Last night, after a quick meeting at San Vicente West Village, wearing the above, I pulled a quick presto change-o, and went with Coco to dinner at Bar Oliver, a hip, newish Lower East Side spot—the in-demand kind that pre-charges you $75 a head to secure a seat. We walked in feeling excited, suitably dressed, looking for our friend and dinner date Sarah Clary--only to encounter the hostess, who barely looked up from her iPad. We hovered awkwardly, and then, like a scene change, Sarah swanned in--stylist, fashion oracle, and human mood board—wearing a white pillbox hat perched just so, a fuzzy oversized Source Unknown blazer (that's sold out but this one is almost identical), and the kind of calm self-assurance and glowy countenance that parts crowds. Suddenly, the hostess was all warmth and motion, menus appearing, napkins unfolding, our table materializing as if it had been waiting for Sarah all along. Dinner was delicious—the roasted mushrooms were rich and earthy, the pan con tomate perfectly tangy, the big leaf salad a fibrous, green dream. But what I kept devouring, really, was Sarah’s outfit: the texture, the proportion, the way she somehow made “just grabbing dinner” feel cinematic. Sitting across from her, I started mentally dismantling my own wardrobe (though, she did compliment my reversible jacket!), wondering how to inject more drama, more entrance-making energy, more head-turning flair into my life. It’s moments like these that remind me why I’ll never tire of this city: the constant parade of inspiration, the effortless alchemy of New York style. Every street corner, every 8 a.m. coffee line reveals another masterclass in dressing with intent (I spotted this at Gotan this morning). I’m forever taking mental notes—and chasing that same mix of ease and theater. So far today, I’ve come up with this from TWP (I mean...!), this J.Crew (it's truly a Prada-spirited cardigan, Rohe and Zadig & Voltaire. See more for what everyone is wearing in Manhattan, below: these loafers or ballet flats with wool socks, or these new Chanel-inspired patent-leather flats (cleverly sourced by Courtney Grow!), that Fendi fringed bag, pops of red (here and here), and vintage-looking leather jackets. Happy Weekend!