# Help me pack for New York **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 1, 2003, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029 "2003-01-01T11:23:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Soda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/1 "2003-01-01T11:23:33Z")
In 24 hours, my flight will be on it’s way. We’ll just have lifted and I’ll most likely see Denmark if I look out the window. I’m doing laundry right now, I’ve handwashed the delicates, and as soon as things dry I’ll start sorting it in piles on my bed. Now, for the question. What do I bring? I’ll have four big events to go to (Korean on Thursday, Bleecker on Friday, America on Saturday and Billdo’s Brunch on Sunday) and there’ll probably be more things too. So far, all I have on my list is undies, and while I’m sure it would delight some Dopers, I’d rather not go to a DopeFest wearing nothing but undies. Help a poor Swedish chick out. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/2 "2003-01-01T12:15:29Z")
Sure, I’d be glad to help a Swedish chick out. Undies are always useful, but considering the somewhat dismal [weather forecast](http://www.weather.com/weather/local/10023), I’d think a bit more clothing would be in order. The temperatures will be highs in the mid 30’s F (+2 C) and lows in the high 20’s F (-3 C) with rain/snow/sleet/other yukky stuff falling from the sky. The general theme will be casual. Jeans would be fine for the whole darn event. For New York City, the most important thing is probably comfortable walking shoes. If you are interested in dressing up, the time to do it is the Saturday dinner. A bunch of the ladies there will be wearing mini-skirts and cleavage-revealing tops, but many won’t. Some guys will be wearing kilts or zoot suits, but most won’t. If you have a fedora, the official headgear of the 2003 MegaDopefest, Saturday night is the time to be sure to wear it. For the brunch, comfortable hang-over wear is in order. I’d recommend you cover the naughty bits (there things you don’t need to see on the morning after), but other than that, all bets are off. Can’t wait to meet you. ---
**Author:** ![Soda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/3 "2003-01-01T12:44:52Z")
Okay, comfy shoes. Thank god I have a huge suitcase. Is it still snowing in NY? I heard the airports were closed during Christmas? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/4 "2003-01-01T13:32:21Z")
Much as I’m tantalized by the vision of you in undies, **Soda** , I’ll second **Billdo** , who knows the territory. Comfortable, _sturdy_ walking shoes are essential for a weekend in NYC. It’s a walking/subway/bus town, and in addition to the extensive walking you’re likely to do on city streets, chances are you’ll be going up and down hard concrete stairs into and out of the subway system on a regular basis. If you’re wearing cheap sneakers, it’ll take a toll on your feet. Jeans are good, in the sort of weather we’re likely to have this weekend - like Billdo said, it’s gonna be right around 0° C., give or take. Given that we’re likely to see rain and “wintry mix” precipitation, pack whatever coat or jacket you wear on cold, rainy days. And a sweater, and a long-sleeved shirt or two, and a couple of undershirts. Layering is your friend - it keeps you warm and gives you flexibility. Buy a cheap compact umbrella once you’re in NYC. You should be able to buy one for $3 or so from a sidewalk vendor that easily fits in a tote bag or large purse. None of this applies to Saturday dinner, of course, when you should dress however you please. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/5 "2003-01-01T15:54:26Z")
Layers, definitely. You need to be able to adapt to cold outdoors and warm indoors. And I second/third/fourth the comfy walking shoes. For Saturday night, I will be attired in my usual Dopefest gear, a miniskirt and Doc Martens. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/6 "2003-01-01T17:40:24Z")
Woohoo!! \*\*Geo-\*\*gams!!! [sub]Hopefully accompanied by Geo-cleavage. Yeah!! 😃 [/sub] ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/7 "2003-01-01T17:58:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RTFirefly \* > \*\*Much as I’m tantalized by the vision of you in undies, **Soda** , I’ll second **Billdo** , who knows the territory. > \*\* I can’t help but add, however, that each of the major events is in a heated facility. 😉 Triple ditto on the shoes. Leave the spike heels home (or in your hotel room, or whatever 😉 ). ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/8 "2003-01-01T18:51:20Z")
Or, if you just want to look great with heels for the Saturday night festivities, do what I’m planning on doing and bring a pair of shoes that will comfortable fit in a bag with you to switch later in the evening. I’m going to have a larger over the shoulder back to slide my boots into after they start to annoy me. (Because, dammit, I want to show these boots off SOMEWHERE!) I’ve got to second **Geo** on the layers, though. Between going outside into the cold to going into bars that can get quite warm, you may want to be able to peel down enough to keep you comfortable, but not get you arrested. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/9 "2003-01-01T19:12:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TruePisces \* > \*\*Between going outside into the cold to going into bars that can get quite warm, you may want to be able to peel down enough to keep you comfortable, but not get you arrested. 😉 \*\* But (and this goes for _all_ DoperBabes!) feel free to push the boundaries. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/10 "2003-01-01T19:16:11Z")
Besides, we have several excellent attorneys who will be in attendance. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Soda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/11 "2003-01-01T19:39:13Z")
Yikes! You want skin, is that what you’re saying? I have a really cool pair of tango shoes, and the shoe in the bag idea is the best one yet. We’ll see. I’m in the middle of packing now. I think I have all the clothes I want, now it’s time for the things. I think you all should be impressed that I’ve remembered to buy ear plugs for the plane ride. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pack-for-new-york/146029/12 "2003-01-01T20:04:57Z")
Remember that on Saturday night, simply everyone who’s anyone will be wearing straw boaters, velveteen smoking jackets, river-driver shirts, jodphurs, and Birkenstocks, no socks. So don’t forget to bring all that stuff or you’ll look like a dork.