Laura Harrier has yet to appear in a romantic comedy, but she's already dressing the part.

On Thursday night, the actress, dressed in a J.Crew tank top and slouchy gray pants cinched with a black leather belt, greeted me in a secluded corner of the New York Public Library's marble-clad hallway. This landmark location has always had a bit of cinematic magic to it due to its historical background, but there was an air of something that was just about to happen, worthy of a screenplay.

Because J. Crew is hosting a dinner to celebrate the opening of New York Fashion Week and the return of their sepia-toned, burn-jacket-laden printed catalog. Around the corner from where we are standing is a room full of New York icons and Hollywood stars ready to aban. And Harrier, in his 80s workwear pants and modest but chic tank top, looks like he stepped out of a Nora Ephron production.

Dressed for the evening with stylist Danielle Goldberg, Harrier says she was thinking of New York. She says, “For me, wearing dark colors allows me to feel New York while keeping it cool and casual.”

It is no coincidence that Harrier equates dressing for herself with dressing for New York. The actress and former Reformation designer spent her entire twenties in New York before moving to Los Angeles. (Harrier spent her entire twenties in New York before moving to Los Angeles. ) “I feel like it kind of defined not only who I am, but my style and everything,” she says. So I feel like I've become more New York in terms of style.”

To finish, Harrier accessorized with 80s gold earrings and low leather mules. This outfit would not look out of place outside the library walls. That was intentional, Harrier says. She says, “I think the environment dictates what you wear more than trends, and I definitely dress differently when I'm in LA than when I'm in Paris.”

The New York City heroine is a busy woman. [New York heroines are busy and need clothes that don't get in the way. Heroines in New York are busy and need clothes that don't get in the way. Out in Los Angeles, it's glamorous heels and dresses for a walk from the car to dinner, and workout clothes for a Pilates session. You might think of Los Angeles as a casual place. Maybe in a way it is, because you can walk around in workout clothes during the day.

What you can do is treat yourself like a protagonist. Every editor I know in New York treats fall like the pinnacle style season, whether or not they are on the official fashion week calendar. The mood-board-worthy characters are embracing fall staples and working a little magic, whether it's the perfect slouchy pants or a statement coat. Harrier feels as inspired by them as she does by everyday people.

She cites Meg Ryan's pants and chunky sweater in “Meet Harry Sully” or Parker Posey's leopard print coat in “Party Girl” as her favorite items of influence. She says, “I feel like all of the '90s romantic comedies are set in New York City. So there's an energy to good sweaters, brown, burnt orange, those kinds of colors.”

Harrier's evening at the New York Public Library was followed by a catch-up with fellow actress Riley Keough and an exquisite dinner that mimicked La Côte Basque, a former New York restaurant in film history. The next day, she returned to Los Angeles, where she donned her fall wardrobe.

“I always love the look when the temperature starts to drop,” she says. 'I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a big coat collection.'

I stopped her for a moment. 'Isn't it a bit warm in LA for a suede overcoat? 'Even if I do sweat in my furs, I'll be fine. It's for fashion. Like a style heroine.