Support TFG by using the links in our articles to shop. We receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so we can continue to create helpful free content. We earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you, we appreciate your support!
Traveling to the Big Apple? Take a look at these tips on how to dress like a New Yorker but still maintain a comfy travel vibe!!
Dress Like a New York Local
Table Of Contents
New York City attracts tourists from all over the world, and while you might be one of them, it doesn’t mean you have to look like it!
If you want your wardrobe to be on point during your visit to one of the top fashion capitals in the world, take a look at these tips inspired by the fashionable yet functional locals.
Here are a few New York clothing tips that will make people think you’ve lived there forever:
A button down with all the travel features, the Lands’ End No Iron White Shirt means you can look polished but without the fuss of ironing and you’ll fit right into the crowded, energizing streets.
Keep it Simple
Ironically enough, the first rule to blending in with the chic residents of New York is to keep your outfits simple. New Yorkers have a way of using basic pieces to create fashion-forward outfits.
Well-tailored t-shirts in neutral colors, a great-fitting pair of jeans, a crisp button down, t-shirt, and trendy sneakers are all staples in any New Yorkers closet! You can never go wrong if you stick to the basics.
To have the “New York look”, stick to the simple and comfy. The Unbound Merino Tee is soft feeling, fits well, and is uber versatile, going with skirts, jeans, or wide leg pants.
This goes for hair and makeup, too! Women in New York typically stick to the effortless and undone look when it comes to glam. Simple and clean is the go-to – plus, it’s much more practical for long days spent trekking around the city!
You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly!
Wide leg jeans are a New York staple, and these Kut from the Kloth Meg Jeans have stretch but still hold their shape after hours on your feet!
Stay Practical
A trip to New York means you’ll be exploring outside for hours on end, so it’s important to keep your capsule wardrobe practical and comfortable. While NYC is a fantastic destination to have fun with your outfits, you should still prioritize practical pieces that withstand lots of movement, intense weather, and tough city streets.
Bring pieces that are easy to move around in, will hold their shape well, and won’t feel too constricting after a long day. In addition to walking miles each day, you’ll likely be climbing up and down stairs to get to the metro or hopping in and out of cabs. In the fall and winter, jeans are a great option, while in the spring and summer, you could opt for specific travel pants that are designed to handle lots of walking/activity.
Check out our newly revamped Stop Overpacking Ebook to always pack exactly what you need!
In the hotter months, you want to stick with lightweight pants, which makes the Athleta Endless Pants a top choice—they’re wrinkle-resistant and quick drying.
And while you may have envisioned yourself strutting down the sidewalks in stilettos as you see in fashion magazines, it’s not practical. In reality, you’ll be moving at a brisk pace to keep up with the flow of pedestrians who are smart enough to wear their walking shoes. It’s also strongly recommended to skip the sandals, as the city streets are rough and often very dirty.
Even your beauty routine should be practical and ready for anything. Be sure to moisturize a lot in the winter and wear ample sunscreen year-round!
To pack lightly is to use a capsule wardrobe, read our New York packing guide to know how to create one for this popular destination!
The Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Fashion Sneakers are perfectly chic and comfortable for all the walking NYC requires!
Wear Comfortable Shoes
One of the easiest ways to differentiate locals from tourists is their pace and confidence as they walk the streets. New Yorkers walk quickly and purposefully, so it’s important to choose shoes that’ll keep you comfortable mile after mile and allow you to keep up with the fast pace!
Because you’ll be pounding the pavement all day long in New York, choose styles that have cushioning, support, and a tough yet flexible sole.
For blustery New York weather, stick to waterproof boots, like these Sorel Emelie III Booties. They are an easy pull on style and have amazing traction!
You can always find New Yorkers in cute sneakers or the current trend in athletic shoes. You can pair your fashionable sneakers with anything from jeans to trousers to dresses! A cute pair will give you that effortless and easygoing look of the locals, whether dressed up or down.
If you’re traveling in the cooler months, some edgy leather ankle boots are perfect. And for a fun night out, take a note from the locals by packing cute leather ballet flats or some sleek loafers so you can stroll around with comfort.
For more help, check out the best shoes to wear for NYC, or review our ultimate guide to travel shoes.
The Lo & Sons Pearl Crossbody is a sleek leather accessory that has tons of organization and even converts into typical shoulder bag or larger clutch.
Choose Statement Accessories
While chic basics and simple outfits are a go-to with the locals, statement accessories are the best way to add some fun to your look! New York fashionistas always finish off their outfits with a great bag, fabulous sunglasses, or some chunky jewelry.
If you’re looking for some fun pieces to add to your fashion arsenal, consider an edgy moto jacket, a chic leather bag, or some oversized earrings. In the winter, add a pop of color to your outfits with a bright scarf or beanie! Even a bold red lip is a cute way to finish off your look.
Check out our ultimate guide to travel accessories for more information!
The Zestt Organics Dreamsoft Travel Scarf is comfy but also flattering and cute! It’s the perfect companion for staying warm in the evenings or wearing as a typical scarf around your neck!
While bold accessories are a perfect way to dress for New York, try to stay away from overly flashy accessories, as you don’t want to make yourself a target for theft.
Just wear things that aren’t easy to remove, like post-back earrings, and stay away from wearing watches or loose bracelets.
Use slim packing cubes to save space in your suitcase and travel carry-on only.
Native New Yorkers love their trench jackets, so blend in by donning this chic Quince Short Trench. It’s stretchy and is also water-resistant!
Dress for the Weather
Although NYC is one of the fashion capitals of the world, most locals dress for the weather rather than for high fashion. New Yorkers know how to dress in each season, so if you want to take some fashion inspiration from the locals, bringing weather-appropriate clothing is an important step!
Summer in the city is very hot and extremely humid, so wearing loose, lightweight fabric will have you fitting in with the locals who are trying to keep cool. Locals also know that even though it’s hot, lightweight and protective sneakers or flats are a more practical option than sandals.
The Lands’ End Wanderweight Packable Down Coat is easy to squeeze down into a suitcase and the 600 fill power will keep you toasty in NYC~
When it comes to the wintertime, many travelers might not be used to such freezing temperatures and either opt for bulky layers or simply freeze during their trip! But locals know that the key to staying warm in the winter is with lightweight yet insulating layers. Be sure to pack thermal underwear or silk thermal layers and cashmere or merino wool sweaters.
You’ll also need a waterproof down coat that isn’t too heavy but has plenty of insulation, and don’t forget your hat, gloves, scarf! Choose something that’s easy to carry as you hop in and out of trains and taxis, and that you can pull off easily when you sit down at crowded restaurants or tight theater seats. Sturdy waterproof boots are another major essential, especially because the streets get very slippery as soon as it rains or snows.
Learn the ins and outs of coats in our winter jackets guide, or find out what are the best summer jackets.
A popular black item is the Quince Crewneck Cashmere Sweater which is soft and warm for colder months, and an ultimate basic!
Pile on the Black
When in doubt, pack black! New Yorkers are notorious for dressing in black head to toe year-round, as it’s flattering and so easy to style.
While the city is vibrant and full of colorful outfits, you can truly never go wrong with adding black (or dark) clothing into your capsule wardrobe.
A great black choice for spring or summer in NYC, the J.Crew Gwyneth Slip Skirt is chic, soft, and can be dressed up or down.
While every piece certainly doesn’t need to be black, adding a few staple pieces to your capsule wardrobe will make styling easy and will give you that simple yet edgy look of a true New Yorker.
Black pants, black skirt, or a black dress are great staples that you can wear casually during the day and are easy to dress up by night. A simple black t-shirt or button down is another timeless piece that you can wear with anything. Finish off your look with some black leather boots and a black crossbody purse!
Though a higher price point, this AllSaints Dalby Leather Jacket is an edgy, modern choice that will add pizazz to your NYC capsule wardrobe.
Invest in High-Quality Pieces
One of the ways that New Yorkers attain their effortlessly stylish flair is with the help of high-quality and timeless pieces that instantly elevate their outfits and will forever be in style.
So if you’re looking to emulate that classic New York street style, consider investing in some quality jackets, bags, and shoes that will surpass trends and last forever.
A total investment piece, but worth it, the Tumi Tyler Crossbody Purse has gorgeous hardware, but is sleek nylon, so it’s both stylish and durable!
Mixing and matching designer pieces with casual or eclectic clothing is a great fashion technique to borrow from the locals! New York street style is all about fun combinations and mixing fashion with practicality.
Quality leather jackets, trench coats, and wool coats are commonly seen in NYC. Chic cross body purses, and sling bags made of faux or real leather will elevate your look and fit in perfectly with the local style!
What are your tips on how to dress like a New Yorker? Share and comment below!
For more North America packing tips, please read:
Suggested travel resources:
LIKED THIS POST? PIN THIS PIC TO SAVE IT!
I hope you liked this article on how to dress like a New Yorker. Share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
PS
I apologize for my spelling errors. Hadn’t had my coffee yet.
Interesting ideas. Great wats to work with and around. To dress for NYC like these ideas are good in autumns. But a big beware if you’re going to NYC in the winter. And summer is the very opposite. Winters can be very cold, and more than that. They can be raw, with super high biting cold winds whipping through and streets and sidewalks can be so messy. So cute shoes, be careful. Be Practical, wear serious non-slip soled waterproof shoes or boots. Thats a must.
If you’re attending some major function then fine for cute shoes, just grab an uber or cab and get dropped off door to door. If your taking walking it, or taking the subway then pack your cute stuff and change out when you arrive. Otherwise your cute shoes will no longer be cute, but a wreck. As could the lower part of any pant worn. Sidewalks and streets can really be a challenging mess of slush and grime in wet, snowy winters. And its no joke to need a seriously warm coat, and a hat that will not get blown off of your head. And a warm scarf, gloves. I wear a very long coat or jacket in the winter, one with a faux trimmed hood to cut off the wind from my face. The sharp freezing winds wind through the streets and the tall buildings making the winds worse. And I’m used to freezing cold winters but only with dressing properly.
Wearing black is the easiest way to hide and/or rub off any of the mess from being out on winter days.
Headed to NYC for my birthday in 2 months. This gave me some great ideas!
What about an average 11 year old NYCer?
Hi Esperanza, thank you for reaching out! You may find this article useful: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/surviving-family-travel-with-teens/ To get the best advice and help with your question, I would highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post your question there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ Its a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share their advice and travel tips and I am sure one of our female adventurers might be able to help you. Sorry I could not have been of more help. Have an awesome trip to New York!!