The arrival of Memorial Day heralds the start of something good: summer in New York City. Highs include steamy temps and a blessed uptick in Mister Softee ice cream truck sightings. Among our favorite lows are less crowds at the newest downtown restaurants and the refreshing chill of the a/c that blasts through the cavernous Met Museum. NYC has everything one requires for a proper summer weekend, from beaches to sprawling leafy expanses to various cultural haunts (shops, of course) to chill off in. You just need the perfect look. The days around Memorial Day are the time to shop New York for the best of summer ready-to-wear and accessories. Read on for how to find the best summer fashion for New York 2016.
Memorial Day Shopping NYC: Designer Apparel
Tory Burch’s cutout top has it all: denim and metallic yarns woven together with flattering crossover straps in the back, and even fringe at the bottom. This is just the thing to wear meandering through SoHo with an iced coffee from Dean & Deluca in hand. Tory Burch, 797 Madison Ave. toryburch.com
Infuse a dash of cool girl French style into your NYC weekend with one of Maje’s deliciously flowy jacquard dresses. This one features ruffled cuffs that will look lovely when worn for a leisurely afternoon boat ride on the Central Park boat pond. Maje, 417 Bleecker St., maje.com
Native New York designer Ulla Johnson knows her way around a frock. Her dresses are handcrafted and often feature ornate embroidery and globally inspired motifs. This cotton voile peasant dress is breathable with unique touches like a ruffled hem and tassels at the neck. Barneys New York, 660 Madison Ave., barneys.com
Memorial Day Shopping NYC: Shoes & Accessories
Antiqued leather sandals made in Italy are as stylish by day as they are by night. Brunello Cucinelli’s colorblocked sandals will keep your feet comfy and cool from your morning bagel and coffee to your post-dinner ice cream cone. Century 21, 22 Cortlandt St., c21stores.com
Inspired by the handbag Grace Kelly’s character toted in Rear Window, this rattan-and-leather bag from Mark Cross practically exudes sunny vibes. It can be carried from its top handle, or with an attachable strap that lets the purse be worn cross-body. Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Ave., bergdorfgoodman.com
Andy Warhol’s illustrations for Harper’s Bazaar in the fifties were the starting point for a set of limited-edition sunglasses designed by RETROSUPERFUTURE. We’re partial to the cheeky heart frame style dubbed Ultracandy. MoMA Store, 11 W. 53rd St., moma.org
Sling this beauty of a bag by Chloé over your shoulder and get to Riverside Park for sunset drinks at the beloved Boat Basin Café. The mini suede bag has just enough room for all the essentials. Chloé, 850 Madison Ave., chloe.com
Abstract expressionist Ad Reinhardt’s 1949 Yellow Painting makes a perfect print for this silk scarf from the Guggenheim Store. Scarves are summertime lifesavers on evenings when the wind picks up and you’re caught without a cardigan. Guggenheim Store, 1071 Fifth Ave., guggenheimstore.org
Mirrored lenses may be a nineties flashback, but they look positively 21st-century chic on this pair by hipper-than-thou label Illesteva. The mix of materials makes this pair decidedly fresh. Bloomingdale’s, 1000 Third Ave., bloomingdales.com
Besides sandals, espadrilles are (in our humble opinion) the shoes of summer. We adore this paisley pair by Isabel Marant worn with sundresses or denim cut-offs along the Coney Island boardwalk. Isabel Marant, 469 Broome St., isabelmarant.com