new york city travel tips & fashion guide
travel summary: new york city
i’m an empty-nester. all three kiddos have been out of the house for a long time now. and while two out of the three are here in Athens with me, i’ve got one that lives in New York City. i try to get out to see him once or twice a year. as some of you may have seen on Instagram, i went to visit him this past weekend. and what a fantastic trip. so many places to go, and so many places to be. (we went to see Chicago on Broadway!) but while i was there, it struck me that so many of you are taking similar trips this fall. i know traveling can be stressful: packing, getting to and from the airport, and taxiing in an unfamiliar city can be time consuming and overwhelming. whether you’re going with spouses for a weekend getaway, visiting (grand)kiddos across the country, or traveling for business, i wanted to give you some travel tips & fashion ideas for your fall journeys. so today’s post is all about NYC travel tips and fashion.
travel outfit of the day
deciding what to wear on a flight can be tricky. overdressing can be uncomfortable, especially on long flights. but i like to be stylish—even at the airport—so underdressing isn’t an option. i take the Goldilocks approach and aim for the sweet spot right in the middle. for my flight to NYC, i sported a denim boilersuit you can grab from Nordstroms and a pair of Tretorn ny lite sneakers. super easy, super comfy, and super stylish. not a lot of moving parts in this outfit, which is exactly what we’re going for, especially when we consider going through airport security.
denim boilersuit | sneakers | similar handbag | similar Delsey underseat suitcase
when going for a weekend trip, i pack light. (you can read about how i pack my carry-ons here.) two bags this weekend: an under-seat suitcase created for Macy’s and a suede satchel you can pick up from Talbots. bags, including suitcases, are accessories that can take your outfit to the next level and really make it shine. the red color pop from the satchel contrasts perfectly with the cool denim and really makes the entire outfit pop. stay tuned to how i styled this ootd for nighttime. it’s another NYC travel tips and fashion
night outfit of the day
if you want to keep your weekend suitcase small and are committed to packing light, think about reusing your travel outfit. swap out your sneakers for heels and spruce up the original outfit with accessories and/or layers.
denim boiler suit | blazer | shoes | similar handbag
here, i’ve kept the original denim boilersuit, swapped out the sneakers for some Tory Burch pumps and layered the outfit with a perfect-for-fall plaid long double-breasted blazer.
whether you’re heading out for cocktails, dinner, or a movie pair this outfit with this a simply sleek leather clutch, and you’re good for a night on the town.
denim boiler suit | blazer | shoes | similar handbag
travel tips
traveling alone
with mr. style gone, i have to travel alone. without someone to help share the load, i’ve got to be prepared. below, i’ve compiled a list below of the things i think about before, during, and after a trip. all are obvious, but all are worth reminding ourselves every time.
- packing. packing is planning, and planning is packing. have the right suitcases and bags for the right trips. are you going for a weekend getaway or a two week stay in Europe? different locale and durations have different requirements. and remember always that suitcases are investments—they’re worth the upfront cost. if you’re in need of inspiration on how or what to pack, check out some of my older posts here, here and here.
- your wallet. seems obvious, but how many times have you walked out of the house without your ID, keys, credit card(s), and/or cash? it happens to all of us. you don’t want it to happen to you, especially if you’re leaving the country. always double and triple check whether you have at least your ID—drivers license and/or passport—and a credit card. that way if you get stranded, God forbid, you can head to a branch of your bank, hotel, and/or embassy and resolve the situation as painlessly as possible.
- phone & apps. you’ve got your phone, but did you forget your charger? you’ve got you charger, but do you have a backup battery supply? our phones have become such integral parts of our lives, it’s not only frustrating when they’re out of juice, it can be scary, especially when we’re in an unfamiliar city. also, it’s worth checking whether you not only have all of the necessary apps for your trip, but that they’re properly configured too. uber, airb&b, delta, google and/or apple maps, expedia, etc. apps are there to make our lives easier. however, don’t get caught in a situation where you’re trying to grab an uber in L.A. only to discover that you’re credit card information is wrong and you don’t have service.
- know where you’re going and what’s available to you when you’re there. are you going to Brazil or some other country that requires a travel visa? does your cell carrier offer international travel plans, or will you have to buy a burner phone when you land? does your airb&b have wifi, or will you have to find a local coffee shop to check email? these are all questions that you should ask your self well before you land in your destination city. do some research about where you’re going and what they have to offer. knowing is in fact half of the battle.
- have a plan. from the initial stages of packing to a list of bars and restaurants you want to try when you arrive—plan your trip. some of you are over-planners. some of you fly by the seat of your pants. i’m somewhere in the middle but am always on the lookout for new travel tips, tricks and hacks. do you have any that i forgot? add them in the comments below.
more NYC travel tips and fashion outfit ideas
i would be remiss if i didn’t give you a breakdown of the outfits i wore in NYC. below, you’ll find i’ve laid them all out—literally on my table—in the hopes that it will provide you with inspiration for your fall travels. remember, one of the keys to traveling is layering. temperatures fluctuate wildly, especially in transition seasons like fall and spring. airplanes are cold, and stepping out of the airport in Atlanta can be extremely hot. one way to be prepared is to design outfits with multiple layers: t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, and the like.
outfit 1: marigold tunic & skinny jeans
denim | similar tunic here, here & here | similar shoes | similar handbag | similar necklace | similar bracelets
outfit 2: denim jacket & black joggers
similar joggers | tee | denim jacket | shoes | similar handbag | similar necklace | similar bracelets
outfit 3: tweed blazer & distressed jeans
denim | similar graphic tee here, here, & here | blazer | similar shoes | similar handbag | similar necklace | similar bracelets
all right, gang, it’s wednesday! time to put a smile on someone’s face including your own.
I have that Macy’s under seat roller bag and it is a must! I love how you style your denim. I use your outfits to inspire mine and that way I avoid my “matchy matchy” habits that tend to age me. You give me confidence…thanks Beth!
isn’t that underseat carry-on genius?! technically, this was mr. style’s bag and he loved it! his camera always fit perfectly inside. but there’s nothing better than having a carry on that fits underneath your seat or in an overhead bin. i always like options.
I am a recent widow also, with a son who lives in another state and yes, traveling alone is a different animal than traveling with a husband. There is no way I would wear a onesie on an airplane though, having to take my carry on and backpack into the airport lavatory and I can’t even think about that in an airplane bathroom! More power to you!
i always crack up at the uproar a jumpsuit makes on the blog. but honestly, jumpsuits are the easiest thing to wear to a wedding, work or on an airplane. they’re so dang versatile.
Hi Beth – always LOVE your posts. Especially love this post because I really enjoy trips several times a year to NYC. So fun to see your NYC outfits – they are beautiful and fun! I am so curious because the shoes you’ve selected are so cute, but I would really need more supportive shoes for all the walking that such a trip entails. I’d love to see a future post that shares your advice on fashionable, trendy shoes that are comfortable and that can go the distance when a trip can entail walking several miles a day. Thanks so much, Beth! You’re an inspiration.
i hope you read my post about Easy Spirit shoes – comfortable and chic. what’s better than that?!
The jumpsuit looks cute on you.
I would be worried they would want me to check the pressure on the plane’s tires. 😄
ha ha! but not to worry. no one confused me with the mechanics.
Wasn’t that boiler suit difficult to navigate in the airplane bathroom? I’d be afraid it would touch the floor!
nope, it’s the same experience in the bathroom as with any other outfit. i always crack up at the fear over wearing a jumpsuit. but honestly they’re the easiest clothing item to naviagate and they’re so dang comfy.
Hi Beth – So glad you got to visit your 3rd baby & had a good time in NYC. I want to add something I read a few years ago in an article by a retired stewardess. In all her years, she had ‘only’ been in two crashes; a lot of people had injuries not related to broken bones, etc., but to their clothes melting on their bodies. Man-made fabrics melt in the extreme heat from jet fuel; natural fabrics (100% wool, cotton, silk. linen) don’t. It is extremely painful when medical personnel have to pull out the melted particles from the skin. (she learned the hard way…nylon stockings) She said this is something that is not put out there for the flying public – at least it wasn’t back then. I would be surprised if it is now public knowledge. I don’t fly often, but when I do, I’m ‘all-natural’.
thanks for sharing your inside knowledge!
Hello Beth …
Like you , I too am recently widowed (since
May 20th ) . Reading your blog has helped me to navigate and cope during these past few months . I have also attended a Spiritual Retreat for widows . I have found the support of other women – strong women – extremely helpful … I think you are in that category !
This post is very helpful . I’ve been traveling alone as you have been . I appreciate the suggestions regarding packing . Packing frustrates me ! I am known to “overpack” . I like how you lay out each outfit – including jewelry. I will use and think of your tips as I am planning adventures over these next few months . Thank you for your support !
Together , over time , we shall find the “new normal” in our lives .
God Bless you, Christine. it truly is one day at time to naviagate the loss of our husbands. i don’t think i will ever get over missing mr. style. but i do know each day brings new joys. and that’s a blessing and what i need to focus on.
Can you easily and quickly go potty in the jumpsuit?
i spent the same amount of time in the loo as always.
I would love to see pictures of you wearing the marigold tunic and jeans. Is that possible?
the marigold tunic and skinny jeans will be featured on thursday.
Dear Beth,
What a special visit you must have had with your son in NYC! I look forward to seeing your blog every day and almost always love your outfit–wearable, chic, and age-appropriate. However, today’s boiler suit was a HUGE miss for me–all I could think of was Rosie the Riveter! Please take that all in fun
well, rosie the riverter was an icon in her day. nothing wrong with the comparison.
Love the jumpsuit! Who makes the one you are wearing with the zipper rather than buttoned one in the Nordstrom link? Thank you!
the jumpsuit if by Topshop from Nordstrom. i just have a version from last year. the link is the 2019 update.
I’m sorry, but I don’t n’t see how you got 3 jackets, 3 tops, 3 pairs of pants, and 3 pairs of shoes plus lingerie, makeup, and toiletries in that bag that fits under the seat. Love your style and look to you for inspiration but you must have some super packing tips I would like to see.
i had a 25″ spinner as well. i’ve never understood why we need to pack everything in a carry-on. i love to check my bags in and slip into my seat with nothing more than a tote or a small carry-on.
I love seeing capsule wardrobes for different locations. NYC trip is coming up for me; therefore I enjoyed seeing what worked for you.
My goal is to still get everything in a carry-on:)
Continue to enjoy your future travels!!
have fun in NYC. there’s nothing better than new york in the fall. my favorite tie of year to visit.
Please tell us how did you get all those clothes, plus your personal items in those two bags? Some of the items were bulky and you packed four pairs of shoes! Please share your packing magic.
Great that you got to visit your son!
i packed a 25″ spinner that weighed all of 37 pounds, including three pairs of shoes (i wore the sneakers), skincare, makeup, and clothes. i think i’ve perfected packing a suitcase especially since i spent 10 years living overseas with two trips home a year plus lots of trips to cities and countries nearby.
Love you to the moon and back but a jumpsuit for travel is a nightmare in a public restroom or those on a plane or train. And many places in NYC, including most private clubs, do not permit denim in their dining rooms. So, big No to the denim jumpsuit for NYC travel. But your other travel tips are right on. Safe travels.
oh gosh, i’ve been to five star restaurants and denim is always a-ok in NYC. i need to be going where you’re going instead!
Love the jumpsuit. I’ve been eyeing them for a while and you have it styled perfectly.
Those are good looks. They can all carry you through a number of scenarios. I haven’t read anyone else’s comments–only other thing for international travel I could think of was a converter for electricity? Good tips!
I love the jumpsuit, this has inspired me to think about getting one, being short I never felt that they were flattering on me. I am also a fan of packing light, can you tell me what is a ‘spinner’?