying a sweater around your shoulders is like the cherry on top of an outfit. Somehow, it makes me feel put together and helps an outfit feel lived-in. Plus, it’s acts as an extra scarf (or top!) for colder NYFW days.
NYFW Survival Tip: I’m a former ballet dancer, so I treat my feet like I’m training for Swan Lake during NYFW. I’m not a sneakers or flats girl, so I always make sure to bring band-aids, blister balm, extra socks, and extra soles to be prepared for whenever my feet start becoming an issue. And trust me, they will at some point.
—Frances Solá-Santiago, fashion editor
Jewelry Stacks Will Make Your Outfit Sing
Madison McGaw/bfa
Standout Outfit: I was sick for most of NYFW, but my favorite outfit that I wore was this chic striped navy Ralph Lauren blazer, which I wore over a crisp white button-down from Brooks Brothers to their Gold House Lunar New Year party. I adore this jacket because it instantly makes me feel chic and put together no matter what scenario I find myself in and pairs well with just about anything. To make the outfit feel less formal and to add a bit of shine, I wore a pile of vintage gold necklaces and a pearl choker from Pandora.
Cold Weather Styling Trick: Check your weather app and dress appropriately! I was a fool and didn’t wear the right shoes or socks on a slushy snow day—and paid the consequences. I’m a firm believer that with the right amount of prep, you can look stylish no matter what the forecast may be.
NYFW Survival Tip: A battery pack! Nothing is worse than hanging onto 5 percent for dear life.
—Kevin Huynh, fashion director
Make a Car Your NYFW Sanctuary (and Shoe Closet)
Sally Holmes
Standout Outfit: I loved this cape and plaid boot combo I wore on a particularly cold day. A cape is always going to be CHIC, and this Prada one gets me compliments almost hourly—it’s a true investment piece that’s both practical in a wonderful way (you’re basically cuddled up in a blanket!) and impractical in an also wonderful way (don’t try to lift your arms more than 90 degrees!). Plus, it elevates everything, so I’m wearing the most comfortable Levi 501s and Aritizia bodysuit underneath that are cute enough to be worn on their own, but make excellent warm base layers. These Manolo boots are one of the silliest items in my closet because they’re so specifically winter (and, of course, read holiday), but they remind me of the plaid pants my late grandfather used to wear every year on Christmas day—a memory that gives me a little jolt of happiness every time I look at them.
Cold Weather Styling Trick: Heat tech! Layers are KEY.
NYFW Survival Tip: Having a car…I recognize that this isn’t a relatable tip, but honestly, the thing that gets me through fashion week—and allows me to wear things like shackets and shoes you wouldn’t hike Yosemite in—is having a nice, warm vehicle to cart me around (and chuck my sneaks in). This year, the lovely folks at Lincoln lent Team InStyle a Nautilus and driver (shoutout to Drew!). This SUV was my command center, closet, and oasis-on-the-go for the week. There is nothing more blessed than having someone scoop you up from an 8 pm show when it’s 17 degrees out and Uber is “experiencing high volumes.” To be delivered home (with heated seats to dethaw you and your silly exposed ankles and the bag with your work laptop that you didn’t have to lug around waiting for you) is a gift. I wouldn’t have made it through this season (or at least made it to every show) without this mobile refuge.
—Sally Holmes, editor in chief
The Coat Is the Outfit
Madeline Hirsch
Standout Outfit: I loved the look I put together for the Tory Burch show. A high-low mix of mass market, vintage, and designer items is what I’m all about: This skirt (dreamed up by Tory herself) is one of my most cherished closet treasures, and I paired it with a vintage bustier from Brooklyn’s own Seven Wonders Collective layered under a Cos blazer. Just add some Sheertex tights for warmth and my most indestructible square-toe boots from Vagabond; they’re almost practical.
Cold Weather Styling Trick: Looking chic in subzero temps is an impossible feat. My solution is wearing tights under everything, layering up with scarves, and never forgetting my earmuffs. And when it’s seriously chilly, let your best statement outerwear do the talking. The coat is the outfit when it’s too cold to function!
NYFW Survival Tip: I try to take myself on at least one champagne date between shows every season as a treat. I order a salty snack, answer some emails, and enjoy a moment of silence amidst the madness. My hot tip for solo dining in NYC is to hit up your closest hotel bar. There’s always good people watching, a high-top seat, and fries on the menu.
—Madeline Hirsch, fashion features director
Gussy Up Some Functional Footwear
Danielle McNally
Standout Outfit: The ‘fit pic above also happens to be my favorite outfit. It consists of a J.Crew turtleneck, Gap skinny jeans—which I chose because it was snowy that day and so I needed to wear snow boots (and sorry, but flares would get ruined!), my Sorel snow boots, a Mansur Gavriel bag, and the pièce de résistance: a Bonnie Cashin for Philip Sills & Co. coat I inherited from my aunt (Sills’s daughter).
Cold Weather Styling Trick: Pick one piece and fashion (pun intended) your outfit from there. I’m sure in this look it seems like that piece was the coat, but, in fact, it was the boots. The day I wore this was one day after a snowstorm when the streets were a slushy mess, but I needed to bop between shows and presentations in three different neighborhoods. Something functional was required, but I did not want to look practical, hence the coat. The cut, fabrication, and trimming make it a showstopper that can turn a boring black turtleneck and jeans into an outfit.
NYFW Survival Tip: Upgrading your iPhone storage. Before this season I had a weirdly small (memory-wise) iPhone, and I was constantly having to offload apps and delete messages to make space for all the videos and photos I needed to take at shows. This year, a week before fashion week, I upgraded to 256 GBs, and honestly, I’ve never felt freer.
—Danielle McNally, executive editor
Metallics Make for a Hit of Dopamine
Courtesy of Christian Cowan
Standout Outfit: Christian Cowan is always a highlight—camp! drama! laughter! This year, I attended with InStyle‘s very own stars of ‘The Intern,’ Grant Gibbs and Ashley Gill, aka Twink and a Redhead. This good ol’ liquid silver/metallic COS jacket always scores me compliments and it felt appropriate with my tiny Balenciaga crossbody.
Cold Weather Styling Trick: Honestly? Dress comfortably. The days are long! I wore my go-to Christian Louboutin boots, and as much as I love them… the blisters blistered!
NYFW Survival Tip: As our Fashion Features Director taught me, you can’t go wrong with a mid-afternoon fries and rosé meal.
—Jonathan Borge, deputy editor
Start With the Fashion Basics and Build
Kara Brown
Standout Outfit: My fave look for this season was a simple white t-shirt with a black mini skirt. I made it fun with sheer black polka-dot tights, red patent leather heels, and a red leather jacket. It was perfectly sweet to wear ahead of Valentine’s Day.
Cold Weather Styling Trick: Start with the basics and build. Although Fashion Week is the time when I feel most pressured to turn out a lewk, I hardly ever strike fashion genius during this super-stressful time. Instead, I try to keep my looks relatively simple and add color and texture to keep it fun.
NYFW Survival Tip: Get a portable battery pack that can work for your phone and laptop, as you will find yourself writing from odd places like the backs of Ubers, hotel lobbies, and (my personal fave) bars.
—Kara Brown, beauty editor
Embrace the Wind With Clothes That Billow
Zizi Strater
Standout Outfit: Of all the looks I wore this fashion week, my favorite was this flowy black tunic from Esthé. Of course, since it’s winter, I layered it over black Ralph Lauren skinny jeans and underneath a shearling jacket to keep warm. The wind added all the drama to the look with its fringy silhouette blowing as I walked—and if you know me, you know my favorite part about fashion is the drama. Plus, I asked Law Roach if he takes the subway in this look, so it will forever be one of my most memorable.
Cold Weather Styling Trick: February’s fashion week always brings with it the battle of looking cute while staying warm. However, the battle is never worth going into without a coat. I saw too many divas in next to no clothing shivering so hard their teeth were chattering due to lack of outerwear. WEAR. A. COAT. I promise it looks weirder to shake from the wind than it does to be in a less-than-optimal jacket. Real fashion girls bundle up!
NYFW Survival Tip: Headphones. If I don’t have at least 10 minutes to lose myself in daydreams as I listen to bad pop music or electronic rave beats in between events, I WILL lose my mind.
—Zizi Strater, associate social media editor
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