Jenna Lyons on Her Go-to Travel Uniform and Favorite NYC Spots

The "Real Housewives of New York" star also shares what she loves about the city during the holiday season.

Even though Jenna Lyons may be one of the chicest New Yorkers we know, the fashion-expert-turned-reality-star has a soft spot for the city’s touristy places — especially this time of year.

“Everyone's happy, taking pictures. It's lit up all over the place and there's something so magical about it,” the Real Housewives of New York of New York City star told Travel + Leisure. “You cannot escape the feeling when all the trees are lit up and it's just beautiful.”

Despite the chaos and the crowds during this time of year, the former creative director of J. Crew is all about hitting up classic midtown holiday spots like the lights display at Saks Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center, but she has some insider secrets too; like snagging a table at Jupiter with a rink-side view of the ice skaters or heading to Pebble Bar for a cocktail.

“They have a back door so when Johnny Carson used to finish The Tonight Show he never went outside," she told T+L. "He would just go straight down through the building and go right into the bar. And there is this cool little back room. Feels very kind of ‘old New York.’”

Jenna Lyons

What's your go to coffee order?

Right now my favorite coffee is from a little place called Cafe Lyria which is on Crosby Street. I get an iced latte with milk that came from an actual cow. 
Is there an under-the-radar NYC spot that you love?

I think one of the things that I like to do and recommend, is to take the ferry over to Governors Island. It's so beautiful. If you do it in the evening, when you pull away at night all of the city is lit up — it is one of the most spectacular that I've ever seen. And now, there's a spa on Governors Island, too. And it's because New York is fun when you're in it, but the view is just spectacular, to see it from afar.
What about a store?
John Derian is probably one of my favorite stores at Christmas time. He does such a beautiful job of making ornaments. Just walking into that store is kind of magical.
What is the most fashionable city besides NYC?

I would say either Paris or Milan. I love Parisian style. There's so many chic beautiful women, even like the old grandmothers, they are all just so chic with their low heels and their hair done. Same thing in Milan. I also think that what I love about both Paris and Milan is that women — there's not a lot of plastic surgery. People like actually learn how to use their style.
If you had to pick one, which RHONY star would you want to go on another trip with? 

I can only go with one? Well, it would have to be my "girlfriend," Brynn Whitfield.

When it comes to shopping, this holiday season Lyons will be using Klarna, a buy now pay later platform, which she partnered with to create a carefully curated shoppable gift guide. And thankfully for us, her guide includes many items she loves to wear while traveling.

“I often times wear my [Shearling-Line suede] Birkenstocks with really beautiful socks because they are very comfortable and they slide right off," she said of one of her favorite items. "I really like easy shoes.”

For a more polished look while both traveling on planes and for everyday, Lyons suggests adding a beautiful oversized blazer from The Frankie Shop to a capsule wardrobe.

“To me it's a finisher for an outfit because you can be wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants and throw on a big oversized blazer and immediately look more polished," she said. "I think that is always a nice element and somebody everyone should have.” 

She also suggests a “non-schlocky” pair of sweatpants and signature jewelry to easily elevate a look.

Her other item for creating a signature look? (Which was a major part of her style on RHONY, as fans can recall.) A white blouse of any style; cropped — like the Hommegirls one in her Klarna guide — short sleeve or oversized,

“The white shirt is an absolute standard like, and again, same kind of thing. If you throw on a crisp white shirt it just makes everything look a little bit more polished,” she said.

And now we have it, a Jenna Lyons-approved uniform just in time for holiday travels this year.

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