On a recent Sunday afternoon, Kelsey Lenoch, 21, a student and fashion intern, was walking along Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in a black velvet scoop-neck crop top from American Apparel beneath fitted woven-cotton, light-blue overalls. On her feet were black ruffled socks and platform wedge sandals by Free People. It was about 81 degrees.

Her short hair was decorated with a velvet band tied at the top, her face had heavy rouge and liquid liner in a cat-eye style.

Asked what type of clothes make her feel attractive, she said, “I’d rather have a bright color or an interesting pattern or an interesting cut than wear a short skirt and a low-cut top. I don’t necessarily have assets to show off.” She noted the practicality of overalls: “I would have to shave every other day if I were going to show my legs.”

Summer has long been equated with flouncy little dresses, but of late on the Brooklyn streets populated by bohemian 20-somethings, there is nary a spaghetti strap or strappy stiletto to be found.