It's amusing how often there are posts about what to wear in New York City -- not because of the weather, but how to look good and not appear like a tacky tourist. There are posts about wearing black, about not wearing black, about dressing up, not dressing up, etc. etc. I'm going to NYC in July (I know, I know, miserable and muggy) and I want to hear from those who know: If I'm staying at a very nice hotel in midtown and spending a lot of time walking all over Manhattan, riding the subway, riding buses, taking taxis, what the heck should I pack? I'm middle aged but not dowdy...want to look nice but be cool, comfortable, and not bring everything in the closet while I try to figure it out based on what I see when I get there. What DO New Yorkers wear in Manhattan in the summer when they're not going to work? And don't tell me "the same as people wear anywhere," because there have been plenty of sneering posts about tacky tourists and their white sneakers, shorts, and T-shirts, which IS what everybody wears everywhere else. How dressy? how bare? how colorful? Bring it on!!

I live in NY, have all my life. Summer weekends around the city I wear sundresses and sandals. In the evening, sundresses too, but add a sweater for the over-air conditioned restaurants. As for color, anything goes.

Just echoing the question, but want to reemphasize what do NYers where when not going to work? Generally I don't care about whether I fit in style-wise on vacation because I am going to do touristy things, grabbing a hot dog or a slice of pizza for lunch, and standing in lines to see the sights with all of the other tourists. And in the evening, it isn't a problem to dress appropriately for the theater or dinner because that is the destination for the evening. But now I am planning a trip to NY where the WTC and the Statue of Liberty aren't my goals. I just want to walk some neighborhoods, browse some shops, and eat in some nice restaurants for lunch as well as dinner. So how do I walk all over Soho, the West Village, etc., for hours on end and still be presentable for lunch? I am assuming khaki shorts and sneakers are out!

Please note, this isn't about not sticking out (for me anyway), no one is going to mistake me for a NYer no matter what I do. I just want to be admitted into the restaurants of my choice!

Hi Chris:
Shorts and a comfortable top and sneakers or sandals during your stay in July are fine . Docker type shorts are what I see on everyone all summer long.
(I personally avoid sandals while on public transportation because of the possibilities of getting your toes stepped on).
Dinners out get a nice sundress (the sweater for evenings is a good recommendation because of the AC in most places)and slacks and nice golf or button down shirt for the guys.
Welcome to NYC!

I've lived in the village most of my life. Whatever you're comfortable wearing is fine. If you want to be trendy, go ahead, but most of us just don't care.

I also live in nyc and agree with steve's comment. In general, anything goes in NYC. The most important thing is to keep it simple, be comfortable and in the summer, to be cool.

I have lived in NYC all my life (Manhattan) and spend much time walking the streets since I am retired. I am a male and I wear a pair of chino or khaki pants and a shirt of some kind that is not tucked in at the belt and a pair of walking shoes (black Reebocks). Also always wear a T shirt under the outer garment to absorb perspiration so you don't get unsightly splotches of moisture under the arms, across the front and back of the shirt.
Tourists are not usually recognized by their clothes but, rather, by the holding and of reading guide books and transportation maps and carrying cameras. You can recognize most tourists in the subway system since they are often confused as to which train to take. A word of advice, if not sure ask - you will most definately get a civil answer and good directions.

Plenty of at-leisure New Yorkers wear shorts and casual clothes in the summer. It's true that we're an anything goes kind of town. And no, we don't all wear black all the time, especially in the summer. But it is popular, and I suspect that the people who remark the most about just see more than they're used to, if they don't live in a coastal (either coast) city. That said, you will notice city grime taking its effect on very light clothing (though I do see plenty of people in white during the summer). Khaki shorts and sneakers are fine for walking around town in you're comfy in them, but if you want to lunch in a better restaurant, finsd the most comfortable non-sneaker shoes you can (for all the walking) and wear neat longer shorts and top, lightweight pants and top, or a dress or skirt that's comfortable.

Agree with all above posts. I personally tend to stay away from gym type sneakers when I travel to a city. They make everything you wear look too casual. Get a decent pair of leather walking shoes instead. Try a nice, stylish backpack instead of a fanny pack if you are going to a nice place for lunch. Khaki pants are fine for the evening for theater, Lincoln Center, restaurants. If you want to dress them up a bit, a lightweight sports jacket does wonders over a solid color "T" type shirt.

Chris,
If you are middle-age and want to look cool, I would say that unless you are really thin, do not wear shorts. Linen pants in any color will be comfortable and look nice and appropriate for any outing. Sundresses and sandals are good, too, if it's really hot. You will be surrounded by people in elegant working clothes and people in t-shirts and shorts, so you will not stand out, whatever you're wearing. When I'm in NY, I like to feel like a fit in with the sophisticated crowd, so I tend to dress a little nicer than when I'm a tourist somewhere else. But comfort is key.
Have fun.

I'm smiling and laughing at the "unless you're very thin, don't wear shorts." Hmmm, is that because my big butt will offend people or because shorts aren't appropriate??!! No offense taken, I just got a kick out of that.

In NYC, black, black and more black. Shorts, sandles, etc. - surely you make the beeg joke. Big butt in NY ... nope, babe, it's social x-ray all the way. Think urban gear, and see what that conjures up for you. Last year, I took relatives to Italy, and when I met them onboard the plane, they had on cowboy outfits, complete with Stetsons, and white tennies. Yo, no, I do not know those folks in Row 31 A&B. When in NYC, repeat after me: I am not on a beach, I am not on a farm, I am not in my small town, I am not at the circus or zoo. Now, go forth and get some proper urban gear and a 'tude to go with it. And don't go to NYC until you're appopriately dressed. Ciao.

Plenty of New Yorkers, men and women, wear shorts in the summer. Shorts will not be a sign that you are a tourist.
Nix on the linen pants mentioned in another reply. You will certainly look nice when you put them on. Ten minutes later you will look like you slept in them. Maybe you should wear linen. LOts of New Yorkers, myself included, look like they slept in their clothes when they are just out walking. (New Yorkers don't get upset - operative word is "lots", did not say all.)

Okay, if rqf is correct, you can avoid looking like a tourist ... just follow his advice and you'll look like a street person. This is sound advice?

I'm just thankful that there are so few people in New York who see life like L.

L, our gain is Italy's loss.

L, do you *live* in NYC? If so, you live in a different Manhattan than the rest of us. Do you really think *everyone* walking in Central Park and the Village is a tourist? We don't wear all black, all the time (though we wear a lot of it), and we do wear shorts. Personally, I think traveling with linen would be a nightmare, but perhaps that's just me (and everyone I know). I do find that tourists stand out in their shorts and tennis shoes, though--when they're at the theater. The rest of us don't wear that to the theater.

Ann,

Perhaps it was a typo, but Chris wanted to "be cool and comfortable", not "look cool." Big difference in my book! Fitting in with the sophisticated crowd in NYC would involve a whole new wardrobe of for me here in Orlando, so my goal isn't to look like a NYer, just to be comfortable and respect the places I am visiting, ie, dressing nicely for the theater.

Two cents:

I live in New York, and my personal opinion is that it's not the clothing of tourists that sticks out so much as their attitudes and walking habits. I have an extensive wardrobe that includes everything from chic black and grey with boots to jeans, tees, and sneakers. I sometimes feel strange going to bars and even stores in jeans and sneakers, but I don't really care - I'm comfortable. I can usually point out tourists, but not because of what they're wearing. I can tell they're tourists because they are standing in a huge group, taking over a sidewalk, or because they're reading guidebooks while trying to navigate sidewalks.

However, I can understand peoples' desire to fit in and not to stick out like a sore thumb. If you are worried about sticking out in bright white sneakers, buy a cool pair - puma makes great sneaks, as do simple, hogan, and camper. And wear shorts if you want to, just don't combine them with fanny packs, and don't wear them to nice dinners or to the theatre. Common sense, people!

Yes, Italy's loss is indeed NYC's gain ... grazie. And of course I do not expect everyone in NYC to dress like me, but I wish they would ... it would make for such a classier, cosmopolitan experience, even in CP. As far as where I live, I don't just live, I inhabit. Some of us are neither bounded nor defined by mere jurisdictional limits. We take on the coloration of our environs and by our presence add to the total experience. Now I must go and rinse out my black underwear ... yes, it's black, black and more black. Now, where was I? Thanks for the opportunity to have some fun, and don't take this too seriously, please.

Thanks, everyone. This was truly fun. I think I've got it. I won't wear white sneakers, wouldn't dream of a fanny pack, and I might wear shorts -- but crisp navy or khaki ones with a nice summer top, not a T-shirt. No sandals on the subway, but for a cab ride or evening walk, OK. A summer/sundress and a cardigan, I'm good to go. I'll let my 13 year old worry about the proper Urban Gear. And hubby will bring a BLACK golf shirt and khakis for our evening dinner/strolls. Hmm, what should I pierce?