I've Been in NYC, L.A., and CDMX This Month—6 Staples I Saw Everyone Wearing

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(Image credit: @aishafarida)

I started off this month with a lot of travel. Though I'm based in New York, I spent the past few weeks on the road visiting friends in cities like Mexico City and Los Angeles. While these trips were just for fun and not necessarily for work, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't always keeping an eye out for the latest shopping tip, styling idea, or conversation-starter on the topic of fashion and shopping that could potentially lead to a story right here on Who What Wear. I can't help but make mental notes on what I observe people wearing wherever I go, and that definitely includes all three cities I've spent time in this month.

The overall aesthetic in all three destinations is diverse—people in NYC tend to dress in polished neutrals while L.A. folks have a more relaxed and casual vibe and the residents of CDMX lean funky—but I noticed a few key staples they all held in common. According to my observations, cool basics like big button-down shirts and leather trousers are popular picks in all three places. I saw each of the six items below styled in totally different ways depending on the city but the fact that they popped up all over tells me everyone agrees on them for spring. Keep scrolling to discover and shop them all.

Relaxed Denim

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

Not only did I spot plenty of relaxed-fit denim in all three cities, but the staple is one that I packed and wore myself on repeat. In NYC, most people styled their denim with blazers, trenches, and other polished outerwear while in Mexico City and L.A., both warmer climates, I noticed the jeans paired more often with items like sandals and pretty tops.

Big Button-Downs

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(Image credit: @aishafarida)

I may be biased here since I've personally been backing these shirts as a trendy staple for spring, but it was validating to see that I'm not alone. Oversized button-downs are favored across all the three cities I've spent time in which points to how versatile and chic they are.

Leather Trousers

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(Image credit: @raeannlangas)

Leather separates may have once been considered a trend, but based on my travel observations, they're a full-blown staple. I spotted the coolest outfits with leather trousers whenever I went out at night, proving they're the going-out staple all over.

Flatform Sandals

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

I expected to see plenty of sandals in L.A. and CDMX, but overall I noticed the same theme: both cities' stylish residents are fans of chunky-soled and flatform sandals that add a little lift to their looks. Over in NY, I've spotted them briefly on warmer days this spring, indicating that they'll be well-loved once warmer weather really hits.

Slip Dresses (and Skirts)

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(Image credit: @svnrshop)

If you ask me, every closet needs a great slip dress. You just can't top how versatile and timeless they are. Transcending seasons, climates, personal style, and trends, slip dresses (and slip skirts, too, for that matter) really work for everyone.

Modern Cowboy Boots

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(Image credit: @meganadelaide)

If there's one staple I spotted that's far less plain than the others, it's cowboy boots. I was surprised to see them be so universally beloved, but from the boutiques in Mexico City's stylish Roma Norte neighborhood to the flea markets in West Hollywood, cowboy boots with a modern twist popped up everywhere I looked. 

Up next, see the trends and basics that make up my personal spring capsule wardrobe.

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.