Week in NYC .....what to wear?

[Shitton]

Hi I am travelling to NYC with Dp for a week, I have never been so no idea on dress code. I am not to concerned with day time wear but would really appreciate some help with ideas on evening outfits for nice meals out and maybe a few cocktail bars. I am a 42 yr old size 12 pear. Would love any suggestions thanks

[AlternativeTentacles]

Hi. It never crossed my mind to wear anything other than what I would wear to the same type of event in the uk. So wear clothes that would would wear to any normal restaurant, and cocktail bar.

[Oly4]

I agree with the above. New York is no more hip than London. So nice tops and smart jeans, dresses for rooftop bars. American women are often fastidious about manicures and pedicures so consider those

[Gillybobs]

Agree, same clothes as here but impeccable grooming!

[SenecaFalls]

And no opaque tights.

[base9]

I would forget to pack my clothes and be forced to head straight for Macys. You cannot be expected to decide what you need to wear until you get there and have a look around...

[Shitton]

Grooming is not my forte, oh bugger. Like your thinking base9. Thank you all

[SenecaFalls]

If you want to treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure, there are nail bars everywhere, and they are cheap.

[misssmilla1]

I live in NYC (English by birth though) In my experience, unless you're going to cutting edge bars and openings peoples' fashion sense tends to be a bit more conservative or classic compared to the UK and Europe.

The yanks generally tend to play it safe on the fashion front; upscale restaurants and bars people will make an effort but they don't dress for dinner in the black tie sense. Women are still very in to big bouffant blow drys for hair, fashion is usually a dress of some sort and sky high heels are impractical unless you cab it everywhere as the pavements and roads are currently lethal due to potholes.

I dress a lot like I'm still in the UK, and get a lot of comments for it. I wear a lot of Ted Baker (which I wouldn't consider to be particularly out there tbh) and Reiss and I do tend to look different to most people.

If you're eating anywhere posh and your DP is male, check the dress code as lots of the top end restaurants insist on a jacket or ties for guys

Also check the weather, yesterday it was 24, tomorrow its 14, but next week it'll be 29. Not sure if that might influence what you pack!

[misssmilla1]

Oh, and if you get stuck head to Century 21 downtown. Biggest discount / outlet style store in the city and 4 floors of women's wear.

and yy to the mani / pedi. Probably set you back less than $40 for the whole thing, including tip, and you won't need to book, just rock up and walk in. There's also blow dry bars everywhere if you get stuck

[AlternativeTentacles]

American women are often fastidious about manicures and pedicures so consider those

That's great for them but you do not have to have impeccable grooming to go into New York bars and restaurants! You can just go with your normal hair and nails and still have a jolly good time.

[Oly4]

Of course you can go with normal nails! But if the OP wants tips on what to wear/look like in NYC, then manicures and pedicures are more common than here I would say (because they are cheap). OP, if you wear a sack you can't fail to have a great time in such a fabulous city

[Shitton]

Thank you misssmila1 really useful info. It maybe a good excuse for a bit of pampering. Ok so sounds like I don't have to worry to much. Maybe get a jacket yo wear of an eveninh if the temp drops. Any ideas?

[LikeASoulWithoutAMind]

Main thing actually is comfortable shoes for walking. For some reason you always seem to end up walking miles and miles in NYC, much further than in any other city ime

[FrugalFashionista]

Grooming varies - if you are in the hipster hubs in Williamsburg or Bushwick or academic/crunchy UWS /Morningside Heights, you can be very casual in restaurants and nobody cares, and a sleeve tattoo or a full beard is a plus In the brainier areas everyone seems to wear faded and slightly tatty navy sweatshirts. What I have always loved about this city is that you can look whatever you fancy and still fit in.

Pay attention to the weather forecast, when I lived there the weather was often extreme, good shoes are a must. I wore heels a lot before moving to New York, but ever since I have loved comfy flats and rubber soles.