A Quick Guide of What to Wear in NYC: Fashion Advice for all Seasons
Whether you've visited New York city before or it's your first trip to the Big Apple, packing the right clothing is essential for comfort when navigating your way round. As one of the most diverse metropolises on the planet, the list of things to do is endless, but fear not, as these helpful tips will help you glide seamlessly from day to night, in the chicest way possible!
Clothing Essentials: Think "weather appropriate" and "layers" and you cannot go wrong. Before leaving home each day, you can best believe that every self-respecting New Yorker checks the temperature AND the humidity levels! With year-round temperatures varying from -30 to 100+, we could go on and on about the best clothes for every NYC occasion. However, in my short and sweet opinion, jeans are best left for Fall and Winter, while Spring and Summer require a more floaty vibe. Think loose maxi dresses or a boyfriend shirt with cotton shorts. Two key winter items would be a down jacket and a cashmere sweater or cardigan - super light yet warm and cozy without needing to wear so many layers. Uniqlo have a great and inexpensive selection in beautiful colors.
Shoes: Pack flats, flats and more flats (unless you want to spend your days and nights ordering Ubers - no one has got time for that!)
Ballet Flats: There is no shoe more comfy than that of a flexible sole ballet flat. One amazing brand we love is Rothys - they have colors for every outfit imaginable and now have bags to match. Not only are they stylish but they are good for the planet, made out of thread from recycled plastic bottles, which means they are machine washable too! Hello, we told you they're the best. If you cannot snag a pair before you arrive, you can visit them in person at their flagship store at 407 Bleecker Street. You're welcome.
Converse: Every New Yorker I know owns at least 1 pair of Converse. They have come a long way since the 70's and offer endless customizations. My personal day to evening favorite style are low leather chucks in black, a classic.
Boots: Winters here get chilly! We know snow boots are not the answer to a Broadway show, per se, but a low-heeled boot or some iconic Doc Martens will pair perfectly with black jeans.
Accessories to keep you moving: A Fanny Pack, cross body bag or backpack if you must. Fanny packs are less "tourist" than backpacks, but we understand the desire to pack every item you own for the trip out of the hotel. However, if you can scale it back and bring a fanny pack or cross body bag with just the essentials (hand sanitizer, Metro card, phone and wallet), you'll be much more comfortable and hands free too!
Other essentials you won't regret packing: Hair ties or headbands are a MUST, sunglasses, a floppy hat or cap for the summer and a mini umbrella for those out-of-nowhere rain showers.
The main thing to always remember is that New Yorkers love to express themselves and you should too! In a city that never sleeps, anything goes fashion wise, so don't forget to do-you!