5 Ways to Get the Confidence of a New Yorker

Everyone comes to New York in pursuit of some goal: to make it big, to find success, love, ambition, fame, the list goes on. Chances are, you have come to New York with some confidence under your belt already – after all, it takes grit and determination to find your distinct path in The City That Never Sleeps. But it’s a whole other ball game over here. There is something particularly noteworthy of the brand of confidence New Yorkers’ have. The New York State of Mind is all about keeping up with the energy and bustle of the city without losing your sense of self.

Here are five ways to get the confidence of a New Yorker.

1. Dressing according to your figure

It’s easy to take to heart advice that tells you what you should and should not wear, but at the end of the day, do what works best for you and only you. Reader’s Digest offers some helpful tips on dressing for your figure, but note that there is no one-size-fits-all guide to dressing up. Everyone’s body – regardless of its labels of ‘pear’ or ‘hourglass’ – is unique, and therefore the best thing you can do is to highlight your favorite features. The mere act of identifying what you like best about your body is a sign of confidence in itself. Learn to embrace your curves with fitted silhouettes, or draw attention to your arms if you don’t want to focus on your waist. Your confidence will emanate regardless of what you wear, for as long as it makes you feel your best.

2. Taking care of your skin (to combat NYC’s crazy weather and pollution!)

One caveat of living in an urban jungle like NYC is the concentrated pollution. Whether you realize it or not, pollution has adverse effects on your skin. Ranging from irritation to breakouts, the breakdown of collagen and its lipids, premature wrinkles, and pigmentation – these can all occur right under your nose. To combat this, you need to prep your skin to act as a barrier. Keeping your skin moisturized will hydrate it sufficiently, strengthening its barrier from pollutants and free radicals. When loaded with antioxidants, it will nourish and heal itself. Medical News Today’s Ten benefits of vitamin E oil article highlights the many benefits worth knowing about this natural skin protector as it can be used all over the body. It can be even more effective when mixed with sunscreen when applied on the face. The key is to focus on vitamin-rich products that restore all the nutrients you need to keep you glowing from the inside out.

3. Incorporating a few fashion trends into your classic wardrobe

Now, you may not consider yourself a certified fashionista who follows all the latest trends as the seasons change. However, there’s no harm in incorporating some of the trends spotted on the runway to add a little oomph to your everyday wardrobe. As we approach autumn, the fall 2020 trends showcase preppy sweater vests, earthy chocolate browns, chunky boots, and relaxed tailoring. But you don’t need to blow your savings just to be en vogue.

Using the trends as a template, you can find affordable ways of injecting trends into your wardrobe for a fraction of the runway price. Think about which trends you see yourself sticking to time and time again. Chunky boots, for one, are a staple footwear you can wear all the time. Who What Wear included a pair of Steve Madden Dallas Boots in its fall wardrobe roundup, which come at a reasonable price and can be worn throughout winter, or perhaps paired with a dress in the spring or summer. As the seasons change, you can find new ways of repurposing old trends, and this will give you a certain edge – characteristic of a New Yorker.

5. Opting for makeup looks that accentuate your unique features

Much like dressing up, when you are opting for makeup looks, it’s advised to accentuate your unique features. Luckily, this is what beauty in NYC is all about. New York-based Byrdie beauty editors say that in the Big Apple, makeup looks are understated, bare, and all-natural. Once you have prepped your skin with moisturizer and sunscreen, you can finish off with some brow gel, a touch of cheek tint, some lip balm, and perhaps a swipe of highlighter if you’re feeling fancy. New Yorkers prefer laidback beauty looks, and this contrasts the hustle and grind of everything else around you. No makeup makeup urges you to welcome your bare skin and do what you can to take care of it as much as possible.

While these tips may boost your confidence and help you feel like a true New Yorker, your inner conviction that you belong in this city should shine even brighter.

4. Choosing to wear timeless pieces that last

After living in NYC for years, studying fashion nonetheless, Adrienne Faurote says that one item she will always turn to is a classic trench. You can never go wrong with a timeless trench coat, and this staple remains a constant fixture in New Yorkers’ wardrobes as the seasons change and the years pass. It is a versatile transition piece that gets you through all kinds of weather, making for an effortlessly chic outfit as you add and subtract layers and textures. This is where it is acceptable to shell out a little more than you normally would as a quality trench can last years on end with good care. Harper’s Bazaar has deemed Boden’s Franklin Trench Coat as a modern classic, which stays true to its conventional features with a pop of contrast from a navy blue belt. You can definitely put your own twist on this traditional outerwear as you experiment with other playful belts and fun combinations that are sure to turn some heads.