I caught this lovely young hipsterista on the subway platform for the L at Union Square. She was heading toward the East Village and was wearing these grey Skechers boots that cost her just over a c-note. They’re pretty standard, but what was important was the way she put them together with her outfit. She’s a fashion designer, and I just love how her long hair matches her long sweater and her long boots. Seen all those articles in InStyle and Lucky encouraging you to shop from your own closet? I think one of the easiest ways you can do that is by jazzing up old pieces with new contrasting items.

“Color is the first thing I look for,” she said. And sure enough, the muted grey of her boots and her bag contrasted with the sparkly silver of her sweater accents. Indeed, this chilly, rainy summer in New York has allowed us to wear boots. Cute!