Image via Complex Original
New York Fashion Week is about to descend upon us, and for a lot of people that means it's about to be the craziest time of year. And for good reason. With shows happening all over Manhattan (and even in Brooklyn), the next week and a half is non-stop travel, undernourishment, too many mind-altering substances, too little sleep, and endless amounts of looks traveling down the runway. So how can you flourish during such a wild week? As long as you keep your common sense intact as well as learn a few pro tips, then this is How to Dominate and Totally Rule New York Fashion Week.
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Forget cabs. Take the subway.
Don't be a chump and proclaim yourself too good for mass transit. With the clogged traffic at Lincoln Center and Milk, shuttling between locations on the iron horse is much faster than trying to Uber or cab it. Plus, have you ever seen a super fancy fashion bro sit next to a homeless dude nodding out on the 1 train? Only in NYC.
Don't post every single photo on Instagram just to humblebrag.
Congrats, you're at a fashion show. Now instead of trying to find a filter that eliminates as much blurriness as possible, try enjoying it and actually appreciating the designer's work. There's no quicker way to lose followers all for the sake of 11 likes than to post blurred pics on Instagram personally addressing the designer/brand. If you do get a dope picture or actually truly want to support and endorse a specific piece of work, then go for it. But if you become a timeline terrorist in the next week and a half, then fuck you.
Be on time.
It's tough to get around town during this upcoming week, but come on, it's not that hard. If you're purposefully slowing yourself down to try and make a dramatic entrance, come on, fam. You're not Nicki Minaj. Yes, chances are nothing's going to start on time anyway, but if you were able to snatch an invite, why ruin any chance of getting in or getting seated?
There's nothing wrong with standing, especially if you snuck in.
Don't be a seating snob. If you were able to cajole, convince, or sneak your way into a show, just be happy that you're about to witness what is hopefully a dope spectacle. It's pretty noticeable if you try to snatch someone else's seat and then everyone has to make a scene of you having to vacate. Let the work be the focal point of the show. Don't become a part of everyone else's entertainment.
Pack a lunch.
Free Kind bars and Smart Water will only take you so far. If you don't want to quite literally die in the middle of a fashion show (though what a way to go), make sure you got some snacks tucked away in the outerwear and/or bag you planned on wearing for weeks. Otherwise you'll have to drop $9 on a slice of midtown pizza, which, trust us, is the worst.
Don't peacock for the cameras.
There's nothing more face-palm inducing than seeing someone try extra-hard to get street styled. If you switch up your style just for the week and a half of NYFW, then it's going to be pretty obvious to essentially everyone that you're walking a mile in another man's shoes. If you have a personal sense of style that you believe in year-round, then keep that shit going. Your confidence and comfort will shine through, and that's ultimately what makes someone appear well-dressed and stylish.
Follow the right people on social media.
As hard as you try, there's no way you'll be able to be everywhere at all times. If you follow the right people on social media, then you can enjoy all facets of NYFW without overextending yourself. Just don't encourage the flourishing of blurry runway photos.
Be nice.
Too often we see people screaming at interns, assistants, and volunteers who are essentially the backbone (okay, maybe a rib) of NYFW. You'd be amazed how just a little kindness will get your requests processed faster, as opposed to the guy who's so mad about not getting backstage he just accidentally spit on the intern's iPad. It's a tough week for everyone, and it's a time when a little friendliness and consideration will go a long way.
It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Don't party your ass off early in the week and fuck your whole shit up for the rest of NYFW. There's not much worse than sitting at a show trying not to puke as bad music blasts and everyone is waiting for one editor and/or B-level celeb to show up. There are plenty of nights to go out and party, and it's probably best if you're not fulling turning up anyway. Unless, of course, you're Jerry Springer.
Skip it all and just look at photos on Style.com.
If you're a purist and you're about the clothing and the theatrical display of a label's vision, then skip the circus surrounding the shows and just click through Style.com's coverage of almost every show. You won't pick up on the details and energy that is present in every show, but hey, you won't have to trudge to midtown in the snow, either.
