New York City is big. Like really big. I mean, it’s called the Big Apple after all, so it can be hard to figure out what to do and where to go. That’s why Sheesh Magazine has brought Kate Bartlett to let you in on her perfect day in New York, from a fashion student’s point of view.
Kate started on TikTok and instantly grew overnight — literally — she gained 100k new followers in just one day after posting her infamous “Day in the life of a Fashion Student” vlog. And it’s very well deserved. The fashionista attends the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and spends her time working on a degree in fashion business, making stylish content for her 500k TikTok and Instagram followers, and even attending NYFW (yes, she’s that cool). From showing off her “outfit of the day” to vlogging her life in the city, Kate allows her followers to see the transparent life of a fashion student in New York City.
If that doesn’t convince you to take a peek at her content, then I don’t know what will. Now, let’s let Kate Bartlett, the Tiktok fashionista, show us her version of a perfect day in New York City — plus some personal advice from the influencer herself.
Coffee First, Duh.
The day hasn’t started until the first sip of Pret Coffee. According to Kate, it’s the best coffee in NYC and it’s where she starts her morning everyday. Between us and Kate, she gets the ice almond milk latte.
Let’s get Dressed
Before taking on the city, Kate needs to get dressed for it. Her classic uniform, she says, is her knee high boots and mini dress topped with a blazer — a simple, yet staple outfit. Looking through her Instagram, you might be wondering where her whole closet is from, because I know I did. Kate loves thrifting her clothes, especially finding vintage, super cool pieces that no one else can find. And obviously, she also loves her basic Zara and Revolve pieces.
School time
Of course not everyone goes to fashion school, but since it is Kate’s day, she told us a bit about what it’s like.
What really is a “day in the life of a fashion student”? Is it all what it’s glammed up to be?
KATE BARTLETT: My videos are actually my days, I’m not making anything up. I feel like a common misconception is that it’s all super glamorous and like drawing sketches and making mood boards all day long, and like that’s obviously a part of it, but the vast majority of my classes are excel classes, math classes, and finance stuff because I am a fashion business major, so it’s definitely not as glamorous.
A night out in NYC
After managing a double life of being a student and an influencer, Kate enjoys going out with her friends and taking the perks of the city that never sleeps. What’s a night without getting together with your girls, dressing cute, and taking Instagram photos? At least that’s Kate’s night. Every block in the city has a different cuisine, and with an honorable mention to pizza, for food Kate recommends Cafe Select and Ruby’s in Soho. But NYC is filled with everything and anything, so she thinks there’s no bad way to spend the night, but don’t forget: “No Sober Ubers!”.
Kate’s Advice
You grew instantly overnight from your famous “day in the life of a fashion student” TikToks. What does it feel like to wake up and have 500,000 followers look up to you and follow your life?
KATE BARTLETT: It doesn’t feel like a real number.
Any tips for aspiring fashion students or people who want to work in the industry?
KATE BARTLETT: Yeah, I always say the best thing that you can do, especially if you’re in high school, is just to get involved in the industry in any way that you can. It could be at a retail job or, for me, I started a fashion blog and that was kind of how I started out. But just dipping your toe in the industry anywhere you can, volunteering, joining a fashion club, like all of those things are so beneficial and helpful, especially for the application process.
What do you hope to accomplish after graduating from FIT? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
KATE BARTLETT: So, right now my plan is to keep on doing what I’m doing social media wise, but eventually in a year or two I’d really love to start my own line. I’d make something affordable since growing up I always would shop secondhand and at thrift shops and I didn’t really have the budget to buy these super expensive things. I would love to create an affordable, sustainable line.
What is it like being an influencer?
KATE BARTLETT: I think that it’s a lot more work than people make it out to be. People don’t think about what goes on behind the scenes: constant emails, communicating with brands, and being on all the time. But I think anybody that wants to do social media should just start. People often try to wait, and it’s like just start, there’s not going to be a perfect time to do anything
You heard her, just start. Kate started in her parent’s back yard in the unprecedented time of quarantine, and look where she is now.
From getting glammed up to go out for coffee to dining out with friends, Kate lives that Gossip Girl life we all wish we had (she even has her own Serena). Thankfully, she let us have a glance into her world, taking SHEESH through her perfect and casual, day out in New York City. To keep up on her lifestyle, fashion, and future projects, follow Kate Bartlett on TikTok and Instagram.
