There are few things I love more on this earth than autumn in New York.
The crisp fall air, the chai lattes, the way the leaves seem to turn slowly at first and then all at once until they’re dazzling the streets with their stunning shades—ah!
I am smiling just thinking about it all.
I know that fall is also one of the most popular times to visit the city and it’s easy to see why.
You’re not dealing with stifling heat that you’d encounter in July or August or freezing cold temperatures like in January and February.
It really is the Goldilocks of seasons, not too hot or too cold.
If you’re planning to visit soon or if you live here and are looking for a bit of outfit inspiration, I’m here to help!
Ahead you’ll find 13 fall outfits that are perfect to wear in NYC, plus some of my key wardrobe staples for this time of year.
NYC Fall Outfits to Wear This Season
1. Baseball cap and draped sweater
One of my NYC weekend uniforms is the timeless combination of jeans, sneakers, and a classic baseball cap. Perfect for coffee runs or exploring downtown, this look nails effortless city style.
If the temperatures have dropped, drape a sweater over your shoulders for added warmth.
2. Beaded jacket and jeans
Dress up your everyday denim with a statement beaded jacket. It adds just the right amount of sparkle for fall nights out while keeping the rest of your look relaxed and wearable.
You can swap the heeled boots for flats or sneakers if you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
3. Corduroy skirt with sweater
Corduroy is the ultimate fall texture and I love breaking it out this time of year. Pair a mini skirt with a cozy sweater and ankle boots for a look that transitions seamlessly from brunch to browsing SoHo boutiques.
Bonus points if you coordinate the colors to go together.
4. Denim midi skirt with boots
The denim midi skirt trend is perfect for fall since it’s such a great layering piece. Style it with a lightweight sweater and tall boots for a polished yet comfortable outfit for crisp NYC afternoons.
You could even wear it with a graphic t-shirt and a leather jacket for a different vibe.
5. Leather jacket with mini dress
The leather jacket is an NYC cool girl staple piece. Layer it over a mini dress (I love this tweed one from kate spade) and booties for a mix of edgy and classic fall fashion.
If it’s a chilly day consider adding a pair of fleece-lined tights underneath to stay nice and toasty.
6. Leather pants with statement scarf
Sleek and city-chic, leather pants instantly elevate any outfit and this pair from Abercrombie is very comfy as well! Add a simple sweater and heeled boots for a look that’s perfect for dinner in the West Village.
I also decided to tie a statement scarf around my purse to add some color and a fun print to this look.
7. Leopard faux jacket with purple top
Make a statement in leopard print. A faux fur jacket is a chic way to stay warm during the crisp fall days. Paired with black leather pants and heeled boots, this look adds a bold twist to your typical fall neutral palette.
You could keep things simple and wear a black or brown long sleeve shirt, but I opted for this fun purple cutout top.
8. Long coat with red turtleneck
A camel coat is timeless for NYC fall. Layer it over bright accents—like a red turtleneck—for a chic, eye-catching outfit on chilly days.
I also love repeating colors in an outfit so I styled this with some red suede boots that I thrifted in Atlanta a few years ago. Outfit sandwich, anyone?
9. Mini uggs with fleece zip-up jacket
For cozy days in the city, mini Uggs are a great footwear choice. They’re super comfortable, meaning they can handle the 10,000 steps a day that you’ll surely take while sightseeing.
Style them with black leggings and a fleece zip-up jacket for a laid-back look that’s still street-style approved.
10. Oversized blazer with leather pants
An oversized blazer balances structure and comfort (not to mention it’s nice and roomy so you can layer lots underneath!)
Pair yours with straight-leg trousers (or go for leather pants, like I did here) and neutral accessories like these white boots for a modern look that will fit right in as you explore downtown.
11. Studded purse with sweater dress
Add a little edge to your fall outfit with a studded purse—and would you believe I found this one on Amazon? It reminds me a little of the Alexander Wang Rico bags that were all the rage in 2011.
Instead of styling it with leather pants or a leather jacket, consider mixing textures and wearing this one with your favorite knit sweater dress. The result is a great mix of uptown meets downtown vibes.
12. Sweater dress with brown accessories
One simple way to dress like a chic New Yorker is to stick to a limited color palette when you get dressed. For this outfit, I just stuck to green and brown by wearing my green midi sweater dress and finishing off the look with all brown accessories.
This outfit could take you from meetings to dinner with friends and you could swap the brown boots for sneakers if you have a busy day planned.
13. Skinny jeans and long cardigan
I don’t care what any Gen-Zers say—I won’t be parting with my skinny jeans anytime soon. They’re a great wardrobe staple for fall because they are easy to tuck into boots for a casual, chic outfit.
I threw on a long cardigan over this outfit because it’s too soon to reach for a coat, but this way I can leave the house with a cozy extra layer.
NYC Fall Outfits Essentials
When it comes to planning your fall wardrobe or deciding what to pack for a visit to NYC, here are a few key wardrobe essentials I think you should keep top of mind.
Knit sweaters
I can be found in a knit sweater maybe 90% of the time between September and December?
It’s basically all I want to wear this time of year. From scoop neck styles to toasty turtlenecks, there are plenty to choose from and also lots of ways to wear them.
Jeans
From relaxed styles to classic skinny jeans, denim is always in the rotation for me when it comes to building a fall capsule wardrobe.
They are so versatile and can be dressed up (like you saw with the beaded jacket) or down (with a baseball cap and sneakers.)
Versatile footwear
If you’re going to be walking a lot, you’ll likely want to copy the New Yorkers who style sneakers in their day-to-day lives.
For shorter distances, tall boots are really fun to style and if you’re prioritizing comfort above all else, a pair of mini UGGs may just do the trick.
NYC Fall Outfits: 2025 Fashion Trends to Try
I actually did a whole fall fashion guide episode on my podcast Create & Consume with a full fall 2025 trend report, but here are a few of my favorites to mention.
Preppy vibes
This aesthetic could be anything from typical prep patterns (like tweed or plaid) to barn jackets and rainboots.
Chic punk
Reach for accessories that feel punk (like lace-up boots and studded purses) but pair them with tailored blazers or cozy knits for a more refined look.
Faux fur jackets
This is a super chic way to stay warm and cozy even when the temperatures start to drop. From monochrome shades to patterned pieces (like this leopard coat) the options are endless.
My Favorite Fall Colors to Wear
When it comes to autumn colors, there are a few that I find myself repeating each time fall officially begins.
Brown
I’ve been styling brown more and more since getting my color analysis done, and I have to say it’s quickly made its way to the top of my list of favorite colors to wear.
From luxe brown accessories like boots and belts to cozy brown sweaters and coats, this color feels like fall.
Red
I wear red year-round but it always feels fun during autumn to rock red, whether that’s by wearing a red hero piece like a sweater or coat or by mixing in some red accessories like sunglasses or boots to an otherwise neutral outfit.
Black
In New York, you’ll notice that black is often the color of choice. It’s so easy to wear, it hides stains and it goes with everything.
For a super sleek look, try styling a monochrome outfit of black and gray pieces. To add a bit of edge, consider mixing in some colorful accessories.
Plan Your NYC Fall Outfits with Ease
I hope this post provided some helpful outfit inspo for you and that you get to experience the magic of fall in New York City.
Let me know what your favorite outfit was and what you’ll be wearing in NYC this fall.
Need ideas for what to do in New York this time of year? Check out my perfect fall day in New York vlog for inspiration from bookstores to Central Park.
yours,
Austen
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