Just about five years ago, I moved to New York City with big dreams of never sitting in traffic again. I'm from Pittsburgh, Pa., where public transportation exists, but never in a way that was helpful to me—specifically, when it came to commuting to work and getting home after a late night.
To be quite honest (other than all of the classic clichés that make people excited about moving to The Big Apple), I was most excited to use the subways every day and to live where I could walk or bike to any place I wanted. Basically, I was excited to not have to honk my horn at the slow guy in front of me on the Parkway at 7:45 a.m.
Looking back, even despite all of the times I've cursed the subway system for a late train or mumbled insults under my breath about a sick passenger, the way we commute in this city definitely beats the alternative.
There is a catch, though. In a city that never stops moving, getting places can be a workout of its own. I need to keep up, which means I need to get where I'm going fast. Oh, and did I mention everyone looks really good here? That means when I arrive, I don't want to look like I just did 100 pull-ups (I can't) on the subway handles.
I also don't want to smell like it either. Commuting gracefully is a challenge, and having a few tricks up my sleeve (as well as a ritual that includes Degree Men Antiperspirant with MotionSense technology) is essential.
Coat by Barena Venezia; T-shirt by Uniqlo U; pants by Uniqlo; sneakers by Greats.
The key to commuting in New York is staying cool—especially during the colder months when you're dealing with multiple changes in temperature all within one trip. I live about a 10 minute walk from the nearest subway station, so if the temp is in the 30s, I'm looking at some layering.
The catch? The combination of underground containment and an influx of body heat from the rest of the morning's commuters creates a hot situation—both on the platform and within the car. Have you ever commuted 30 minutes with your face in another man's armpit? I have, and I wish he'd slapped some Degree Antiperspirant on before he left his apartment. I did because it's common courtesy (and totally necessary for avoiding a subway sweat situation).
Suit by Suit Supply; sneakers by Greats; vintage tee, author's own.
There are days, however, where the alarm didn't go off or the morning Instagram scroll pulled me into a trap, and relying on the unreliable (read: subway) just isn't an option. I can't even count the number of times I've yelled an expletive, ran out the door, and tried to hail a cab.
Eventually, if I get in one, it's flashbacks to Pittsburgh traffic, only this time a questionable driver is bobbing and weaving through NYC's grid. At least there's cell service in the back of a cab to dive right back into the aforementioned Instagram hole.
Duffle by Caraa; Jacket by Todd Snyder; pants by Todd Snyder; sneakers by Converse; sweatshirt by Aimé Leon Dore, author's own.
A few times in my career, I've woken up with enough pep in my step to do something active before work. During my time in the East Village, my current office near Columbus Circle was a good bike ride away. Killing two birds with one stone is something I'm always going to take advantage of, and in this case I could get to work and get a workout in. The key was making sure I brought what I needed to freshen up with me, or had a go-bag ready at the office for when I got there.
Jacket by Descente; running tights by Uniqlo; sneakers by New Balance.
When I first moved to New York, I lived in Hell's Kitchen and worked near Rockefeller Center, so if I really wanted to, a jog to work wasn't out of the question. The only problem is that there wasn't a way to shower when I got there. The solution? Flip the script and jog home from work.
It was only a couple avenues away, but it made me feel the slightest bit active (and a little better about eating a bodega chopped cheese sandwich for lunch).
Jacket by Paul & Shark; sweatshirt by Presidents; jeans by Presidents (not available online); sneakers by Converse x Golf Le Fleur, author's own (no longer available online).
Not into any of these methods of transportation? Alright, cool guy, how about a skateboard? It's not something I recommend for anyone who doesn't live a few blocks away from work, but if you do, first of all, good for you—that's amazing and I'm eternally jealous—but second of all, please don't show up to the office smelling like our old friend on the subway.
Walking in with a skateboard might turn some heads in the first place, so make sure you shed the punk persona by ridding yourself of any pit stain situations (bonus: there’s a Degree for that) and that you don't show up smelling like you rode a skateboard to work. Because no matter what you do for a living, smelling un-fresh is not a good look.
