Things to Do in NYC if You’re into Fashion

by
LIM College

Welcome to fashion-lovers paradise!

New York City is an undisputed global fashion capital. Home to major corporate headquarters, spectacular flagship stores, loads of designer showrooms, international trade shows, and the world’s most creative people, NYC is simply a fashion-lovers paradise.

young woman standing on Fifth Avenue

A blog post by LIM College

Whether you’re attending a top fashion school like LIM College, or just visiting the city for the weekend, here are some of the best ways to explore the best of what the New York fashion scene has to offer.

  1. The famed Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art houses and exhibits and the world’s most comprehensive costume collection, offering an unrivaled timeline of fashion history. The Costume Institute’s spring 2025 exhibition is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style (May 10–October 26, 2025).
     
  2. Thrift Shopping. New York City tops Quartz.com’s list of “10 Best American Cities for Thrift Shopping” With stores such as L Train Vintage, Urban Jungle, Beacon’s Closet, and Buffalo Exchange, and many others, it’s easy to see why NYC leads the pack.
     
  3. People Watching. All you have to do is sit in a public space like Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village with your eyes open and enjoy the kaleidoscope of clothing choices and personal style statements on display. Vintage, Goth, Grunge, Boho, Cyberpunk, Skater Girl, Streetwear, Spacecore, the list is pretty much endless.
     
  4. Fifth Ave. Easter Bonnet Parade and Village Halloween Parade. New Yorkers, and visitors from all over the world, go all out for these two holiday parades. You’ll witness jaw-dropping displays of creativity and inclusivity, as anyone who can put together a festive ensemble is welcome to participate.
     
  5. Textile Stores. Whether you want to create your own clothing line or just spend some time browsing, NYC’s Garment District is home to iconic textile shopping destinations, such as Mood Designer Fabrics. Made famous by Project Runway, there are hundreds of fabrics to choose from at any price point.
     
  6. Designer Flagships. Fifth Avenue is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. Here, you can find flagship stores for nearly every luxury designer—including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Armani, Fendi, and more.
     
  7. The Museum of the City of New York's Costume and Textile Collection has over 25,000 garments and accessories from the late 17th century through the present, the majority with a documented history linking them to the New Yorkers who wore them.

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A blog post by LIM College