I Spot So Many Trends at NYC Art Galleries—7 I'm Seeing at Every Opening Right Now
As a resident of NYC, Thursday night gallery openings are my favorite events to attend in the city. Starting around 7 p.m. (because everyone is always fashionably late), artists, patrons, and those in between from throughout the boroughs gather in one place to admire an exhibit. Not only do I love seeing the work of an artist I admire, but I also get to people-watch.
At the last opening I attended, it seemed like everyone there was a cool Gen Z art enthusiast, dressed to the nines in casual-yet-chic ensembles. They all looked completely effortless in outfits that were practical for both the heat and a high-profile art space, and I was sure to take note of the trends I kept seeing the young aesthetes wearing.
As I saw them take in the art, I also found myself wondering what went into the outfit choices the cool gallery attendees made before heading to the Lower East Side. Why did they choose resin bangles over gold bracelets, or large billowy bottoms rather than cigarette-fit pants? Either way, the trends I noticed were undeniably forward and are already popular among the fashion crowd.
If you have an artsy event to attend in the future or simply want to try a new trend that's popular in NYC, keep scrolling to see the ones I keep spotting—not just at this particular opening, but at multiple art galleries throughout the city.
Stacked Bangles
I attended an exhibit a bit before the recent BET Awards (where Doechii wore stacked resin bangles on both wrists), and at this show, I saw a girl wearing a simple white ribbed tank top, dark blue cuffed jeans, and a pair of black flats—very model off-duty. Her only accessories were a few stacked bangles on both wrists, in rounded and abstract shapes and hues of blue, silver, and black. Her look stuck with me for days afterward, as I intend to dress similarly this summer.
Shop Stacked Bracelets
ZARA
3-Pack of Rigid Bracelets
DINOSAUR DESIGNS
Rock Set of Two Resin Bangles
Heaven Mayhem
Siren Bangle
Open Edit
Transparent Dome Cuff Bracelet
Anthropologie
Round Bangle Bracelets, Set of 3
Billowy Pants
I’ve always been a fan of billowy pants, even as someone who stands at 5′0″. One of the artists in the exhibit I attended wore an outfit so chic I immediately asked her where her pants were from. “Comme,” she cooed. Not only did I admire her work, but her cool demeanor also made her an It girl in my eyes. I then turned and saw another pair of billowy pants worn by someone admiring a work on the wall. I immediately decided I had to get my hands on a pair before summer ends.
Shop Billowy Pants
Lovers and Friends
Eliette Pant
Helsa
The Balloon Pants in Silk and Wool
Black Comme des Garçons
Black Gabardine Trousers
ELOQUII
Tie Ankle Balloon Pants
Square-Toe Shoes
The trend of square-toe shoes persists, and I’m so happy about it. While I’ve seen this trend a lot on the busy Manhattan streets, I also see it on the chicest of art opening attendees in all forms: knee-high boots, leather slingback flats, and heels. Despite the enduring popularity of square-toe shoes, I’ve leaned toward pointed-toe shoes for a few years now, so seeing this opposing shape inspired me to add a pair to my collection.
