The 10 Key Items to Pack for New York City

Even if you’re coming to NYC for vacation, you’ll want a look that means business. This neutral blazer from J.Crew instantly elevates anything you're wearing—especially a plain white T-shirt and jeans. Even better, it's made from a casual and comfortable stretch twill fabric, but the slim cut, collarless neck, and omitted front button make it look ultra-sleek.

Sure, you can get away with jeans for a night of Broadway, but you’ll feel more presentable in a versatile dress. This matte jersey frock from Lands’ End won't get creased in your suitcase, and it comes in black and a true dark navy. For a casual day look, roll up and cuff the sleeves at a three-quarter length. For a tailored evening style, button them at your wrist and throw on a signature piece of jewelry. Instant LBD elegance!

You can never go wrong with ballet flats—the commuting shoe of choice for many a fashionista—but these super-cool smoking slippers offer an on-trend alternative. They get high marks for comfort and style, pairing just as well with jeans as a dress. As for color, black or navy are ultra practical, but the ruby shade here feels like the perfect “red delicious” hue for the Big Apple.

Rain or shine, even indoors, you’ll catch New Yorkers ducking behind a pair of shades. (Hey those subway fluorescents can be pretty harsh!) Vamp it up with these classic "Jackie Ohh" frames. These Ray-Bans suit every type of face, and their ladylike, cat-eye shape works just as well on Fifth Avenue as it does down on the Lower East Side. Polarized lenses make sure your eyes are protected from skyscraper glare. And Sunglass Hut also has year-long “oops” insurance, should you drop your sunnies on the subway floor.

When it comes to NYC umbrellas, size matters. This adorable mini umbrella from Davek fits in your palm. It measures a mere seven inches when closed and weighs under a pound, but it has a sturdy steel shaft and spans 33 inches wide when opened. Practical as that may be, it's the closure’s stitched-on logo with “New York” in serif lettering that make it irresistible.

The goal: finding jeans that feel as comfy as sweatpants. The solution: Uniqlo's "Ezy" mid-rise jeans. These jeans have all the comfort of Sunday morning sweats, and with a flattering cut and a slightly tapered leg, they’re stylish to boot. Choose from four different washes, though you'll get the most mileage out of black—NYC’s signature “color.” Wear them on the plane, and you'll look way more pulled together than you would in your fallback leggings.

This is the one merino crewneck to rule them all. A longtime J.Crew bestseller, the Tippi is everything you want in a sweater: soft knit, fitted, warm, and thin enough to layer. While some rib-trimmed sweaters can look too prim and fussy with jeans, this number can handle being paired with denim or a skirt, checking both boxes. It's available in eight colors, including the gorgeous and sophisticated “heather smoke.”

After hours of pounding the sidewalks, your feet will need some serious TLC. Local NYC brand Bliss has you and your aching arches covered. Their aloe and peppermint foot cream feels cooling and smells divine. Alpha hydroxy and salicylic acid will get rid of any building calluses, too. And it's free from parabens, sulfates, and other questionable chemicals.

In the city that never sleeps, there's a good chance you'll hear traffic noise, construction, even a “fuhgeddaboudit” shouted at top volume. To avoid missing out on adequate Z’s, toss these heavy-duty earplugs into your toiletry kit. They have a noise-reduction rating (NRR) of 33, which is the highest you can buy.