What to Wear in New York: A Season-by-Season Packing Guide

What to wear in New York depends on the month, the neighbourhood and how many miles you plan to walk, because almost every New York day is a walking day. The city swings from humid summer afternoons to windy, snowy winter evenings, and a single itinerary can run from a museum morning to a rooftop dinner and a Broadway show. This 2026 guide covers New York weather by season, then how to dress for theatre, rooftops, museums and a Hamptons day trip, with a ten-piece packing list at the end.

What is the weather like in New York?

New York has four distinct seasons. The climate record for New York City describes long, hot, humid summers with frequent late-day thundershowers, and moderately cold winters with snow or a mix of snow and rain on occasion. By the 1991–2020 normals for the Central Park station, January averages a high of about 40°F (4°C) and a low of about 28°F (−2°C), while July averages a high of about 85°F (29°C) and a low of about 70°F (21°C). Most of the city's snow falls between December and late March, and rain is spread across the whole year rather than packed into one wet season.

Two things matter more than the numbers. First, the wind: avenues running between tall buildings can make a 35°F day feel far colder, especially near the rivers. Second, the interiors: subway platforms are stuffy in summer, while museums, shops and theatres are heated in winter and cooled hard in summer. In every season you are dressing for both outside and in.

What to wear in New York in winter (December to March)

Think in three layers. The base is what you will wear indoors all day, and this is where a resort wardrobe earns its place: a long-sleeved silk dress, a printed shirt with wide trousers, or a knee-length tunic over slim trousers or leggings all look finished once the coat comes off in a restaurant or gallery. Thermal leggings or a thin long-sleeved top under a dress make lighter fabrics work outdoors.

The middle layer should be thin and warm, a fine knit or a tailored jacket, rather than one bulky jumper, because you will be taking it off every time you step inside. On top, choose a coat that blocks wind and covers your hips, and add a wool scarf or a stole, gloves and a hat. Waterproof boots with grip are worth the suitcase space: after snow, street corners turn to slush for days.

December is the month of holiday windows, lights and parties, and it is when velvet comes into its own. A velvet dress or co-ord under a dark coat looks dressed-up without bare legs or heels. Our winter collection is built around exactly this kind of layering.

Spring and autumn in New York

April, May, September and October are the easiest months to pack for and, in our view, the most comfortable months to visit. Days can be warm enough for a dress and bare arms, while mornings and evenings call for a jacket. Pack a light trench or a denim jacket, a couple of midi dresses, trousers that work with trainers, and one long-sleeved layer. By late October, swap in a warmer coat and closed shoes.

A longer kaftan (the American spelling is caftan, and our caftan edit uses it) is surprisingly useful in the shoulder seasons. Worn over slim trousers and ankle boots with a jacket on top, it is warm enough for an evening walk and still comfortable in a heated restaurant.

Summer in New York (June to August)

New York summers are hot, sticky and long, and the heat holds after dark. Choose fabric first: loose linen and cotton breathe, prints hide the effects of a humid afternoon, and nothing should cling. A short kaftan over shorts, a relaxed co-ord set or a sleeveless dress will feel far better than anything fitted.

Because summer storms are common, pack a compact umbrella and shoes that will survive a sudden downpour. Then add one thin layer, a lightweight shirt worn open or a cover-up, for the moment you step from a hot street into a cold shop, museum or theatre.

Broadway, rooftop dinners and evenings out

Broadway does not require formal dress. According to Playbill, there is no official dress code to attend a Broadway show, so you will not be turned away for dressing casually, but it suggests treating it as an occasion and dressing as you might for dinner. That is the right note for most of the city's evenings: a silk or satin dress, a printed shirt with tailored trousers, or a lurex top under a dark jacket all work for a show followed by a late supper. Theatres and restaurants can be cool in summer, so keep a wrap in your bag.

Rooftop bars are where the weather finds you again. Even on a warm evening, a breeze many floors up can feel cool, so add a stole or a light jacket you are happy to be photographed in. Some bars and restaurants set their own dress rules, so check before you go. Our evening wear pieces pack flat and recover in a steamy bathroom, which helps when a suitcase has to cover a week of dinners.

"New York is a city of coats, so choose one plain coat and let one printed silk piece underneath do the talking at dinner," says Ramola Bachchan, the fashion designer behind First Resort.

Museums, galleries and walking days

A museum day in New York is a walking day: long galleries, hard floors, queues outside and a heated or cooled café at the end. Wear a dress or a tunic and trousers in a fabric that does not crease when you sit, and shoes you have already walked in. Pack light, too. The Met's visitor guidelines say large bags, luggage and oversize camera equipment are not allowed in the building or at coat check, so a small crossbody bag is the easiest choice.

In winter, a long kaftan or tunic over leggings with boots is warm on the walk across Central Park and comfortable inside. In summer, a cotton dress and a light shirt to throw on against the air-conditioning is all you need.

A Hamptons day trip

The Hamptons, on the South Fork at the eastern end of Long Island, became a well-known seaside resort and summer colony by the late nineteenth century, and its population still rises sharply every summer. This is where a resort wardrobe feels most at home. Pack a swimsuit, a printed kaftan or sarong to wear over it, a linen shirt dress for lunch, flat sandals and a wide-brimmed hat. Evenings by the ocean can be cooler than the city, so bring a light layer for the trip home.

A ten-piece New York packing list

For a week in winter:

1. A warm, wind-resistant coat that covers your hips
2. A fine knit and a light jacket for layering
3. One silk or velvet dress for evenings
4. One tunic or kaftan to wear over trousers
5. Two pairs of trousers, one wide and one slim
6. Two shirts or tops that work with both
7. Thermal leggings or a thin base layer
8. A scarf or stole, gloves and a hat
9. Waterproof boots and one pair of comfortable trainers
10. A small crossbody bag that closes fully

In summer, keep the evening dress, the trousers and the bag, and swap the rest for three loose cotton or linen pieces, sandals, a compact umbrella and one thin layer.

For pieces that move from a cold street to a warm dinner, browse the winter collection or the vacation edit. Every piece comes in one price across XS to 8XL, with delivery worldwide.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear in New York in winter?

Wear layers under a warm, wind-resistant coat: a long-sleeved dress or tunic with trousers, a fine knit, a scarf, gloves and a hat, plus closed, waterproof boots. Average January highs in Central Park are around 40°F (4°C), and snow is possible from December to March.

Is there a dress code for Broadway shows?

No. There is no official dress code for Broadway, and you will not be turned away for dressing casually, but many people treat a show as an occasion and dress as they would for a nice dinner.

What should I wear in New York in summer?

Wear loose, breathable cotton, linen or silk: a sundress, a short kaftan over shorts or a co-ord set, with comfortable sandals or trainers. Summers are hot and humid with late-day thunderstorms, so carry a small umbrella and a light layer for air-conditioned interiors.

Can I wear a kaftan in New York?

Yes. In summer a short kaftan or caftan works on its own for the High Line, a rooftop or the Hamptons; in spring and autumn wear a longer one over slim trousers and ankle boots with a jacket on top.

Shop the Collection

Also shop: Winter Collection  ·  Silk  ·  Velvet  ·  Caftans  ·  Evening Wear

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