Carry on New York (what to pack and what to buy there)

[Koloh]

I am unexpectedly going to live in New York for at least one month. I am not checking baggage (for reasons too complicated and personal to go in to here). So I need to pack my carry on case (the size is 45cm x 35cm x 20cm and under 2kg) with everything I need.

1. I figure I can just buy some multipack knickers and vests etc there but I will need to take my bras. Stipulated.
2. I am 38, 5'10, size 12/14, 32FF, hourglass, long bodied short legs, so MOST dresses do not work for me at all and I can only wear super high waist trousers (29" waist, 40" hips, 40" bust) and I am worried I just won't find clothes to fit me if I leave it all to when I get there.
3. I'll need to do conference calls daily so I will need some smart (UNSEXY) work stuff -- I'm in tech but not in fintech these days so I don't need a suit exactly.
4. It's always far too hot in NY apts so I can't really wear English autumn stuff like lovely cosy jumpers and wool/tweed/cords.

Help! Where to start? I am willing to buy a few pieces. I've bought a trench dress from All Saints which might do for going over thick tights? All Saints and older Me & Em (before they went all boxy) are two sort of reliable brands for my body shape. Happy to eBay/Vinted -- am often driven to it tbh.

Do I need a blazer/jacket? Is there an amazing multipurpose garment I can buy that you all know about? Please help me wise ones.

I’m not the best to advise on packing, I arrived to NY with flip flops and a cardigan, but there are a couple of All Saints stores in Manhattan.
And it’s New York, you can buy anything here, but hell, they do love their polyester.

Will you be able to take hold luggage coming back? (So if you buy stuff there you can take it home?)
When are you going - soon?
I’d wear my favourite/most practical coat (if you’re going soon then something like a trench coat which is perfect for autumn and can be dressed up or down) and wear my favourite trousers/jumper and then pack a couple of jumpers/tops that go with those trousers plus another pair of trousers. Then buy vests, a couple of thin long sleeve jumpers, knickers, Pjs there. Somewhere like UniQlo would be good to just stock up on basics and they have it in NY.

The best shopping I've found in New York (last there 3 or 4 years ago) was the consignment shops / dress agencies, and a lot of it was very high end/ designer barely worn business wear at very bargainous prices. If you're a standard size and assuming they're not going to work you 24/7 and you'll have some time for shopping, I'd be very temped to take minimal workwear (which is probably all you've space for anyway) then stock up once I'm there. It would also give you space to suss out dress codes which, from what I've seen and heard, are far more conservative than in the UK.

Good luck - sounds like an amazing opportunity!

I'm going next week. It's all a bit of a surprise!

I do know Manhattan ok I was last there a few months ago but I'm not very good at shopping and have never gone shopping there. I hate shopping in fact because I don't find the majority of clothes fit me so it just seems to take a really long time and mainly be a failure? I've got a carefully assembled wardrobe of particular clothes that actually cover my entire body (most tops don't reach down to my waist and most bottoms don't reach up to it) without looking terrible or feeling horrible against my skin -- I basically only wear silk, wool, cotton, linen, with a few jersey type fabrics on a case by case basis! This is why I end up wearing just loads of Toast and All Saints...I'd be happy to branch out.

If you have a consignment store you can recommend do let me know the name!

Ok I will wear my most beloved tweed trousers and a big floppy silk shirt and a pea coat I have that is ancient but was once quite smart and still quite warm and I might just leave there if it's superseded.

I had forgotten the Uniqlo -- there's one in the 50s I can get to quite easily.