I’ve been seeing a new approach to preppy style all over NY. Taking cues from Michael Rider’s Celine or JW Anderson’s Dior, the style on the streets builds from familiar foundations: a crisp Oxford, pleated chinos, the ever-reliable L.L.Bean Boat and Tote. Only now, untraditional twists complete them—like a puka shell necklace or a touch of the American West. Alongside those references, there is a distinct European quality woven into the mix, which feels fitting for an international city like NYC.

New York style is about creating yourself. New Yorkers constantly reckon with the dreamy projection of the city’s glamour and the reality of stomping well-worn heels into concrete. For me, fashion is about irreverent references. Mixing archival and beloved classics. Taking inspiration from the legends who strutted New York streets and making their looks your own. The city is always changing and eBay helps me reinvent myself with it. I’m trying on new personas and reselling them when an era ends.

Prada is pushing stained shirts. Dior is flipping ties backwards. Gucci's bottoms are sagging. All the style don'ts of school's yesteryears are getting fashion's A's. And I'm following dapper dandy to detention—after I buy all the punk-prep on my eBay watchlist.

Growing up in New York in the ’90s, I’ll always feel nostalgic for that era, especially the downtown scene. Lately, I’ve noticed parts of it returning: from the practical minimalism of designers like Jil Sander and Calvin Klein, to new indie bands like Geese, or obsessions with CBK’s Selima sunglasses or JFK Jr’s Noguchi lamps. Before it all gets TikTok-ified, I’m taking a trip down memory lane on eBay to revisit what defined the ’90s for me and it made me want to raid my mom’s basement and list everything.

The spaces I love in New York feel collected rather than decorated: brutalist brass, vintage ashtrays used as dishes and a koi fish ikebana beside a stack of old books. The best objects feel slightly unexpected and eBay is where I hunt for those beautifully strange finds that make a space feel layered and personal.

For me, I created my edit to include not only trends but long term essentials any New Yorker would need for spring in the city—a cool leather jacket, a perfectly cozy and beat-up zip-up hoodie, and the jeans that go with everything you own. After all, closet space is always at a premium in NYC—it’s not necessarily about having the most as it is the right items that transcend trends.

As a New Yorker, minimalism feels powerful. I’m drawn to the pieces that ‘90s designers like Helmut Lang, Calvin Klein, and Prada made iconic with sharp tailoring and clean lines that still feel modern. For this edit, I chose pieces with quiet downtown energy. eBay is my secret for finding archival pieces and passing things on when my style shifts. In New York, clothes are always circulating.

Living in New York constantly shapes my style and I've fallen in love with vintage. There's nothing like finding a piece with real character that can't be found in stores, which is why I've loved shopping and selling on eBay. I’m always drawn to dark, chic staples with a unique edge, a vibe people call my “black cat” aesthetic. So, I’ve leaned in and pulled some favorite moody, pre‑loved finds from eBay and my own closet.

After spending a lot of time at home in New York recently, I’m so inspired by the street style. The cutest outfits also look unbelievably comfortable and low-effort—which makes me instantly jealous. From a quarter zip to the perfect simple blue jeans, eBay has become my secret weapon for finding vintage pieces that make me feel as good (and as chic) as a hot grandpa.

I find more NYC style inspiration in an artist’s longtime SoHo loft than any buzzy new hotel in Manhattan. I recently coined the term “Studio Curatorial” to sum up what I’m most drawn to in interiors: the kinds of spaces you see not on Pinterest, but in the studios, living rooms, and closets of artists across decades and boroughs.