What to pack for a 5-day city holiday: Day

This is the second in the series of Packing for a 5-day city holiday.

A list of clothes and accessories:

• 1 Dress and 2 Skirts. If you are a trousers woman, just do 2 pairs of trousers, (one pair hemmed for heels, 2 for flats).
• 1 Pair of trousers (hemmed for flats).
• 5 T-shirts, one for each day.
• 2 Pairs of comfortable shoes. Never use a pair of shoes for the first time when travelling (madness), better stick to comfortable (yet stylish) leather sandals, 1" heel, soles padded, that go with everything you are taking with you. Even if they are comfortable, keep in mind that, if it is hot, your feet may swell, increasing the probability of blisters, so bring a different pair (straps in a different place, for instance). Espadrilles (reasonably flat) are a good option too. Don't forget your "band-aids" (Hartmann's are the absolute best).
• 1 Carry-all handbag. As important as the previous. It has to be light, because you will be carrying it for hours, but it has to have capacity to carry your essentials. A flexible construction works better than a rigid one, in case you need to stick into a locker. Pockets inside are a must: nerve-wracking searching for your wallet can be avoided and you should be able to reach whatever you need fast. Also, it makes stealing your wallet that much difficult, if you keep it at the bottom, like I do.
• 2 Cardigans, optionally, one of them can be structured, so it functions as a jacket but it's not that heavy.
• 1 Umbrella. It may be spring or summer, but it can suddenly rain, and being wet and having to return to the hotel is a bother. Light weight compact umbrellas are, almost universally, not good quality, but if it's not windy on top of rainy, you're covered.
• 1 Scarf. Some buildings are exceptionally cold in the summer due to air-conditioning. It's not nice to be freezing for two plus hours inside the Metropolitan Museum, believe me. So 1 scarf that can double as a shawl is a good idea. If you are really not used to air-conditioning, like me (I did have my scarf and cardigan with me every time I visited the Met, and a long summer skirt into the bargain, and I was still freezing), you can add leggings.
• Sun protection. If it is hot and/or sunny. That means: a high SPF in your moisturizer or makeup, a sun hat (crushable), and sunglasses (with UVA and UVB filters). A light picnic blanket to have your lunch outside is a great idea in most big cities, but especially in New York in nice weather!

Off to the Met and Central Park by Caroline Grant. A cute dress in great colours, gets great coverage with the cardigan and the knit jacket.[Background photo by Tomas Abad]

Hobbs NW3 Marmalade Midi Strip Dress / Diane von Furstenberg Majorette Knit Jacket / Hobbs Lara Cardigan / Dooney & Bourke Domed Buckle Satchel Handbag / Sacha London Flats / Ted Baker Loupie Belt / Basile Fringed Solid Wool Scarf / Forever21 Wide Brim Hat / Aspinal of London Athena Bracelets / Modernist Gold Hoop Earrings (vintage) at Douglas Rosin / Orla Kiely Cross Hatch Umbrella / Target Zip and Carry Red Stripe Blanket.

Climbing skyscrapers by Caroline Grant. A pair of trousers (hemmed for flats) goes well with all the T-shirts. You can stuff the jacket and the scarf in the bag when not in use, but it's really windy at the top of the Empire State building. [Background vintage photo of the Chrysler Building, New York]

Yves Saint Laurent High Waisted Trousers / Diane von Furstenberg Majorette Knit Jacket / AWear Smart Variegated T-Shirts in Coral and Camel / Old Navy Polka Dot T-Shirt / Dooney & Bourke Domed Buckle Satchel Handbag / Sadie Tubular Bow Sandals / Ted Baker Loupie Belt / Valentino Plissé Scarf / House of Harlow 1960 Bracelets and Earrings.

Museum and walk by Caroline Grant. Two skirts, one pencil (that can be dressed up if necessary) and one A-line, go well with the same T-shirts. The Moma is really cold if you're wearing summer clothes.

L.K. Bennett Selina Skirt / Sessune Camille Orange Brulée / Old Navy Polka Dot T-Shirts / Dorothy Perkins Slash T-Shirt / Diane von Furstenberg Majorette Knit Jacket / / Dooney & Bourke Domed Buckle Satchel Handbag / Sacha London Flats / See by Chloé Nude Bow Belt / Basile Fringed Solid Wool Scarf / House of Harlow 1960 Necklace and Ring / Orla Kiely Cross Hatch Umbrella.

MORE ABOUT PACKING FOR A 5-DAY HOLIDAY? 

• What to pack for a 5-day city holiday: Night,
• How to pack for a 5-day city holiday 

You can also follow the label Travelling in style below or on the column to your right.