![Ines Column Dress by Bailey 44 Ines Column Dress by Bailey 44](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/anthro1.jpg)
A big part of why I love to travel is that fashion inspiration often comes from the places you go – their architecture, their history, their culture and their people. Finally, I’m getting around to showing y’all my favorite part of our recent New York City trip – aesthetically, anyway. We did our own sort of architectural, walking tour of several major districts of Manhattan: The Financial District, Midtown, East Village, the Upper East Side – but I absolutely could not put my camera away in the Upper West Side.
![Upper West Side Upper West Side](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0942c-sm.jpg)
Everything from the original storefronts to the well-aged brownstones to the fashionable streetwear caught my eye. To me, the woman above really captured the character of the Upper West Side with her look. There’s a modern, casual elegance to wearing a well-tailored dress with wind-blown, natural hair. At the same time, there’s reminiscence, sweetness and romance in her light grey lace, high-waisted, a-line skirt.
![Upper West Side Upper West Side](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0947a-bw-sm.jpg)
There are so many ways to bring the architectural beauty and creative culture of the Upper West Side into a look. Channel the youthful spirit of its artistic community, draw texture and pattern from its architecture, and pull from the charming color palette created by the off-whites, pale greys, and rose tones of the buildings.
![Dash Dress by Camilla and Marc Dash Dress by Camilla and Marc](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/aliology_camilla-and-marc-dash-dress.jpg)
![Upper West Side Upper West Side](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0945b-sm.jpg)
![Color Block Pleat Skirt by Oasis Color Block Pleat Skirt by Oasis](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/asos1.jpg)
![Upper West Side Upper West Side](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0951a-sm.jpg)
!['Clove' Dress by Paper Crown 'Clove' Dress by Paper Crown](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pale-neutral-maxi.jpg)
![Upper West Side Upper West Side](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0939a-sm.jpg)
![Tailored dress by Ted Baker Tailored dress by Ted Baker](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ted-baker1.jpg)
![Upper West Side Upper West Side](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0940a-sm.jpg)
![Brandice Sweater Dress by A+RO Brandice Sweater Dress by A+RO](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/a+ro1.jpg)
![Upper West Side Upper West Side](https://aliology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0943a-sm.jpg)