What to wear in the summer in New York City?

Summer officially begins on June 21st and July and August are always hot months in NYC. And if you are coming to the city and you don’t know how to pack, I’m gonna share some tips. I would say, basically, when you chose your clothes to spend some summer days here in New York, you need to make some adjustments – after all, travel requires comfort. So forget high heels, even wedges. You should bring flats and sneakers because here you will walk a lot, trust me!

The first thing you need to remember when packing to NYC in summer is: leave your coats at home, you will not gonna need them! Keep in mind that summer in New York can be very humid, which will make you feel that absolutely every inch of your body is sticking. But overall, I would say that it is not like that every day. It depends on the year, of course. July and August usually have the highest averages – especially the second half of July and the first half of August. In September, the weather is a delight – it’s another ideal month for those who do not like extremes. Temperatures range from 54 to 70F in May, from 63 to 79 in June, 68 to 84F in July, 67 at 82F in August, and 60 at 75F in September. Although summer officially begins in June, the warm temperature usually starts by the end of May.

What to pack for summer in NYC

I’m gonna list all the items I usually wear over the summer in the city and I’m gonna explain a little bit about each one. Then, I’m gonna show you some outfit ideas!

• Shorts –  denim shorts are among my favorite items for summer outfits. I love the versatility. There is no better combination than denim shorts with a t-shirt to explore the city the whole day. You can also use it with a cotton shirt – it is classic and elegant and you will be ready to go to a rooftop bar at the end of the day and have a drink. You can add more personality by styling with necklaces, tiaras, or bracelets. That’s what I like to do when I use denim shorts and a t-shirt. I particularly love high waist denim shorts and besides t-shirts, I love to wear them with cropped tops and bodysuits. I also suggest  linen or cotton shorts – natural fabrics are always the best choices for summer and these fabrics help to create a more chic outfit.

Shop shorts:

• Dresses – a dress is also another favorite piece for the summer, right? I love how effortless it is and you can pack maxi, midi, or short dresses for your trip to New York City and use them with sneakers, flats, or sandals. Just be careful with short dresses with light fabrics because of the wind. 

Shop dresses:

• Skirts – the same way you can choose the different lengths for the dresses, you can do with skirts. Short, mid, or maxi: it doesn’t matter your preference, these items are also great pieces for your summer outfits in the city. I particularly love the midi and maxi ones because they are very comfortable and you don’t need to worry about accidentally “showing too much” lol. You can mix and match your t-shirts and vary your outfits using either skirts or shorts. When packing, try to plan some outfits on your mind and choose items that can be used with more than one option. 

Shop skirts:

• T-shirts/crop tops – t-shirts and crop tops are my favorite tops for summer and I can mix and match with my shorts and skirts, depending on the day and on my mood. 

Shop tops

• Denim/cotton/linen pants – depending on the time of your trip, you may need pants – maybe for going somewhere at night or for a day at the museum (the air conditioning here is strong, lol!). For summer, I prefer light blue jeans – those with destroyed details are a great choice for the summer season. Linen is also an excellent choice, because it’s really light – and chic!

Shop pants:

• Shoes – as I mentioned, we walk a lot in the city! So, I recommend great sneakers (the white ones are so easy to style!) and flats! Flat sandals can also be a good choice, but only for a day that you are not gonna walk everywhere – like a museum day, for example. I say that because the city streets, sidewalks, and subway stations are not the cleanest ones… High heels are only necessary for places that require a dress code (like some restaurants, rooftops, and dance clubs) and you can usually find out about this on the venue website. And if you allow me to give you some advice: Birkenstock sandals! I was shocked when I discovered how comfy these sandals are! 

Shop shoes:

• Light jacket – a light parka, a denim jacket, or even a cardigan can be good for those days that are not so hot or during a cruise or a boat tour when it is usually windy. 

Shop jackets

• Sunglasses/hats/jewelry – don’t forget to include your favorite fashion accessories – today, I’m very neutral when choosing colors and prints and I prefer to elevate my style using sunglasses, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. You can also use hair props like hats and tiaras. 

Some of my wardrobe essentials

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• The ultimate guide to The Hamptons – where to stay, where to eat and things to do.
• Amazing things to do in NY State in the summer – NYC getaways.
• NYC from the water: the best cruises and experiences to enjoy summer in the city.
• Tips for traveling with only carry-on luggage – summer edition!
• 10 cool things to do in New York City in the Summer
   

   

  Outfits inspiration

  

  In the pictures above, you can see how I dress for summer in New York City. Denim shorts are my favorites and I love to match them with statement t-shirts, cropped tops, and bodysuits. Knotting a shirt on your waist is an easy way to elevate your style! And see how white sneakers are always a great idea!

  

  Here you can see how I use dresses with flats and also white sneakers – they are definitely my favorites – and you can also wear them for some Fall/Winter outfits. 

   

  Here are more pics featuring outfits I’ve wore in NYC real life:

  

  

  Now that you saw what I wear, you can check the board below that I created on Pinterest, with more than 50 outfit ideas for summer in New York City. Remember: follow your style, wear whatever makes you feel great – but always prioritize comfort! And remember, this is NYC! Hope the ideas I’ve saved on this board can help you to pack! 

  https://br.pinterest.com/itslauraperuchi/nyc-summer-outfits/

  Last but not least, check my reels wearing the essentials I’ve suggested on this post and notice how you can mix and match everything!

   

   

   

   

   

  Ver essa foto no Instagram

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Uma publicação compartilhada por Laura Peruchi | NYC Blogger (@laura_peruchi)

Laura Peruchi

Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!