Packing for NY: capsule lacking! - YouLookFab Forum

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Packing for NY: capsule lacking!

catgirl

Veteran

DS and I leave for NY tonight. It's been a summer of packing and unpacking - Hawai'i, cabin, camping. But I seriously lack a capsule for NY summer. Sad, since I used to live on the East Coast. I am going to be mostly doing casual kid-friendly activities, so I need practical shoes and clothing suitable for parks. But it's going to be 95 degrees when we get there! And I don't want to look like I just wandered out of the wilderness (even if I did)!

Any suggestions? Will denim shorts work or be too hot? Should I just bring short skirts? EEK!

I would of course LOVE to meet up with any NY YLFers but our schedule is crazy and I will not have time to shop... If anyone is around and free this weekend, PM me your contact info just in case!

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

Diana

Veteran

It's a million degrees and super humid right now on the east coast. Yuck. Honestly I am plotting how best to wear as little as possible and still look decent at work. =P

I personally find any sort of denim too hot in this weather (90's and humid) but I run hot. I find denim to get weirdly warm, heavy, and damp in the humidity if that makes any sense. I prefer flowy fabrics, so light skirts and flowy shorts, in light natural fabrics. NO POLY. I know not everyone shares my love of flowy, shorter shorts though, but it's sort of like wearing a really short skirt. Also, I think you should not expect to be able to wear anything more than once since it will get gross and sweaty.

And your most comfy shoes, ones that can handle being sweated in. I have some shoes that stick to my feet when it is this humid and give me blisters even though they are normally fine. I like my Naots with the cork footbed the best for heat+humidity - Birks would work too.

catgirl

Veteran

ACK. That sounds miserable! Thanksso much for the tips. I was planning to wear my Jambu Mary Janes (which are like sandal-sneakers) but even those may be too sticky! I don't remember summer being this hot when I was growing up there...

MsMary

Veteran

*dies of jealousy, heat and humidity notwithstanding*

Anonymous

Will you be in NYC? I will be around this weekend. I'll PM you my phone number in case you can meet for a snack or dinner. My shopping budget is GONE so it works out you can't shop!

Anonymous

Denim shorts will be just fine but I don't run hot on my bottom half jeje. Leave out the poly, as Diana said. You will burn. Lots of women are sporting the equipment blouses with shorts, half tuck included. I would bring those as well and don't forget the comfy shoes....

Sylvie

Veteran

I used to just wear lightweight dresses and sandals. Also, lightweight tunics and capri leggings. Couldn't stand anything else in the heat.

Don't forget the sunglasses and a bottle of water.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

OMG OMG OMG UNA ON THE EAST COAST!!!
It is sooooo ridiculously hot right now. Bring light clothes and either enough for several changes of clothes per day or plan to do laundry. You will be drenched in sweat and dirt after walking the city streets all day.

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks ladies! I asked my brother about the weather and his response was so profane I can't repeat it! It sounds like we are going to be dying of heat even if we go nude. I love hot weather but my body is now used to AK, and my son runs through the sprinkler if it's 45 degrees, so I think we are in trouble!

I have one pair of linen shorts and a couple of flowy jersey skirts. Would love to be stylish but with three boys under 10, I would fear for my precious Equipment shirts. My sister and I are going to see "Book of Mormon" so I'm bringing my drop waist dress, but otherwise it's going to be casual, sadly.

Zap, would be fun to meet up! Will be in Times Square to see Spiderman on Sunday but with three brats in tow. Maybe my sister and I can escape the kids and meet up for an iced coffee with you!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I hate when I find I'm ill prepared for going somewhere. You'd think with our expansive closets, we'd have something to wear for absolutely everything, but no . . .
I agree with lightweight, natural materials. I actually don't have trouble with denim shorts, but they have to be the loose BF fit ones. Dresses, especially the looser silhouettes this year, are great in the heat.

Anonymous

They are going to love spiderman. Let me know. I am a super short subway ride away to times square. How fun! I love kids so feel free to bring the gang.

MsMary

Veteran

You are going to LOVE "Book of Mormon." I am a huge Broadway musical afficionado and BOM is, like, my fave show evah! And yes, the kids will love "Spider-Man" and I can personally vouch that Lina is fantastic with YLF sons!

jayne

Veteran

giggling over your son and the sprinkler....have the same situation here....if the lake is mostly clear of ice...it is time to swim! ha ha ...but I am not kidding

Sona

Veteran

bermudas. anything white! woven short dresses. cotton. Soooooooooooooo crazy hot here in the Midwest too!

rae

(website)

Veteran

It was hot and humid many days in Rome - I could not bring myself to do any kind of shorts or pants during the day. The feeling of shorts sticking to my legs was horrifying. Stack up as many lightweight dresses/skirts as you have, says I. If you only have the two skirts, an emergency trip to the thrift store might not be out of the question - Rita is right that the clothes will be soaked quickly.

catgirl

Veteran

I think I'm screwed - lightweight cotton is just not an Alaskan thing. I will have to dig through my limited dress options. I feel sweaty just thinking about it!

Anonymous

I'm watching this thread with great interest as we will be in NYC next month. However, I'm more used to the heat than you will be, Una. This may be a good time to expose your young man to a big dose of culture in nice cool galleries and museums.

Heather

Veteran

Oh, what's that? You're stopping in Atlanta? Call me, maybe.

JulieJohn

Veteran

You probably have already but if not, search for Angie's MOTG capsules, they are full of good inspirations. I like the thrift store idea Rae had - maybe sew up a quick skirt if you're handy. A skirt is one of the easiest things to sew, especially one with a drawstring waist.

This reminds me of an old Seventeen magazine article from the late 70s / early 80s where young ladies could make summer clothes out of Handiwipes (disposable towels made of thick cottony paper). They were only intended to be used once or twice -- the clothes, and the wipes.

MsMary

Veteran

My young man LOVED the arms and armor wing at the Met!

Carole

Veteran

Oh, Una! All this talk of sweat and sticky makes me appreciate our mild summers...skirt and dresses would be ideal, perhaps a quick trip to Target? ....btw if you see a young couple in Central Park on Thursday having a picnic and the guy on a blended knee, that will be my son proposing to his sweetie.

catgirl

Veteran

Carole, that is so sweet! Let us know how it goes!

Anonymous

I think I'm going to put "fantastic with YLF sons" on my resume.... hahahahahaha, I need a laugh, thanks MaryK.

Maybe a quick trip to H&M once you get here is just the ticket Una. There is a HUGE F21 right at Times Square too. The thing is about four floors, you can build some quick summer capsule on the spot. Let me know if you need any store recommendations or ideas on what to do with the kiddos. I'm keeping my fingers crossed we get to meet.

Carole

Veteran

I meant "bended", this auto correct on iPad is maddening.

And Lina, too cute about your skills with YLF boys.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Una, if I were going to NYC now for a kid trip, here is what I would bring:

- 3 pr capris in light weights ( linen or cotton), one of which can be dressed up; if you don't have capris, skirts work

- 2+ pr comfortable walking shoes; say 1 pr sandals that look a bit dressy and 1 pr comfy yet stylin' sneakers

- 1 tshirt, tank, or loose short-sleeved shirt for every day you are there (unless you have access to a washing machine)

- 2 cotton cardigans or very lightweight jackets, 1 for inside death AC, 1 slightly dressier option for dinners out or theater

- As many bras and undies as you can take, unless you don't mind hand-washing or have access to a washing washine.

No silk. No wool. No artificial fibers unless they are sweat-wicking gear. No heavy cottons or denims.

If you don't own these things, I have a feeling your first stop is going to be The Gap or Old Navy or H&M to buy cheap ones so you don't die.

Anonymous

I love IK's list above. She is right Una. There is about a 20 - 30 degree difference indoors. Bring a light cardi or sweater. You will freeze inside.

Jonesy

Veteran

Your loose shorts and jersey skirts sound good! Do you have any loose lightweight dresses in casual fabrications? Notice I am referring to the word "loose" a lot here--the heat has been so intense and crazy that anything clingy just feels so gross. Yes definitely bring a few light sweaters or jackets, for layering inside. And check the weather forecast. The intense heat is supposed to break here tomorrow night, so I'm assuming the same weather might hit the East coast a day or two later?

All this talk of intense heat and the East coast makes me think of Maya and how much she hated the heat in the summers. I miss Maya!

Have a fabulous trip!