So I've been spending the last few days packing for my trip to NYC....by packing I really mean OVER packing. I will be in NYC for a month taking fashion drawing classes so I need things that are practical for class but chic enough for the city....not to mention going out clothes! Ah! This is overwhelming. I will be sharing a tiny apartment with a friend and will be taking NUMEROUS subway trips to and from class. If you have any outfit ideas for class and for nightlife, please let me know! Thank youuu

oh! also..if you have any tips on where to eat, shop and go out at night... fill me in! I've been to the city numerous times to visit family..but NEVER on a student budget.

Bring wellies and a good umbrella, it's been raining non-stop here! Layering is key, the subway is often hot and stuffy but classrooms and offices will sometimes have the AC on full blast. As for what to do, there are plenty of free cultural events, from Shakespeare in Central Park to Monday night movies outdoors at Bryant Park. For shopping on a student budget, I hear the Brooklyn Flea is a great place to score unique finds, but I've never been myself. Good luck and have fun!

HBO puts the movies on at Bryant park - here is the website for the list of movies they are featuring this summer.

http://www.bryantpark.org/calendar/film-festival.php

Bring flats that are nice enough to wear to class and go out in- you'll be able to wear them all the time, and at the same time be able to handle all the walking! Heels will kill your feet if you try to wear them out, unless you want to spend a ton of money on cabs every night. I recommend cute dresses that don't take up too much room to pack, and cute sweaters to mix and match or dress up with jewelry. Don't forget you'll probably want to do a lot of shopping!

How exciting! Where are you taking classes? As mentioned, it literally has been raining here for 3 weeks non-stop, so definitely bring cute rain boots and a light weight jacket that you can always have in your bag. Another critical piece of information for outfit planning is the humidity....it gets unbearably hot in the subways so again, layering is key. I'm always running around the city and tend to go out directly from work, so I always have a tote with me with flats, a rain jacket, and an umbrella.

As for events, the Met has the Model as Muse exhibit which is amazing. There is the Isabel Toledo exhibit that just opened at The Museum at FIT..which is great as well. MoMa is free from 4-8 on Fridays. A great bar is Randolph at Broome St. (with live music) and in the Meatpacking district go to Gasevoort st....lots of great restaurants and bars if you want an uber hip nightlife vibe. Let me know if you would like more suggestions!

Definitely make sure you get to Lombardi's on spring st. in nolita (1st pizzeria in the us, and in my opinion, the best!) Also Bianca's on Bleeker is an adorably cute restaurant with amazing pasta, and is completely affordable. Cheap Shots is the ultimate dive bar, complete with graffiti on the walls and $1 shots, which is in east village.

Thanks so much for the tips!! Everyone was so helpful. I went to the FIT Isabel Toledo exhibit yesterday and looooooved it. I'm taking a fashion drawing class at FIT and its great! I'm loving being in the city. I'll def look into all the bars and restaurants you all mentioned. great tips thanks again!