If you are planning a trip to Charleston, you are probably wondering what to wear in Charleston. I’ve put together a collection of my Charleston outfits with Amazon links to help you narrow down your Charleston wardrobe! Planning out your Charleston outfit day by day will help ensure lovely photos to go along with your lovely travel memories!
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If you saw my recent post on our Charleston girls trip, you know my friend, Jenny, and I followed a really packed schedule! That’s how we roll! A city like Charleston is too good to just be sitting around! Because we had a lot of things to do, I packed a couple of different outfits for each full day of our Charleston trip.
Planning Charleston Outfits By Activity
If you are following a similar schedule to our Charleston girls trip itinerary, you will need Charleston outfits for the arrival day, for each full day, and for departure day. Also, you will need more than one outfit on some of those days as you will likely want to change clothes after hot summer time excursions.
Our Charleston getaway was during July, and it was HOT. Definitely, it was necessary to freshen up and change outfits before dinner. Of course, if you are visiting Charleston in spring, late fall or winter, this might not be the case.
Charleston Outfits for Travel
T-Shirt Dress
I like to be casual and comfy when I travel, but I also knew we would probably be heading almost straight to the restaurant when we arrived. I wore a loose t-shirt type dress and it was perfect. It is also important to choose a dress that has fabric that will not wrinkle like crazy on the plane.
Comfortable T-Shirt Dresses
- You really just can’t go wrong with a solid black t-shirt dress!
- This black-and-white plaid gingham dress is so classic for Charleston!
- This flowy pleated t-shirt dress comes in a variety of colors and both long sleeve and short sleeve.
- This baby doll t-shirt dress comes in many solid colors and would provide comfort for hustling through the airports and through Charleston.
- This floral t-shirt dress with pockets is nice and sweet for Charleston.
What to Wear to Charleston for Exploring the City
Maxi Dress Outfit for Downtown Charleston
On our first full day, for strolling Charleston City Market and several downtown museums, I chose a floral maxi dress with spaghetti straps. If there is any place that screams florals, it’s Charleston! I accidentally left my low profile metallic sandals at home but my silver Birkenstocks kept me feet comfy for the day!
Be sure to stop by the Charleston City Market for a fun straw hat to complete your look!
Similar Dresses to My Floral Maxi
- This floral spaghetti straps maxi dress is very similar to the style of mine but with a different color scheme.
- If you wish to embrace florals and stripes yet stick to a neutral color scheme, this pattern mixing maxi dress is the one for you!
- This loose fitting floral maxi dress can be dressed up or down!
- This loose floral maxi dress with pockets comes in so many solid colors and floral patterns!
What to Wear to Charleston for Visiting Plantations and Other Outdoor Venues
Breezy Dresses for Visiting Mount Pleasant and Middleton Place
For visiting Shrem Creek in Mount Pleasant and then strolling around Middleton Place in Charleston, I knew we would do a lot of walking. So my cute Vintage Havana Reflex sneakers it was! And as always, I wore bike shorts beneath the dress.
Similar Dresses to My Boho Dress
- Although this 3/4 sleeve bohemian dress may seem too hot with sleeves in summer, the sleeves are actually breezy and will provide coverage for your arms from the sun.
- This long-sleeve bohemian midi style dress is the perfect mix of florals and other patterns! I love all of the color combinations!
- For a sleeveless boho dress option, this polk dot and floral dress is sunny for a sunny day in Charleston!
- I love this boho square neck dress! You can wear the sleeves upright for a modest, conservative day style. In the evenings, just slip the sleeves down for a much more fun and free look!
Other T-Shirt Dress Like Jenny’s
- This striped t-shirt dress is the next best thing to a nightgown!
- Although not gray, there is lots to be said for this tan striped t-shirt dress.
Charleston Outfits for Dinner
White Shorts Outfit and Orange Gingham Maxi Dress for Dinner
Another print that screams Charleston – gingham! This halter style orange gingham dress is fun thanks to the cut-out in front. I wore mine in a different way without the straps wrapping around as a traditional halter. It wears great both ways!
Whereas I am more of a dresses all the time kind of gal, my friend is more of a nice top and dressy shorts kind of gal. I’ve linked similar pieces for her ruffle neck tank and shorts outfit for Charleston dinner at Stars!
Exact Dress and Wristlet
- This orange gingham dress with cut out front comes in a variety of colors. I love this dress and received many compliments on this Charleston outfit. Note that I am only 5 foot tall so the dress will likely hit shorter on the leg for you if you are taller.
- A set of pasties is helpful for this style of dress.
- Also, I was today year’s old when I realized my Joy Susan wristlet clutch is also a mini crossbody bag!
Similar Dresses to Mine
- This A-line gingham maxi dress features a more classic style with its tie-sleeves and smocked chest and also comes in many colors.
- This puff sleeve gingham dress in maxi length is super fun!
Pieces Similar to Jenny’s
- This green halter style tank will go easily over a slim pair of shorts. This tank has a cute tie at the back of the neck. It would be really cute with the hair worn up in a top knot or in a side braid.
- This ruffle neck green tank has a dainty little print that would go well with white shorts or denim cut offs.
- These white denim stretch shorts make for the perfect pair of shorts for a flowy tank!
- You won’t question the comfort of these FitFlop Lulu sandals like Jenny and I are both wearing in these pictures.
Casual Midi Dresses for Dinner
This striped midi dress is fun because it can be worn over the shoulders or off the shoulders. I paired it with simple black cork platforms.
Jenny’s comfy knit dress is one that can be worn for so many things.
Since we didn’t get out of the hotel until after dark, we missed our opportunity for good lighting in our pictures!
Similar Gray Striped Dresses to My Dress
- This off shoulder striped dress is beautiful and appears to be flattering on a variety of body shapes.
- This gray striped t-shirt dress can be dressed up or dressed down!
Solid Colored Short Sleeved Dresses Similar to Jenny’s Dress
- This smocked dress comes in a variety of colors, and the little pom poms add a lot of interest!
- This casual khaki colored dress with a smocked top comes in additional colors.
Dressy Shorts and Floral Romper for Late Night Dessert Outing
Well, it’s not like I had to change my Charleston outfit just to go out for dessert. But I still had this comfy floral romper unused in my suitcase so why not?
Similar Rompers to Mine
- This high waisted jumpsuit with wide legs and a smocked chest fits right into the Charleston charm! It comes in a variety of floral patterns and polka dots.
- This floral romper has a different style with spaghetti straps and a fitted waist. It is pretty and sweet.
Similar Shorts and Tank Pieces to Jenny’s
- These dressy shorts with lining beneath come in a ton of patterns and solid colors!
- This chiffon tank top is also offered in a range of colors.
What to Wear to Charleston Area Beaches
Beach Outfit for Folly Beach
For hitting Folly Beach, my Charleston outfit consisted of a swim romper topped with denim cut offs and and a flowy kimono. I could have just ditched the denim cut offs, honestly since the romper has little shorts on bottom. There was a ton of wind which made getting pictures tough! I love my kimono. I wear it to work over trousers or jeans. On weekends, I wear it over denim cut offs. But it also makes a great swimsuit cover up!
Similar Beach Outfits for Folly Beach
- I got my blue swim romper from Target a few summers back. I don’t see it in stock currently. However, I also have this black swim romper from Target which I also love. There is a similar swim romper in black from Amazon although sizing seems to start at size 8. Amazon also has a pretty blue swim romper and black swim romper in plus sizes.
- This flowy kimono comes in so many patterns! This other sheer kimono cover up also comes in pretty styles. I love the orange!
- These denim cut off shorts can be worked in to so many different styles including beach wear!
What to Wear to Charleston’s Rainbow Row and the Battery
Color Block Outfits for Dinner and Visiting Rainbow Row
I wanted something bright and happy for posing in pictures on Rainbow Row and the Battery area. I think this orange and pink dress fit the bill! Thanks to the square neck design, I was able to pull the shoulders down for a less conservative look at dinner. I paired this dress up with my metallic FitFlop Lulu sandals.
Similar Color Block Dresses for Rainbow Row as Mine
- This pink color block dress will be perfect for pictures on Rainbow Row! But so would this sweet blue color block dress version!
- This colorblock mini t-shirt dress would be comfy while walking downtown Charleston!
Rainbow Dresses for Rainbow Row
- Go all out with this themed rainbow A-line dress!
- This plus size rainbow dress with ruffle sleeves is flirty and fun!
- This rainbow kimono could be worn over your denim cut offs for Rainbow Row and used again over your swimsuit for Folly Beach or Sullivan’s Island for minimal packing!
- Throw on a pair of your cutest sneakers with this rainbow t-shirt dress!
- And who says rainbow dresses can’t be sophisticated? This spaghetti strap rainbow dress takes you straight from Rainbow Row to dinner!
Similar Hot Pink Shorts and White Blouse Pieces to Jenny’s
- These shorts are not the exact same style, but I have these dressy harem shorts in red, and they are incredible! They are so soft sand comfortable. They come in so many color choices!
- The touch of lace on this v-neck white tank makes it Charleston fabulous!
- Or this white puffy sleeve blouse might be one that catches your fancy!
More Fun Charleston Outfit Ideas
- It doesn’t get much sweeter than this light blue polka dot dress with shoulder ruffle.
- Oh, how I love a good pair of breezy split pants! These pants come in several different colors and patterns.
- This gingham mini dress with ruffled sleeves comes in so many fun colors! This would be the ultimate “do all the things” outfit for Charleston!
- If your filling frilly for fancy Charleston dinner, this ruffled chiffon dress is fabulous! It comes in so many thrilling colors!
Things to Pack With Your Charleston Outfits
Here are the other things you want to include in your luggage with your Charleston outfits and several pairs of shoes for Charleston.
- Swimsuit and cover up – worn with flip flops
- Accessories for the outfits – jewelry; a straw hat; a cross body bag for hitting the Charleston City Market, museums, and plantations; a small clutch or wristlet for the evenings out (You can always do what we did and purchase a nice straw hat at the Charleston City Market on our first morning in town.)
- PJs
- Undies
- Strapless bras, bralettes, and regular t-shirt bras
- Bike shorts to go under the dresses
- Sunscreen
- Makeup and toiletries
- Small umbrella
- Foldable beach bag to take to Folly Beach (This mesh beach bag stays in the bottom of my suitcase for all trips that will involve a pool or beach.)
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I hope you got some good insight on Charleston outfits! You will have so much fun planning a Charleston outfit for each day of your trip!
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