packing for new york city









i didn't do a post on what i packed to new york before we left b/c honestly, i was a little afraid to.
i don't consider myself a style expert and i'm not a big city type.  i'm much more comfortable in the outdoors.  i was also sure that whatever i'd pack would be all wrong and i didn't want you guys to know just what a dork i really am.
i mean, i read the sartorialist too and i was totally intimidated thinking i'd look lame surrounded by all those stylish women that look like this...




well i'm here to report that i didn't see a single woman dressed in feathers or stilettos.
i did see quite a few women in fitted fatigue type jackets though, they really looked great with everything.  i'll be on the lookout for one now.


 i also saw lots of lightweight scarves and flip flops.  yep, flip flops.  everyone had them on.
  what i learned was that there was no reason at all to have been intimidated, apparently new yorkers are regular people.


so on to what i packed and why...


we were not going anywhere fancy and we would be on our feet the whole time and the main thing i wanted to avoid was blisters.  i once got a blister in san francisco after walking for 20 minutes and it about ruined my whole trip.  so the bar was set real high, a wardrobe that wouldn't cause blisters.  


you can see just about everything i packed in just these 2 photos alone...










on the flight over i wore black skinny jeans
a white t and camel sweater with
my leopard loafers

i packed...

dark blue skinny jeans (purchased at a yardsale this summer for $1)
one black and one white vintage t shirt (old navy)
chambray shirt
american apparel thermal
my little black dress that you can see here and here
black flat boots - (purchased at the beginning of summer from the gw for $12)
moccasins - a lifesaver!
black kitten heels 
j. crew icon trench
black tights


that's it.
i swapped the blue, black, white and camel around all weekend.

i could wear the kitten heels with the skinny jeans for the jack white shows and with the lbd for sunday service or if we were to go somewhere fancy for dinner (which we did not.)
we mostly ate at deli's and pubs.

the chambray shirt looks great with black jeans and regular blue jeans.
the t shirts could be layered under the chambray if needed.
because our hotel was so centrally located i could pop in and swap my loafers for the moccasins and i think this is what saved my feet from blisters.  larry carried a backpack wherever we went so i didn't have to worry about a handbag, which was nice.

i'm sorry i didn't take more photos of what i was wearing but you've seen me in these clothes a million times.

one million + 1


i never once felt out of place or under dressed.
i packed about 11 items and it did the trick.
i know i won't win any fashion awards but i am still waiting for someone to pin a gold star on me for packing lightly.


xo





48 comments

  1. Love the bag on your bed. Did everything fit in this? Love your blog, too, Janet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Flip flops in NYC? I'm quite shocked by that! You look your usual effortlessly chic self.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just found your blog and love it! Great pics and you are adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  4. If your feet hurt, it truly doesn't matter what you wear...it's the ultimate consideration. Your travel wardrobe was ideal. The intention was to enjoy the city and focus on the experience, not wind up being photographed by Bill Cunningham. I prefer your wardrobe and I'm betting you won many appreciative glances from natives and fellow travelers alike. The dorks are the ones in sweats, sneakers, and sullen attitudes!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think you look amazing. Chic is chic as far as I am concerned! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gold Star for packing perfectly and Double that for looking fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow. You are truly my inspiration for packing light on my next trip. I like how you just stick with classics so you can mix and match everything! So clever and much less stressful. Glad you enjoyed your getaway.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Do you mean everything (ie all clothes, shoes, makeup etc) fit the bag on your bed? If so, WOW amazing! Love this post and your blog!

    I assumed the tote on your bed was just your carry on for wallet, magazine, umbrella, water, lipstick that sort of thing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha debbie. yes, everything fit in the weekender bag. really not much had to go in. i roll my clothes when i pack so they fit really well in small spaces. my boots were on the bottom and i just went from there. it was and easy fit.

      Delete
  9. As a native NYer, I can safely say that all you really needed was black, more black and a touch of black, LOL. Your choices were great! My fave walking everywhere shoe is made by Jambu. Great support, super comfy, and chic design. Worth every penny.

    Minimalism is such s freeing attitude and way of life-as one pares down material items, it opens up more emotional connections/ability to engage in life. That rocks.

    I have a chambray shirt that has to be twenty years old now.
    Every time I think I should Goodwill it, I think nah, it's kinda classic, it will be fine ...and it is.

    So did you see the JW show that had him leaving in a snit? Or were you lucky enough to see a different one? Glad you had a good time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are so NOT a DORK!

    I love your style and you look great in all your clothes, you are such a gorgeous gal Janet and I mean that sincerely.
    I have a suspicion that you are comfortable in your own skin and dress honestly to reflect the inner you.

    Am sending you a very shiny gold star for packing light and looking great!
    Your NY experience has me green with envy.

    Hugs,
    Hostess
    XO

    ReplyDelete
  11. Susan can you tell me which style Jambu you like? Thank you! I would love to find a stylish but comfy walking shoe!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Well, you look fabulous and I have not bought a single thing for ever and I am heading out and investing in black skinny jeans because I can see they would be a life saver in many situations ... as far as wardrobe is concerned that is.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for doing this post. You looked great and I would love to offer you the gold star for packing lightly! I make a point to minimize what I take when traveling. For me it enhances the trip when I do not have to drag around a lot of unnecessary things. It is so good to hear your trip was such fun for you and your husband.

    ReplyDelete
  14. You get multiple gold stars! Well done! It is refreshing to realize that we actually need very little to look stylish and we don;t need the 'investment' $200 t-shirts to look and feel great. Were you finding vegan eating easy in NYC?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Do you have a favorite brand of black skinny jeans? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i did have a favorite brand but i'm pretty sure old navy has quit making them. i stumbled upon a pair at the thrift store and fell in love with them. they are old navy rockstar jeans but they are high-waisted. i don't see them on their website which is such a shame b/c they are so comfortable and fit so nicely. old navy wake up!

      Delete
    2. Yesterday I went to Old Navy and tried their sweetheart black jeans and they fit like a dream and are so comfortable. It made me wonder if that was the name of yours? I bought a pair and feel like I am wearing pajamas they are so comfy. Thanks for the suggestion about ON black jeans!

      Delete
  16. Your NY wardrobe is totally chic. My brother lives there & I find it very similar to London, style-wise. Quite relaxed, and comfy shoes are a necessity!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your NY outfit! You will look great Janet. Wish you lots of fun!

    Madelief x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yes, I'm interested too - how did the vegan diet go on your trip? Outside the home is where I falter :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi anna. well vegan was hard. mostly b/c we were meeting other people and the restaurants chosen really didn't have vegan options. i did my best though. i did have some pretty fabulous veggie chili at one pub and a couple of great sandwiches but overall i'd say it was hard. every street corner has a bbq going full of ribs and tri-tips and chicken. i didn't see any tofu. haha.

      Delete
  19. Gold star most definitely awarded! You always look so casually elegant, your are my fashion hero!
    Sincerely,
    Miranda
    SF Bay Area

    ReplyDelete
  20. you look chic and gorgeous- I ALWAYS over pack!!!!! I had vegetarians for dinner last night and made so many attractive salad arrangements, you could've eaten so much of it all x

    ReplyDelete
  21. great post! you look fab as always. i love nyc, anything goes there. i am soooo impressed that you packed 11 items - wow, gold star(s) for sure! you rock. thanks for a fun post.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Did you wear sunglasses? I think you might be wearing them in the Ralph Lauren pic. You look cool either way xo

    ReplyDelete
  23. oh you are funny! what a great read - love your style and sense of humor.
    Beautiful inside and out.
    And you looked fabulous and had a great time....what more could you ask for?

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a fun post and you looked fabulous in NYC- so chic!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I think you did great! The last time my girl friend and I went on a 5 day cruise, we only took one carry on bag each...that's it! Not only was it practical and we didn't have to worry about lost luggage on a flight, but we still looked great and could pack and unpack in a matter of minutes.

    ReplyDelete
  26. You did brilliantly, you looked gorgeous and even the bag you travelled with was chic and classy! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  27. The East Coast lives in flip flops. if you're in your 20'sand under you wear them even when it'scold out.

    minus the trench coat this is totally how I dress. You just look better in it!

    Did I miss where the bag came from?

    xo jane

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love your weekender bag! Light luggage and you carry no unnecessary things...

    ReplyDelete
  29. I lived in NYC for 6 years and go there about 3-4 times a year now. The street fashion has changed a lot, it is way more casual than it used to be. I live in LA, and only pack (depending on the weather), some warmer versions of what I wear here. Jeans, and black jeans. You looked perfect for NY, and now have me wanting to go to Harlem and see the Royal Tennebaum house next time I'm there!

    ReplyDelete
  30. You always say you don't have style but I totally disagree. I LOVE your look and your 'less is more' attitude. I have copied quite a few outfits from you and plan on running over at lunch to pick up those cute moccasins. So keep on with you bad ass self..I love it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. You look so fab with so few items. It hit me that they have to be just the right items- as in, that chambray shirt looks perfect on you, the black jeans-perfect, the boots are luscious and on.... So two gold stars from me: one for light packing, one for finding (and holding onto) just the right piece that is a 10 on you.

    And so glad to be brought down to reality about NY. My daughter is there now and I've had free floating anxiety about what on earth will I wear when I visit? Will I embarrass her? Do I need new clothes? I think if I copy your packing list, I'll be fine. (And yes, I do need some new clothes.)

    ReplyDelete
  32. You always look great. No more writing "dork" and "lame" on your photos. You are anything but.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed! But I do have to say I cracked up when I saw it. You are a kid at heart and your writing makes me smile:)

      Delete
  33. Janet,
    As always, you look fabulous! You are my go to for fashion advice which is why I was hoping (and asking) for a post on what you packed. You are my go to gal for fashion advice on just about everything, including but not limited to packing for a weekend trip. My sister was here the same weekend and she kept saying, "why do I pack all this stuff? I pretty much wear just a few things...over and over." It's true...as you have demonstrated so beautifully here.
    xo
    annie

    ReplyDelete
  34. You certainly get a gold star from me. I live on Long Island, a suburb of New York, and I can tell you that your clothing fit right in. When I go into the city I wear layers, as it can be cold outside when you walk around, then if you are inside you get too warm. And comfortable shoes are a must. Business attire is a bit more formal in New York, but for everyday wear it's all the same. I'm a light packer myself. Glad you had a good time and the photos were great.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I agree with all of these comments, Janet. You look classic and chic. I love that you can pack that one bag. I am using your example of how it is possible when I head out on a girls trip next month. I always over pack and it is such a waste of precious freedom.

    Your mention of The Sartorialist reminded me of a funny story. When I was in NYC last November, my husband and I were walking down the sidewalk in SoHo when I gasped and said out loud, 'There's Scott Schuman'! He was on his bike with camera slung around his neck--glanced back and then started pedaling away. (Apparently, I wasn't fit to photographed-LOL!) And of course, hubby was like--who? Wondering how the hell I knew this person. I knew I had a lot of explaining when I realized I had to start by defining what a blog about street style even was..I can tell you, my husband was pretty over it after about 5 minutes:)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I thought you looked effortlessly chic. Perfect. I like that look. Very thoughtful in a low key way. Far more interesting than someone trying way too hard!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Unless you're going into Trump's boardroom, your choices were perfect for a weekend or for 6 weeks. Absolutely perfect!
    So glad you had a great time.
    xoxo, Chris

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love "Larry carried a backpack" so you did not have to carry a purse. How worry free.
    love love love it. are you gone girl....wish i knew you were coming. I would have welcomed you barefoot.
    pve

    ReplyDelete
  39. Well, I for one love your classic choices....I think you are very stylish....Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  40. Yes, GOLD Stars all round for your packing choices and for tripping so lightly!! I hope you had a wonderful time there!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. You looked great in all your NYC outfits. You look really great in your chambray shirt and black jeans. wish I could dress like that, but it doesn't work for me right now. I hope you enjoyed your trip. New Yorkers are for the most part regular people. And many of us who don't live in New York City!

    ReplyDelete

kindness is never out of style.

Back to Top