Help! NYC this weekend, packing advice needed. - YouLookFab Forum

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Help! NYC this weekend, packing advice needed.

L'Abeille

Veteran

DH just now surprised me with tickets to NYC for our 35th wedding anniversary. THIS weekend. Leaving this Saturday morning, after an overnight ER shift, from which he arranged for me to be relieved at 6:00 am so I can just make the airport. That gives me tomorrow night to pack.

What to bring? We have tickets to Broadway on Saturday night, otherwise museums and Central Park, and one restaurant reservation that is suit and tie for men. We return on Tuesday (Monday is a holiday here).

I know I should start with the shoes. I don't want a repeat of Vienna, where I had to skip some planned activities because my feet were too sore.

I will take a small carry on and a big tote.

I've only been there once, to a medical conference for which we stayed in Newark NJ and ate fast food. I consider that didn't count.

Advice please?

Urgent

17 replies

Latest reply was from Zibbets

Lucy

Veteran

Oh my gosh! How exciting
I have no advice *waves from Australia* but The Vivienne Files just did a special on shoes in NYC, so that might be a good starting point. Apparently everyone wears flats in the street, so that will be good for your poor feet.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Thanks Lucy! That is really helpful.

I have good walking sneakers in white and in beige (but no black). And I have Chelsea boots, men's but less rugged than Blundstones, that are comfortable /supportive enough to wear 2 days in a row, for an outdoor walk and for standing at work. So I will probably take one of the above for the walking /casual days, plus ballet flats for the dressier bits. Only none of those are supportive, and even then I expect we will walk a lot.

Gail

Veteran

It has been really hot in the north east the past few days so I think boots could be too warm. I had sandals and shorts on today and was too hot. Walking sneakers sound like a good plan unless you have some good comfortable sandals.

Diana

Veteran

You'll want shoes good for miles and miles of city walking (I'd bring two pair myself, so that you could switch between days and give your feet a rest) and lightweight layers. When I was there last fall sneakers of all sorts were extremely popular both uptown and downtown so they'd be a good choice. Probably a trench or other type of rain jacket as the forecast has rain for Monday. Luckily the current heat wave on the east coast should be over by then so the temps will be typical spring (highs in the 60's and 70's , down to maybe 50 at night).

As for clothes, I think anything goes! You see it all in NYC which is pretty great if you ask me. (It would be a good place to try out some trends that haven't made it to smaller cities too.) There will likely be a range of formality at the theater so anything you choose will be appropriate, I think.

Christina F.

Veteran

I can't agree enough that you need good shoes. Even if you take the subway a lot, there's a lot of up-and-down the stairs and so on. I think walking is the best way to see the city and people watch anyway. The other day I saw a barefoot guy laying on the sidewalk playing the flute! You just never know what you'll see here.

Otherwise, just bring what you'll be most comfortable in, and make sure you have at least one nice outfit for the fancy restaurant (people wear whatever to the theater these days).

Specifically, if you go to the Met Museum, the current China exhibit is excellent if you like Asian art and artifacts. If you are going there, you definitely want good shoes because the floor is marble.

Style Fan

Veteran

Sounds wonderful. I love NYC. I had to rest my feet a lot when I was there because the walking was always on hard surfaces. Something to think about when you are packing your footwear.
I also find Vivienne Files helpful for inspiration for packing. She relies on accessories to make her outfits interesting and keeps her main pieces simple.
If it were me I would take the sneakers and the Chelsea boots. I find my feet do better if I can switch footwear. You will be wearing one pair and packing the other. Are the Chelsea boots dressing enough to wear with black trousers? If not then you can also tuck your ballet flats in as well.
I would check the weather. Then take 2 bottoms. One you will be wearing. I might take two tops and wear one. Toppers would depend on the weather.
A couple of scarves (maybe a pashmina) are always useful to add interest to outfits and don't take up much room.

Sounds like so much fun!

Staysfit

Veteran

It's going to cool down a bit over the weekend and it will be in the mid 60's- low 70's in NYC through Tuesday. Friday is the only day predicted to be hot. I prefer closed shoes when I'm walking in the city. Even when it doesn't rain, I encounter puddles of who knows what, and I don't like it if a pebble or something lodges between my foot and the bottom of my shoe when I'm in a crowd. Lots of walking. Lots of walking. Pick your most reliable and comfortable shoes for walking.

Museums can be freezing cold, depending on which you go to. Be prepared with layers. Broadway shows have become increasingly more casual, but people dress every which way. Some people go out for pizza and beer before a show and will be in jeans, others dress in formal attire. If you like to dress up and get an opportunity, go to see an Opera at the Met. Fun, fun, fun!

Christina F.

Veteran

Staysfit, the Met opera season is over. But the American Ballet Theatre is performing in the opera house now.

That said, I never dress up for the opera because we sit in the nosebleeds and go 4-6 times a year, but the people who go less often do glam it up. It's fun to see.

Lisa

Veteran

New York City is all about walking, comfortable shoes are a must. Dark wash jeans will take you anywhere with restaurant dress codes now. I'm a layering kind of gal and right now the temperature swings here are big, it can be 55F in the morning and go up to 60-80F in the same day. A lightweight coat or a blazer or cardigan would be a good layering item.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Thanks for the input everyone.
So far I am trying to decide between base navy (my spring wardrobe) or base black (which I am SO tired of since we finally have warm weather).

Option 1:
white jeans
navy blazer
several tops and Ts some Breton stripe
white sneakers
red ballet flats with optional ribbon ties
navy sleeveless dress (linen sheath OR new shift with white piping) can be layered over a shirt/T

Option 2:
black Ponte skinnies
black leather/mixed media bomber (downside: no pockets)
tops; prob more striped shirts and fewer Ts (ie my last-winter uniform)
black Chelsea boots
black driving moccasins
maybe ballet flats too?
black sparkly sheath dress, can be layered likewise

In either case, lightweight hooded trench, and a black tote or messenger bag
Thoughts?
I am not Angie. I WILL mess my white jeans. I might bring flowy culottes (black or navy) as a backup, take no room up

madeline

Veteran

I would choose option 2. Bring a lightweight scarf or two to bring some color to outfits. A cross body bag is really helpful when you're covering long distances by foot (if you have one and like that style). Totally agree with the trench and messenger bag too.
Have a great time!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FABULOUS.

Have been to NYC many times. You see it ALL on the streets so you'll blend in no matter what you wear. You'll see lots of sneakers on people's feet.

Just make sure you bring lots of pairs of comfy shoes.

JAileen

Veteran

I haven't been to NYC in ten years. I did walk a lot and changing up shoes from one day to the next is very helpful. I have no other advice. Have fun!!!

Anonymous

So fun!
Comfy walkable shoes, layers, and the outfits that make you feel fab!

L'Abeille

Veteran

OK thanks everyone. I think I will go with the navy iteration because I am SO TIRED of my winter wardrobe (it has only been warm for the past 2 days).

I am going to open a thread on Off Topic about what not to miss.

More panicked questions will likely appear tonight when I start to pack and try things on.

Anonymous

Ha! I'm sitting in a cab from LGA to Manhattan as I type this. TERRIBLE traffic due to the horrible accident in Times Square this morning, so I'm internet surfing to pass the time. I come here at least a couple of times of year to visit family and wholeheartedly echo Angie - you see any and everything, so whatever you choose you'll fit in fine.
FWIW, what I packed for our time in the city is similar to your option one. Like Stayfit, I'm not crazy about wearing sandals on the street, but I always bring one supportive pair in case I get a blister and have to resort to them, since they don't rub tender spots. I did bring heels since we are heading out to CT for younger daughter's graduation and will walk less there.
What a lovely surprise from your husband! Have a wonderful time!
Last thought. If it's your first time in the city, It can be fun to buy a ticket on one of the hop-on-hop-off tour buses. You'll see a lot of the city and it will stop at museums and other places you'll probably want to visit.
Enjoy!

Zibbets

Veteran

Walking shoes! I was there in March and walked 10 miles one day in my Bandolino boots and my feet were completely happy.

At Broadway shows we saw people wearing everything from jeans on up. (We only had time to drop our bags at the hotel and walk to the theater, so I didn't have time to change. I wore my boots and skinny black pants felt *fine.* To celebrate an anniversary, I would have wanted to be more dressed up.)