New Yorkers know the secret to winter is chic comfort.  Its been cold and drab, a perfect fitting for the black and grey apparel featured this year. All one sees is coats, hats and boots, so it doesn’t matter much what lies beneath if you plan on mostly walking the city. 

Although snow has already come and gone (and likely to come again),  gals should pack both rubber soled and chic boots. Assuming you will stop for a great meal, cocktail or some lengthy indoor shopping, leather or suede boots high in length, low in heel are the chicest and most practical choice.   Big bubble-like coats are never in style here. Better to bring a more tailored option and layer up beneath. Dresses with leggings and bold jewelry? Sure, if you are in your 20’s and going “clubbing?. For everyone else, better to leave them home and opt instead for well-fitting jeans and current sweaters or chic longish tops with a peel-away cardigan.  Jeans are appropriate for almost anything you do in NYC (perhaps not in Le Cirque or a job interview)  

Dont have the right accoutrements? Not to worry. You are coming to the shopping capital of the world. Buy it here. On sale

www.shopgotham.com

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An NYC teen here to give you the insider report on what the city’s young and stylish are rocking this season…Cool summer nights in the city call for ditching the denim cut-offs and slipping on the latest hot trend: The Boyfriend Jean, spotted on celebs like Katie Holmes, Lindsay Lohan and Kate Bosworth. These slouchy pants are best distressed, worn in, and rolled up, and look fabulous paired with a blazer and chic evening tank. Here are hot pairs from J Brand (left) and Rich & Skinny:

Our Shop Gotham tours can bring you to stores with exclusive deals on this must-have trend!

Stay tuned to our ShopNYC blog for more NYC teen insider info!

New Yorkers know the secret to summer style lies in comfort with style . This summer we will pair short or long, flirty dresses with vintage-inspired hats and sweaters so as to be prepared for al fresco dining or heavily air-conditioned theatres and subways.  Bring these items with you to NYC or find them on a Shop Gotham shopping tour.  www.shopgotham.com

1.  Floppy straw hat.

With most of us trying to protect our skin from the evil rays, you will want to be prepared for those outings in Central Park, ferry ride to Ellis Island or strolls down Madison Ave, with the essential floppy summer hat.  Find one on  Soho & Nolita shopping tour www.shopgotham.com/daily-new-york-shopping-tours.php one sunny Saturday morning.

2. Island-inspired dress

New Yorkers live on an island, too!  Just because our island has more concrete than sand doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy island fashion.  Check out the great deals at Calypso Outlet to feel like you’re on St. Bart’s even when you’re walking St. Mark’s!

3.  Gladiator Sandals

While sandal trends are more likely to be initiated on the West Coast, New Yorkers have fallen in love with these Roman-inspired treats for the feet.  They are not only fashionable, but practical, since they come in a wide variety of colors.  Choose brown or white to match everything or a bright, sassy color to spice up your sundress!

HAVE a GREAT trip to NYC!

Overview
If you are a true fashion follower, you can finesse all kinds of looks & trends. For everyone else who feels a bit of trepidation when packing, we offer you some advice by way of simple principles. After all, no one wants to look like a tourist

Fundamentals: The New York City style is understated chic. When in doubt, play it down. Leave home your rhinestone studded tops, embellished sweatsuits (all matching sweatsuits for that matter), cleavage baring tops and midriffs. Unless you are under 25 and blessed with magnificent legs, short shorts are out (save for the hotel gym or bike riding in Central Park) especially when paired with high heeled pumps. Stick to solid colors and well fitting current clothing. You can never fail with black but New Yorkers are no longer clad top to bottom in black, especially in warm weather. Jeans are always in style, but not your old beat up ones (or acid wash!). Wear dark blue slim leg (or skinny jeans) or the current bell bottom or wide leg version. Don’t be afraid to wear your real jewels – NYC women love to sport theirs. Or bring one pair of real or faux gold hoops and your fun summer bangles and you are good to go. Trade your baseball cap in for a charming wide-brimmed straw hat. Never wear your jeans with a jean jacket. And this can never be stated often enough – do NOT wear your fanny pack; you are not going to get mugged!

Tips for Summer 2008.

It will be warm. This is a city and you can expect temperatures to be in the 80’s & 90’s fahrenheit. This season little dresses and skirts trump shorts. Bold block prints in dresses and tops are very in, but again, if you don’t have an eye for what just the right print is, go for solids. Here are some suggestions:

For daytime walking & touring:

• Little summer dress(shift style); flat strappy sandals; large framed sunglasses
• Cotton summery skirt; solid tank or tee (not oversized or logoed); flat strappy sandals (gladiator or thong style)
• Long shorts; tank or tee; flat sandals

And a note about sneakers/running shoes: If you prefer or must wear sneakers, a bevy of cute affordable options are available and preferable to your white Nikes. Navy, red, taupe or patterned cuties by Keds, Van or others.

For daytime shopping, lunching, museums:

• Little dress or skirt with tank/tee; flat sandals, ballet slippers or platform sandals; straw or canvas handbag.
• Jeans (white or dark denim)or cotton pants (white or black); fashionable summer top (peasant style,  billowy, racer backed, embellished camisole style, unstructured or tucked in with wide belt) straw or canvas bag; flat sandals, ballerina slippers or low heeled shoes (metallic, skin and patent leather sandals are hot): gauzy scarf

For Evening – traditional dinner & theater

• See Daytime shopping options above. Pair with a cardigan or switch to a ¾ or long sleeve lightweight top (prepare for air conditioning); small handbag
• Simple wrap dress (Diane Von Furstenberg style), flat sandals or higher wedged or platform shoes (wooden heels are in): small handbag or oversized clutch

For Evening – trendy cocktails and dinner

• Well fitting current blue or white jeans; stylish top (sleeveless preferred if you can carry it); higher heeled sandals; small handbag or oversized clutch
• Sexier-style little dress (keep it simple. Nothing you would wear to a wedding!); flat sandals, platform or wedge shoes

(or come on a Shop Gotham tour and we will help you find these items!)