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Layer 1: A proper thermal base layer
The first thing you need is a good thermal. One important warning here — do not buy your thermal in India before you travel. The thin 'luxe' thermals you find there are simply not made for New York cold. Instead, wait until you arrive and pick up a Heattech thermal from Uniqlo. What I love about these is that they are super thin, they add no bulk at all, but they genuinely keep you warm. You can also get matching thermal lowers if you want full coverage from head to toe.
Layer 2: A warm sweater
Over your thermal, you need a sweater. It does not have to be an enormous chunky knit — I personally prefer not to pile on too much bulk, so I go with a slim, thinner sweater. The key things to keep in mind: make it full-sleeves, and keep it warm enough to do an actual job. A basic, plain full-sleeve sweater from somewhere like Zara works perfectly well.
Layer 3: The right jacket — this is the part most people get wrong
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Book a Mock InterviewYour outer jacket is the most important layer of all, and this is where I see tourists make the biggest mistake. Do not bring a thin leather jacket. Do not bring one of those light fashion jackets you might normally wear in the cooler months back home. They will not work in a New York winter. What you need is either a bomber jacket or a down jacket — something with real insulation.
If you do not already own one, I would actually recommend buying it here rather than before you travel. The prices in New York are genuinely better. You can find a warm, quality jacket from brands like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, or DKNY for around $80 to $100. The jacket I wore when shooting this was a Michael Kors one that cost me about $90.
For shopping, I recommend heading to Century 21. Go straight to the jackets section and look for Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and DKNY — they are usually in that $80–$100 range and often have discounts on top of that.
Feet: warm socks and boots
Warm, thick socks are a must — do not underestimate this. But more importantly, you need boots. Ankle boots will do the job, but tall boots are even better because they keep both your feet and your lower legs warm, which also means you may not need to layer thermals underneath your jeans or trousers.
I did not own boots before my last New York winter trip, so I picked up a pair at Century 21 the day before I needed them. I found Tommy Hilfiger boots there for $28 — which was honestly a steal. So if you are in the same situation, do not stress. You can sort it out once you land.
The two finishing touches: a cap and gloves
Once you are dressed, there are two more things you genuinely need: a cap and gloves. Gloves in particular are essential if you are going to be out sightseeing, taking photos, or filming anything — the last thing you want is your hands going numb every time you pull your phone out. I suggest getting gloves that have the fingertips open so you can use your touchscreen easily, and ideally a mitten flap you can pull over when you are not actively using your hands. That combination makes a real difference.
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