NYC August styling insights for ladies and men!
If you are about to visit New York City in August and want to know which clothing items to pack for the hot weather and which outfit is appropriate, we got you covered.
Our clothing and styling insights are written by an NYC local and cover every aspect a potential visitor should be aware of.
Find our outfit and styling insights for both women and men below the weather overview.
The outfit tips for July in NYC are slightly different.
Weather Overview
August tends to be one of the hottest months of summer in New York. The average high temperatures throughout the month range from 84°F to 80°F (29°C-27°C).
However, New York City is very humid in the summer, making it seem slightly hotter than it actually is. Keep that in mind when planning which clothes to wear during the day.
Typical Day
On a typical day in August, the temperature is highest in the afternoon (between 12 PM to 3 PM). You’ll find the temperature to be cooler in the early morning (between 7 AM and 9 AM) and evening (after 7 PM).
An average temperature progression goes from 74°F (23°C) in the morning (around 8 AM), then rises to 83°F (28°C) in the afternoon (around 3 PM), and finally falls back down to 76°F (24°C) in the evening (around 9 PM).
Rain
Do not expect much rain. If any should occur, do not be discouraged. New York’s summer weather can be very temperamental, and it will likely only rain for short periods throughout the day.
While wearing a rain jacket is not necessary in August, we recommend packing a light rain poncho.
What To Wear / What To Pack
New York City is a stylish epicenter, especially when the temperature starts rising. You will see people wearing things you wish you had, as well as some of the craziest get-ups you’ve ever seen.
That being said, when you pack for your summer NYC trip, take this chance to create some colorful, bold outfits. (Hot tip: don’t overdo it, sometimes just a pop of color can elevate an outfit.) There is no dress code in the city, so however, you choose to present yourself is perfect.
Pack summer clothing for an August visit to New York. Typically, you wear shorts, skirts, lightweight pants, t-shirts, tank tops, and crop tops. Be sure to also include a few loose cardigans, hoodies, or sweaters as heavy air-conditioning is frequently used indoors.
💡 It’s hot and often very humid in NYC during August. Therefore, we suggest just wearing very light clothing. No need to bring a jacket for the evenings. However, a light sweater is useful as the air conditioners are on full blast in restaurants and hotels.
Swimwear
While there are not many opportunities to go swimming in and around the city if the few that are available should be of any interest, pack one or two swimsuits.
Shoes
New York City involves a lot of walking. Come prepared. Prioritize stylish summer sneakers over sandals. If you plan on exploring New York’s nightlife, perhaps include one fancier shoe or heel that can go with multiple outfits.
Heat/Sun Protection
In regards to protective summer gear, please make sure to pack sunscreen and an ample amount of cute sunglasses for your August visit.
Pack a few colorful handkerchiefs (cotton-based, preferably) as well. They can come in handy to soak up any sweating you may experience when exploring the city.
Ladies | Outfit Tips
For the ladies, we advise packing clothing that either leaves space for airflow (such as sundresses or flowy skirts) or items that leave a certain amount of skin exposed (such as tank-tops, shorts, crop-tops, short sleeves, open front/back tops).
The humidity can get quite intense during August in NYC if you’re not used to it. It tends to make clothing that hugs tighter on the body feel a bit sticky.
However, for those of you planning on exploring the nightlife, go ahead and pack something in that area for the humidity will start to clear by nightfall.
Our Shoe Tips for Ladies:
An example of a stylish outfit perfect for New York City in August might be a scarf top, a lightweight colorful long-slitted skirt, a pair of neutral or color-matching sneakers, and a color-coordinated or black small shoulder bag, purse, or (if you have) a characteristic cloth tote is always a good way to go.
Special Tip: Another alternative for those of you wanting to save luggage space as well as look good exploring the New York City streets in August, playsuits or jumpsuits can be a great option to bring along.
Shopping Tips
Tops
Jacket
August is generally a warm month here, but sometimes it gets windy and chilly at night so it’s good to bring a jacket. A jacket can also help you dress up an outfit if you are going out to a bar or night-time event.
Sneakers/Boots
Pack comfortable shoes because these will keep you the most comfortable in the walking city of New York. You will be seeing lots of sights and walking a lot in warm weather, so comfortable sneakers are a must. (Check out our tips on the best NYC attractions to hit at the end of this article!).
Pants
Jeans are a staple in the city, and you can pair them with different tops to dress up or down. For hotter days in August, you can also wear shorts or skirts to stay cool.
Accessories
August in NYC is warm and mild so the only weather accessories you’ll need are sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for shade.
For going out at night, bring a purse or small bag. During the day, you may need a larger bag for carrying water, your wallet, phone, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer.
Also, we highly recommend a bag with anti-theft features (see our recommendation above) to keep your belongings safe in the city!
Men | Outfit Tips
For the guys, we advise bringing along lightweight short-sleeve t-shirts for your August trip in New York City. You can elevate an outfit quite easily by incorporating a graphic t-shirt. A thicker, casual jacket would also be a good addition for when it gets slightly chiller in the evenings.
Add a nice button-down shirt to your luggage for nights out. In regards to bottoms, lighter-weight pants are your friend! For example, stylish casual trousers or looser-fitting jeans.
If you’re the kind of guy that likes a good pair of knee / thigh-length shorts, be sure to bring those as well. Something that might also go well with the summer weather is a stylish co-ord set.
When it comes to packing shoes, take with you a minimum of two to three shoes (depending on how long the trip will be). Avoid bringing any shoes too fancy, such as dress shoes. We advise keeping your shoe selections to sneakers (or if you’re a sandal person, add a pair to your luggage. More than one will most likely not be necessary).
Sneaker culture is very much prevalent in New York City. That being said, bring with you sneakers that are both stylish, and comfortable, and have the ability to be either dressed up or dressed down.
You’ll also want to bring with you either one larger day bag or a large day back (for example, a backpack or a satchel), double that as part of your carry-on during travel, and a smaller cross-body bag to walk around with (for example, a sling bag or a saddlebag).
Packing Checklist
- Shorts/skirts
- Shirts (t-shirts, short-sleeve, blouses, crop-tops)
- Tank-Tops
- Pants (lightweight material / light-wash jeans)
- Light cardigan / hoodies
- Dresses
- Socks
- Undergarments
- Sneakers (i.e. comfortable walking shoes)
- Dress shoes
- Stylish day and night bag (i.e. compact purse, shoulder bag, small backpack, or cloth tote)
- Sunglasses
- Hat (not very necessary, but if you prefer hats bring one or two)
- Accessories (jewelry, handkerchiefs, hair scarves, belts, etc.)
- Sleepwear
- Adapter
- Portable charger
- Reusable, portable water bottle
- Toiletries
Things to Do
August is a great time to visit all the popular and iconic attractions in NYC. However, since it’s peak season, we highly recommend booking tickets in advance for the first slot in the morning. Our favorites are the Empire State Building, and Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center).
Use the banner above (GetYourGuide) to check availabilities and make reservations (you will get a mobile voucher, very comfortable and hassle-free).