<p>Missy, would this size fit your criteria? I think it is just big enough for all of the abovementioned essentials without looking too tempting to others to tey to stuff their things in it.</p>
<p><a href=“Michael michael kors kempton small tote black nylon + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com”>http://m.zappos.com/michael-michael-kors-kempton-small-tote-black-nylon</a></p>
<p>Yes, I like that one Bunsen! Despite saying I won’t buy anything new, I do think I’ll shop a bit for a tote (that I can use for many occasions.)</p>
<p>To see totes in person, I recommend TJMaxx (or Nordstrom Rack) - was just at one this weekend and there were many designer totes there for under $100 - I like being able to see them in person - feel them, check out the pockets, length of strap, etc. Plus ordering online you need to make sure that the ordering and possible returning process can all happen before your trip. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Baggallini-Luggage-Duet-Tote-Orchid/dp/B00AKTKXNU/ref=sr_1_52?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1396372495&sr=1-52”>http://www.amazon.com/Baggallini-Luggage-Duet-Tote-Orchid/dp/B00AKTKXNU/ref=sr_1_52?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1396372495&sr=1-52</a></p>
<p>Not as stylish, perhaps, as the Michael Kors bag which I like a lot…but what about this one?</p>
<p>At the moment in midtown Manhattan it is sunny and mid-fifties. I am at my desk and wearing a skirt with tights and boots without a heel, very comfortable for walking. Was in the high thirties this morning and so still wearing a short winter jacket and gloves. It is supposed to be rainy again and in the 40’s on Friday, but not like the torrential downpour last weekend. If I was coming to NY next week I would bring either a raincoat that I could layer or a leather jacket that I could layer, not necessarily my winter jacket because if we do get some nice springlike weather and you are out walking alot, you would be too hot. I personally think that I’ll be wearing boots through the end of the month. I walk around NYC quite a lot on weekends and I never wear sneakers.</p>
<p>I think your tall boots with skinny jeans would be fine, especially if the boots are ones in which you can walk comfortably. </p>
<p>I like quite a few of the Baggallinis. (Resisting temptation to leave work and go shopping right now.)</p>
<p>This discussion made me think of the old days when one had to dress appropriately for air travel. Now anything goes, and the same applies to any big US city.</p>
<p>My D attends grad school in NYC and I frequently visit from our home in the suburbs. If we’re seeing a play, going out to a nice restaurant, or just shopping and hanging out, I wear whatever I’d wear for those same activities at home. You’ll see every variety of clothing and styles on the streets of Manhattan–for example womens’ feet will be in athletic sneakers, ballet flats, high fashion boots, and flip flops (even mid-winter). Once you’ve identified proper footwear for extensive walking and the right layers for this in-between season (all the above suggestions are great), just pack your normal attire and don’t give it a second thought. There are thousands of people at every venue in NYC. Not one of them will notice the color of your jeans, and no matter what you wear you’ll find a ton of people who’ll make you feel like you’re at the height of fashion and just as many who’ll make you feel like a suburban “toad”. At a typical Broadway show, the person on one side of you will have ripped jeans and spiked hair and the person on the other side will look like she just stepped out of the pages of Vogue. Just be yourself, and have a great time.</p>
<p>Funny, when I’ve been to NYC on business, I have refused to even consider altering anything I would normally wear to work. Sort of “I’m a Dallas lawyer and this is how WE roll.” For some reason, it feels different as a tourist.</p>
<p>Anyway, final vote for tops: (a) black, (b) pastels, © brights. (I don’t own prints so prints aren’t in the running.)</p>
<p>I have been thinking about this thread (have to admit I am not caught up reading all the replies). I have lived in the tri-state area my entire life, I have worked in NYC and visit NYC regularly. The beauty of NYC is the diversity - I can’t think of anything you could wear that would make you stick out (maybe a final fantasy cosplay outfit) - you will see everything and anything on people in the city - to me that is part of the charm!</p>
<p>In general, what stands out in NYC is more about what people do then what they wear. You see people wearing everything, young women wearing high fashion boots with impossible heels and designer dresses next to a young woman wearing jeans and a sweater that look lived in; you see men wearing high powered suits, and men who look like me, about as far from hip or fashionista as you could want (jeans, a dress shirt and hiking boots make 15 hour days more comfortable:). What usually distinguishes tourists is more the way they act, standing in a clump in the middle of the sidewalk is a big no no (I used to work literally in times square on the corner of 42nd and 7th, drove us nuts), or saying things in the middle of times square like “ooh, look, a red lobster” or “Ooh, the olive garden, I love Italian food” when there are about 10 great Italian restaurants within about a 4 block square area of there. Pointing at something in NYC and squealing “ooh, Samantha [From Sex in the City] used to go there”, or mentioning anything from Sex in the City, makes you into a tourist…(on the other and, mentioning Law and Order is okay, since every actor in NYC has appeared on it at least once, so that is okay:). </p>
<p>Wear what you feel comfortable in, and wear it with attitude, and you will be all set, and if someone looks at you funny jut out your chin, and say “you got a problem?”, and you will be fine. </p>
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<p>More likely I will be saying “I’m so sorry” as my high schoolers stand in clump on the side walk and point to Olive Garden.</p>
<p>I’m working to get my mom some comfortable black walking shoes that she can wear for walking around town and evening wear as well. Have ordered a slew of them from Zappos and will see which ones fit & return the rest. Am going to convince her to pair them with Thorlos, to avoid blisters and foot pain and see whether that makes life better for her and us.</p>
<p>Since I switched to comfortable walking shoes and Thorlos for my footwear 90% of the time, I no longer get blisters and my feet rarely get sore or tired. That would be my main and first concern about a trip to NY. Would start from there and move up. As long as the shoes and dark slacks look OK together, then I’d worry about whatever tops I want that would go with whatever layers I planned to wear with them (in my case, the jacket is black).</p>
<p>I agree that you don’t have to over think this one - people in NY wear anything and everything. The key is comfort in my opinion. If it were me, I would go with the skinny jeans with a nice leather belt and the driving shoes (tod’s are great, but you can get a similar style for less $ if need be). For outer wear I would go with an equestrian style quilted jacket. Perfect this time of year and looks great with or without a scarf. The tote is essential to carry an umbrella, water, phone and other necessities. </p>
<p>As a native New Yorker, I find this thread hilarious. </p>
<p>I was born and raised in New York City and also find this thread to be very amusing.</p>
<p>One more thought Missy. When I went on trips with my high schoolers, I was actually more concerned with NOT embarrassing my own kids with my outfits, than I was about those at my destination! </p>
<p>We were in NYC this past weekend. I agree with everyone about comfortable walking shoes being the most important item. As for color, dark colors more for hiding dirt than sophistication factor but I like bright clothes so I can be found in a crowd! Something I found really helpful was a good waterproof jacket. Umbrellas are a real PIA on crowded sidewalks. </p>
<p>I was in NY last weekend. I don’t remember anything anyone else wore. I had comfortable, waterproof low boots, and was very glad about that–it rained a lot and there were puddles everywhere. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t recommend a large pocketbook. If you plan to walk a lot, it can be cumbersome and annoying. When I travel and know that I will walk 5plus miles (and want to carry more than fits into a normal pocketbook), I will wear one of my kids old black knapsacks. While a fashionable large tote is great (and what I use at home), I don’t think its comfy for long walks. Traveling and walking is different than going to the theatre and dinner by cab.</p>
<p>FYI- Born and raised in Manhattan, too. I understand your concerns. It is always hard to figure out what to wear when you are traveling someplace new. </p>
<p>PS. I would still start with the shoes!</p>