City Chic: What to Wear on a New York City Break

City Chic: What to Wear on a New York City Break

New York City is the ultimate destination for a city break, offering a mix of culture, style, and endless activities. From exploring iconic landmarks to dining at trendy restaurants, your outfits should be as dynamic as the city itself. We spoke to Kat Kenyon to help us compile a fun guide on what to wear during a city break, including different outfit ideas and what to pack for a range of city activities!

Kat Kenyon’s favourite destination to holiday:

“I love Thailand for summer beach holidays, I’d love to go back soon, but I’ve also always loved New York for a city break.”

1. Exploring the City: Sightseeing in Style

Central Park and Museums:

For exploring Central Park and all of the wonderful museums, comfort is a must! Go for a chic yet comfortable look with a pair of jeans. The Frame Jet Set jeans are brilliant for travelling. They are pull-on and feature no hardware for the ultimate comfort. Pop on an elevated tee from Essentiel Antwerp with some fun sequin detailing. A crossbody bag for hands-free convenience is a must. Finish off your look with a Ganni cap, and some A.Kjaerbede sunglasses.

Walking Tour of Midtown Manhattan:

Plan a tour of Midtown Manhattan to take in all of the wonderful sights. Comfort is also key here, so be sure to style a versatile outfit for a day of walking! Pick a pair of comfortable and airy Rails shorts for a breezy look to keep you cool. Pop on a bright American Vintage tee for a dash of colour and finish your look with some comfortable Veja trainers to keep your feet happy!

Kat Kenyon’s top tip when travelling or packing for your holiday? 

“Never pack just new shoes, bring some old reliable comfy favourites too! There’s nothing worse than having to bear the pain of breaking in new shoes and not having any comfy alternatives especially if you’re somewhere with no shops nearby. I also like to pack our own coffee bags by Taylor’s, they’re basically like tea bags so they’re easy to pack as I love a good coffee in the morning and it’s so sad when the instant coffee in your hotel is a bit grim!”

2. Shopping Spree: Trendy and Practical

Sophisticated Chic for Shopping

City Breaks are the perfect excuse for some shopping! A comfortable yet chic outfit, such as a dress, that allows you to try on clothes easily while looking fashionable is perfect. Choose a lightweight and breathable dress to allow for easy movement. We love the Ganni dresses as they’re easy to wear, but are oh-so elevated. For a cool girl twist, complete your look with a pair of DWRS Cowboy boots, a structured leather handbag from ALEO or Essentiel Antwerp, and oversized sunglasses from A.Kjaerbede.

Kat Kenyon’s recommendations for great places to visit in New York:

“One of my favourite places was Catbird which is a little store selling the cutest jewellery. They make the daintiest, prettiest solid gold rings and use vintage and other precious gemstones, they look amazing stacked together too. I also love Evolution, it’s a bit like walking into the Natural History Museum and they have all sorts of interesting, weird and wonderful animal related specimens to see in store.”

3. Night Out: Dinner and a Show

Elegant Evening:

A little black dress is always a safe option for a night out in NYC no matter where you’re going! Ganni, Beatrice B, Hale Bob and Day Birger et Mikkelsen all have some fabulous options for chic black dresses which you can style from day to night. Team your dress with a statement Anna Beck necklace, and some strappy Shoe The Bear heels for a luxe look. 

Trendy and Fun:

An on-trend outfit is a must have option for a night of bar hopping or a Broadway show. You can’t go wrong with a co-ord set. A Stine Goya co-ord is always a fabulous option, and a trendy alternative to a dress. Team with a Day Birger et Mikkelsen blazer for an elevated look and finish the look with a fun statement Day Et bag. Layer up with some bold jewels to take it to the next level - try some pieces from Caroline Svedbom.

4. Relaxation Time: Casual and Comfortable

Relaxing in the Park:

When you’re exploring a big city, some down time is definitely needed! Grab some lunch and head to a park for some al fresco dining. For comfort, choose some Rag and Bone Miramar Jean. They’re jeans disguised as joggers, making them super comfy, but still fashion forward. Pick a graphic tee from Rails, Rainbow Colours or Munthe for a more elevated look and finish your outfit with some Woden sandals. They feature a three layered Natural Soft foot bed for comfort while exploring the park!

Brunch and Chill:

If you’re in New York, it would be rude not to get a New York style bagel! Head out for brunch and dress to impress! For an elevated everyday look, we’d choose some fashionable denim shorts - we love the Dani Short from denim brand Paige. Pop on a cute blouse from Stella Nova and you’re ready to take on the city! Complete your look by adding some Arizona Love sandals. They’re sure to keep you comfortable with their EVA super soft soles. Finish the look with a raffia bag from Petite Mendigote.

A city break in New York requires a versatile and stylish wardrobe that can keep up with the city’s fast pace and diverse activities. By packing a mix of comfortable, trendy, and elegant outfits, you’ll be ready for anything from sightseeing and shopping to dining out and relaxing in the park. With these outfit ideas and packing tips, your New York city break will be both fashionable and fun. Enjoy your urban adventure!