What to Wear in New York: Packing List
Published May 25, 2023
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When you think of New York City you probably picture towering Manhattan skyscrapers, streets jammed with yellow cabs, chic rooftop cocktail bars packed with glamorous hipsters, and of course, the hordes of tourists in Times Square.
New York City is big, busy, and bustling, which is why so many tourists come to visit. But the last thing you want to do is look like you don’t belong.
Tourists don’t know how to walk on our sidewalks, cross our streets, or ride the subway, so New Yorkers can be gruff with people that obviously look like they’re from out of town.
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I’ve lived in New York City for more than 10 years, bartending in painfully hip speakeasies in Williamsburg and rubbing elbows with millionaire VCs at Midtown happy hours. And if I’ve learned anything about New York, it’s this—if you want to experience the “real” New York, you have to dress like a New Yorker.
We can’t all have the Gossip Girl wardrobe, but you can still look more Upper East Side than tourist. You just need a bit of creativity and a few additions to your New York packing list. And if you realize you’ve made a fashion faux pas, you’re right in the heart of some of the hippest stores in the world. You’ll be fine.
So, to help get you started, here are some of my hard-earned style tips and general packing rules. After reading this article, you’ll know what to wear in New York in any season without looking like a complete tourist.
How to Dress in New York
NYC Style Tip #1: New Yorkers Really Do Wear Black
It’s true. New Yorkers really do wear more black and dark colors than people in most other major cities. And the reason is simple: Black clothing is functional and hip.
Year in and year out, season after season, black clothing just looks good. Dark tones pair well with just about everything from fitted jeans to high heels and work for nearly every social situation. In fact, the color black has been Fashion Institute of Technology-approved as an unofficial fashion palette for New Yorkers since the 70s. (FYI: FIT is kind of a big deal).
The good news for you is that black travels well. Darker colors hide stains (which is another reason we New Yorkers love it) and can handle sweat, snow, salt, and whatever that sticky stuff is that you just sat in on the subway (trust me, it’s not worth figuring out what it is).
If you have the budget for a few quality neutral black and dark grey pieces, they can be the core of a great travel capsule wardrobe, making it easy to pack for any trip, including NYC.
Honestly, I love bright colors—mustard-colored pants and coral t-shirts are my jam—but even I’ve embraced the effortless style and simplicity of a nice fitting pair of black jeans. They go with everything and work for just about any situation, which is the whole point.
In New York, you never know if your happy hour will turn into a rooftop party, after-hours museum gallery visit, or dive bar crawl. And you should always dress like you’re ready for New York’s best moments. Stack your wardrobe with a few black or grey merino wool t-shirts and a dark-colored pair of travel pants—making sure that they actually fit you well—and you’ll be ready for (almost) anything the city can throw at you.
NYC Style Tip #2: Wear a Pop of Color
Ok. Yes, while it’s true that many New Yorkers slowly weed color out of their closet, that’s not to say we don’t know how to get weird. It’s the fashion capital of the world, give us some credit.
The secret to dressing like a real New Yorker is taste. Adding just a dash of color to your outfit—a nice silk scarf, bright-colored sneakers, or a tropical-themed belt—will create a conversation starter in crowded bars or even on the train.
Accent pieces and accessories go further than full-blown outfits, so keep it as minimal as you can to make your favorite items stand out even more.
That being said, neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Long Island City, Greenpoint, Red Hook, and Bushwick are almost comically colorful. Don’t be afraid to rock those palm tree culottes or neon fanny pack, you beautiful weirdo. Just own it if you do.
NYC Style Tip #3: It’s All About Your Shoes
New Yorkers walk a lot, and when you visit the city you’ll be walking a lot too. And that’s a good thing because walking the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan is the best way to actually get a feel for the city. Plus, you’ll save a ton of money not taking cabs or the subway.
The thing about walking in New York is that while it’s important that you wear a comfortable pair of shoes, it’s probably even more important that you wear a stylish pair of shoes. Or at least pack a good pair of kicks. Welcome to New Yorker priorities, folks.
This can mean different things depending on what kind of nightlife/social life you’re into, but the rules span pretty much every scene in New York. If you’re wearing old, scuffed, faded hiking boots or “gym” shoes, you might as well wear a neon sign that says tourist.
If you’re actually trying to go out to some of the nicer bars and clubs, especially in Manhattan, you might not get in if you look like a doof.
Stylish sneakers that you can actually wear out at night are the way to go, because, like I mentioned earlier, you don’t want to have to go home to change after a few hours of sightseeing. Some of the best things in New York happen on the spur of the moment, and navigating the subway just to change your busted kicks takes a lot longer than you think.
Allbirds’ Wool Runners for men or women are a decent compromise between stylish and comfy, as are a nice pair of Toms if you’re feeling laid back (and the weather is warm).
Ladies, pretty much every woman in New York is wearing a pair of Rothys slip-on flats, so toss a pair in your bag (or just wear ’em), and you’ll be good to go.
For winter, a nice pair of chukka boots might be the coolest thing you can wear that will also keep your feet warm and dry in the weather.
Do you, but whatever shoes you wear, make sure that you choose them on purpose, not just because they’re comfortable shoes. We’ll notice.
Pack for trips of one week or more without checking a bag.
- Thick comfortable straps
- Easy to organize
- Durable, waterproof fabric
- Backed by our Worldwide Warranty
NYC Style Tip #4: Layers are Key
Layers are always a good idea for travel, but that’s especially true in New York City, regardless of the season. The average tourist will encounter radical temperature swings from either blistering (or freezing) subway cars to scalding (or freezing) city streets, and warm (or freezing) bars and museums.
You could get whiplash dressing for all the microclimates in NYC.
The stylish solution is to wear a few layers. That way, when you work up a sweat hiking around Midtown, you can just take off your top layer (probably a light sweatshirt or long sleeve shirt) and you’re still good to go with your dark t-shirt.
The same goes for the reverse. When you get chilly on the subway or a weirdly cold art gallery, it’s nice to know you can just put a light layer back on instead of a bulky coat. New Yorkers love textured layers. Cable knit sweaters. Soft, merino wool t-shirts. Drapey blouses over tank tops. Keep your packing list modular and you’ll be fashionably ready for all the wild swings this city can have all year round.
NYC Style Tip #5: Bring a Day Bag
New York is one of the few major cities I’ve been to where it’s not weird to carry a backpack. Seriously, nearly everyone in New York is rocking some kind of designer roll-top camera bag, workout duffle bag, or straight-up daypack full of all the stuff they’ll need after work.
Almost nobody “quickly” goes home to change for happy hour or grab what they’re wearing for a night out. They’re too busy working late then sprinting to a spin class to head all the way back to Queens for a different pair of pants.
You’ll see billion-dollar hedge fund managers with the same sling bag as hipster bike messengers. That’s great news for tourists since it means you can carry your map, water bottle, and extra layers without looking like a tourist. The key is to bring a small daypack that you can roll into your larger carry on bag. And don’t forget to take your backpack off when you get on the subway. You’re better than that.
What to Wear in New York City in Autumn
Autumn in New York is my absolute favorite time of year. Piles of musty gold and red leaves in the park. Crisp air as you weave your way through the crowded concrete slabs and bustling city streets. It’s just the best time of year, and the most fashionable.
New Yorkers have a lot of fall accessories and stylish looks. Don’t show up in your old cotton hoodie. The key to a stylish fall look in NYC is a killer lightweight coat or jacket, a textured sweater, and good shoes. Oh, and a good hat.
Your outerwear is your A-game during fall and winter, so if you want to get those likes on the ‘gram as you pose in Central Park, pay attention.
Bring a roll-top wool beanie to fit in with the cool kids, but also to keep you warm. I like to add a pop of color with a bright red or yellow hat, but you do you.
As for bottoms, keep it simple. A nice pair of travel pants like Bluffworks chinos or Outlier Slim Dungarees) are stylish yet understated for a great all-day look. Ladies, black jeans or leggings will blend right in.
Oversized coats are still fashionable but don’t overdo them. It’s not going to snow on you (probably), so you can leave the puffy coat at home.
Wear that cool leather jacket or shirt jacket and add a chunky sweater or merino long sleeve so you don’t get cold on blustery days. Wool layers travel well (aka they don’t get wrinkled), so you can easily pack a few wool long sleeve shirts in a
What to Wear in New York City in Winter
When it gets really cold, usually from late December-early March, it’s time to bring out the big guns. Pack a really good jacket or coat and don’t worry about looking cool. This is one case where New Yorkers won’t judge you for it.
Pro tip: if you want to dress like a New Yorker in winter, the real time to shine is when you get inside.
Plan to shed your outer layers when you step inside of any NYC bar or restaurant like the beautiful butterfly you are. Dump your big bulky coat in the corner and show off your chic sophisticated style with a monochromatic outfit of dark yet well-fitted pieces. Tailored black jeans are always a solid idea, as well-fitted flannel shirts and statement sweaters.
In winter, your main goal is to stay warm outside but look cool once you step inside. The secret of dressing like a New Yorker is knowing how to make an entrance.
What to Wear in New York City in Spring
Spring is a tough season to pack for in New York City. No, really. It’s a pain. You can get a very nice, warm spring day then watch the temperature plummet into a drizzly mess the next morning. The only way to really prepare a stylish packing list for spring is to expect the worst.
That being said, spring style tends to be a lot lighter in New York—almost alarmingly so. People are usually so excited that winter is over that they wear shorts and a t-shirt the second it looks nice outside (even when it’s still in the low 50s). Don’t fall into that trap.
Obviously, pack one pair of shorts in case you hit that random sunny day, but lightweight fitted pants are still the way to go in spring. Roll your pants up if it gets sunny, and make sure you bring a lighter version of the layers I recommended for fall. A wool hat goes a long way, as well as merino shirts, light sweaters, and even flannel.
I wear my Edgevale shirt jacket pretty much all the time from February to May. The pockets are awesome for stashing gloves and a hat, and it looks good inside and outside my favorite Williamsburg dive bars. When you visit New York in spring, bring a nice light, waterproof jacket for cold, windy, wet days, but remember to add some quality merino layers underneath. These are clutch. They look great and keep you sane while you shrug off the occasional rainstorm or sub-50 degree chill.
What to Wear in New York City in Summer
Ah, summer in New York City. Humid, muggy, sweaty, and just plain wonderful. Hopefully, you’ll spend most of your time outside either in the park or walking the city streets. And that means losing some layers and showing some skin.
Shorts are completely acceptable in New York City—if they look cool. Cut-off jean shorts (aka “jorts”) still rule the Brooklyn borough and fitted, hybrid shorts are more than acceptable for rooftop pool parties. Make sure you pack some lightweight pants though since shorts aren’t a great look at night.
Bluffworks travel chinos are the ultimate city look for warm days since they’re still light and look great with a few cuffs around the ankle.
Tank tops are also still super in for day or evening wear. Seriously, unless there’s a specific dress code (and who’d want to go somewhere with a dress code?) you can always wear a tank top in NYC. Just get one that fits.
Ladies, skirts, sundresses, or your favorite travel dress will be just fine. Aim for something simple that moves seamlessly from day to night with the addition of an accessory or two.
Other than that, the only rule for summer in New York is simple: don’t wear sandals. New Yorkers don’t wear sandals, even when it’s hot, for one very good reason: New York is gross. If you wear sandals your feet will be covered in grime, muck, and grit.
Seriously. Sandals are nasty. Stay cool with a lightweight pair of sneakers instead.
Oh, and always bring a swimsuit. Coney Island is awesome.
What to Wear in NYC
Packing for New York isn’t that hard. Fill your travel backpack with good neutral, dark merino wool t-shirts or henley shirts and a few pairs of comfy, fitted travel pants. Then add a pop of color with a flannel shirt, wool hat, scarf, or another accessory.
- Layers Are Essential: Pack enough lightweight clothing to layer and change as the temperature (or situation) shifts
- Accessories Are Key: One of two little touches—like a stylish hat, scarf, watch, or belt can elevate any look
- Shoes Matter: New Yorkers walk a lot, but we still care about our shoe style; don’t bring your busted gym shoes to the streets of Manhattan
- Fit is Everything: You can get away with a lot of weird looks as long as your clothing fits well
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If you want to learn about budget travel, minimalist carry on packing, or how to travel (and even live and work) in dozens of countries all over the world, Shawn is your guy. Shawn is not a New York Times bestselling travel author, but he is a full-time freelance blogger, copywriter, and content manager and is also a published photographer. He likes to rock climb, trek, surf, ride his bike, and read a bunch of sci-fi books.