I was snooping around in our TME Insiders group the other day, and reader Amanda had asked the group for some NYC outfit advice. She had plans to see Hamilton, and needed outfit ideas that were warm and chic. There were soooo many good answers in that thread! Most recommended some sort of all-black outfit (black pants, black top, black boots), and a few swore by dresses, layered up for cold weather (fleece-lined tights under a slip dress is one recommendation I can also personally endorse).

maje top and coat | similar rag&bone jeans | similar bag

What To Wear In NYC In Winter (Think: October – March)

But the one recommendation that popped up over and over is, perhaps, the most foolproof outfit idea for cold-weather visits to NYC. Not only do I swear by it myself, but it’s been tested by several of our readers, too. Best of all? This uniform of sorts can be easily tweaked, based on your personal style preferences and weather, plus it forms the perfect starting point for a little weekend NYC capsule wardrobe.

Since it’s cold, the basis of this packing list is a really great pair of faux-leather pants. These pants are basically windproof, making them much warmer than jeans outside (shockingly so), but not uncomfortable inside, either. Especially if you find a pair with brushed, or fleecy interior.

wearing NINOBrand pants

I love monochromatic looks (they’re always so chic) so I’d simply pair the pants with some sort of black top and add a statement coat.

Most TME insiders recommended a cashmere sweater (you’ll never go wrong; it works day or night), but if you want to up the ante at night, take Shannon’s advice:

“Faux-leather pants (or coated jeans but *not* leggings), deep plunge top or bodysuit, heeled but walkable boots with wool socks, topped by a faux-fur coat & cashmere scarf.”

And then she linked to this bodysuit (now basically sold out), and my mind was BLOWN.

So. Based on our reader recommendations, I pulled together a little weekend capsule for cold-weather visits to NYC. I tweaked it a little for my current preferences (I’m reallllly into maxi coats at the moment), but something like this should work for almost any NYC weekend plan.

01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11

---

So here’s the thing: regardless of when you go to New York, this basic idea will work for almost any cold or cold-ish (brisk? chilly?) weather. In fact, I’d use this packing list as a starting point for all months except for the very warm.

And it’s pretty easy to change up the vibe, too. Just swap out the coat and shoes for ones that meet your lifestyle/planned activities/personal style and you’re set.

Here are a few additional ways to tweak this capsule wardrobe based on seasonality:

01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

---

More Cute Tops For NYC

Faux-Leather Pants For Keeping Warm

Hope this helps!

xo,

S