We all have images of NYC as a sunny, vibrant place, where the sunglasses are always on and the guns are always out. Banish this assumption from your mind at once. Though summers in the Big Apple can certainly be sweltering, come winter, the cold in New York City is real.
For a first timer, these extremities can be pretty shocking, and from December to March, the weather can bite hard, owing to the city’s position so close to the North Atlantic Ocean via the Upper and Lower Bay. This is particularly accentuated through strong, bracing winds, which can get lodged in your bones even through the thickest of jackets.
Yep, we realise it’s summer now, but after so long without a holiday, now that things are opening up again, we’re playing the long game. Should you be planning a Christmas getaway or a New Year’s treat in the City That Never Sleeps, then it’s essential that you get your packing right to ensure it’s a comfortable, shiver-free experience. To help you with that, here are 6 things you need to pack for a winter holiday in New York.
A THICK COAT
For us, a hooded coat is non-negotiable on a cold weather trip to New York, essential for protecting yourself from the elements. That said, hoods can be annoying at times, so go for a coat with a detachable hood, allowing you to customise your coat according to the weather.
New Yorkers are known for their stylish fashion choices, so you’ve got to make sure your coat is street style ready. Bubble coats or puffer jackets are the coats of choice for many locals – you’ll see all types of styles, patterns and colours in New York, from traditional black to shiny metallic, leopard print to striped. Not only do they look cool, but they’re one of the more adept jackets at keeping that biting wind at bay.
Fangyaun, manufacturers of a particularly fine wholesale bubble coat, tell us to look out for a jacket that gives you great insulation while being breathable. They recommend prioritising a quilted interior.
Uniqlo is one of our favourite places for an affordable down-hooded coat, with the Japanese clothing brand offering remarkable quality for the price.
A CROSS BODY BAG OR BELT BAG
Carrying a bag around with you on a winter city break is a pain. Massive jackets are not natural bedfellows with big bags slung over the shoulder, and it’s hard to comfortably rest one on your shoulders should you be all wrapped up.
If you do need to carry around a bag, we think a crossbody bag is perfectly suited to winter wear. Bigger bags are also a pain on the subway, causing consternation from fellow commuters and potentially leaving you prone to theft. Instead, a crossbody bag helps you sashay between commuters with elegance.
Bum bags, fanny packs, belt bags…call them what you will…but they represent another ideal choice of bag for carrying around New York in the winter. You can wear it under your jacket, crossways around your chest or clinched in the middle. You can even look pretty stylist when doing so. According to the Zoe report, “The trendiest way to style a sporty sling bag right now is around the outside of your puffer coat. It’s an easy-access option that makes the bag the hero of your outfit”. We couldn’t agree more.
SENSIBLE WALKING SHOES
Salt trucks and snow plows are a common sight during the deepest recesses of New York’s winter. The city’s frigid temperatures mean that slippery ice patches can be found at every turn of the heel, and if it’s snowed, then muddy puddles will likely follow in its footsteps.
If you’re planning on exploring New York on foot, you’re going to need a good pair of sturdy shoes to avoid any sidewalk slips. Fortunately, walking shoes that keep things light, such as those made by North Face, Vega Venturi or New Balance, are currently very much on trend, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice style when seeking slip-resistance.
If you’re dressing up, wear a pair of low block heels, helping you cope with those infamous New York sidewalk grates with ease. Alternatively, Hunter’s original block heel Chelsea wellies manage to strike that balance between a protective wet weather shoe and something you’d actually feel happy to be seen in.
Whatever you go for, be sure to break your boots in so your feet remain comfortable and blister free.
ALL THE WINTER ACCESSORIES
If you’re looking to step out in style in New York but remain warm, you’re going to need some stylish winter accessories to help you do just that.
For a fashionable jaunt in the cold, we’re fans of faux fur bucket hats, which bring a playful air to the sometimes serious streets of the city. And a pair of leather mittens never go out of fashion, don’t you think?
BASE LAYERS
The layout of New York, with its huge skyscrapers and streets which stretch for miles, creates a phenomenon called the ‘wind tunnel effect’. As Architecture Lab explain, “The wind tunnel effect in New York City is basically a situation where air is being converged into a very small space and that leads to stronger winds.”
In other words, the wind seems windier and feels colder because of the makeup of the architecture in the city, and will cut right through even the cosiest of coats. Don’t be complacent in the Big Apple; be prepared for these winds by wearing some base layers underneath that quilted coat we recommended.
Indeed, a good set of thermals is essential for a winter in New York, working by trapping warm air close to your body and providing much needed insulation to keep things toasty from within.
TOILETRIES FOR DRY SKIN
With freezing temperatures outside and the central heating turned up to the max in shopping malls, restaurants and theatres , cases of chapped lips, dry hands and dehydrated skin are inevitable on a winter holiday to New York.
Pack your toiletries with this in mind. Remember to use an SPF moisturiser, as winter sun is just as capable at burning you as the brighter summer version. We’re massive fans of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Skin protectant on cold weather holidays – a cold weather skincare classic that restores, calms and helps relieve chapped, cracked and dry skin. Oh, and a decent supplier of gentle, hydrating, organic moisturiser is a must on any winter trip where you’ll be swapping cold conditions outdoors for central heating within.
If you’re considering making your visit to the Big Apple a little more permanent, then check out these 5 IDEAL tips for adjusting to life in New York City.