How to Pack for Fall in New York: The Perfectly Planned Carry-On

Wondering how to pack for fall in New York? If you want to do it right, we suggest seeking the perfect balance of fashion and function with every item you take. To help you with this, today we've put together the ultimate packing list for a carry-on-clad trip to the big city this autumn with everything you need—from a style standpoint, at least. From the on-trend jacket that's actually quite useful to the two shoe styles you should prioritize if you're tight on space, we've got you covered from head to toe.

Shop our must-haves for a fall trip to NY below and read our travel and packing tips in the captions.

The carry-on:

Any brand will do, but this is one of our favorites.

Light jacket:

The highly on-trend blazer makes for the perfect light jacket in case the weather doesn't call for a coat—or, alternatively, if you need to layer one over it.

Coat:

If you're on a budget, the camel coat always looks expensive.

Scarf:

We love this oversize style and suggest wearing it on the plane to save suitcase space.

Sweater:

A chunky knit is a must when the temperatures drop below 60.

Versatile top:

Speaking from experience, you can wear this Reformation top anywhere from work to dinner to drinks to a party, making it perfect for travel.

Dress:

Opt for a dress you can layer multiple ways, e.g., over pants, under a sweater, over a tee, or all three.

Layering top:

Remember what we said about the dress? You can also wear this under sweaters for extra warmth on chillier days.

Day-to-night bag:

If you don't have room for multiple bags, bring one you can wear both day and night, like this standout style from Building Block.

Tights:

Tights are not only back in style this season but also highly functional for keeping you warm.

Jeans:

This one's a no-brainer, but in case you're packing in a rush, don't forget your jeans!

Sneakers:

NYC means a lot of walking, so you'll want a comfortable shoe option. Sneakers are perfect for both the plane and everyday wear.

Ankle boots:

Pro tip: Block-heel ankle boots can serve as both daytime and night-out shoes. They're equally comfortable and flattering.

Up next: our dos and don'ts of packing for Europe.

This post was published at an earlier date and has been updated.