disgusted

Jeanette, you are right. I shouldn't take your stupid statements personally. Oh, and I am so sorry. Just loaded with anger as most of us dressed in black are. Please, Please, Please come back to NYC. We need people like you here to brighten up our dismal days. Oh, if only we could focus on really important stuff like what to wear and how to pouf up our hair! Gosh, maybe I can squeeze in some fashion classes instead of visiting museums, historical sites, theater, and soaking up the local COLOR. Maybe I should go to some of the places you visited in NYC (Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square). Then I could copy how you and the other tourists are dressing & improve my fashion statement. But wait, wouldn't you all be wearing your travel blacks?

Donna

My goodness didn't mean to start a debate on the black issue -- It just seemed unusual to me - since we are from Louisiana and travel alot to Florida and Houston - where you don't see alot of black -- and of course the reason is because we are all SWEATING to DEATH down here - and black just makes things hotter! Personally I liked it -- Though my children did look a bit morbid in their black getups! Re the 10 day thing -- my husband was at a seminar and no the only shows we were able to see were Beauty and the Beast (for the 2 and 7 year old along with us!) and 1 night of blessed babysitter during which we saw De La Guarda -- nevertheless we had a great time -- but HEAVEN would be 10 days in New York sans the children! This was a great time of year to go -- almost every show was discounted hugely at the TKTS booths! Places the travel guides said would have mega lines - had none. Huge sales at all the stores, cheaper hotel rooms. So if you are thinking vacation next year I would suggest bundle up - pack your warmest BLACK COAT (that wind is a killer) BLACK GLOVES AND BLACK HAT and hit New York in January, February. Hey has anybody else seen de la guarda? What did you think?

Getalife

Hey, disgusted! LIGHTEN UP! (Sorry, I know you're wearing black.)

Get over it! Culture doesn't revolve around NYC. Flyover country is just fine, thankyouverymuch.

I doubt you really are a New Yorker by nature, just another frustrated Midwesterner who couldn't find "a thang to do" out here, so took a job and copped an attitude in NYC. REAL New Yorkers can't stand you, either.

And a New Yorker taking in the culture and museums? Puh-lease!

S

I was in NYC in October. Had a great time and made the same observation. Black everywhere. Yes, black is a standard everywhere for the same reason that you find it in NYC. But wow! Standing as an outsider, looking down a NYC street, it really is monochromatic! Personally, I think the black would be more stunning with splashes of color!

Owen O'Neill

Donna - good to hear that you enjoyed the trip and the trip report is truly appreciated (we don't see enough of them). Sorry the Cosi's sandwiches didn't hit the mark (that was my recommendation, IIRC) but I'm interested to hear that their pizza was good - I'll have to try it. As for wearing black... I've always been a non-fashion oriented person but decided to try wearing some things in all black now that I spend so much evening and weekend time in NYC. Guess what? It's simple, looks dressy even when it's casual and makes me look slimmer! I can buy into the idea but definitely don't stay locked into it the summer. Look around NYC from May through September and you'll see the color in women's clothes (in particular)that is lacking in the winter. BTW, just got back from Key West and they now have a clothing store there which sotks only black, white and gray clothing!

Caitlin

You know, as someone living in NYC, I think visitors really notice all the black and they see so much of it, they don't see the rest! Owen is right, there's more black in fall and winter, everyone's right about the griminess factor and the slimming factor, and I myself do wear a fair amount of black. OTOH, every time I'm out I do notice both the colors and the very individual statements made all over town. And I do know a few people who live here who never, ever wear black.

disgusted

Hey Getalife: Believe me, I am "lightened up". I've been hysterical with laughter over this whole 'discussion'. Don't have to prove I am a born & raised NY'er, because it doesn't matter. Yes, I am wearing black pants today. If that makes me robotic, so be it. Never said culture revolves in NYC. DC is full of culture, as is Boston, Chicago, SF, etc. But, if you are not aware of it, NYC is also an unbelievably expensive city to live in. Most people work to support their apartments just for the priveledge of being able to partake of what this amazing city has to offer. Despite what you think you know of the people who live here, we are the ones who support the city Arts by frequenting them regularly, not the tourists who are in and out. Tourists see the 5 main Broadway shows & attractions and then go home. They wouldn't even bother to visit the 50 or so off & off-off Broadway productions. Not one of the posters on this board who are looking to visit the city has even MENTIONED an interest in Lincoln Center, Ballet, Metropolitan Opera, etc. If we NY'ers would rather have a limited wardrobe & spend our cash on show tickets & other cultural events, why should that lead to an out-of-towner assume that we wear black because we are suppressing anger. If visitors don't have something nice to say about us, they can really just keep it to themselves. We don't walk around bashing tourists who show up in January with a windbreaker & sandals. Black is practical and that is that.

Mandy

May I jump in here, please? As a native from Cleveland, currently living in Chicago, I have to agree that black is *The* color. (Actually, black is the absence of color.) If you look around either Cleveland or Chicago on a fall or winter day, you will also find the predominant color is black. In fact, black seems to be carried right through into the spring and summer.

Isn't it wonderful to have such a variety of diverse cities in which to explore? Can we all just be grateful that America boasts such a magnitude of cultural, classy cities to which we may travel? Can we all agree to disagree on some of the more trivial aspects of living? Thank you!

kim

Donna,

You mentioned using a babysitter one night - how did you arrange that? Through the hotel? A service? Were you pleased with it? I would like to plan a trip, but with a young child I was wondering if I would be able to make it to a show. Thanks for your help!

Kim

disgusted

Well said Mandy. I agree 100%. None of this matters one bit. Time to move on to another more interesting thread. Seen the one on 8 hr flights with a 16 month old? : - )

Donna

Kim - our old babysitter now attends NYU so that's how it worked out for us. But - I was told that there is a babysitters guild in NYC that is great and can be arranged by your hotel. I usually drag my children everywhere we go and they are great travelers BUT NYC is the one place we've been where I really wish I hadn't brought them. Sure there were lots of things to do with children but mmm let's just say my husband and i are already planning a return trip sans the kids.

kim

Donna,
You reference advice that you got from some old threads on Fodor's but I have searched and all I have found was one in reference to hotels located near subway lines and taking your kids to see snow - were there some more threads were you got good advice? I am just curious as I am thinking about a similar trip!

Also, would love to hear more about your trip. What did the kids enjoy most? What was your favorite sight?

Kim

jhm

De La Guarda is a wonderful show -- tons of fun and unlike anything I'd ever seen before. However, I don't want to write anything more about it here -- the less you know before going in, the better. Just wear something you don't care about too much (it doesn't even have to be black, but actually, that would probably work out nicely!).

Diane

This was a hoot to read. We just packed up our 23yo daughter who is moving to NY as I type. She has a lot of black in her wardrobe, but, well, she has a heck of a lot of everything. Hope there's room for all she's jammed in to that 10-ft UHaul!

Leah

I grew up in the midwest and am now in NYC (admitting that right off the bat due to the attacks earlier)(ha ha)-- and I think that some of the stuff on this thread is REALLY SILLY. As for the black clothes.....IT IS WINTER!!! There are plenty of COLORS here when it is WARM out, and people don't have to wear jackets and things of that sort. And... we just may surprise you....under our black coats we MAY just have something of COLOR on!!!

I can tell you from experience that if you actually WORK in NYC and/or use mass transit- BLACK is the only way to go(the person posting on the air pollution/grime hit is right on the head!)! I tried wearing a mauve colored suit to work when I 1st moved here and it was filthy by the time I got home.

Besides, black looks GREAT....and Jeanette....if you don't think that "flat hair" is a GOOD thing (as opposed to curled, sprayed, and fluffed) then not only do you not belong in NYC.....but you don't belong in this CENTURY!!! Natural is beautiful!! Thank god for flat hair!!!

toby

No one has mentioned the Baby Boomers--well they are now in their 50s and have you heard of middle -age- spread? So keeping this in mind, (and the fact they have changed every segment of life they have so far been in, since their numbers are so many) why is anyone surprised that slimming black is now in? PS One other nice thing about black is how it inhances a bit of color ie red gloves or a gold scarf.

suburbanmama

I giggled when I read all the postings
about the fashion habits of Manhattanites. We were there last August, and my nine-year-old noted the preponderance of black fashion. She was concerned enough that we had to take a trip to a clothing store to stock up on a few black items.

out.
wardrobe

Myrna

Jeanette, you mention that when you get older, black does nothing for your skin tones. What age might that be? I am 52. Am I too old to wear black?

kamq

It's black here in San Francisco as well, but highlighted by "neon" colors--bright green, hot pink, red etc. I actually like the straight black better!

damaninblack

agreed...the whole thread has, mostly, become a bit stupid, tho it started out with a perfectly reasonable premise). I'm sorry - "disgusted" truly does need a smack up his/her head. First...he (she) is the instigator of an uncomfortable discourse by taking high umbrage over remarks made about....SAN FRANCISCO -- NOT nyc ...Duh! but then prolongs the arguement/offensiveness...and then comes back, and acts like...
oh my! there is unpleasnantness on this site! what a shame! Shocked! Shocked it is you are,disgusted???

Why the heck don't you spend time
*contributing* to a conversation - or do you have nothing to say?

I have ignored the oh-so-frequent Adam Henry's on Fodors so many times and for oh so long (want a translation? It's police-ese for nitwits..take the first two initials and figure it out). But this bit of nitwitism really got to me...
apologies....cuz I know that all I've done is prolong it all..