Must I wear sneakers in NY? - YouLookFab Forum

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Must I wear sneakers in NY?

Zibbets

Veteran

Later this spring I will have the amazing privilege to chaperone he high school orchestra's trip to New York. We will see a Broadway show, MoMA and the Statue of Liberty. The day before we leave, they will play onstage at Carnegie Hall. We can't wait! It's been a year of fundraising, rehearsing, planning and excitement.

Now that it's finally time to pack, I'm stuck on what shoes to pack for the days we'll be touring. My high schooler daughters are both members of the orchestra and I recently discovered they have high expectations for looking fabulous in the Big Apple. Their ideas of fabulous (and mine, I confess) range more toward sleek boots and high heels than sneakers but with miles of walking on the itinerary, do we need to compromise?

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Zibbets

rachylou

Veteran

I would, honestly. NYC may be flat, but it's painful. Lol.

What an exciting trip!

RobinF

Veteran

I'd do boots if they are really comfortable. Some of my best walking shoes are boots.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Sneakers are huge now, you'll blend in.

Anonymous

I agree sneakers are definitely in. If you have comfy (and stylish) ones, I would consider them. There are also a myriad of shoes that are not sneakers and not heels that can be very comfortable and fit the bill. I personally would never consider heels for all day walking in NYC. I also find boots very comfortable, but not with heels.

Anonymous

There are many wonderful and stylish walking shoes out there! I go to New York a few times a year and have for decades and I can't recall ever wearing athletic shoes, though I do sometimes wear leather slip on sneakers with casual outfits, just as I do at home. I wouldn't recommend high heels even for the young ones, but supportive low- to mid- heels are terrific. For winter trips, I often wear Western boots - the steel shank provides wonderful support. My NYC-dwelling daughter, who is uber-stylish but also walks everywhere, swears by Fryes for winter and TOMS for warm weather.
The one place I might say sneakers of some sort might be necessary is if you will climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty. But then I last did that 20 years ago, so someone who has been more recently can chime in about current conditions. We climbed a ladder during part of the ascent back then.
Whatever shoes you plan to take, wear them ALOT before you go to be sure they are comfortable.
Most importantly, have a great time - The city is so exciting, and having the chance to share that experience with a group of youngsters is going to be a blast!

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Apart from a select few in certain parts of the city, people don't walk around in high heels. Just walking to and from the train/bus is too long a distance in stilettos for most. If you see women in heels, they're either bloggers, corporate women who changed into uncomfortable shoes for the workday (not the commute), or people who are being whisked by a cab door to door.

BrieN

Veteran

If your itinerary is anything like the itinerary's I have heard about for these types of high school trips make sure whatever you wear is the ultimate in comfort. I heard back from the mom of a daughter in a local group and there wasn't any time at all to get back to the hotel to switch clothing/shoes during the day.

SandyG

Veteran

Echoing BrieN, you'll probably get dressed in the morning and be on the go all day without a break. My Manhattan sightseeing walking (no planned tours but lots of theatre) totals more than 9 miles a day for a week. Trains, subways and museums are filled with stairs. MBT ankle boots are mainstays for me. For evening theatre carry a tote or leather backpack and change into fashionable yet comfortable shoes before the show if you must. NYC is fabulous on its own, no need for high heels to fit in except perhaps a photo shoot.

Diana

Veteran

I wear oxfords, flat boots, or comfy sandals when I go to NYC depending on the season. I'm not much of a sneaker wearer. I do live in a city and walk everywhere so perhaps I am more used to it than other visitors (so I know which shoes are comfy for walking, plus my feet are probably more used to walking in general).

That said, last time I was in NYC there were tons of people in sneakers, particularly downtown so you would blend right in. All sorts of sneakers, from cons to serious athletic shoes to fashion slip ons, in all colors.

ETA: whatever you choose, id highly recommend bringing at least two pairs of comfy walkable shoes. Switching shoes on alternate days helps immensely.

Kate

Veteran

Oxfords! I have walked all over NYC in oxfords, and low-heeled boots as well, with nary a blister.

jill58

Veteran

Echoing what others have said about comfortable boots.

Bijou

Veteran

In a big city like NY - you will need to be able to walk miles in your shoes. I always take very comfortable shoes (but not sneakers - boots, flats and loafers) and if I need heels, for a restaurant or show I take them in my bag and switch out when I get there. If you are taking public transport, you will be walking quite a bit. This sounds like a wonderful trip, you must be so excited!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

That sounds like an amazing trip for the HS students and for you too! Will you be purchasing new footwear for the trip or wearing something you already have? If it's a pair you already have, I would get out whatever you think you could walk all day in - flat boots, oxfords, loafers, sneakers - and give them a test run through. That might help you sort out "well the pair I had on yesterday doesn't slide in the heel as much as the pair I'm wearing today."

If you're buying a new pair, slip on sneakers might work really well, as might Keds or a similar type with a little arch support. I've never found athletic sneakers (even walking ones) to be all that comfortable (the heel always slips on me, but then I have a narrow heel). If you go the new shoe or sneaker route, definitely check out on-line reviews before heading to the store.

Don't forget to bring two pairs as even the most comfortable footwear can start to give you blisters.

Traci

Veteran

Definitely bring your most comfortable shoes and build around that. If you'll mostly be in the touristy areas you'll find everyone around you looks like middle america, not high fashion, big city.

On our last trip to NYC I coveted the locals' simple, comfortable looking, flat, black booties. They became a HEWI for me for a few years.

For walking vacations I always bring more shoes than seem reasonable and my feet are always glad for the change. I don't just change shoes daily, I find even a mid day shoe change can be a relief.

kkards

Veteran

congratulations, the orchestra must be so proud of their accomplishments!
both my sisters live in NYC, and i can honestly say, they dress just like everyone else in America....and you'll see alittle bit of everything, but honestly expect for getting in and out of cabs, almost no heels over 1 inch.
now, as to what to wear.....1st. be sure to check the weather...new york in the spring can be wet, and sometimes if its really coming down, the drainage isn't great...

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Same recommendation as Diana. I'm partial to Cole Haan shoes for these purposes.

Style Fan

Veteran

I second the suggestion of having several pairs of very comfortable shoes to change into during the day. When I was in NYC my feet hurt more than normal. The sidewalks seem to be harder than anywhere else I have walked. Not sure why that was. I took walking shoes, Fryes and Clarks. I am very glad I did.
My stepson lives in NYC and he wears sneakers all the time. I think it is very common.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Whatever shoes you have that are already proven workhorses for walking will do fine.
On my last trip to New York, I brought Born flat lace-up boots (Find 1), and they got soaked in a sudden downpour. The next day, they weren't dry yet, so I wore my backup pair, Paul Green booties with a 2" heel (Find 2), which I had planned to wear for a less walk-intensive agenda. (Fortunately, it was dry that day, as these are suede.) They worked just fine for walking from upper West Side to the Village and back.
On previous trips, I've worn the other footwear in Finds. I tend to stay away from heels over 1" for walking.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Boots, loafers, sneakers, oxfords - WHATEVER makes your feet happy.

JAileen

Veteran

What a fun trip! I'd take my most comfy shoes and make outfits that work with them. I haven't been to NYC in several years, but we walked miles every day.

jenanded

Veteran

As everyone said.... People change into heels at the office... corporate places have lounges in the ladies for women to do this. So perhaps you can reassure your girls people don't do heels on the streets. And have FUN!!!!

April

Veteran

Absolutely resist the temptation to wear heels.

No one wears heels on the street unless:

a.) she is the sort of New Yorker who is stepping directly from a car -- driven by a driver -- into a building. This means famous people, fashion people, and very wealthy people. (Merely stepping out of a cab won't cut it.)

b.) she is from out of town and didn't know better. You can tell this person because she's usually limping. Or

c.) s/he's in drag.

Not only that, I would say resist the temptation to bring new shoes. The name of the game here is tried and true, broken in, well-loved.

And yes, if you're doing a downtown "street" vibe, sneakers are a very hot fashion statement right now. Our apartment is uptown, but I still prefer a more downtown vibe (and happy feet) so I take recommendations from my downtown art school son and do sneakers when I'm not in boots.

Lisa

Veteran

I'm in agreement with April. NYC is not the place to break in new shoes, you will most likely regret it. The name of the game here is comfort and the ability to walk a lot. At this time of year, flat boots is ideal. As the weather warms, a fun looking sneaker (not the kind you wear to the gym) would be on trend. Or a flat shoe works too, but if you have sweaty feet like me, you will need a sock or foot ped, otherwise you'll end up with blisters.

Zibbets

Veteran

Thank you so much for all of your wise, thoughtful replies!

Rachylou, Annagybe and delurked, I love the idea of stylish sneakers!
Ryce, we are going to Liberty Island, but I don't think we will climb to the top since we will be such a large group. How interesting that it's a ladder. I would LOVE to do that. Maybe next time!
Gradfashionista, you are so right, and we won't set foot in a cab on this trip.
BrieN and SandyG, that's exactly the itinerary we have: leave the hotel at 7:30am and return after a late dinner. I like to change for different activities, but this isn't going to be that kind of trip. We'll see so much more this way!
Diana, Karie, UmmLila and Kate, my younger daughter is thinking of taking her oxfords and cowboy boots. Problem solved!
Jill, Bijou, Firecracker and Angie, I think my faithful black Bandolino boots might be just the ticket. They work with everything and I can walk miles in them.
kkards, your comments about rain are so helpful. I mentioned what you said to the other parents at our meeting. Nobody wants to walk around all day with wet feet. Another check in the pro column for my black leather boots.
Traci, my older daughter has a pair of flat, black boots like you are describing. I read your comment to her and she's going to take them. Thank you!
Stylefan, you're so right about having a second pair of good walking shoes. There is nothing worse than having to squeeze tired feet back into the same shoes the second day.
JAileen, I think you're smart to start with the shoes. I'll do that.
Jenanded, April and Lisa thank you! We're going to be less vain and more comfortable! Great advice!

Thanks for all the congratulations and good wishes. We are looking forward to it! I'll be sure to share some pictures of what we wore!