Gekko

Tammi, of course in principle I agree with you. But we're not giving advice to natives. We're offering our wisdom to neophytes who want "to look the part." I don't feel comfortable suggesting to Liebelilly that they showcase their individual style on their 1st visit to Manhattan . . . until they master black.

And who do you know in the city that actually dresses like Carrie Bradshaw? It's homeless chic with designer labels, more a joke on us than a serious effort to move product (with a few notable exceptions, almost exclusively accessories, which we can discuss another time).

Liebelilly, unless there's feathers, neoprene, or leg warmers involved, you simply can't go wrong with black.

Okay, all together now, in unison (with echo): Black.

Lola

I happened to see someone dressed just like Carrie from Sex in the City two nights ago.
Of course, she was picking up men on the corner by the bus station, but she was decked out in a wonderful array of see through, colorful shoes and tops. I don't remember seeing any bottoms.
Gekko- Black

Leona

To quote what I thought was one of the funniest lines I ever heard on a sitcom, "Everyone in NY wears black - until something darker comes along"!

MFNYC

There have been many a December with spring-like weather, but in general, I would say 30-40s, certainly not cold like buffalo or windy like chicago. The building do generate heat, so even if there should be a little snow (highly unlikely), it general melts before it hist the sidewalk (unless it's very heavy).

It is fine to wear sneakers (but not to high end restaurants), look in the window of any trendy shoe store and half the shoes are sneakers. There are many fashionable (and comfortable) sneakers and shoes out there.

And yes, a woman can wear pants, most do. In general NYC is quite casual and colors other than black are acceptable (but stick to dark colors, especially with slacks). Radio City and Broadway theater, dress just has to me neat. I see people wearing blue jeans to theater all the time. Maybe not to a saturday night opera at lincoln center, but to a theater matinee, no problem. Even in high end restaurants, nice (dark) slacks are fine. Only a handful require jackets for men.

bennnie

For last weekend's trip to NYC, I packed all black. Black jacket, black suede jeans, black turtlenecks, black boots, black walking shoes, black dressier pants, black tote bag. Plus one spice colored jacket. Couldn't stand to be in black all weekend.

So Gekko did I get it right? Sure seemed like I did. But I have to say that I noticed a lot of dark brown too.

Gekko

Well done, Bennnie, you got it right! (Well, I haven't seen your spice colored jacket, but I'll presume that's a muted color and not a reference to the Spice Girls.)

Regarding the dark brown -- as I observed & opined in my original post, one will see much brown and gray in the City, but one must first master black before venturing out into the non-black universe. Perhaps you're ready on your next visit, perhaps not. We'll let you know.

Come back soon!

missjanna

Put it this way....I'm my office where the theme is business casual. I have on tan pants, a brown and tan shirt and black shoes. When I don't wear at least one item in black, I will stick to the naturals and basics. (tan, khaki, white, navy, brown, olive.)

What it boils down to is you can't go wrong with slacks / long skirt, boots and a nice blouse or a dress in black or neutral colors. One item in a bright color is fine, but make it a blouse or a dress or some accessory. Although I remember an episode of Sex and the City where Carrie argued with her boyfriend at the time that no NYC woman wears scrunchies in their hair unless they're going to the gym. LOL

bennnie

I once saw an episode of Oprah (must have been on maternity leave) where a "stylist" advised women to only wear clothes in a color that Mercedes used for their cars. Black, dark blue, beige, white and gray. Always struck me as funny but pretty darn good advice.

Gekko - the spice colored jacket probably would not have met with your approval (nor would the Mercedes stylist have approved). It was kind of a fall shade of peach. Probably a little too much for NYC but what the heck. Sometimes you just got to break the rules.

Anonymous

I stopped worrying about what to wear in New York when my tour guide from Big Apple Greeters, a retired career woman from the Upper East Side, showed up for the tour wearing orange shorts and low-top Converse sneakers.

Gekko

Fall shade of peach?!? Would that be a burnt nectarine, perhaps? You're frightening me, bennnie.

Always fun to break the rules . . . but then you must be willing to deal with the consequences. Incarceration. Banishment. Howling laughter.

Liebelilly, if you're still with us, I hope you get the picture. My job here is done.

djkbooks

One should not worry that, wearing ALL black, one will look "like everyone else".

Like Bennnie, who reported "For last weekend's trip to NYC, I packed all black. Black jacket, black suede jeans, black turtlenecks, black boots, black walking shoes, black dressier pants, black tote bag. Plus one spice colored jacket. Couldn't stand to be in black all weekend."

Almost no one sticks to ALL black.

However, when looking around in those "high end" restaurants, the most elegantly dressed lady will be wearing ALL black. (Sometimes, it's the hostess.)

GoTravel

Gekko wins the prize for most dead on accurate post.

Black rules.

Elizabeth

Re: dressing for the weather I am not sure anyone has taken good enough care of your feet.

To me warm feet and head is the most important thing, and to have warm feet the single most important thing is: thick rubber or, better, latex soles on your boots or walking shoes.

A lot of companies make these now. I'd pack short or higher boots, depending on wardrobe for the daytime, in black for sure -- leather or suede or nubuck is fine; and - most important SPRAY THEM with spray froma shoe repair sotre that makes them waterproof. 99% of the time this is adequate in relation to any snow or slush you'll have to deal with.

But no kidding: a layer of leather between your foot and the pavement really isn't enough for warmth (apart form the cushining benefit of rubber/latex).

Money to burn - check out Arche.

Scarlett

On the warm foot topic
There is a Canadian company that makes wonderful leather boots and shoes that are waterproofed, lined with either faux fur or flannel and are just about the warmest and most comfortable winter shoes you can find. They are also stylish and not that expensive..I know they are in Nordstroms, I think they are in Bloomingdales.

LoriNY

Scarlett,

Are you thinking of Le Canadienne. They are in Nordstroms as well as Lord and Taylor.

GoTravel

Scarlet, are talking about the ever so comfy (aptly named) Uggs?

JeanG

Ugg is an Australian company. I love Ugg boots! I wear them almost anywhere all winter long. It's true a good pair of boots like that goes a long way toward keeping you warm. Get them in black of course.

nigelsmom

Hey:

As a woman who goes to work and lives in on the tiny island of Manhattan here are a few winter tips:

December: Dress coat should be black wool or black down coat (cut cutely) with faux or real fur. Coat should fall just over top of boots if wearing a skirt.

Black tailored slacks or pencil skirt, you could get away with charcoal gray. Slim, simple boots or shoes.

Nice belt, simple necklace, nice earings. Some color could play here but have to know how to balance properly

Tops: You can play with color here. Nice rich, deep burnt rustic orange, browns, wine..

If you scared of color then just use them in your nice simple handbag, scarf, or gloves to compliment the black.

Good luck

Scarlett

Oh! Duh!! I forgot to give the name!
They are called Santana sorry~

WillTravel

What will happen to me if I wear my wool navy mid-calf coat to NYC in the winter? Will I be scorned automatically? Buying another coat is a serious expense.