As a southern Californian, I am spoiled with sunshine and 70 degree weather all year long. Most of the year, shorts, sandals, and sun dresses are the norm. We quiver at the sound of 60 degree weather and rain makes us throw all traffic laws out the window. So when my friends and I were planning a trip to the Big Apple in December, the forecast showed something that was unheard of to us in Orange County—30 degrees with a chance of snow (cue spooky sound effects here).
I tetris’d as many winter wear items into my luggage as possible, but I still wasn’t prepared for the weather. The cold was one thing but the wind was a whole other. By the end of the trip, I was practically wearing my entire suitcase all at once. If you’re a warm-weather creature like I am and are planning a winter trip to NYC, be forewarned with these sweater weather packing tips.
Layer your layers with more layers. Seriously, be generous with your layers. Ladies, that means tank tops under shirts under cardigans under sweaters under coats, and leggings or thermals under jeans. Oh yeah, and throw on a wool scarf while you’re at it. If you have layers piled on, you will stay warm outdoors but still have the option of de-layering indoors. It’s win-win!
Squeeze hoods into your outfits. You may be looking on-point in that thin beige trench coat, but how cute will you be sprinting back to your hotel room? (I learned this from experience) In NYC, your body may be warm but your face will be cold if not properly covered. Sure, there are a number of fashionistas roaming the streets of the upper east side in a simple jacket, seemingly unaffected by the weather. They are New Yorkers and they’ve adapted. For you, it’s more important to make your outfits both functional and fashionable. Hoods are useful not just for the rain but also to keep you cozy from head to toe.
Don’t skimp on the umbrella. A cheap umbrella is no match for a combination of wind, rain, and snow. Trust me, I recently pulled a Mary Poppins across midtown and my umbrella broke my fall. Invest in a good, sturdy umbrella that can easily be opened and closed.
Glove love, it’s important. Pack some water-proof, thick, warm gloves. If you plan to navigate the city with your smartphone, be sure your gloves are also touch-screen friendly. Pop-top mitten gloves would also work well in these situations.
Your boots are made for walking…in NYC. Water resistant boots with good traction will help you track all over town safely and efficiently, and you’ll look good doing it. Nothing’s worse than wet, squishy shoes on vacation. Don’t forget to pack thick, high socks to go along with your boots as well. Got fuzzy socks? Even better.
New York City is one of the greatest cities in the world, and a personal favorite of mine. So much so that I swapped warm beaches for a cold concrete jungle just to experience it. I highly recommend that everyone take the time to explore Manhattan in the winter. Just be sure to get eskimo-ready for the chillingly amazing experience.
