Through artistic diversity and cultural richness, Brooklyn encapsulates a myriad of characters — each neighborhood constitutes its own stylistic identity, and almost nowhere is this more clear than in clothing. From cardigan-clad moms to grungy teenagers dressed head to toe in thrifted streetwear, here are the different women you’ll meet throughout the borough, told through their fashion.
Bushwick
This neighborhood is known for its eccentric arts scene — and of course, its disproportionate population of performative men. An average day in Bushwick means a walk alongside street murals and trendy coffee shops, surrounded by mustached men carrying their newest samples of feminist literature while sporting streetwear. The Bushwick girl, however, opts for more timeless pieces, mixing avant-garde garments with stylish classics. Layering is key to the Bushwick girl aesthetic: It begins with basic dark wash jeans layered with a sheer midi skirt. A vintage graphic tee from one of Bushwick’s many thrift stores completes the look, and is accented by a classic Coach purse. The Bushwick girl is not afraid to take risks, yet still sticks to pieces that nod to the Y2K era.
Cobble Hill
Cobble Hill’s quiet, family-friendly streets embody a mature couple, looking for a slower life away from the chaos of the city. Elegant with touches of vibrancy, a Cobble Hill mom wears a plaid houndstooth blazer, but does not tone down the rest of the outfit — her blazer is complemented by silk green pants and layered on top of a lace-detail cardigan. The fashion-forward look is polished off by black loafers, coupled with a black leather tote bag.
Dumbo
Much like its expanse of warehouses alongside luxury housing and office spaces, a Dumbo wardrobe combines antique and contemporary pieces. The average pedestrian is a young professional looking for luxury lofts within views of Manhattan, or a weekend tourist browsing the stalls of the Brooklyn Flea Market. The outfit’s base elements are low-rise, straight-leg jeans in mid denim and a crisp white button-up. Since the Dumbo woman brings edge to a preppy look, the final touches are a vintage military jacket, thrifted or found resold online, and Sambas with a trendy twist: cheetah print. And what better bag to wear in the entryway to Brooklyn than Coach’s Brooklyn bag.
Fort Greene
With many artistic Fort Greene residents ready to talk about color theory and mixed media photography, this neighborhood’s locals often seem to style themselves for jazz clubs and gallery openings. Fort Greene hums with cultural richness, from its historic brownstones to its mix of artists, writers and filmmakers who have long called it home — well encapsulated by a soft blue silk shirt and wide-leg trousers in deep taupe. Chunky dark brown loafers and a matching cashmere scarf, along with colorful, stone-like earrings, make this the creative’s ideal outfit.
Park Slope
One of Brooklyn’s most affluent residential neighborhoods, Park Slope exudes the energy of cozy sophistication and posh, poetry-reading women. In accordance with its quiet, luxurious tone — which is still distinctly Brooklyn, and not as extravagantly formal as that of the Upper East Side — a proper Park Slope outfit begins with a heather gray cashmere cardigan and black high-rise, wide-leg jeans. This is paired with a water-repellent, belted trench coat and iconic suede Veja sneakers. Complete with dainty golden jewelry and a tote bag from The New Yorker, Park Slope embodies the perfectly put-together chic mom.
Williamsburg
Once the epicenter of 2000s hipsterdom, Williamsburg is the kind of girl that makes effort look easy, with every outfit carefully brainstormed and every detail disguised as nonchalance. With streets lined with minimalist coffee shops, vinyl stores and industrial-chic boutiques, the neighborhood perfectly adopts Phoebe Buffay’s quirky vibe — which manifests as idiosyncratic yet curated fashion. Loose, low-rise black jeans and a simple white tank top might not seem particularly unique, but add a houndstooth jacket coat, an olive-colored beanie and a tote bag from local bookstore Spoonbill & Sugartown Books, and the outfit is not only grounded, but eccentric. Olive green Sambas and silver jewelry from the local flea market — plus a messy bun that’s barely held up — creates an effortlessly cool look.
Contact Shreeya Goyal and Natalie Plavec at culture@nyunews.com.