Comfy Fall Shoes and Booties to Wear in NYC

Hi Deborah,

I LOVE your website! I was wondering if you can give me some ideas for an upcoming trip to NYC. I am traveling with my husband, mother and teenage daughters this fall, and we will be doing a LOT of walking around – visiting museums, going to the theater, and window shopping. Could you please give me advice on what shoes (or short booties) to wear in New York? Thanks a lot!~Carol

Hi Carol,

I’m so glad you are asking about shoes because they are the most important item you need to pack.  New York is a walking city, and you will be pounding the pavement for blocks on end. If your feet aren’t comfortable, you will be miserable!

I suggest you start by finding a great pair of walking shoes or booties and then work your outfits around them.  Brown, black, burgundy, dark green or any other dark-colored shoes or boots are best shoes to wear in New York since the streets are bustling and dirty. Black is also a favorite color of the locals, meaning you will fit right in.

Here are a couple of outfit ideas you can wear to walk around in, as well as some comfy booties and shoes to wear in NYC.

Slip-On Statement Sneakers

We all know that wearing clunky, lace-up white runners with jeans is not chic, so what kind of sneakers can you wear? New York is a sophisticated city so why not go for sneakers with a touch of color and hardware? These burgundy suede slip-on sneakers fit the bill perfectly. Don’t they make a great site-seeing outfit with skinny jeans and coordinating nubby oversized sweater? I have them in black – you might remember them from this post I did earlier this fall – and I LOVE them. They are feminine, comfortable and go with so much.

 Velcro Booties 

If booties are more your thing, then take a look at these ones by Clarks. Clarks is well-known for their comfortable footwear. The thing I particularly like about this boot is how it manages to pull off both chic design and comfort. The style is modern and the earthy brown and black look fantastic worn with black leggings. At the same time, it has a wedge heel and cushioned in-sole for walking comfort as well as an elastic-gore panel that makes them easy to slip on. With a blanket poncho and stylish bag, there is nothing frumpy about this outfit!

Lace-up Sneakers 

If you have a style personality that leans more towards the sporty side, then lace-up sneakers might be the way to go. Tread carefully here. (Get it? LOL) A battered old pair of sneakers will not look classy anywhere, New York City included. And heavy, white lace-up sneakers are dated. Instead, opt for a more modern, chic pair. Here I’ve chosen these suede and metallic lace-up sneakers by Rockport. These look great but equally important; they’re built for comfort with a grippy wedge sole and Rockport’s truTECH® technology designed for shock absorption.

Chelsea Booties

This last look pairs a classic Chelsea boot with black jeans and statement sleeve cardigan for a comfortable, on-trend look perfect for a weekend in New York. (With a long cardigan like this that covers your bottom, you can easily swap out the jeans for leggings BTW.) Chelsea boots are a perennial favorite of stylish women of all ages but it’s hard to find a pair that is comfortable for standing and walking in all day. These from Ecco are cushioned with an arch-supporting in-sole so your feet stay happy.

Do you have suggestions for what to wear to New York City in October or November? What about ideas for shoes or booties you can wear walking around New York or any other big city? Let me know what has worked for you.