Another Manhattan thread - Page 4

binx · 11-03-2009, 11:47 AM

Next question! We leave on Saturday. Weather.com says highs in 50s, lows around 45. I only want to take one jacket - trying to make do with a carryon. I have a lot of outerwear, but nothing classic New York. I have a dressy, dark green long wool coat, but it is very warm, and I think too warm for these temps. Most of my other coats are more casual, and none are black (I hate black).

All you fashionistas, please plan my wardrobe!

I'm planning on taking black dress pants, comfortable black shoes. These, actually: Clarks Blackberry - Free Shipping

Are sneakers and jeans okay for the rest of the time, or do I need to be dressier all 4 days? I'm going to be walking a lot, and need to watch my knee, so sneakers are preferable!

What kind of tops? I get hot easily - but don't want to have to pack too much. I probably don't need to buy any, just need to know which to take.

Post links of suggestions! Whatever I can't beg, borrow, or steal, I may have to buy.

thumper1 · 11-03-2009, 12:16 PM

How about some kind of black jacket or blazer with a sweater to wear underneath.

worknprogress · 11-03-2009, 12:22 PM

I always think it feels a lot colder in NYC because the buildings shade the street so much. I also get hot easily, but I have a feeling you will need a warmer coat. Keep checkin on the weather and if there is any wind it will really feel cold.

I know you don't like black, but a pair of black jeans with more of a trouser cut with your shoes might work. Then I would just pack a variety of tops to use depending on weather, mood. I am big on white blouses with funky jewelry or scarves or t-necks.

I think when you plan on walking a lot, you have to work from the shoes - up.

northeastmom · 11-03-2009, 12:28 PM

I would definitely think of layering. Early mornings and later in the day/evening you may very well freeze in just a sweater, but with a lot of walking you might feel way too warm in a woolen coat, especially midday. I have pulled out a woolen jacket twice so far and I left it in my car as the day warmed up. I have a lightly lined leather jacket which I find perfect for this type of weather (warm enough, but I don't roast in it either).

Consolation · 11-03-2009, 12:36 PM

I was just in Manhattan for a day last week. We went to the Met, since we wanted to see the Vermeer exhibit. (Normally--especially with limited time--I would definitely opt for the Frick, which is just superb and probably has a higher average quality of painting than any museum anywhere. The Frick has two Vermeers of its own.) The big bonus turned out to be a special exhibit of paintings of American life at the Met. It was GREAT! Many famous and familiar works, many new to us. The exhibit notes next to each painting are fascinating. We wished we could have spent a lot more time with it.

Most public and private buildings are grossly overheated to my taste. I would take a wind/waterproof outer coat, mid thigh or preferably longer and thin layers underneath. I found that a crisp white shirt under a black raincoat with the lightweight additional lining put in was perfect, and so was a "twinset" consisting of lightweight knit tank and matching 3/4 sleeve cardigan. Both are probably considered spring weight, and can be dressed up or down with belt/jewelry. I am a notorious polar bear and very easily get overheated, so I tend to dress lightly year round. Having the wind-proof outer layer enables one to wear less underneath which makes going indoors bearable.

roshke · 11-03-2009, 01:03 PM

binx,

First off - really, don't worry. It's a big city, people don't much care what you are wearing, and you will see some of everything.

For daytime, I would think in terms of a couple of neutral colors you can mix and match for example- black, white, gray, jeans or tan bottoms. Layers such as cardigans are great. When I went to SF we had those kind of temps and I even made good use of a black lightweight zip up Northface fleece that I layered under a dressier quilted coat for touring around - worked great! Maybe bring a nice blazer that you can layer over jeans or dressier pants alike. For days of touring around, good comfortable shoes or boots- I'd avoid the athletic,boxy kind, but wear what you need to be comfortable. Jeans can be dressed up or down - dark wash and plain in a simple cut like boot cut or straight. Add a few accessories to mix and match. Scarves would be practical for when it's chillier. If you are in the market for a coat, you could do a versatile 3/4 trench coat or quilted coat. In terms of what tops, medium weight knits are good and pack well.

Have fun!

oldfort · 11-03-2009, 01:50 PM

binx - do you have light cashmere sweaters? They are very light and could be dressy or not. They are warm under light coat. When I travel to any city that's what I bring. They don't wrinkle. I also pack a few scarves to put over the light weight sweaters to add some colors. I think your shoes will be fine, they look comfortable.

mathmom · 11-03-2009, 02:06 PM

Yesterday I wore a fleece jacket. It was colder in the art gallery I was in, than it was outside! Usually when I'm aiming for some middle ground I wear something like this: Galway Jacket, Herringbone: Blazers and Jackets at L.L.Bean If you also have a scarf or shawl in case it's windy or gets cooler at night that's a bonus. You don't have to wear black. I like sweaters, but I think jackets and blazers work better as windbreakers.

mattmom · 11-03-2009, 02:14 PM

Casual is fine, and I think for most things jeans and sneakers are fine. I tend to wear jeans (or corduroys) and Mephistos in winter when I go to the city but that's an affectation on my part since I wear jeans and sneakers virtually all the time at home. Your black pants and shoes should be fine for the other times. Everyone seems to have given good advice.

A fleece jacket should work as outwear if you have one; otherwise a warm blazer--just remember to bring a soft warm scarf to keep your neck warm. NYC can be damp and windy so the scarf is helpful without being a full extra layer. But I agree that a real winter coat will be way too much for this weekends expected weather.

oldfort · 11-03-2009, 02:47 PM

I think they said light snow.

mattmom · 11-03-2009, 03:53 PM

oldfort, not for NYC--forecast is actually quite good--sunny/partly cloudy and in the 40s and 50s. Great walking/exploring weather, just right for the layers discussed by various posters

binx · 11-03-2009, 03:56 PM

Just back from a quick shopping trip. Tried on everything, bought nothing. Closest I came was at Marshalls - two coats I liked, and couldn't decide. One more-traditional black raincoat, mid-thigh length (except that I'm short, so it hit just above the knees), the other a wool peacoat, princess lines, that I liked a lot - and it was cheaper. Except that I wear a lot of longer tops that would probably stick out the bottom.

I could use a nice, medium weight coat, but I just can't find exactly the perfect thing.

I remember now why I don't own any blazers! Remember that triangle figure I mentioned earlier? Everything with enough flare to fit my hips has shoulders too wide and sleeves too long! Sweaters are much more forgiving.

intparent · 11-03-2009, 04:00 PM

I like to walk through the Met and fantasize about owning even ONE of many of the incredible items there. Every room has something in that I figure would pay off my mortgage AND 2 college tuitions if I could sell it...

mattmom · 11-03-2009, 04:02 PM

Do you have a fleece of some kind? Or a really warm cardigan? And a turtleneck if you have one you like. I really think that the forecast looks fairly mild and that two layers rather than one winter jacket will be fine--and much less bulky to carry around. Unless you are truly in rags, which seems very unlikely, I don't think your outerwear will matter. New York seems to have lost its formality and there are so many people around that you will see all ages wearing just about anything, from incredibly elegant to sweatpants.

Consolation · 11-03-2009, 04:15 PM

I actually have this in black, which looks a lot better in real life, although it is not high fashion by any means. If you take the hood off, the collar stands up, which looks a lot spiffier.

H2OFF DX Trench Coat, Mesh-Lined: Rain and Wind at L.L.Bean

The raglan sleeves make it easy to wear over blazers and sweaters, and solve the problem of your shoulder vs hip issue. Ultimately I would prefer some kind of really classic trenchcoat, but alas my Burberry was stolen years ago and I can't afford to replace it.