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Everyone Is Dressing Like a Disheveled NYC Commuter This Fall
In the chicest way.
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Key Takeaways
- One of this fall’s biggest fashion trends is dressing like a commuter who had to leave the house in a hurry.
- Think big coats, messy hair, sneakers or flats, and an oversized bag to stash everything else you might need.
When I’m about to be late for an appointment, dashing down my subway station’s stained stairs because I hear the rumble of a train, sometimes I still have to stop and look around for a minute. Because what do you mean all of these commuters look so chic?
I personally think I look like a mess… but maybe someone else is thinking that they like my outfit, too.
This fall, the It look is more of a concept: All the cool girls are dressing like disheveled NYC commuters. They might actually be on their way to the office, or they might just embody the vision with their big coats, messy hair, and bags big enough to stash some extra shoes.
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Keep reading to discover everything you know about the trend, then shop the look yourself.
The Trend
Though I’m sure those who partake in the trend are wearing something iconic underneath their Aritzia Slouch Coats, the point here is that the in-between look is the look. The “Disheveled NYC Commuter” trend is the ultimate “too cool to care” style. It goes so far as to scream “I wish I cared more, but I dashed out of the house this morning because I have places to be.”
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The Carolyn Bessette Kennedy pictures we’ve come to reference most are the shots of her walking in Tribeca as opposed to anything snapped at a glam event. Jennifer Lawrence and Katie Holmes always look incredible on a red carpet, but I’m more obsessed with their bundled up and power walking down the street outfits. Especially when the latter’s hair is in a frizzy braid.
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Outside of these influences, the look has a surprising connection to the boho style revival. This is the corporate East Coast version of West Coast cool. It’s Olsen twins’ street style, Keira Knightley running errands/having everyone fall in love with her in Love Actually. It’s leaving the house with one roller still in, wearing your Rhode eye patches. It’s spilling coffee en route to the meeting. (Don’t worry, though. Your coworker probably has a stain stick.) It’s Chloë Sevigny taking the train in Uggs.
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How to Get the Look
This trend is so easy to tackle; you can even skip your blowout—the move is to let the elements have their way with your hair and comb it when you get to the office. That’s what that purse dry shampoo is for.
After stashing less practical shoes in your bag, throw on your comfiest sneakers or ballet flats and a big, warm coat. Then, think of what you might be forgetting and throw ten more things in said bag in case you need them later (you won’t). Now hit the road!! You’re late!!!
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For their fall 2025 campaign, TJ Maxx conceptualized “the onion bag.” The idea is to run around with a chic bag that’s big enough to stash anything you might need for the day: that comb, a scarf, sunglasses, your laptop, mascara, a cardigan, heels for dinner. You can add or take off layers as needed, like a chic little onion.
The disheveled NYC commuter is the primeonion bag consumer. And yes, she might be eating her chopped salad on the go. And yes it might have onions in it! She doesn’t care if you smell them. How could she have time to care? She has somewhere to be.
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Shop It
So, are you ready to pound pavement and look good—if not a little frazzled—while doing it? Here are some of our favorite shopping picks to help you style the Disheveled NYC Commuter within, wherever you are in the world.
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/disheveled-nyc-commuter-trend-11840336