Night Out With Lauren McCarthy

“I’m not really a girly-girl,” says Lauren McCarthy, as a makeup artist swoops in to brush a wash of glowy color across her cheeks. “So denim is the perfect place for me to start for a night out.” NYLON’s Editor-In-Chief is getting ready for an evening excursion in NYC — but first, she has to get dressed. McCarthy’s hitting the city’s buzziest spots tonight, and that calls for her favorite Levi’s® looks that meet the moment.

McCarthy’s typical night-out style lineup includes a heavy-hitting rotation of mesh tops, faux-leather pants, and plenty of denim. “I feel comfortable in denim always,” says McCarthy, who counts a double-denim mix among her favorite night-out fashion formulas. “Styled right,” she adds of the timeless combo, “it can be a surprisingly sexy moment.”

But just like how a night in NYC isn’t complete without a little spontaneity, McCarthy starts hers with an unexpected look: “A pair of faux-leather pants is a huge staple in my wardrobe, especially for a night out,” says McCarthy of her bold first look, paired with a sheer long-sleeve top and black boots. “I love a slightly loose leg that still fits nicely around the hips.”

Outfit now confirmed, McCarthy sits patiently as the glam team buzzes around her. The pre-game prep session, whether it's with professionals toting a shimmering stash of palettes and hair tools, or just McCarthy, armed with her killer pop playlist and a mezcal on ice, is hands down her favorite part of a night out. The weekend before, she jokes, she leisurely got ready in the time it took her friend to experience an entire date. “I stayed with a friend in Silver Lake,” explains McCarthy, “and I got ready [to go out], while she went on a date. I was like, ‘You go on your cocktail date, and I’ll spend that entire time taking a shower.’”

Obviously, McCarthy knows how to enjoy the moment. And that’s key because her masthead-topping title means she's out and about way beyond the typical 9-to-5 grind. That Silver Lake visit? Just a stop on a work trip covering a major award show in Los Angeles. Picture parties with private sets from best-selling artists, dinners with indie-pop stars, and of course, the main event itself — all packed into one weekend.

But McCarthy's knack for having next-level nights is due to more than just her EIC status: This summer, she celebrates 12 years in NYC. You don’t reach that kind of milestone without also amassing the ultimate insider's guide to city nightlife...and a diehard loyalty to it along the way. She’s well-versed in everything, from knowing where to find the “good proper dives” (check out Avenue A), to throwing dinner parties in her East Village apartment. “Cooking at home is the greatest luxury for me,” says McCarthy. “My boyfriend is always like, ‘You don’t need to do it!’ And I’m like, ‘No, this is the most calming thing.’”

And no matter how your night kicks off, McCarthy points out, NYC makes it easy to pivot plans. “In other cities, if you go somewhere and it sucks, you just kind of bail on the night,” she says. “Whereas in New York, there will be seven more options within a two-block radius.”

As it turns out, that more-is-more mindset applies to wardrobe changes, too. On the Lower East Side in a retro-inspired lounge, McCarthy is now wearing a denim maxi skirt and long-sleeve black cardigan, both Levi’s, that reflect her casual-cool surroundings. “Levi’s is tried and true,” muses McCarthy of her second look. “Its classic denim is unmatched, but I also love discovering non-denim items and being able to tell everyone, ‘It’s Levi’s.’” ​​

Perched at the bar surrounded by wood-paneled walls and plush carpets, she expertly plucks an olive from her dirty martini. Despite the white-hot flash of the camera, McCarthy looks relaxed, and her low-key ensemble reflects that vibe. “A denim skirt is a cool way to dress up a look without losing the ease of wearing jeans,” says McCarthy. “You can end up anywhere when you’re wearing denim, and feel good about it.”

McCarthy proves her sartorial theory true a few hours later, after someone suggests grabbing a late-night slice — the ideal end to any night. Somewhere around Orchard and Hester, McCarthy makes weaving through a maze of sidewalk scaffolding in straight-leg jeans and a denim jacket look easy.

That’s the thing about a great night out in NYC, though: If you’re doing it right, it keeps you on your toes. “The best thing about New York,” says McCarthy with a smile, “is you don’t know where a night will take you.”

Photographer: Camilo Fuentealba; Creative Director: Diana Weisman/BDG Studios; Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi; Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi; Makeup Artist: Carolina Dali; Senior Fashion Director: Jenna Wexler/BDG Studios; Associate Fashion Director: Elly Ayres/BDG Studios; Talent: Mikaela Baruch/BDG Studios; Production Manager: Allie Kolb/BDG Studios