NYC Stories: Wipeout on 34th Street (Almost)

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by Danny de la Cruz[/x_text][/x_column][x_column bg_color=”” type=”3/4″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]Ahhh fashion. The price we pay just to look good. From stylish shoes that hurt your feet, to clothing that may not exactly be the best for negative wind chills, to avoiding hats since you just know it will mess up your hair (well that’s all me) – I could go on but you get the idea.

Temperatures during NYFW were a roller coaster. From a typical 30°F winter day, to negative wind chills that had the whole city bracing for the worst and every other word uttered from newscasters was frost-bite, to snow and slush covering the streets and then 50°F temperatures with pouring rain and flooding. This was what Mother Nature bestowed upon us during our visit.

I’ve been told that I overpack, actually laughed at by my traveling companions in the past (and I’m sure by strangers as well). And don’t get me started on my packing style — that’s another story — but since I had been ridiculed for the gigantic suitcase which I brought to London Fashion Week last fall, I somehow managed to get all my clothing and shoes into a carry on bag for this trip. I had to forego my winter boots, umbrella and extra winter gear since I had looked at the forecast and it didn’t look too bad. Little did I know…

At the end of day one, weather alerts were being aired on the sudden change in temperatures and we were warned to stay indoors. That was not going to happen. A quick stop to the H&M just a few blocks away was all I needed as I picked up a cheap knit hat. I may not have looked as fashionable as the fashionistas in line with me for each runway show, but at least I was warm. I don’t know how some of them managed in their short dresses, some even in open-toed-shoes — yes, there was a sighting or two. Did I mention how many fur coats I saw around every turn?

These shoes were spared from the snow and slush!

After two days of freezing temperatures, the forecast called for snow. Fortunately, NYC wasn’t hit as bad but the streets quickly changed to slush. With no boots (there was no way they would fit in my carry on) I had to make a call and decide which pair of shoes had to be spared. I ended up saving the pair that I had purchased in another country since traveling back for a replacement was not in the picture. I basically ended up walking very differently in the streets of NYC. Instead of my fast pace and “get out of my way attitude”, I would methodically lift up my feet and take a baby step forward, then put my foot straight down with each step as to avoid getting slush all over my shoes. Despite this, I almost wiped out on 34th street but quickly caught my balance. Funny thing is that I wasn’t the only one walking much slower — all the fashionistas around me were slowly plodding along since they were in worse footwear in this weather.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, the forecast called for 50°F temperatures and a deluge of rain. Again, I wasn’t prepared so a quick stop at CVS and a $12 umbrella later, I was armed and battled my way through the streets with howling winds and pelting rain. Fortunately my cheap umbrella held up, my wet shoes, not so much.

I forgot to mention, one of the hardest parts of dealing with bad weather in NYC is trying to hail a cab. When the temperatures are below zero or it’s pouring like a tropical storm, flagging down a cab is no longer an easy task. Finding strategic locations is key and you have to be fast on your feet.[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section]