New York and Boston next week- what to wear?

[KnobJockey]

Hi!

I'm travelling to the states on Sunday and need to pack my case for 3 nights in Boston followed by 4 nights in New York. What shall I pack?

I have read multiple threads about this but they all seem to be winter based. I have taken heed about shoes, and I have Clarks Corsio Calm sandals already broken in, and I've bought some skechers go walk 4 in Navy with the white sole.

I'm struggling with whether to take nicer dresses that I feel nice in, but might not be the best for walking all day, or shorts and vests that are comfy but I don't feel particularly trendy in.

Hopefully we'll manage a night out- what do you wear to go out drinking in New York? Dress? Jeans and a nice top? Flats or heels?

Help me please!

Sorry I know that's not helpful on the style front

Wow, loads of responses, normally threads die when I ask a question!

We are actually really unorganised and apart from flights, accomodation and the football game, we have nothing planned. My partner had a big birthday 2 weeks ago, so it was booked as a surprise for him, and we haven't actually had time to sit and plan anything yet!

On our list of like to do:
Highline walk, ferry, Boston food market, freedom trail, grand central, Chelsea market. Actually, looking at that, with the football game and cape cod trip, that's just over one per day so we might actually achieve that, with a lot of walking around too of course! We enjoy just walking, getting lost and eating food, with a bit of shopping thrown in, so we're not too hard to please!

@hellotoyellow thanks, that is actually really helpful! I've got a better idea now, and lots of stuff that will work in Boston, but I'll maybe try and grab a couple more lightweight things for NY days.

I'm very excited at the thought of Quincy Market and the food stalls!

@FantailsFly hearing so many good things about the highline! I think we will avoid the open top bus, although I'm not looking forward to the heat in the Subway either. Even without style advice, it's good to know what others did. What did you wear for your trip, and did you get changed to go out for dinner/ drinks?

Not really helpful as we went in December but we didn't get changed. We wore jeans most days I wore a nice jumper dh just t-shirts and we went out for dinner like that. Everywhere is so busy nobody cares. Unless you go somewhere posh obvs.

@TomHardysNextWife so leave about 2 hours for getting to the airport? We fly home on the Sunday 5pm ish, I'll take a guess that will be busy time.

You are staying right in the North End in Boston, there are loads of Italian restaurants round there. You can’t really go wrong in any of them. Remember that portion sizes are enormous so don’t expect to eat a three course meal unless you share. We always share an appetiser then have a main each, never get to pudding! Boston is quite casual, we were out at one of the nicer north end restaurants a couple of weeks ago and I wore white wide legged trousers and a linen top and was probably at the dressier end of what was being worn. There are smart restaurants in town but I would still say it’s less dressy than the U.K. Wave to me, we live in the tower block above North Station (if you want really cheap eats go to Tasty Burger in our basement!). I find Qunincy Market a bit tacky if I’m honest. Definitely worth going up the Prudential tower and have a look round Eataly in the shopping centre while you’re there. The Duck tour is fun and will rest your weary feet! The underground is easy to use as well.

In NY we showered and changed in the afternoon, our hotel was very central and it was easy to organise it that way. I loved the area around Washington Square, also Battery Park (statue of Liberty views, didn't take the ferry) and Wall St. The Met was an oasis of coolness after a long stroll in Central Park. Loved looking at the old style mansions in Upper East side. The bagels. Taxis are cheap and the subway -not called the Metro, that was Washington which was very humid too in case anyone is interested! - is excellent when you are in the actual train, the platforms get all the hot air. Tried to cross Brooklyn bridge but gave up because of the heat. I wish we'd gone by subway though, as I wanted to see Dumbo, the Brooklyn promenade and try the pizza at Julianna's.

Thanks for starting this thread. We have a list including lots of places mentioned: central park, the met, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Ground Zero, high line, staten island ferry, coney island, grand central station, washington park square.... we have 7 days so going to be busy. Replanning my packing now too. Have a wonderful time.

Fantails, going to take your suggestion for ferry to DUMBO. Inspirational

Knee length dresses and wide Leg trousers.

Zzz Are you all 80?

And your suggestions are ... ?

I go Thurs with DH - was my birthday present and fly back Tuesday - am ever so slightly excited.

@PouchofDouglas I'm very open to suggestions! As much as I'd love to walk about in mini dresses and tiny shorts, my thighs unfortunately aren't quite up to it at the minute.

@Chemenger sounds like I'll be right in your doorstep! Thank you to you and @SeaToSki very much for the Boston tips on here, it's most appreciated- you can find lots about New York, but nowhere near as much about Boston, so it's very helpful. And very handy to know it's so casual there! Is it cool enough for jeans on an evening or staying in your shorts weather?

@Eve I'm so excited now you wouldn't believe!

I'm currently forgetting the outfits, and shopping for a travel kettle to take with me instead. We went to LA earlier this year, and our first stop was to buy a kettle and milk from Target to keep on top of my tea fix. Think I'm actually 83, not 33!

I go Thursday too @Eve! V excited... I visit at least once a year and am taking my best friend this time.

Op, if you like comedy the Comedy Cellar is brilliant. Always lots of celeb comedians dropping in to try their new stuff. Try and make it to a rooftop bar in Williamsburg for the views over Manhattan - westlight is lovely. Russ and daughters for the best bagels, Brooklyn Winery/Brooklyn brewery (both in W'burg) are both great to visit. On Saturdays Williamsburg has smorgasburg, it's the largest open air market in America.

If you fancy an upmarket meal, the restaurant at the Central Park boating lake is lovely. Grand central station is beautiful but I found the oyster bar smelly and oppressive (its underground). You're better to book as many of your meals as possible to avoid disappointment or a long wait.
In terms of clothing anything really does go. I prefer floaty dresses with pretty but comfy shoes, and if you want to dress up at night you won't feel out of place. I dress there similarly for how I dressed for our heatwave! You don't often need a jacket at night.

thank you @wegotthis, the trip is my big birthday present and its the 1st time with no kids for nearly 20 years!! we have 2 nights near time square, 2 in Brooklyn.

Booked a table at bar 64 in the rockfellar centre, but no other bookings yet.

Did post this thread, but no replies - can those of you in the know recommend anywhere? Plan is to stroll, eat/drink and absorb the atmosphere..

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_advice_tips/3341165-New-York-best-area-for-strolling-round-independent-shops

I’m in the U.K. right now, I was in Boston in July and it was too hot for jeans in the evening. Take an umbrella though, there are thunderstorms quite frequently and it really rains. Wide leg trousers may be only for grannies but they are very comfortable for walking round hot humid cities! Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, nobody will bat an eyelid, whatever shape or size you are. The same is true on the beach, anything goes. I wouldn’t go as far as they do in Times Square and just wear body paint though!

@Eve you will have a BALL!!! I used to work for a US company and am addicted to the city.

An area good for what you're after would be Greenwich Village and soho... lots of lovely streets to get lost in, independent stores, cool bars and great coffee. The Brownstones in the Village are great for a bit of house porn and the whole area is a hotbed of people watching, too.

What kind of food are you in to? There are so many restaurants to choose from... the Yelp app is good as it's used by so many New Yorkers and you can see ratings of places near you really easily. Also make sure you have Uber set up on your phone - much cheaper than yellow cabs (though you have to get at least one of these just because it's a yellow cab!!)

This is such a helpful thread, thank you!

What should I wear when I head out for cocktails? Is it dress up to the 9s dress and heels, or nice top and trousers? And if we decide to embrace our dying youth, any late opening bar/ club recommendations?

@Eve that's a very good idea about booking a table there for cocktails! Will you post to tell me how it was? You get back (I think) just before we reach NY on Wednesday night.

@KnobJockey it depends which area you are going out in - Upper East and West and Midtown is quite classically dressy, downtown is a bit trendier (and not as dressed up). There are literally HUNDREDS of bars that are opened late, it's quite european in that lots of places don't seem to 'get going' til about 11pm.

If you get a kettle, make sure it will work on 110v. Some hotel rooms have coffee makers and you can kind of make a cup of tea with them, but it always tastes faintly coffee ish. I have a travel kettle and its wonderful.