When I tell Manhattan acquaintances I live in Long Island City, oftentimes I’ll get back a blank stare: “Is that in Long Island?” they quizzically ask. You wouldn’t think it was just one subway stop away in Queens, visible from across the East River. When friends finally come out to visit, they’re amazed there’s life across the river and North of Greenpoint!
For their first visit, I like to take stupefied friends to one of my favorite neighborhood spots: The LIC Landing. With panoramic Midtown views and a grassy area to hang out and picnic or just lay out and watch the passing ferries on a sunny weekend afternoon, it’s one of LIC’s best kept secrets. Sometimes I like to start the day here with a run in the morning and then an iced tea from Coffeed.
Long Island City is more laid back than its frenetic neighbor to the West. If I’m just hanging around in the neighborhood, I don’t feel too much pressure to dress up and like to keep it casual. I went by Express the other day to pick up a few new items for my transitional Spring/Summer wardrobe and really liked these smart jogger hybrid pants, which are perfect for late Spring days when there’s still a morning chill in the air. They’re so comfortable I’ll lounge around the house in them then wear them out for errands. It’s the perfect look-good-without-overthinking wardrobe staple that I know I’ll probably wear over and over again this season.
A dark wash denim shirt is another great year-round piece that you can mix in with lighter fabrics, roll the sleeves when the sun peers out from the clouds and still look dapper while off duty. It looks good from day to evening, so you can spend a lazy afternoon at the waterfront then head to a friend’s rooftop party and not have to think about stopping home for a change of clothes.
Shop: Express Joggers & Express Denim shirt
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I don’t know if I could pull off Blue on Blue, but you do it really well!