Laura Harrier's Favorite J.Crew Fall Staples Could Belong to a New York City Rom-Com Heroine
Even It-girls have Meg Ryan on their seasonal moodboards.


Laura Harrier hasn't starred in a romantic comedy yet, but she's already dressing the part.
The actress greets me in a secluded corner of the New York Public Library's marbled hallways on a Thursday night, glowing in a J.Crew tank top and slouchy gray trousers cinched with a black leather belt. The landmark setting has always possessed a bit of movie magic by virtue of its history, but there's an extra charge to the air that feels like something downright script-worthy could happen.
We're meeting because J.Crew is hosting a dinner to kick off New York Fashion Week and celebrate the return of its sepia-toned, barn jacket-filled print catalog. The room around the corner from where we're standing is filled with New York icons and Hollywood stars in their avant-prep best—the kind of room where accidental encounters could spawn entire memoir chapters. And Harrier, in her '80s workwear trousers and unassuming-but-chic tank top, looks like she walked right out of a Nora Ephron production.
Getting dressed for the night with stylist Danielle Goldberg, Harrier tells me she had New York City on her mind. "I just wanted to feel comfortable and feel like myself, feel New York, which to me is sort of wearing darker colors, [while] keeping it to cool and casual," she says.
Laura Harrier wore the New York City heroine special for J.Crew's fashion week party: a classic black top and slouchy herringbone trousers.
It's not an accident that Harrier equates dressing for herself with dressing for New York. The actress and one-time Reformation designer spent her entire twenties living in the city before relocating to Los Angeles. (A tale as old as time.) Her years running between appointments and hailing cabs made an impact. "I feel like it just really dictated not just me as a person but like my style and everything," she says. "So I definitely feel much more like New York leaning in terms of style."
For a finishing touch, Harrier accessorized with '80s gold earrings and a pair of low leather mules. The whole outfit wouldn't look out of place just outside the library's walls, where today's city girls sprinted from fashion week even to event. That was intentional, Harrier says. "I think the environment dictates what I wear more than trends. I definitely dress differently here than I do in LA or I do in Paris."
In the city, Harrier embraces her casual side for running from place to place; New York heroines are busy and need clothes that won't get in their way. Out in Los Angeles, she can either be in a glam heel and dress for the car-to-dinner walk or workout gear for a Pilates session. "I think people kind of always associate LA with being so casual and all that. In a way it is, because you can walk around in workout clothes during the day, which I wouldn't do here."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Harrier said this outfit, styled by Danielle Goldberg makes her feel like herself—and like New York.
What you can do is treat yourself like the main character. Every editor I know in New York City treats fall like their pinnacle style season, whether they're attending the official fashion week calendar or not; those same people are looking to onscreen New York stars for inspiration. Those moodboard-worthy characters take all-time fall staples and imbue them with a little magic, whether they're wearing a perfectly slouchy pant or a statement coat. Harrier finds them just as inspirational as everyday viewers.
She references Meg Ryan's trousers and chunky sweaters in When Harry Met Sally, or Parker Posey's leopard print coat in Party Girl, as a few of her favorite influences. "I just feel like every good nineties rom-com is in New York. So there's just that energy of good sweaters and browns and burnt oranges and all of those colors."
Harrier posed with J.Crew women's and kids' design director Olympia Gayot (center) and model Joan Smalls (right).
Harrier left her outerwear at home, but she's excited to bundle up in a suede overcoat this fall.
Harrier's evening at the New York Public Library would later include catching up with fellow actress Riley Keough and taking in an exquisite dinner modeled off of La Côte Basque, a former NYC restaurant with its own cinematic history. The next day, she'd jet back to Los Angeles where she'd lean a little further into her fall wardrobe.
"I love looks whenever like the temperature starts to dip," she says. "I just get excited to dip into my big coat collection."
I stop her for a moment. Isn't it a little warm in LA for a suede overcoat? "I mean, you got to do it for the look," she laughs. "Even if I'm sweating in a fur, but it's fine. You got to do it for fashion." Spoken like a style heroine.
Halie LeSavage is the senior fashion and beauty news editor at Marie Claire, where she assigns, edits, and writes stories for both sections. Halie is an expert on runway trends, celebrity style, emerging fashion and beauty brands, and shopping (naturally). In over seven years as a professional journalist, Halie’s reporting has ranged from fashion week coverage spanning the Copenhagen, New York, Milan, and Paris markets, to profiles on industry insiders like celebrity stylist Molly Dickson, to breaking news stories on noteworthy brand collaborations and beauty product launches. (She can personally confirm that Bella Hadid’s Ôrebella perfume is worth the hype.) She has also written dozens of research-backed shopping guides to finding the best tote bags, ballet flats, and more. Most of all, Halie loves to explore what style trends—like the rise of emotional support accessories or TikTok’s 75 Hard Style Challenge—can say about culture writ large. She also justifies almost any purchase by saying it’s “for work.”
Halie has previously held writer and editor roles at Glamour, Morning Brew, and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been cited as a fashion and beauty expert in The Cut, CNN Underscored, and Reuters, among other outlets, and appears in newsletters like Selleb and Self Checkout to provide shopping recommendations. In 2022, she earned the Hearst Spotlight Award for excellence and innovation in fashion journalism. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Harvard College. Outside of work, Halie is passionate about books, baking, and her miniature Bernedoodle, Dolly. For a behind-the-scenes look at her reporting, you can follow Halie on Instagram and TikTok.
-
Prince William Could be Getting a New Title Very Soon Following Exciting News
The Prince of Wales would be taking on a very important role.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
The Best Spring 2025 Color Trends Are on Sale at Nordstrom
From cherry red to butter yellow, here are the delectable shades to wear this season.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
Khloé Kardashian Finds It "Insulting" When Kendall and Kylie Are Called Her Half-Sisters
In fact, she "despises" it.
By Lia Beck Published
-
Hailey Bieber Stalks the No-Pants Trend in a Saint Laurent Snow Leopard Coat and Sheer Tights
The beauty mogul dug a rare Saint Laurent piece out of storage for her whirlwind fashion week trip.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Reese Witherspoon Pairs a Celine Tweed Jacket and Oversize Sunglasses With the Brand's Most-Wanted Bag
The star picked up a croissant clad in all her favorite investment pieces.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
The Vintage Shoe Trend Bella Hadid Just Wore Makes Even Bootcut Jeans Look Elegant
High contrast, high reward.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Dua Lipa's Sexy, Sad-Girl Naked Dress Pairs Latex Layers With Floral Opera Gloves
The pop star's new music video is a fashion-fueled ode to losing your mind over a crush.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
The Aritzia x Sperry Collab Has Me Ready to Go Overboard on the Boat Shoe Trend
This boat shoe update works so well on dry land.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Serena Williams's Next Act? Designing the Cutest Children's Clothing for Future GOATs
The tennis champion just added a collaboration with Janie and Jack to her portfolio.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Bella Hadid Struts Saint Laurent's Fall 2025 Paris Fashion Week Show in a Blue Lace Naked Dress
The model shut down Saint Laurent in a blue lace naked dress.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Kendall Jenner Elevates a Carelessly Cool Sweater Vest With The Row's Luxe Leather Accessories
Leather accessories from The Row did all the heavy lifting.
By Hanna Lustig Published