ang out in Greenwhich Village, SoHo, West Village or the Lower East Side and you stumble on an eighties time warp with a modern twist. Evocative of Blondie and Stephen Sprouse’s neon graffiti looks. Guys and girls are tapping into punk rock and new wave styles. There is a resurgence of graphic shirts. (Katherine Hamnett did the “Relax” shirts in the 80’s and these are versions of the message tees.) Boys and girls in black, white, and red. Skinny jeans, skinny ties. Girls wearing menswear Slouchy bags for girls tired of the heavy big label varieties. Day glow colors, metallics, and leggings. Gals who don’t like micro minis and tight tees, opt for flowing tunics over leggings. Guys opt for piping in jackets, suspenders, and hats.

Hop on the subway heading uptown and leave retro behind because on the Upper East Side and Madison, Park, and 5th Avenues, it’s all about of-the-moment style and refined casual elegance. Boots paired with leggings and a designer top, longer knee-length dresses, and structured coats keep those strolling the avenues looking clean, sharp, and dressed for just about any occasion. New York is a melting pot of society and the fashion there certainly reflects its free-spirited heart.

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