Blogger Hoang-Kim share what to pack for a trip to New York City — On Her: Red Sweater Dress, Black Leggings layered with cashmere tights, Sorel Shearling Boots c/o, Kendra Scott earrings c/o On Him: Blue Button-Up, Gray Better Sweater, Dark Denim, Sorel Chukka Boots c/o

[outfit_details]On Her: Red Sweater Dress, Black Leggings layered with cashmere tights, Sorel Shearling Boots c/o, Kendra Scott earrings c/o
On Him: Blue Button-Up, Gray Better Sweater, Dark Denim, Sorel Chukka Boots c/o[/outfit_details]

The official start of Winter is less than a week away and during our time in New York City, I got so many questions about breaking down what to pack! Even though I absolutely love winter and snow, I do not like being cold. We all hear layering is key, but how do you properly do it? What fabrics should you get? How do you really stay warm? I believe in being realistic and not sacrificing for fashion. You can totally have both! Cozy up with a hot cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa because I’m sharing what to pack for a winter trip in New York City!

It actually rained during this shoot! If you look hard you can see the raindrops and it rained the rest of the day. But that didn’t really get us down because we were properly dressed!

Footwear

Get your comfortable shoes out because there is no way you can get around New York City without walking. Even folks who can afford private cars and drivers still need to walk at least some. Sorel Footwear is my go-to when it comes to cold weather. They generously gifted me and Johnny some boots to keep us warm during our trip to the Winter Olympics. I’m excited to be working with them again and sharing how we wear their pieces on a regular basis. Their footwear can definitely be worn for every day and not just during extreme conditions.

When it comes to what to pack for a winter trip in New York City, I immediately think of flat shoes. These Phoenix Lace Shearling Boots are the perfect mix of winter chic with a little bit of grit. My favorite aspect about the shoe is the lace-up detail but there’s a zipper on the side! You never have to lace these up! Johnny actually didn’t realize this until our trip was over, he thought I was The Flash when it came to getting in and out of these, ha! First off, it rained for an entire day during our “tourist” day. These boots are waterproof and seam-sealed so your feet stay dry! I don’t think there are very many things dirtier than NYC street water, ugh! The sole inside is memory foam so you’re ready to walk wherever for as long as you’d like. The outside sole is molded rubber and gives you great grip when you walk.

Johnny chose the waterproof chukka boots and boy was he glad he went with these. His feet were dry, he could walk all day and he got away with wearing these shoes with a slightly dressier look, too! For guys, what to pack for a winter trip in New York City is a little easier since they don’t have heels. However, not all flats are comfortable. These chukka boots are on the thicker side but worth it for warm and dry feet.

How to Layer

It’s the phrase everyone says when it comes to dressing for the cold weather. Layer up! But how do you do this properly to ensure you stay warm and avoid extra bulk? Unless I’m in a ski resort (which I’ve yet to do, but let’s imagine shall we?) I don’t really like to marshmallow look. I prefer to be as sleek as possible, especially since I’m petite! Usually, I aim for about least two layers on my legs and two to three for my upper body.

Base Layer

This is the foundation of your winter outfit. Choose wrong here and you will be off to a bad start. This layer touches your skin, so I love to go with something soft and not synthetic. Merino wool or cashmere are my favorites. I have a cashmere tank I love to start off with. If it’s winter and the outfit I’m wearing has a high neckline, you can bet this cashmere tank is underneath! If you want a long sleeve option, this merino wool base layer is sleek. For legs, if it’s about mid 40s to upper 50s, I go with a pair of cashmere or wool tights. It’s important to always check the fabric on these. Many places will say something is wool or cashmere but when you check, it’s only 5 percent. Aim for at least 40 to 50 percent, 100 is best.

Mid Layer

This layer is a must on my list of what to pack for a winter trip in New York City. This is the layer most people will see when you are indoors or if you get warm and unzip your outer layer. I prefer 100 percent cashmere if possible. One of my favorite layering pieces is this cashmere sweatshirt. You cannot see it in these photos but I’m wearing it under my red sweater dress. That’s two super warm layers and my sweater dress before we get to my coat. When you layer with wool or cashmere, warm air pockets stay close to your body. That is what keeps you warm!

For legs, you can layer a pair of warm leggings over your tights for ultimate worth. When temperatures are around freezing or below, this is what I do to make sure I can be outside for hours without shivering. This acts as a nice barrier between the cold and the warmth of your base layer.

Outer Layer

The final piece to keep you nice and toasty when it rains, the wind is howling or snow is falling. A coat is a must on your list of what to pack for a winter trip to New York City. Johnny and I only brought one coat for this five-day trip. We wished we brought our rain jackets but in all honesty, we just forgot. However, thick my wool coat and Johnny’s did the trick at keeping us warm and dry. We got an umbrella for our heads, haha, but water just rolls right off on our jackets instead of absorbing. My wool coat is sleek and I love how it fits. It is tighter and hugs the body more than most winter coats. If you are looking for something roomier, I suggest its sister coat here.