What To Pack For NYC In The Fall

Now that I can call myself an official New Yorker, and have experienced the fall season a few times now, I got a real taste of the wild range of weather NYC gets. And let me tell ya, it’s pretty damn wild.

Fall is one of those seasons that is just kind of tricky to dress for. A lot like spring, it’s a mix of temperatures in a single day. It also requires lots of layering options. Some days are really warm, some are gray and cold.

September is usually quite nice with warmer days and a nice break in humidity. October mornings can be crisp and chilly, and the afternoons can quickly become warm and sunny. Add to that the fact that all the walking in NYC raises your body temperature quickly, and you are going to want to be able to pull layers off easily.

So if you’re heading to New York City on an upcoming fall trip today’s post is for you. What to wear, things to know, and how to survive the temperature ranges. Here’s everything you should pack for a fall visit to New York City. This packing guide for NYC also works for any true walking city, whether you’re heading to Paris, London or Chicago, it’s sure to help you pack for the season the right way.

What To Pack For NYC In The Fall

Before you visit NYC for fall, definitely check the weather. You can easily see a range of temperatures from the low 80s, to the low 40s. It’s truly possible that it could be that wide of a range. Sometimes in a single day, too!

September temperatures can range from the low 60s to the mid to high 70s. Lightweight jackets and sweaters are great for those cooler mornings, but you can definitely embrace bare legs and still wear minis, shorts and dresses.

October temperatures can range from the low 50s to the high 60s. This is when fall outerwear really shines and cozy sweaters come into play. With temperatures in the high 60s, you can still get away with a t-shirt if it’s sunny and warm, but you’ll likely want a sweater or jacket too.

November welcomes temperatures in the low 40s to mid 50s. We start to break out the heavier jackets and maybe even a scarf if you’re in the 40s.

Tips For Packing When It’s Hot In NYC For A Fall Visit

If you’re visiting NYC in the fall when it’s going to be super hot (temperatures in the mid to high 70s, maybe even low 80s), I have one major tip for you. Embrace shorts and dresses. If you want to feel fall-ish, just lean into fall prints and colors when reaching for these pieces. But you’ll want to be comfortable and that means lightweight and flowy dresses and minimal clothing. Trust me.

A concrete jungle like New York City absorbs so much heat. Plus, the subway platforms are brutally hot too if it’s remotely warm outside. I would even recommend packing a mini fan to have in your bag if you’re coming during a warmer forecast.

Light Jackets

For weather in the mid 50s and 60s, you’ll lean into light jackets a lot. Think trench coats, leather jackets, bomber jackets and blazers. Style these jackets over your dresses, jeans and trousers for an easy third piece that also keeps you warm.

My two go-tos when I’m in NYC are always a good trench coat and a leather jacket. A trench will work great for a light layer and also help if it’s raining. And they can be styled with jeans, shorts, dresses, you name it. And my leather jacket is just part of my personality when I’m in NYC.

Leather jackets aren’t too heavy and also make your outfits feel more edgy and cool. For super cold fall days, you can layer a scarf if you need to. You can also do a leather blazer which I just LOVE as a cool alternative to a leather moto jacket.

Pack All The Tees

I think I always underestimate how warm fall truly is. Living in the South for so long, I had always assumed a real fall season is very cold. But it really isn’t! I found myself wearing lots of tees and having several options from fitted to boxy is key.

I also like to throw in a couple of tanks for two reasons. One, for those randomly warm days you need them. And two, for underneath sweaters so you can peel off layers as needed. This is crucial when the mornings are freezing, and then the afternoons get toasty. Reach for things in fall color palettes and fabrics even if they’re tank tops! This will make your outfits feel more seasonally appropriate.

Lightweight Sweaters

Leave the heavy sweaters at home for your NYC fall trip unless there’s a cold snap. Lightweight ones should be just fine. Thinner options will keep you from overheating while walking around all day. And you can easily layer up with a thin tank underneath. Just add a jacket over the sweater if you need the extra warmth.

I also like to always pack a good sweater that I can throw over my shoulders. These can then be worn as a third piece, and be a backup for when it gets chilly. Thin sweatshirts are also a great option for this for a more casual vibe.

Comfortable Sneakers

For fall, I instantly want to switch out my canvas Converse for a leather or suede sneaker. It makes your fall outfits feel more seasonally appropriate.

With all the walking in NYC, you’ll want to be in your most comfortable sneakers. Style your leather sneakers with jeans, dresses and even trousers.

Here are some of my favorite walking sneakers to wear all day. I wore my New Balance 9060s, New Balance 550s and Adidas Gazelle Platforms non stop. All are linked below.

Flat And Low Heeled Shoes

For a nicer shoe or boot to wear for fall, try something with a lower block heel. And a flat is always a good idea. Try a ballet flat or loafer for something you can wear all day. And for a low heel, you can do an ankle bootie, or Mary Jane.

I’d leave the open toed sandals at home unless you’re doing a fancy dinner out and want to wear something nice. Otherwise, NYC is fairly casual and I would only pack a nicer heel if you know for sure you’re planning on a nicer evening.

Skirts & Dresses

This was a hard lesson learned from my first month in NYC in September. I thought I’d want to be in jeans all day long. Wrong. I wish I had packed all the mini skirts and easy dresses. Embrace these for fall as they are really easy to layer up if you need to. And they keep you cool for those warmer days.

I love a good mini skirt paired with sneakers or loafers and a long trench or blazer. Or try midi dresses with a little sweater over the shoulders. The great part about skirts and dresses is that they can easily be dressed up or down typically allowing them to work double duty.

Trousers & Jeans

Trousers are a really trendy way to wear something other than denim. Plus, they’re so comfy. Wear with sneakers or a ballet flat. And finish your trouser look off with a cropped bomber jacket, leather jacket, or a long trench.

And jeans are a no brainer in my book. I loved having my go-to wide leg crops from Madewell and my everyday straight leg jeans. They can be worn with a tee and sneaker on warmer days, or paired with a loafer and sweater for a more polished look that’ll also keep you warm.

And if it’s going to be on the cooler side, you can even do faux leather pants. These can quickly make you hot, so I’d only pack if the forecast is on the colder side in the 40s and 50s.

---

What To Wear For Day Time And Sightseeing In NYC In The Fall

Your day time looks will vary greatly on the weather as you can see with these outfit examples. We’ve got mini skirts and bare legs, to jeans with wool coats. It really can be that much of a variation.

But in general I would recommend going for comfort here. Wear the sneakers even with dresses and skirts, or your favorite comfortable boots that you can walk 10,000 plus steps in.

---

What To Wear For Night Time And Dinners Out In NYC In The Fall

My go-to for dinner out in the fall in NYC is almost always a dress with boots. It’s easy and effortless. And you can also easily add on tights if it’s cold along with a jacket. Nicer wide leg jeans with a heel and blazer are also a great combination that feels elevated.

---

If you’re heading to the Big Apple in the fall season, this guide on what to pack should be super helpful to get you through the temperature swings. Aim for comfort with a big of style to make the most out of your trip. You can check out my New York City travel guide to help you explore the city.