Steff_621

So this July (yeah, I plan way ahead) I'm planning a big trip to the States. It is the first time I will be there, and I will be staying for a good while. My question is, what should I wear?? Here in my country I live in a cold-ish kind of city. Jeans, tee shirts and converse usually do the job all year long, but now I wondering about the whole seasons and how to fix my wardrobe to that. I first will stay in New York for a week or so, and then head to Atlanta for a few months, including the rest of the Summer. Any suggestions as to what should I wear?? Im nineteen by the way, will be almost twenty by this summer. I'll appreciate a lot the help!!!

vjpblovesitaly

Just watch the Real Housewives of Atlanta and the Real Housewives of New York City and then you will know what to wear

lmz

Atlanta will be pretty hot but most places are air conditioned. So, depending on whether you spend most time outside or inside will dictate what to wear. I would bring shorts, jeans and both long and short sleeved tops then you're set for whatever you do.

Also depends on whether you're hot or cold natured. I live in the south and it's very hot standing outside but most of the time I am in the air conditioning so I still wear pants and a long sleeved shirt as I am very cold natured.

nytraveler

In summer both NYC and Atlanta will be hot and humid - although Atlanta probably even more so. Although lots of people wear jeans I find them way too hot in the summer. Also - in summer sandals are very popular - so your feet don't sweat so much.

As to what else to bring -it depends on if you want to be super casuale or have the option of being a little more dressed up at times.

Bowsprit

I can't tell if you're a Steffan or a Steffanie from your post but I guess it's not important. Either way, wear cotton. The humidity of Georgia in the summer is unlike anything you'll experience in NYC. But NYC is also hot and humid in the summer and the radiant heat from the sidewalks and buildings is nothing that can be ignored, that's for sure! The subway platforms are like ovens. Wear light cotton that breathes. Jeans will be just awful in the daytime but dress jeans will be ok at night (probably) in both cities if you're planning on spending the evening indoors at a restaurant or show.

Steff_621

Thanks so much for answering. @nytraveler There are times I'd like to be more dressed up, but for the better part of the time I guess I'd just like to "blend in". Not pass as a tourist as hard as I'm already envisioning that would probably be. @Bowsprit: a girl thank you And that's also why I'd thought I'd take light dresses, skirts, and capri pants, but then again, I was just not sure if Summer there is more like "suck up" the heat, and dress "normal" (tee and jeans) or you are "allowed" to more casual/light style...?

I'm not going there to do anything as formal as going to work and staying in an office, but the trip isn't either as casual as going on vacations with your family and friends....I guess I'm just trying to found that something "in between"

SZ

Steff, as long as you don't wear white sneakers and a fanny pack in NYC, you'll be fine. Half my friends rock the Converse-jeans-T-shirt look. In summer light dresses and skirts will be perfect. You can wear your Converse with 'em if they're casual. Have a great trip!

starrs

Wear natural fibers (cotton, linen, etc) that breathe.
Jeans, long pants, capris, shorts, skirts = all worn
Sandals, tennis shoes, Converse, even <gasp> Crocs = all worn

Bowsprit

Crocs...oh dear. Oh well...

Steff: You have the right idea: skirts, dresses, light cotton pants...anything that breathes and is light weight but no synthetics. Have a wonderful time; you're visiting two beautiful (and very different) cities!

Will you have time to visit Philadelphia and Washington D.C. as well?

chs29445

I'll just add; The humidity in Atlanta will be like you've never experienced based on your info. Not unusual to have consistent 90-95 temps with heat index of 105-110. Just a heads up.

nytraveler

Agree tht in both cities n the summer you need to be careful to stay hydrated. Be sur eyou always have a bottle of water in your day pack and if it's relly hot be sure to go inside to get AC'd on a regular basis.

For exercise, running or biking in the park - or whatever - people generally do this either beofre 9 am or in the eveing in the summer - avoid the heat of the middle of the day.

And be sure to be ready for the rain. Can;t speak for Atlanta - but in NYC in the really hot weather there are often short, violent thunderstorms in the afternoon. May last only 30 minutes or an hour - but there is often thunder and lightning and torrential downpours. Check the weather every day and bring a small folding umbrella if necessary. I fyou run into one of these storm - just et indoors until it;s over.

SZ

Gotta say no to Crocs in NYC. Especially if you are traveling with a group/family all wearing Crocs.

bigbomoho

having spent a week in NY last July when it hit 98 a few days,im not so sure Atl is much hotter.What most people dont know is that Atl is second highest major city in US at 1000ft asl.So we have 30 degree swings every night, ie, it may be 95 during the day,but it cools to 65 at night.I think you should dress the same as to the heat factor,but have some nicer informal stuff for NY so you dont stand out as a tourist

starrs

I tossed out the Crocs reference pretty much expecting these comments.

The point = wear what you are comfortable in on hot summer days.

SZ, talk to my NYC friends who happily wear their Crocs.

Bowsprit

okee dokey then....let's move on from the crocs, okay?

nytraveler makes a good point about summer afternoon storms. If you're in the middle of one it'll be memorable. You can buy a cheap umbrella on the street ($5.00) or at any bodega or Duane Reade.

Have a great trip!

starrs

Oh, flip-flops. I'd avoid that usual summer footware when walking NYC streets. They'll be fine for the rest of the trip.

ggreen

starrs, I'm with you about the flip-flops (on NYC streets: eeewww). EXCEPT that I'm definitely in the minority here: EVERY young woman - and plenty of older ones too - wear nothing but flip-flops all summer long all over NYC...!

Steff, you've gotten great info here about NYC. It's pretty much an anything-goes city, though probably a little more dressy than other US cities, even in the summer. (More skirts and sundresses instead of shorts, though there are plenty of people wearing them too!) It gets pretty hot here in July and August: last year around Independence Day (July 4) was basically unbearable. Clothing that's loose and lightweight will go a long way! Sunglasses and even a hat against the sun are good too.

starrs

ggreen, I know. I get skeeved out when I look at the soles of their feet - and think about all the "stuff" they are gathering on their skin from the streets. I'm not a germaphobe but it really grosses me out

Steff, you'll have a great time! Enjoy!

cheryllj

I live in Atlanta and I don't think we dress all that differently from the women in NYC. Less black, more colors and prints, that's about it.

The typical 19yo female is wearing flip flops or sandals all summer. My 18yo niece lives in her flip flops. In the day time it's probably shorts or capri pants, and for a nice dinner, maybe a light cotton skirt or sundress. Atlanta is HOT in the summer, and very humid, as everyone has said, but then again, in my experience, so is NYC so it's not that different really. Our summer just lasts longer.

Steff_621

Thank you so much everybody for the advise!!!

@Bowsprit, at first it'd be straight from NewYork to Atlanta (actually a suburb close to the city) but since I'm staying there for a while, I will surely be visiting other States and cities. Perhaps that'd be a future topic, which parts of the States are a "no miss" for a person fairly new in that country. Philly, and DC are definitely now in my list of "to-go" cities hehe

Thanks so much too for the heads-up on the rain in NY. Didn't see that as a possibility since after all it's summer, but will keep that in mind. Already envision a pretty high weather since I'm hoping to get there right before Independence day, so...I guess it'll be really hot.

I think I have down the clothes that'll suit me between the "standards" you all gave me (thank you very much again!!) Don't think I'll go for with the shorts and such 'informal' (perhaps?) wear, but I more or less have an idea now as to how I'd deal with the summer months.
Wasn't expecting though, learning that Atlanta has a longer Summer. It's really GOOD to know that beforehand, though I really shouldn't have been surprised. After all, Atlanta is clearly down the South...so... It's in anyway okay, I guess it'll be a tad tough the first week or so, but I'll get used to it, and probably would be missing the nice warm weather once Winter hits.

Now I still just gotta decide on the shoes...leaning for casual sandals. I'm not too much into flip-flops or Crocs (though perhaps those are ten times more comfortable) but I don't see me in those unless I'm in the beach or in short vacations, I don't know. I just hope I can find something to wear with cute dresses and skirts that doesn't have to be heels. I hate heels and probably those are not the most comfortable wear while walking up and down NY streets as I plan, right?

Thank you all so much again!