A Professional Stylist's Best Outfit Advice To Blend In On A Trip To New York City

New York City is one of the world's top fashion destinations, and whether you're there for NYFW or just visiting the Statue of Liberty, fitting in with the style elite is part of the fun. However, that might mean ditching your standard T-shirt-and-backpack combo for something a little more put together. Otherwise, you'll likely stick out as a tourist among the city's locals.

To find out how to blend in during a trip to New York, Explore exclusively tapped Liz Teich, a fashion stylist and the founder of The New York Stylist and the Closet Refresh®, for advice. The first point to note: New Yorkers are known to be creative with their outfits, and "anything goes" in the East Coast city, says Teich. With this in mind, a trip to the Big Apple is the perfect opportunity to step outside of your style comfort zone. "If you want to blend in, then don't dress like everyone else!" the fashion expert shared. "If you're shopping at a mall or popular stores, then you're likely to look more like someone who isn't in the know. We can always spot tourists when they're wearing NYC paraphernalia and flaunting lots of logos as well."

NYC may be the perfect place to show off a quirky pair of shoes or your most daring top, but Liz Teich warns against impractical outfits. First, don't underestimate how much walking you'll do when visiting New York City. "Avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes or on the other end of the spectrum, don't wear your running sneakers or even Crocs," the pro stylist suggested. "New Yorkers opt for sensible shoes with all the walking we do, but we don't sacrifice style." Think a comfortable flat, loafer, or stylish pair of designer sneakers.

Teich also noted the importance of packing garments that can be layered and removed as needed, such as sweaters and jackets. "It can be chilly in the mornings/evenings and then like 20 degrees warmer in mid day, not to mention that shops and restaurants blast AC in the summer and heat in the winter," she shared. If you plan to use the New York City subway system, it's also a good idea to bring layers, as the trains and platforms can get extremely hot and cold, the stylist told Explore.

When visiting New York, you may want to supplement your travel capsule wardrobe with a few unique items bought during your trip. For the best finds, Liz Teich says to stick to small boutiques, independent designer shops, and vintage stores and skip the chains and fast-fashion spots. "The Artists & Fleas market in Williamsburg and Chelsea is always a great place to browse and even bring home gifts," she recommended. "Some other favorite places to shop are Sezane, Reformation, ME+EM, and MMLaFleur. Catbird is the best place to shop affordable fine jewelry and you can schedule an appointment to get 'Zapped' with a permanent bracelet to remember your trip."

Teich admitted that shopping in New York City can be expensive, but there are deals available if you know where to look. For instance, the stylist is a big fan of browsing sample sales to save money. "That's the best shopping here and the best deals," she explained. To find sample sales happening during your trip, Teich says to search upcoming events on the website 260samplesale and plan your itinerary accordingly.