This fall, I set out to photograph some of the most stylish kids in the city for The New York Times for Kids. I regularly shoot street style photos outside fashion shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris, seeking out the best-dressed people who are there to admire and critique designers. This time I looked for cool kids wherever I could find them, in neighborhoods all over the city. No matter my subjects’ age, one thing remains the same: Some people just have style.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that an outfit cost a lot of money. Even though many kids said that their style was inspired by adults and celebrities with a lot more to spend on clothes, they found creative ways to dress that looked just as good. Their fashion inspiration included bands and butterflies, rappers and video games. I also noticed some definite trends on the streets over the last two months: camouflage, chunky white sneakers, animal prints, vintage, mixed prints, graphic black and white, denim, sequin details, digital-print backpacks and, of course, athleisure. Some kids were really into collecting sneakers. Others dyed their hair every color of the rainbow. All used clothes to express themselves.
SAHARA-JORDAN ASHER, 12
East 13th Street, Manhattan
Describe your look. I like long skirts — I just do. Pink is my color, and my mom likes this green, so she buys things in this green. And I wanted my scarf to match my dress.
What’s in your bag? I have my camera that my mom got me for my birthday, and my pens, and “Brown Girl Dreaming.” We’re going to the Strand, because Jacqueline Woodson’s there, and she wrote the book. And then I have my notebook, because I like to write, and I want to be a writer. BEA MACE, 17
Upper East Side, Manhattan
Tell me about your style. What inspires you? Probably “outdoorsy hippie.” Most of my clothes are from my sister, so her style is a big influence. Basically I wear the same thing whether I’m here or in the woods, where I spend a lot of time. I spend summers in North Carolina. I do a lot of outdoor activities like hiking and camping.
What is your go-to store for clothes? The L Train, which is a thrift store.
Tell me about your hair. I’ve had my hair dyed for about five years. I’ve done pretty much all the colors of the rainbow.
East 13th Street, Manhattan
Describe your look. I like long skirts — I just do. Pink is my color, and my mom likes this green, so she buys things in this green. And I wanted my scarf to match my dress.
What’s in your bag? I have my camera that my mom got me for my birthday, and my pens, and “Brown Girl Dreaming.” We’re going to the Strand, because Jacqueline Woodson’s there, and she wrote the book. And then I have my notebook, because I like to write, and I want to be a writer. BEA MACE, 17
Upper East Side, Manhattan
Tell me about your style. What inspires you? Probably “outdoorsy hippie.” Most of my clothes are from my sister, so her style is a big influence. Basically I wear the same thing whether I’m here or in the woods, where I spend a lot of time. I spend summers in North Carolina. I do a lot of outdoor activities like hiking and camping.
What is your go-to store for clothes? The L Train, which is a thrift store.
Tell me about your hair. I’ve had my hair dyed for about five years. I’ve done pretty much all the colors of the rainbow.
EMMANUELLA BOATENG, 9
East Tremont Avenue, the Bronx
Tell me about what you’re wearing. I love this headband because it’s very fashionable, and it describes me.
How? I don’t have to worry about what anybody thinks. I can just be myself. JUNIOR VARGA, 14
East Tremont Avenue, the Bronx
What are you doing? Coming from practice. The batting cages.
What sports star do you model yourself after? Big Papi.
East Tremont Avenue, the Bronx
Tell me about what you’re wearing. I love this headband because it’s very fashionable, and it describes me.
How? I don’t have to worry about what anybody thinks. I can just be myself. JUNIOR VARGA, 14
East Tremont Avenue, the Bronx
What are you doing? Coming from practice. The batting cages.
What sports star do you model yourself after? Big Papi.
XINYI TAO, 18
New World Mall, Flushing, Queens
Tell me about your style. I really like black. I like designers like Alexander Wang and Yohji Yamamoto. My style is probably more Asian. I want to combine Asian and Western culture together JULIAN MIMS, 10
Upper East Side, Manhattan
Tell me about your style. I like Vans or basketball shoes or running shoes. And I like to wear shirts with a design on them. With my hair, I love dyeing my hair. Right now, I use Hair Chalk. I want to bleach it, but I’m not allowed to.
What are your interests? I’m really into gymnastics and parkour. I like this jacket because it’s a parkour jacket. It helps me move around.
New World Mall, Flushing, Queens
Tell me about your style. I really like black. I like designers like Alexander Wang and Yohji Yamamoto. My style is probably more Asian. I want to combine Asian and Western culture together JULIAN MIMS, 10
Upper East Side, Manhattan
Tell me about your style. I like Vans or basketball shoes or running shoes. And I like to wear shirts with a design on them. With my hair, I love dyeing my hair. Right now, I use Hair Chalk. I want to bleach it, but I’m not allowed to.
What are your interests? I’m really into gymnastics and parkour. I like this jacket because it’s a parkour jacket. It helps me move around.
MIA MARTINEZ, 14
Harlem, Manhattan
Tell me about your style. I like to wear baggy clothes because it just feels comfortable. I thought this bag was really nice because it’s got money on it. I like money, so.
What else inspires you? I’m very inspired by the music industry: I like their shoes, I get their shoes. I like their pants, I get their pants. ALISHA MATTHEWS, 9
Harlem, Manhattan
What’s up with your look? I’m wearing a uniform. My mom picked out this coat, but all I know is that I like it.
Harlem, Manhattan
Tell me about your style. I like to wear baggy clothes because it just feels comfortable. I thought this bag was really nice because it’s got money on it. I like money, so.
What else inspires you? I’m very inspired by the music industry: I like their shoes, I get their shoes. I like their pants, I get their pants. ALISHA MATTHEWS, 9
Harlem, Manhattan
What’s up with your look? I’m wearing a uniform. My mom picked out this coat, but all I know is that I like it.
ELISA BREGES, 15
Washington Square Park, Manhattan
What are you doing here today? We’re here from the Netherlands visiting my aunt. New York is so different from Europe. ELI CHASE, 7
Queens Botanical Garden, Queens
Tell me about this jacket. My mom bought it at Zara, and it’s got two jackets in one. I like military stuff.
Washington Square Park, Manhattan
What are you doing here today? We’re here from the Netherlands visiting my aunt. New York is so different from Europe. ELI CHASE, 7
Queens Botanical Garden, Queens
Tell me about this jacket. My mom bought it at Zara, and it’s got two jackets in one. I like military stuff.
CARL LINDMAN, 9
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
What inspired your look? A person in seventh grade. DEVON ANDERSON, 12
Union Square, Manhattan
What are you up to? We’re just hanging out. I actually got this hat today at Urban Outfitters.
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
What inspired your look? A person in seventh grade. DEVON ANDERSON, 12
Union Square, Manhattan
What are you up to? We’re just hanging out. I actually got this hat today at Urban Outfitters.
PAULINA KOVALENKO, 17
NoHo, Manhattan
How do you decide what to wear? I’m from Russia, so I’ve always been inspired by Russian street style. It depends on my mood. Sometimes I want to look classy, but most of the times it’s just casual, sport, whatever. I wear Docs all the time.
Anything else you’re into right now? I’ve very into photography. I do film photography, and I’m studying fashion business. SILAS DISMOND, 14
East Village, Manhattan
Who inspires you? I get a lot of my style from my mom, because she went to Parsons Design School. I really like the European style. My mom came from Denmark to go to college, and I go to Denmark almost every summer. In New York, it’s always a lot of Supreme and the Hypebeast brands. But what I like about the European style, it’s not a lot of focus on what’s just hype — it’s a lot of how you wear it and how you put it together.
NoHo, Manhattan
How do you decide what to wear? I’m from Russia, so I’ve always been inspired by Russian street style. It depends on my mood. Sometimes I want to look classy, but most of the times it’s just casual, sport, whatever. I wear Docs all the time.
Anything else you’re into right now? I’ve very into photography. I do film photography, and I’m studying fashion business. SILAS DISMOND, 14
East Village, Manhattan
Who inspires you? I get a lot of my style from my mom, because she went to Parsons Design School. I really like the European style. My mom came from Denmark to go to college, and I go to Denmark almost every summer. In New York, it’s always a lot of Supreme and the Hypebeast brands. But what I like about the European style, it’s not a lot of focus on what’s just hype — it’s a lot of how you wear it and how you put it together.
PATLADA SASOOK, 9
Union Square, Manhattan
What are your thoughts on fashion? I like comfy, but I don’t like too comfy. These shoes were my mom’s. She bought them, but they were too small for her, so she gave them to me, because I love them.
Where are you coming from today? I just came out of karaoke for my friend’s birthday. I just really like singing. My latest song is “2002,” by Anne-Marie. MATTHEW CAMACHO, 18
Chelsea, Manhattan
What are you doing? I’m coming from the Lower East Side, going with my buddies to Chelsea Piers to skate and have a good time.
What about your style? I like Calvin Klein. I just like the new industrial style in New York.
Union Square, Manhattan
What are your thoughts on fashion? I like comfy, but I don’t like too comfy. These shoes were my mom’s. She bought them, but they were too small for her, so she gave them to me, because I love them.
Where are you coming from today? I just came out of karaoke for my friend’s birthday. I just really like singing. My latest song is “2002,” by Anne-Marie. MATTHEW CAMACHO, 18
Chelsea, Manhattan
What are you doing? I’m coming from the Lower East Side, going with my buddies to Chelsea Piers to skate and have a good time.
What about your style? I like Calvin Klein. I just like the new industrial style in New York.
SASKIA COCIOBA, 6
New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx JIN LONG, 14
Chinatown, Manhattan
What inspires your style? Fortnite.
New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx JIN LONG, 14
Chinatown, Manhattan
What inspires your style? Fortnite.
JULIAN RIVERA, 5
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn MULANI ELLINGTON, 8
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn MULANI ELLINGTON, 8
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
THEO KERANAKIS, 5
Union Square, Manhattan DANNY ORELLANA, 9
Harlem, Manhattan
Union Square, Manhattan DANNY ORELLANA, 9
Harlem, Manhattan
TYLER CHANG, 14
East Village, Manhattan
What’s your style? I’m into the vintage look, and I like chains too. I have these really old Reeboks that I wear a lot. This shirt is kind of out of my style. Usually I wear a lot of polos and turtlenecks.
Anything else you’re into right now? I’m a dancer. I’m also rereading this book I read a long time ago, it’s called “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” DODI SHEPARD, 15
Lower East Side, Manhattan
Can you describe your personal style? I like to consider myself as very goth, but it’s really a mix. I like punk style and punk music. I have a lot of influences from the ’80s punk scene.
Anything you’re reading or watching now that inspires you? I watch a lot of ’90s shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Charmed.” I don’t totally follow them, but it’s cool seeing leather pants and jean jackets and tall platform boots and stuff. I really love the bands the Slits and the Raincoats and the whole riot grrrl/Bikini Kill scene.
East Village, Manhattan
What’s your style? I’m into the vintage look, and I like chains too. I have these really old Reeboks that I wear a lot. This shirt is kind of out of my style. Usually I wear a lot of polos and turtlenecks.
Anything else you’re into right now? I’m a dancer. I’m also rereading this book I read a long time ago, it’s called “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” DODI SHEPARD, 15
Lower East Side, Manhattan
Can you describe your personal style? I like to consider myself as very goth, but it’s really a mix. I like punk style and punk music. I have a lot of influences from the ’80s punk scene.
Anything you’re reading or watching now that inspires you? I watch a lot of ’90s shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Charmed.” I don’t totally follow them, but it’s cool seeing leather pants and jean jackets and tall platform boots and stuff. I really love the bands the Slits and the Raincoats and the whole riot grrrl/Bikini Kill scene.
HAILEY CARTER, 3
Queens Botanical Garden, Queens
Queens Botanical Garden, Queens
AMITHA KUMAR, 12
SoHo, Manhattan
UNA ROVEN, 15
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Tell me about what you’re wearing today. These are my mom’s sandals, which I found this morning. I steal a lot of her clothes. This dress is from Rachel Comey. It’s supercomfortable. JAHRELL ARZU, 10
Lafontaine Avenue, the BronxCreditMarcy Swingle for The New York Times
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Tell me about what you’re wearing today. These are my mom’s sandals, which I found this morning. I steal a lot of her clothes. This dress is from Rachel Comey. It’s supercomfortable. JAHRELL ARZU, 10
Lafontaine Avenue, the BronxCreditMarcy Swingle for The New York Times
KYLE MILLINGTON, 13
Upper West Side, Manhattan
What inspires your style? If I see something that’s cool, then I just wear it. I saw this sweatshirt at H&M. I didn’t even look at what it said. I just wanted it for the banana. MACY PUTKA, 10
Greenwich Village, Manhattan
How did you decide to wear this today? I play hockey, and I love Canada, so I wore this hockey jersey and put a stylish coat over the top. I’ve seen hockey games in the Prudential Center and Barclays Center, and I play in Central Park for the Lady Hawks.
Upper West Side, Manhattan
What inspires your style? If I see something that’s cool, then I just wear it. I saw this sweatshirt at H&M. I didn’t even look at what it said. I just wanted it for the banana. MACY PUTKA, 10
Greenwich Village, Manhattan
How did you decide to wear this today? I play hockey, and I love Canada, so I wore this hockey jersey and put a stylish coat over the top. I’ve seen hockey games in the Prudential Center and Barclays Center, and I play in Central Park for the Lady Hawks.
EVANGELIA ARTEMIS-GOMEZ, 15
SoHo, Manhattan
Tell me about your style. I like big chunky clothes, but I also sometimes pair big pants with a small crop top, kind of an asymmetrical look. I just see what I see on other people, and if I like it, I’ll add it to part of my own style. MIDORI JULIA MYRTHIL, 12
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
You’re wearing stripes on stripes. It was my birthday recently, and I really wanted to wear all the stuff that I got. I didn’t intend it to be stripes on stripes, but I like the combination.
SoHo, Manhattan
Tell me about your style. I like big chunky clothes, but I also sometimes pair big pants with a small crop top, kind of an asymmetrical look. I just see what I see on other people, and if I like it, I’ll add it to part of my own style. MIDORI JULIA MYRTHIL, 12
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
You’re wearing stripes on stripes. It was my birthday recently, and I really wanted to wear all the stuff that I got. I didn’t intend it to be stripes on stripes, but I like the combination.
SAMIYAH POINTER, 6
Lower East Side, Manhattan
What are you wearing? [Mom] She loves backpacks. She has about 100 of them now. Every day she chooses a different one. MA’KYLE GRONDIN 9
SoHo, Manhattan
What are you doing today? I’m from Ohio. I’m here to shop at Supreme.
Lower East Side, Manhattan
What are you wearing? [Mom] She loves backpacks. She has about 100 of them now. Every day she chooses a different one. MA’KYLE GRONDIN 9
SoHo, Manhattan
What are you doing today? I’m from Ohio. I’m here to shop at Supreme.
DANIELLA FINKELMAN BEHAR, 7
East 34th Street, Manhattan GEORGIA MOORE, 6
Upper East Side, Manhattan
East 34th Street, Manhattan GEORGIA MOORE, 6
Upper East Side, Manhattan
JUSTELLE ROGERS, 15
Chelsea, Manhattan
Who inspires you fashionwise? A lot of models really inspire me. I feel like they’re out of the box. They wear things that nobody really has because they’ve got more money.
What are your interests? I’m into graphic design and art illustration. It’s a way I can portray the ideas in my head on paper and communicate to others through drawings. TESS JARKOW, 13
Gramercy, Manhattan
How did you decide on this look? If I’m feeling really happy, I’ll wear a crop top and jeans. If I’m feeling kind of sad or just lazy, I’ll wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I was really not in the mood this morning, so I just threw on whatever.
What bands do you like? I like Twenty One Pilots, Billie Eilish. I’m going to the concert.
Chelsea, Manhattan
Who inspires you fashionwise? A lot of models really inspire me. I feel like they’re out of the box. They wear things that nobody really has because they’ve got more money.
What are your interests? I’m into graphic design and art illustration. It’s a way I can portray the ideas in my head on paper and communicate to others through drawings. TESS JARKOW, 13
Gramercy, Manhattan
How did you decide on this look? If I’m feeling really happy, I’ll wear a crop top and jeans. If I’m feeling kind of sad or just lazy, I’ll wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I was really not in the mood this morning, so I just threw on whatever.
What bands do you like? I like Twenty One Pilots, Billie Eilish. I’m going to the concert.
ISABELLA ROSE TABONE, 14
OLIVIA COCHRANE, 14
Financial District, Manhattan
What influences your style? [Isabella] A bit of the pop-punk genre of music. Also a lot of vintage and thrifting.
Any favorite stores you go to or bands you like? [Isabella] Blink-182. Twenty One Pilots is my favorite band. And a lot of My Chemical Romance.
[Olivia] I really like the ’80s punk era. I wear a lot of band T-shirts as well. My favorite store is Trash and Vaudeville, even though it’s really expensive. We do a lot of thrifting together. This entire outfit is thrifted, even the boots.
Are you friends? [Olivia] Me and Isabella are in a band.
[Isabella] It’s a girl duo. I play the drums, Olivia plays guitar and bass and sings. I think our name is Living Proof — we’re still deciding. MILO GOLD, 13
NIGEL JOHNSON, 13
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Tell me about your style. What influences you? [Milo] I have a couple brands that I follow on social media. Also rappers and celebrities. Most of their clothes I can’t really afford, but I get influenced by them. My parents don’t let me buy too much extravagant, expensive stuff, so I buy a lot of my own clothes. I put aside some of my lunch money from the week and money that I get from presents. Also I do chores and work.
[Nigel] I just like anything that I think would match my personality. I don’t really follow what most people like. These shoes are a Gatorade and Jordan collaboration. Sometimes I wear different things and people are like, Whoa, that’s weird, and then they’re like, Oh, that’s pretty epic.
Anything else you’re into right now? [Nigel] We’re both really into Tyler, the Creator.
OLIVIA COCHRANE, 14
Financial District, Manhattan
What influences your style? [Isabella] A bit of the pop-punk genre of music. Also a lot of vintage and thrifting.
Any favorite stores you go to or bands you like? [Isabella] Blink-182. Twenty One Pilots is my favorite band. And a lot of My Chemical Romance.
[Olivia] I really like the ’80s punk era. I wear a lot of band T-shirts as well. My favorite store is Trash and Vaudeville, even though it’s really expensive. We do a lot of thrifting together. This entire outfit is thrifted, even the boots.
Are you friends? [Olivia] Me and Isabella are in a band.
[Isabella] It’s a girl duo. I play the drums, Olivia plays guitar and bass and sings. I think our name is Living Proof — we’re still deciding. MILO GOLD, 13
NIGEL JOHNSON, 13
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Tell me about your style. What influences you? [Milo] I have a couple brands that I follow on social media. Also rappers and celebrities. Most of their clothes I can’t really afford, but I get influenced by them. My parents don’t let me buy too much extravagant, expensive stuff, so I buy a lot of my own clothes. I put aside some of my lunch money from the week and money that I get from presents. Also I do chores and work.
[Nigel] I just like anything that I think would match my personality. I don’t really follow what most people like. These shoes are a Gatorade and Jordan collaboration. Sometimes I wear different things and people are like, Whoa, that’s weird, and then they’re like, Oh, that’s pretty epic.
Anything else you’re into right now? [Nigel] We’re both really into Tyler, the Creator.
LENA BANNERT, 13
Financial District, Manhattan DAICHI IRIE, 11
TriBeCa, Manhattan
Financial District, Manhattan DAICHI IRIE, 11
TriBeCa, Manhattan
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ZARVON REJAEE, 15
JESSE SZEWCZYK BUFF, 14
Lower East Side, Manhattan
What inspires your style? [Zarvon] I just started getting into style this year. First I was inspired by a lot of rappers like ASAP Rocky and Travis Scott, but now I’m just trying to be different. It’s a lot of Japanese style and just being comfortable now. I’m trying to create my own clothing brand too. Just be unique, be different and stand out.
The New York Times for Kids is a special print section that appears in the paper on the last Sunday of every month. The next issue is on newsstands Dec. 30.
