Your Streetwear Inspiration Is Just A Tap Away
In the world of a pandemic, people are isolated and inspiration is hard to find. It’s easy to feel uninspired when it comes to revamping your looks. Fear not, social media has become the spark that has re-ignited the flames of creativity is the tool to re-spark that flame of creativity.
Instagram holds thousands of influencers however it’s the photographer journalist in the past two years that have gained a lot more attention and followers. Instagram account watchingnewyork is run by photographer Johnny Cirillo who walks the streets of New York City, capturing the iconic streetwear taking over the city with his 200mm lens. Cirillo receives consent on photographing the pedestrians before uploading their looks to his Instagram. His Instagram account has skyrocketed in popularity in recent months. In just July 2021, Cirillo’s account had 233,000 followers; now in October 2021, it stands at 501,000. Many have found their next looks and pieces by seeing what is trending in the streets of the Big Apple. Another Instagram account that documents pedestrians is parisiensinparis.
Image Courtesy: Johnny Cirillo
New York has been the fashion capital for centuries. The city holds some of the most notable fashion events like New York Fashion Week and The Met Gala. It is also the home of some of our most cherished shows such as Friends, Sex and the City, and Gossip Girl. All of these events and shows are located in New York for one main reason. For one main reason: it’s unique fashion-centric media through magazine spreads, television shows, and songs. This city has earned this reputation for its diverse culture, creative designers and artists, and retail world. The parisiensinparis Instagram account highlights some of the French staples, such as a straight-leg jeans paired with a basic white tee or white collared shirt, lingerie dresses for day and nightwear, and an abundance of trench coats varying in the colors beige, red, and brown. The French look is often described as being simple and chic. Buying basic pieces like long skirts, jeans, and flowy dresses that mix and match with other pieces in your closet is often the technique many of these Parisiennes use when it comes to fashion. The New York look utilizes a diverse color and pattern scheme. They are not afraid of experimenting with patterns and silhouettes. Parisiennes prioritize looking effortless, while still achieving a very chic look.
Image Courtesy: @parisiensinparis via Instagram
Instagram accounts like watchingnewyork and parisiensinparis have sparked inspiration for thousands worldwide. These photos capture the modern era’s versatile approach in expressing ourselves. From New York's leather blouses, tiny sunglasses, and baggy pants you can see a range of decades from the 70s, to the 2020s and Paris’s sleek dress silhouettes paired with colorful boots. I myself have taken notes on new ways to change up my own pieces from these pictures. Instead of deciding to clean out my closet, I have taken up switching pieces in different ways, accessorizing with almost every piece of jewelry and belts that I own - just like these pedestrians.
Image Courtesy: Johnny Cirillo
In the digital age, one can find numerous sources of fashion inspiration, from Vogue and the streets of the city, however, it is social media that holds thousands of unique styles calling out for you to try, and who knows, maybe you will be featured next in these Instagram posts.
Strike Out,
Nataly Ariza
Orlando
