Ah summer in the city. There’s nothing quite like it and if you’re a native New Yorker, a transplant or you’ve ever visited the concrete jungle you know what I’m talking about. It’s unbearably hot, sticky and smelly but in the best possible way because summer in the city is magical. From impromptu run-ins with friends on the street that turn into tacos and margaritas al fresco, to trips to the park and early morning walks when the sun is not fully our yet, summer in New York is unparalleled, much like the fashion in the city.
One of the best neighborhoods for long summer days spent strolling is the West Village. Home to restaurants, shops, Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment and some of the cutest tree-lined streets in all of the city, the West Village is also a great place to spot some great bags. We spent an afternoon strolling around the neighborhood last month to see what people were carrying.
The Classics
When it comes to the WV, it’s a bit less eclectic than say the Lower East Side or Brooklyn, and the style isn’t far from what you’d typically spot in SoHo, but slightly less touristy. When it comes to the classics, we saw mostly trendier of-the-moment bags but we did spot an iconic Chanel Flap and a classic Louis Vuitton Neverfull in the wild…
Gucci Gang
Gucci, it seems, is a favorite among our West Village bag lovers. From Marmont bags to a Dionysus and even a rare vintage carry, Gucci was the popular pick amongst West Village goers.
Dior and More
Dior was a close runner up, with street stylers pairing their denim and sneakers with the latest and greatest from Dior. We spotted two Saddle bags IRL alongside a Fendi Baguette and a couple of picks from Saint Laurent.
To me these photos are more interesting than the ones with “celebrities”. I appreciate them more because they’re people, doing their thing, without pretense.
i agree, loved this post and way better than the endless Kardashian posts
Agreed. And they paid for it themselves. With celebs, I often wonder how many in the pics we see were given to them for free.
Yes, that is a big part of it too! These are people who picked and purchased these bags so there is a different level of realness in the photos!
While I love to see what celebs wear and carry, I always find that more aspirational – because they have a stylist, hair/makeup team, etc. I love to see everyday people and what they carry and how they style it!
Please have more of these contents – normal, everyday folks in normal, everyday clothing doing normal, everyday activities with interesting bags
We’ll be featuring street style posts more frequently going forward!
While a piece of me wonders about the consent when taking these pics (would love if you could please share!), I loved seeing normal, everyday folks in normal, every day clothes & bodies with interesting bags.
I completely agree Tiffany. It does feel like a violation. Particularly when so many faces are shown. I dont understand why the faces would not be cropped. Just because something isn’t illegal doesn’t make it right…
Glad you asked. In the US we do not require consent to photograph people in public settings, like a street. Sometimes we may shoot some candids, other times we may approach a person and ask them if we could take their photo. Depends on the specific situation.
For the most part we like to omit people’s faces and make the bag and outfit the focus of the image.
I like the fact that you are taking photos of people on the street without warning, this is true street style. Celebrities and street style at fashion week are so staged, I find it a bit comical how they pose and wait for their picture to be taken. (Although at times I do get fashion inspiration from them.). Great post!
That is why they labeled it “peacocking”. A lot of influencers walk slowly in circles waiting to be snapped!
Lovely post, I always get so excited when I see a rare/ interesting bag in the wild, being used and carried with pride!!
yes cool bags in the wild bring me JOY one of the fun parts of living in NYC
Do you guys think we will ever stop wearing white sneakers? EVERYONE is wearing them with EVERYTHING…must get old one of these days. But what could possibly replace them?
Black ballet flats, I hope
I hate sneakers
Ha, I love them! But I’ve never been a more formal shoe kinda gal
I’m with you on this!
I don’t know – but I do love a good pair of light sneakers!
I think white sneakers have now become a wardrobe staple.
As a former New Yorker, favorite time was lunch, eating outside and people watching. The fashion was like no other city, always fun and inspirational!
Love street style. Is that the Bottega Mini pouch or the Mini Bulb? There is more volume on this bag. But this might be my favorite…Street Style. Real purses not just the people we know we can afford these bags.
It’s not a dior 30 montaigne micro bag, but actually a dior 30 montaigne box bag
Carrie Bradshaw, the character, lived on the Upper East Side. The building used as Carrie’s apartment is located in the West Village. Yes, I’m a super S&TC fan.
I loved this!! Great and interesting street style pics!
I love love love this article…”seen in the wild…” lol
I rather see more articles like this than celebrity centric pictures with generally unattainable collections.
love love love this post – thank you meg and vlad!
love, love love these types of photos! real people in real situations with their own bag/purse choices.