New York’s been feeling really good lately. Is it just me, or is the city starting to perk up? That shift when the season turns and suddenly it feels possible - even exciting - to leave the house again. Two weeks ago, I went to see Anne Imhof’s Doom at the Park Avenue Armory. It was strange, beautifully cast, and felt like something genuinely new. Afterwards, I ended up somewhere genuinely old - JG Melon, for burgers and martinis.
Later that week, I saw a movie uptown at Lincoln Center (Brutalist!), took a figure drawing class downtown at Happy Medium, and went to a really lovely meditation at Bomi, hosted by Neada and Bonita — Aussie girls who are as kind as they are chic.
This time last year, I was in Paris, recovering from heartbreak (so romantique of me). In hindsight, the city felt like a balm — soft, a little melancholic, exactly what I needed. And contrary to reputation, it was full of warm, open-hearted people. One of them was Nancy Xu, the subject of this week’s letter.
Nancy is a Paris-based PR and communications consultant with an artful, effortless eye. She brings the same calm confidence to her work with emerging brands like Panconesi and Ashlyn as she does to rock climbing or biking along the Seine — always chic, always cool and considered. I asked her what she’s been living in lately. Read on!
Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?
I bike everywhere in the city, so whatever I wear needs to be comfortable and easy to move in. I gravitate toward basics with subtle, unexpected details that reveal themselves upon closer look. I’m not into embellishments or anything overtly “feminine,” but I love when designers take a simple shape or style and tweak it just enough to make it feel different.
Lately, I’ve been living in denim, layered with a mix of tops—like a thermal long sleeve with a merino wool cardigan or an oversized sweater.
March is still cold, but with the sun making occasional appearances, layering is key. I recently picked up a pair of Auralee jeans and love their structured feel. They’re comfortable enough to lounge in at home but polished enough that I don’t have to change if I need to step out for a meeting
How often do you shop?
Two or three times a year. I’d rather buy in bulk than pick up pieces here and there throughout the year. It’s something I’ve trained myself to do because I make better decisions this way. It’s been a huge time-saver too.
Where do you shop the most?
I don’t really browse the internet much—I don’t go on Ssense or anything like that. I prefer shopping directly from the brands I love or from boutique stores like Outline and Ven Space in Brooklyn, or my friend’s shop, River Crossing, in Canada. Most of what I buy comes from personal recommendations by close friends whose style I admire. I really trust word-of-mouth advice.
NANCY’S MOST WORN:
Auralee trousers and Uniqlo merino wool cardigan
Pants from Issey Miyake and Comme des Garçons
Best buy of 2024?
Lemaire Gear Bag - the adjustable strap is very practical you can wear cross body or on the shoulder.
What are you currently searching for?
I just did my Spring/Summer shopping so actually nothing! But…I did come across these cute sneaker flats from Acne which I became kind of obsessed with. I never thought I would need something like this but it’s actually very smart. I just love this combination.
What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?
Jeans, t-shirt/sweater, jacket w/pockets for my phone/wallet and keys, and my BREE grocery bag.
Does your style change when you go to work?
Not usually. During fashion week or when I’m hosting events, I’ll dress up—usually just a shoe change and adding some jewelry, like these Panconesi bracelets. I always like to have accessories on hand in case I need to elevate my outfit a little.
Ashlyn jacket and Pleats Please top
What’s your go-to out for a night out (whatever that means to you)?
I love to wear red - it’s the color that makes me feel confident and powerful. The past few times I’ve gone out, I have been wearing this ASHLYN look from SS23. It’s made from jersey so it’s incredible comfortable to dance in which is key for a good night out.
What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?
I always travel with 2-3 of these Cotton Citizen tops and a pair of good jeans like these MM6 straight leg denim.
Do you change your accessories daily or wear the same ones?
I wear my grandmothers chain every day but change my rings and earrings almost on a daily basis depending on how I feel that day. I used to only wear gold but now I switch between gold and silver - sometimes I mix. I think that rule has become less strict for me.
I also have 3-4 different pairs of optical glasses that I change depending on my outfit. I have frames in different materials, metals and acetate and colors like gold or black or pink. They are all Mykita!
