Madeline Klein and I spoke by phone the morning after Tommy Hilfiger's big show at New York Fashion Week for Spring 2025. In our defense, there was a lot to take in: 63 avant-garde looks mixing Madras checks, oversized shirts, and contrast stripes; Brooke Shields, Jisoo in black pink; and a gorgeous guest list that included Klein herself, Wu a surprise finale performance by Tan Klein, and perhaps the most talked-about part of the entire NYFW schedule, the decommissioned Staten Island ferry owned by Saturday Night Live scribe Colin Jost and former cast member Pete Davidson.

Klein and I agree: setting sail at dusk with hundreds of other fashion people was not an experience. And as 10-year-olds who last boarded the ferry with their mothers, we would have thought it impossible. 'I saw the pictures go by, and this person and that person were there, and I knew them, but I didn't see them! She laughs.

The Outer Banks star said she walked away from the Tommy Hilfiger show inspired by both the remixed layering of the official Tommy Hilfiger collection and the American attire around her in the front row. Klein and the other VIPs had made similar choices before the event. From prep-school plaid to classic varsity jackets. 'Everyone has their own style. They saw what I saw on the racks and what I didn't.'

Klein didn't know it, but I walked by her before the show started and figured she had a peek at my personal Fall 2024 mood board. A day later, when I asked her where the inspiration for the look came from, she told me that every New York fashion girl is familiar with the She named a reference that every New York fashion girl is familiar with.

“I started mixing and matching,” she says, “and got into the Clueless, Blair Waldorf, early 2000s, late 90s kind of vibe.

Hair and makeup also began to touch on Klein's favorite throwback references. “It almost just made clean, natural, easy clothes and looks speak for themselves,” she explains. Translation: an Alicia Silverstone-inspired blowout and a bronzed glow with a little extra eyeshadow.

On the way to the airport, Madeline Klein tells me we have one more thing in common. I am thinking of a white oxford that looks like it was worn backwards over a cream A-line skirt. Klein is sticking with a supersized version of the top she wore in the show, extended to the length of a maxi dress and half open over baggy jeans.

“I'm really looking forward to layering again,” she said. It's one of the things I'm really looking forward to [for fall], especially getting ideas from this show.” I'm getting ideas, especially from this show, about mixing and matching stripes. I've never thought of that before. I'm definitely going to do that.” She's sure to end up on someone's Pinterest board.