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Even on a blustery Friday afternoon, the streets of SoHo teemed with people doing their holiday shopping. Outside Prada’s epicenter store on Broadway and Prince streets, nearly two dozen people were cued up outside because of COVID restrictions. Around the corner at Chanel’s store on Wooster, the brand went as far as to install space heaters for shoppers as they waited on the sidewalk. Suffice it to say, shopping is back in full force.
When it comes to defining a reemergence look, New Yorkers are thinking bold. Hairstylist Daniel Moon purchased bright yellow sweats and was considering a statement bag from Bottega Veneta. Friends Diamond and Rebecca were looking for “something that grabs us” in stores like Kirna Zabete and Dover Street Market, while another duo, Matt and Talia, were out to buy some new Rick Owens shoes.
Here, a closer look at what stylish New Yorkers are wearing and shopping for the holidays.
Diamond and Rebecca
What brings you to SoHo?
Diamond: Girls’ trip.
Rebecca: We came from Texas.
Diamond: We’re going to Kirna Zabete. Then Dover Street.
What are you looking to buy?
Rebecca: Something that stands out. It’s going to have to grab me.
Diamond: Nothing in particular. It has to grab me.
Rebecca: Diamond’s going to buy your shoes!
Diamond: I love them.
They’re from Loewe, on Greene Street.
Diamond: Okay, we’re going there next.
Masha
What did you buy today from Acne?
It’s a present for my husband. I can’t tell you what it is because it would ruin the surprise!
Are you planning on doing more holiday shopping today?
All day. Maybe to A.P.C. and the Apple Store...we’ll see.
Scott
What are you doing in SoHo today?
I was getting my David Yurman necklace cleaned next door, and I’ve been looking for pants for four months, but I can’t find any. The search continues.
What kind of pants?
Ones that fit well! I feel like I finally understand some amount of women’s struggles: I keep going to stores, and I’m like, look I need a little more room for my ass, and they’re like if you want that they’re going to look totally sexless. I don’t want that.
Have you tried Acne?
I have not.
I would go there. Are you going to do any holiday shopping today?
I should. I feel like you shouldn’t listen to what people say they want for the holidays. The best gifts are things that people don’t know that they want or wouldn’t ever buy for themselves.
Jerry
What did you buy today?
I bought a cap from Aimé Leon Dore. I’m heading to Nanamika now. It’s a Japanese brand.
Are you going to do any holiday shopping today?
Probably not.
Megan and Julia
What did you buy today?
Megan: Bottega aviator sunglasses.
Kind of your signature?
Megan: Oh, yeah.
Julia: She’s a serial aviators wearer. But we’re about to go buy a Valentino bag, the black and white with gold studs.
What did you buy, Julia?
Julia: I bought some Louis combat boots. I was going to buy Prada ones, and I said, “Let’s just go look at something else before I pull the trigger,” and actually Louis won.
Are you going to do any holiday shopping today?
Megan: No.
Julia: Only for ourselves!
Andrew
Have you done any holiday shopping?
I have not done any holiday shopping yet, but I’m hoping to do a little this week.
What’s on your wish list?
A Jacquemus bag, the Chiquito in brown. I love brown bags.
Steven
What brings you to SoHo today?
A quick shopping trip. I’m going to visit Longcham. I used to work there. Maybe stop by the Gucci store and the Off-White store. I haven’t been to the city in a while.
Have you seen the memorial in front of the Off-White store? It’s very beautiful.
That’s the reason why I came, to be honest. I’m going to pay tribute.
What do you like about Virgil’s work and impact on fashion? I see you have an Off-White bag on.
This is actually my girlfriend’s bag. I borrowed it for the day. He’s such an inspiration. When he came into the business he put so much of himself out there, and it was very different to what you see from other brands. He has a different touch, and he added a lot to the streetwear world too. He had inspiration for everyone around the world.
Amber and Sydney
What brings you to SoHo today?
Amber: Shopping! We’re on holiday.
What stores are you going to visit?
Amber: The main one we’re trying to is The Real Real.
Sydney: Anything we can’t get in London we want to get here. We just want New York.
What’s on your holiday wish lists?
Sydney: For me, it’s a pair of Prada sunglasses.
Amber: For me, a pair of white cowboy boots, because I just feel like that’s right.
Matt and Talia
What stores are you going to go to?
Talia: We just came from Balenciaga.
Matt: We’ll probably go to Off-White next and Louis Vuitton.
What did you like about Virgil’s work?
Matt: He was so creative and out of this world with ideas. He had such an impact on the fashion community, especially for African Americans. We finally had a shot in the fashion world. I’m very grateful.
Talia: He definitely inspired me to come to New York and follow my dreams.
What’s on your holiday wish lists?
Matt: It’s so long! Maybe a new pair of Rick Owens shoes.
Talia: Same. I just got some new Bottegas too.
Yulei, Emily, Madison, and Gracie
What brings you to SoHo today?
In unison: Shopping!
Emily: I have to go to Wolf & Badger. I’m doing a try-on for them.
What’s on your holiday wish list?
Gracie: Anything by a Japanese designer.
Emily: I asked for a designer tote bag, like Michael Kors or Kate Spade. I have Steve Madden shoes on too.
Yulei: I just want money so I can shop for myself!
Bryant, Brandon, and Jon
What did you buy?
Bryant: I bought a sweater from Stüssy and a nice shirt from COS for work.
Brandon: Just bought a jacket from COS.
You didn’t get anything?
Jon: The day is just starting!
Daniel
Are you planning for some holiday shopping?
I’m doing it now. I went to Chanel, I went to Louis Vuitton. I just came out of Bottega, everything was so beautiful there. I saw this new licorice purse; it’s pretty amazing.
Is that on your holiday wish list?
Oh, my god, it is now! My girlfriend is at Art Basel. She’s like, “Save the money for the art.” But this could be art!
What did you buy today?
I got these beautiful sweats from Eric Emanuel. Anything I can get that is textural, I die for. It’s not terry cloth, almost like a bouclé.
I love your Chopova Lowena pants.
Thank you. I’m wearing them with my Reeboks—I collaborated with Reebok on some Reebok x Hair x Daniel Moon sneakers. They are available on Reebok.com right now. They are terry cloth with a gradient color. The terry is nice because it doesn’t really wear out, and it’s so comfortable.
Maria
You said you just came from the airport—you went shopping right away?
Yes, I’m from Argentina. My room is not ready, so I came shopping.
What did you buy?
I bought a Miu Miu bag, a denim one, an iPhone case for my boyfriend, a Yankees hat, and I bought a Kooples poncho.
Are any of these presents or all for you?
Mostly for me, because tomorrow is my birthday!
