What to Wear in New York

Do you wonder what to wear in New York? With a few exceptions, little value is attached to super chic clothes and accessories when sightseeing in New York. However, if you have plans for fancy dining or visiting one of New York’s clubs or rooftop bars, then it’s still good to pack some more elegant clothes. Here are a few tips on what to wear in New York.

What to Pack for your New York Trip

When it comes to packing the right clothing items for your New York trip, a few items can’t be missed on your list:

• Comfortable shoes: a non-negotiable, as you’ll be taking a lot of steps! Sneakers (stylish ones are common in NYC), flats, or low-heeled boots are ideal
• Layers: one or two lightweight sweaters/cardigans or button-ups that you can easily put on and take off in case of temperature changes
• Sunglasses & hat: especially during late spring and summer, as it can get very warm in New York
• Scarf, gloves & beanie: when travelling in late autumn or winter, to protect against the cold

Appropriate Clothing per Season in New York

As with any other location, the best clothing for New York depends on the season. But that doesn’t mean that in the warmer months, you can leave your sweaters at home!

Summer clothes New York

Even in the summer, I recommend that you don’t leave without a sweater or a thin jumper to hand. The air-conditioning in most stores is set to a cool 18 degrees. So when walking in from the summer heat, you may want a cover-up.

In addition, a raincoat and an umbrella are no luxury. Even on a sunny day, it can suddenly start raining cats and dogs, and you don’t want to spend the rest of your day sightseeing drenched to the bone. Do not forget your dress shoes if you want to hit one of the New York nightclubs.

Autumn clothes New York

Autumn in New York is truly a season of transition. It starts out warm, but becomes increasingly chilly during the season. So that means you might need a sweater or jacket for those chilly moments, but also pack some lighter clothes for when the sun comes out.

Winter clothes New York

In the winter, it can get especially cold. My recommendation is to wear lots of layers; this way, you can take off or add clothes easily, according to the temperature in and outside. Gloves, a hat and a scarf are definitely must-pack items for what to wear in New York during the winter months. And use it as a reason to go shopping in New York if you didn’t pack enough!

Spring clothes New York

In early spring, it can still be quite cold in New York, and there can also be frequent showers. Warm clothes and an umbrella are therefore recommended. From April onwards, it is usually warmer, and lighter clothes are in order. But keep an eye on the weather forecast as well!

What to wear when dining in New York

If you are not dining at a top restaurant, it is fine to dress fairly casually. Jeans and smart sneakers are commonplace in most restaurants. An exception is for clubs. If you go to a club casually dressed, you are almost guaranteed to be denied entrance. So make sure you bring your party outfit and more comfortable clothes for the day.