INFLUENCER SPOTLIGHT:
JUSTIN LIVINGSTON OF SCOUT SIXTEEN

When you think about the quintessential New York it girl, someone like Lainy Hedaya comes to mind. With her sleek dark hair, sultry looks, and only-in-Manhattan wardrobe, the founder of the fashion blog, Haute Inhabit, is as cool as the city itself. While she made her way through The Shops at Columbus Circle on a recent spring style quest, we tagged along and got the inside track on her singular sensibility.

Why did you start Scout Sixteen?

Before blogging, I did social media for e-commerce websites, but I needed a place to have my creativity live. So Scout Sixteen was born. The name is a combination of the childhood nickname that my grandfather gave me (Scout, like the character in “To Kill a Mockingbird”) and the age I was when I first came to New York City.

What do you love about what you do?

When I started my blog, I had no intention of it going anywhere, but when it did, it was a happy surprise. Now I get to meet an insane amount of people every day, whether it’s a reader who comes up to me on the street, another blogger, or a creative type. My day is very much centered around creativity, sociability, and partnership. I love that community aspect of it.

How much of your real life do you reveal?

My blog reflects my whole life, and my online life is exactly what you get if you meet me offline. I don’t want someone to meet me at the deli and say, “Oh wow, you aren’t anything like I thought you would be.” I think my personal authenticity has been my biggest success factor.

Describe your personal style.

I grew up in Mississippi wearing overalls and dirty Levi’s shorts. Since I moved to New York, a city that’s posh and cosmopolitan, my style has evolved. I try and dress for the weekend every day, but I always want to have a bit of polish.

What’s the one wardrobe essential you can’t live without?

ChapStick! Just joking. The essential that’s pretty much carried me through the last 25 years of life? Converse sneakers. I wear Converse four out of seven days a week.

Why do you love The Shops at Columbus Circle?

I’ve been coming here for as long as I’ve lived in New York City because it is a one-stop shop. I can go to Whole Foods Market, grab some food, and head to Central Park. Or another day I can check out some of my favorite shops — J.Crew Mens Shop, Thomas Pink, Tumi — then have a bite at Bar Masa.

What’s your advice for someone who wants to be a blogger like you?

The most important thing is to write about things that make you happy. That passion is what’s going to drive you. Plus, when you’re happy, it runs through everything and everyone can sense that authenticity.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Cocktails. Five o’clock happy hour is what I look forward to every day with friends. If I had to give up everything else, I wouldn’t give up happy hour.

You can follow Justin Livingston on Scout Sixteen and Instagram.