No heels and openness to experimentation: how New York changed the style of a Russian woman

Marketing manager from Russia Evgenia Masyuta decided to radically change her life and moved to New York. As a result, the city changed her, she told the publication Cosmos.

How she moved to New York

Evgenia Masyuta moved to New York in September 2016, but according to the girl's personal feelings, a whole life has passed since that moment. The story of her move is, perhaps, a little banal, but extremely romantic.

“In 2015, I flew on vacation, met with a former colleague who had been living here for several years, and unexpectedly for myself, fell in love with a person with whom I once worked side by side in the same department,” says Evgenia.

Since then, a relationship has begun between the couple, but they had to live in two countries. New York, the narrator notes, is not a city to visit for the weekend, as tickets are very expensive. Each flight was not easy. Therefore, soon it came to the eternal question "To you or to me?". Evgenia, without thinking twice, began to pack her things, took the dog and bought a one-way ticket. It didn't take long before the lovers got married.

“In general, I had love with New York much earlier than with my husband. Back in 2011, when I first arrived in a big city, right at the exit of the JFK airport, an incredible feeling came to me, as if I had returned home. They say about New Yorkers that they are born in all corners of the Earth, but as soon as they arrive here, they realize that this is their home, ”says Evgenia.

How the inhabitants of the metropolis dress

The first thing that can be noticed in the clothes of the Americans is the absence of strict frames. Here you often bump into people in cowboy hats directly at negotiations and other business meetings, elderly women in shorts who attend theaters or boys in princess dresses. You can even find women in ballet flats and down jackets. Everything is limited only by the imagination of citizens and financial capabilities.

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“Immediately you learn to perceive all manifestations of individuality normally. Of course, there are situations when it is necessary to observe the dress code, for example, during an interview, but most often people are very relaxed about their appearance - both their own and those around them, ”the heroine of the story emphasized.

What is the difference between Russian style and local

Of course, says Evgenia, girls in Russia dress more interesting, fashionable and brighter. They closely follow fashion trends. At the same time, American women emphasize comfort and individuality.

As for men, in the USA they are more neat (though not everywhere), clothes are more interesting. For example, in New York there are significantly more well-dressed and well-groomed men than in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Americans are more relaxed about how you dress, it is not customary to meet by dress.

How her style has changed

“Firstly, now I hardly wear heels. In a city where metro ventilation grilles are everywhere on the sidewalks, this is a rather desperate pursuit. If you need to be "in the parade", I just take them with me. And there were times when I ran on high heels on the ice behind the 27th tram, ”recalls the marketing manager.

Secondly, the girl notes, demi-season clothing has appeared. In the conditions of Russia, there should be either a fur coat or a swimsuit. In New York, the situation is different: it is very warm, spring is soft, so ankle boots with an open toe, as well as a light anorak, no longer seem like some kind of adventurous purchase.

Thirdly, there are fewer bright colors in the wardrobe. Little by little, the clothes became simpler.

“I have 5 white T-shirts (and about 10 black ones) and three jeans of the same model in different shades of indigo. And these are all different shades, respectively, different bows! ”, - emphasized the narrator.

Fourthly, Evgenia notes, a lot of hats appeared: caps, hats and even fedora. She had not previously worn this, but New York has made its own adjustments to her sense of style.

“And lastly, things that I used to say:“ Foo, never! ”Are increasingly getting into the wardrobe, for example, these are Birkenstock sandals, belt bags, white jeans and even (oh holy saints!) Leather trousers!” She summed up heroine.

According to her, she is now more open to all kinds of experiments, experiments, both with clothes and in everything else. For example, if there is an opportunity to evaluate popcorn with grasshoppers, then you need to do it.

What I would never wear (now)

"Natural fur. Even in states where the wearing of natural fur is not banned, it can cause condemnation. For a week in Boston, where the frost was below -30 ℃, I did not meet a single adult or child in a fur coat, ”says Evgenia Masyuta.

At the same time, she notes, there are huge fur farms in the United States, which are simply smashed and hatefully criticized. Down jacket manufacturing companies, where natural fur is used to trim the hoods, also come under attack.

“I’ll make a reservation right away, I don’t see anything criminal in the fact that people in Russia wear fur clothes - they had several fur coats in their wardrobe. Firstly, this is dictated by the harsh climate in most of Russia, and, secondly, fur clothing at all times was considered a certain sign of social wealth and an integral part of Slavic aesthetics. I am not an ardent defender of animal rights, but products made from natural fur are a closed topic for me, ”Eugenia emphasized.

Brands she discovered in the USA

One of the favorite clothing brands that Evgenia is delighted with is J.Crew. The girl bought clothes of this brand every time she went to the USA. Former creative director Jena Lyons, in a quick introduction of the heroine of the story, is a style icon.

“The brand has an ideal ratio of price, quality and design: not too pretentious, but not too simple, in all, even basic things, the idea is felt,” said Evgenia.

She shared that she also loves romantic dresses from local indie brand Bohme. Their clothes fit perfectly with biker jackets and grunge-style boots.

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“It's funny, but love with & Other Stories also happened to me in New York. I currently have five colors for their perfect basic sweater! Here I also opened for myself Everlain and OAK, and very local Lucky Brand, Chinese Laundry and Evoke Vintage, ”says Masyuta.

But Eugenia never went well with jewelry. But this is before the meeting with the local brand Jenny Bird. The storyteller discovered minimalist rings, unusual beauty brooches and magic earrings.

How the attitude has changed

“I came to the USA with a 36 kg shuttle bag, into which my wardrobe was carefully packed. After 2,5 years, no more than 30% of things were left of him, ”the heroine shared.

She claims that the move has greatly influenced her as a person. He changed his views, brought new habits with him, threw out old fears and worries from his head, made adjustments to the style. Evgenia began to pay less attention to the form.

“In the country of victorious consumerism, where the choice is simply gigantic, you somehow immediately begin to listen to yourself and ask the question,“ Do I need this? ” Or I just, seeing something bright, listen to myself: I wanted to buy it? Quality and ethics are much more important in the production of clothing than the brand. I absolutely do not care if I have worn things of this brand before, if they do not meet my standards now, I will not buy them, no matter how attractive the design and price are, ”Masyuta said.

The girl also noted that in the United States, where people are not met by their clothes, personal freedom of choice is somehow felt differently, including style. Comfort and individuality come forward. Everyone can safely walk the dog in pajamas and a ski hat, whether it's the outskirts or the center of New York. The main thing is to be comfortable. Or you can go drinking coffee with a friend in heels, because the soul desires so.

About Beauty Habits

As for the makeup, Evgenia says, it hasn't changed much. The purse contains a traditional set.

“At the same time, I respect women who can come to work by 9 am from the other end of the city (no matter which one) with neat arrows, shadows and clear contouring (they have not forgotten the tonal basis). Street magic! ”, The narrator notes.

The younger generation of American women, especially millennials who grew up on beauty bloggers, love very bright makeup. They are not afraid to use bold eyeshadows such as yellow, coral lipstick, false eyelashes. Older women - they look at things more easily, for them the main thing is well-groomed skin and a minimum of makeup, red lipstick.

Many in the United States are experimenting not only with the hairstyle, but also with the hair color. And this is not in terms of a banal change of role, for example, when a blonde is repainted into a brunette, or vice versa, we are talking about a full-fledged set of all the colors of the rainbow.

“Here it is in the order of things: even in an office setting, you can meet an HR with pink hair. Many people wear multi-colored wigs. Piercings are in fashion, I often see girls with septum, many have bright tattoos. In a word, self-expression is in vogue, ”summed up Evgenia Masyuta.