20 YEARS OF SHOPPING WITH THE COOL KIDS AT BLUE & CREAM

Where do those in the know go to shop Out East? Blue & Cream, of course. In celebration of the store’s 20th anniversary, its founder Jeff Goldstein tells all to Spotlight

BY SYDNEY SADICK

Jeff, it’s Blue & Cream’s 20th anniversary. How do you describe the evolution of the store over the years?

We started streetwear trends 20 years ago, rocking baggy jeans and custom Nike dunks to Puffy’s White Party in the buttoned-up Hamptons. That evolved to skinny jeans and dress shirts next to girls in mini skirts. Then the whole world had a maxi dress moment; next came bodysuits with cut-off jean shorts, and many decades and generational remixes in between. Now we’re back on Nike dunks, this time with crop tops and even baggier jeans, with a big blazer or boxy cropped sweaters to throw over. Fashions fade, style is eternal. What did you do to celebrate this milestone?

It’s a celebration every day inside our four walls—if you know, you know.

What memories stick out over the past two decades?

One of my favorite questions to ask shoppers is, “Do you need some inspiration?” usually about an outfit choice. TheDream says that he came to us for daily vibe inspiration while staying at Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s in Georgica over summer 2021 while recording “Break My Soul.”

Did you ever think Blue & Cream would be as big of a success as it has become when you were first starting out? We started from the bottom, and now we are here.

You run your business with your wife, Samantha. What’s it like working together?

It was all a dream.

What are some brands you’re excited about right now?

The Tile Club, with exclusive silk and cotton summer sweaters, and cashmere sets for fall. Some clients still like to say to me, “I don’t need a sweater. It’s summertime!” and I look at them like, “Girl, you’re wearing a hoodie and you just bought another hoodie in your bag. What you need is to put that hoodie away and add a summer sweater to your program.”

You also have your own namesake label. Tell us about some of your offerings.

On the men’s side, we’re literally selling out of everything this season. When my guys get one tee they come back for every color. For the women’s line, we’re filling in what everyone’s missing in their wardrobe. What makes Blue & Cream different from other stores?

A New York Times Jay-Z interview sums it up for me. He said: “ ‘Cause I, at the end of the day we gonna find out it’s not about the white-hot space, but it’s about finding the truth. That white-hot space— people think it’s the biggest thing, but it’s really small. It’s almost like a trend. Would you rather be a trend, or you rather be Ralph Lauren? You know what I mean; like, you rather be a trend, or you rather be forever?

I’m the person that looked at the Mona Lisa and be like, ‘Man, that’s gonna be cool in 40 years.’ I play forever. And so my whole thing is to identify with the truth. Not to be the youngest, hottest, new, trendy thing.” You can always spot a celeb at your store. Best sightings so far this summer?

I was happy to see Andrew “Watt” Wotman come back home this season. He’s a B&C alum. Hamptonites can also shop at your two locations in New York City. What are your plans for them this fall?

After 15 years on the Bowery we moved our LES store to the West Village at 409 Bleecker Street; that’s where I like to work during the Hamptons offseason and just love introducing new people to our brand. But the insider tip is getting an appointment with our lead stylist, Zoey, who works with all the UES girls at our Madison Avenue boutique. T

I N T R O D U C I N G