Are you going to Fashion Week, or are you just a fashionable New Yorker?

As soon as Labor Day is over, there’s a change in the way New Yorkers dress.

Even if it’s still hot out, people start to put in a little more effort. Whether they’re dressing up for school, work or a City Hall wedding, there’s a collective sense of occasion. We’re back!

Personally, I up my game for New York Fashion Week, which takes place annually at the beginning of September and this year, it runs through Wednesday.

Every year, I get all dressed up to go to runway shows, presentations and events. When I’m commuting to and from, I play a little game in my head on the subway that I like to call: “Fashion Person Or Fashionable New Yorker?”

It can be delightfully hard to tell — after all, you don’t need credentials to be stylish. Is the woman in the fur coat on the 4 train a magazine editor headed to a Michael Kors show in Manhattan, or someone simply headed home to the Upper East Side? Is the young man in the huge jeans and platform sneakers on his way to a runway show in Bushwick or class at NYU?

This season, I decided to play this game for real on my way to various Fashion Week happenings. Below is everyone I met along the way.

Kendall Cresci, 29

Spotted: On the 2/3 line headed from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

Are you going to Fashion Week, or are you just fashionable?

I’m headed to the Tribeca Grill to meet some family for some dinner.

So you’re not going to Fashion Week?

Sadly, no, not this year. I’ve gone a couple of times.

Are you aware that Fashion Week is happening?

Oh yes.

Would you wear this outfit to a Fashion Week show?

I’d wear this to work and to a nice dinner, but for Fashion Week, you gotta bring it.

Malik Jean-Louis (far left), 23

Spotted: Got on the 6 train at Brooklyn Bridge City Hall.

Are you going to Fashion Week, or are you just fashionable?

I’m from Vegas, and I have my own clothing brand, Raided Revenge. All the homies wanted to come out here [for Fashion Week]. We wanted to try it out and see the energy and the culture.

Is this your first Fashion Week?

It is. I love it. 10 out of 10. I’d definitely move out here. The vibes are good. The people are nice. The style is immaculate.

How many suitcases did you bring?

I brought two suitcases and a duffle.

Were you thinking about New York at all when you packed?

Definitely. New York is always in the back of my mind. I have an old-school style — baggy clothes have always been my thing. But out here has pushed me more with styling, in terms of just wearing outfits. You have to add to it — glasses, jewelry, chains, everything.

Anna McDonald, 44

Spotted: On the 4 train headed from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

Are you going to Fashion Week, or are you just fashionable?

I’m not going to Fashion Week. I am going to the Independent Art Fair, though, so I’m going to see art.

Do you work in art?

I’m an antique dealer, but I’m not working this weekend. I’m going just for fun and meeting a friend I met during COVID. Really, I’m dressing for her. Is Fashion Week really still happening? It’s funny, it’s so off my radar.

It’s still happening! Every September, I love that I can’t really tell who’s going to Fashion Week and who’s just a New Yorker. I think the start of fall makes people dress up more.

It’s true. We’re all back. You can’t get a parking space in Brooklyn.

Can you tell me a little bit about your outfit?

I got these patent flats off of eBay. They’re by Marc Jacobs from like 2001 or 2002. That’s when I first moved to New York. I was 21 years old, and I just always loved those years of Marc Jacobs, so I found them on eBay. My pants are Pleats Please and my top is Doen. My hat is from this Viennese hat shop called Muhlbauer, and my bag and glasses are from Venice.

I’m really into the clown. I saw this incredible performance of ‘The Marriage of Figaro” with the countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo at Little Island. He sang all the roles, and the clothing he wore, which was designed by Emily Adams Bode, is really inspiring me right now. It was a little bit clownish but also full of play and an homage to all things ephemeral and transubstantiative.

Abby Cheng, 23

Spotted: Getting off the 6 at Spring Street.

Are you going to Fashion Week, or are you just fashionable?

I’m just hanging out with my friends. We’re going to Komune, a boutique that showcases emerging designers.

How do you feel about the weather today? I feel like it’s perfect for dressing up.

Yeah, it’s perfect layering weather. This is my first time wearing my tie since I bought it. I wanted to wear a skirt. I really like skirts and dresses. But I knew it was going to be a little cold, so I put on the stockings. And then I was like, I can go for a little bit of school girl look, so that’s when I went for the tie.

Donavon Butler, 22, and Tealoni Butler, 25

Spotted: At the Broadway-Lafayette BDFM platform.

Are you going to Fashion Week, or are you just fashionable?

Tealoni: I’m an editorial video producer at Hypebeast. I’m covering events and going to shows. This is my younger brother. He came in from South Jersey. I brought him along for the ride and styled him this week.

Do you plan all your Fashion Week outfits in advance?

I have an idea in my head, but usually put it together the day of.

Do you dress up more for Fashion Week than usual?

A little bit. I wear heels more.

What do you look forward to most at Fashion Week?

Inspiration and seeing everyone’s different styles. I’m really excited for Kim Shui tonight.

Liana Satenstein, 35

Spotted: On the 2, 3 train headed from Brooklyn to Manhattan.

Are you going to Fashion Week, or are you just fashionable?

I’m going to Fashion Week.

Where are you headed?

I’m going to the Sandy Liang show, Batsheva’s presentation and then an Eckhaus Latta dinner, which is why I’m wearing Eckhaus Latta.

Tell me about the toe shoes.

They’re so comfortable. I feel like I could just … run away.

Ricque Lee Binns, 31

Spotted: On the 6 train headed downtown.

Are you going to Fashion Week, or are you just fashionable?

I sell art that glows in the dark, but I do this for my tech company. I make stuff to grow plants. I need color. I’m autistic, so I’m wearing the rainbow. I just need a plot because I feel like life is like a movie.

How would you describe the plot of the movie you’re in today?

Trust God and look good while doing it.