Minimalist But Never Boring—These Are the Outfit Formulas New Yorkers Swear By

Spotted during NYFW.

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collage of women wearing minimalist outfit formulas during new york fashion week
(Image credit: Launchmetrics, Darrel Hunter)
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When Staff Writer Meguire Hennes asked me what makes New York Fashion Week so special, I told her it has everything to do with the street style scene. Having attended 10 NYFW seasons already, I’ve seen just about every kind of outfit under the sun—from loud ones that cause a paparazzi frenzy to quiet ones that fly under the radar. Because I’m a staunch minimalist, I’m more partial toward the latter.

One of my favorite streamlined outfits spotted outside the Fall 2026 shows belongs to none other than the First Lady of New York City, Rama Duwaji. Styled by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, she arrived at Diotima wearing a khaki trench coat as a dress under another trench, grounded in black heeled boots, a leather bag, and thin hoop earrings.

Elsewhere, I was drawn to showgoers in leather jackets worn with delicate lace skirts and in collarless coats paired to turtleneck dresses. These looks certainly leaned toward the minimal end of the spectrum, but, by playing with textures and silhouettes, they were far from boring—and certainly stood out from the street style pack.

Scroll on to find all the New York Fashion Week looks that have found a prime spot on my mood board. They’re not just undeniably chic, but they're also easy to assemble.

Shop NYFW's Minimal Street Style Outfits

Rama Duwaji wearing plaid jacket, dress, and boots

(Image credit: Darrel Mode Hunter)

At first glance, I thought Duwaji was wearing a dress, but I realized that she was actually in a double-trench look. This is the type of outfit that falls into fashion’s “offbeat minimalism” category, balancing functionality with a touch of personality.

woman wearing brown coat and white pants

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

I don’t care what anyone says: Wearing white during the winter is not a crime. And if it is, lock me up, because I’ll be styling this denim look on repeat. I have every element, from the white jeans to the suede jacket to the sturdy boots, in my capsule wardrobe.

woman wearing fur-trimmed coat, black top, black pants, shoes, and a shoulder bag

(Image credit: Darrel Hunter)

I saw this sumptuous shearling-trimmed coat and my jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Amy Sall let the jacket to all the talking by keeping the rest of her outfit simple with uncomplicated, reliable pieces: black tailored trousers, sleek boots, and a plain handbag.

woman wearing leather jacket, white lace skirt, drawstring bag, and boots

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

What I love most about this look is that it’s rooted in contrast: The rugged leather jacket and dainty lace skirt are total opposites, yet they work so well together. Finish off the outfit with a slouchy drawstring pouch, which just so happens to be a top Spring 2026 bag trend.

woman wearing scarf, skirt, jacket, heels, and tights

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Forget itty-bitty winter accessories. For the chilly February shows, street stylers championed jumbo scarves that command attention. Paired with a belted trench, tights, and slingback heels, it looks incredibly rich.

woman wearing collarless coat, dress, and heels

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

To know me is to understand that collarless coats are my latest outerwear obsession. The rounded-neck style has endless layering potential. Wear it over a button-down, a high-neck sweater, or a turtleneck dress, like this showgoer did.

woman wearing gray coat, red turtleneck, and pants

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Minimalism and color aren't mutually exclusive. This NYFW attendee styled a strawberry red sweater under a gray coat (an underrated combo, in our opinion), proving that a little can go a long way.

woman wearing shearling coat, jeans, and boots

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Though it's been a major trend for the past few seasons, I haven’t really played into Western-inspired fashion. However, I’ve been feeling an urge to channel my inner horse girl—I'd follow this street styler's lead in a suede jacket, a pair of flared jeans, and heeled cowboy boots. It’s a look that feels on-trend, but not kitschy.

woman wearing fur jacket, black top, black pants, and boots

(Image credit: Darrel Hunter)

While the weather is still cold, I plan to wear my plush faux fur coats as much as possible. I’ll be copying this Tamu McPherson outfit, which boast a “low-effort, high-reward” attitude.

Lauren Tappan
Lauren Tappan
Fashion Editor

Lauren K. Tappan is the Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers trend forecasting and shopping stories, highlighting runway-inspired styles and a blend of emerging and established brands. Prior to joining Marie Claire, she worked as a freelance editor for Harper’s Bazaar and ELLE, specializing in e-commerce content and curating seasonal trend reports. Earlier in her career, she worked at Town & Country, developing a strong portfolio of fashion roundups and designer profiles.

Lauren holds a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in journalism from the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, she served as editor-in-chief of The Walk, the university's fashion magazine, and completed internships at Philadelphia Style Magazine and EveryStylishGirl.