We simply returned from a protracted weekend in Charleston for my birthday, and suffice it to say I’m already wanting ahead to going again! I’d been to Charleston a handful of instances for bachelorettes and holidays, however this time felt totally different. I don’t know whether or not I’ve modified or Charleston has, however between the attractive aesthetics, southern-meets-sea vibe, and unbelievable meals and procuring, it lastly clicked why Charleston is such a particular vacation spot.

Most of what I wore in Charleston seemed like light-weight separates and attire to maintain me cool in the course of the day, however I additionally packed a handful of dressy night items and a swim search for a day at Sullivan’s Island (a should in the event you go to!).

See beneath for the whole lot I wore in Charleston, a Charleston packing information, and a shortlist of can’t-miss spots to bookmark in your subsequent go to to the holy metropolis.

Charleston Outfits

Exploring City

We arrived at our resort with a bit of daylight left to discover, so I threw on separates I might stroll in and put on straight to dinner. I’ve had this floral prime on rotation all summer season (presently on sale, final seen right here) and this Vince skirt (additionally on sale) is a more moderen favourite. We hit Rainbow Row and the battery earlier than heading to Primary Kitchen. I at all times really feel drained after street journeys, so a wholesome meal and tucking into mattress early hit the spot!

Cocktails

The following evening, we made a reservation at Chez Nous (perhaps my favourite restaurant within the metropolis). What I really like about Charleston is you can put on absolutely anything you need out. Need to costume up? Go for it. Drained from the day and need to preserve it informal? That’s high-quality too. Since I had just a few new items to provide a spin, I wore the summer season date evening look beneath.

Brunch

Our resort delivered a continental-style breakfast in a picnic basket to our door every morning, so we picked at that almost all days. There are dozens of brunch spots in Charleston, so we did make some extent to stroll to breakfast at Miller’s All Day. I wore light-weight twill shorts and a floral camisole since I knew we’d be outdoors afterward and paired it with a linen blazer to maintain snug within the A/C.

Procuring on King Road

The procuring in Charleston competes with bigger metropolitan areas, thanks principally to boutiques which have curated choices of designers it’s possible you’ll not see elsewhere. Even in the event you don’t need to spend a lot, strolling King Road is a enjoyable exercise in itself. There’s the whole lot from antiques to jewellery, clothes, bars, and candle outlets. I wore this easy costume (so good—I’ve it in two colours).

Outfit Particulars

Dinner and Drinks

We did a correct drinks and dinner outing for my birthday (Little Palm bar adopted by the finest italian at La Farfelle). I’d gifted myself this Agua Bendita costume to have a good time a business-related achievement in July, and it felt like the right second to put on it. A candy costume with heels appears to be the Charleston uniform for date evening or women evening out, and I’m on board with that. For low again items like this costume, I put on these covers beneath.

Day Journey to the Seashore

There are a handful of seashores a brief drive from Charleston, together with Sullivan’s Island, Kiawah Island, and Folly Seashore. We popped over the bridge to Sullivan’s for the day (our resort had seaside chairs and towels for hire). I wore a white swimsuit set and my favourite floral sarong of the season (final seen right here). I introduced my Naghedi tote which, whereas an funding, I can’t suggest sufficient. It’s enormous, stretchy, holds a ton, and the fabric doesn’t decide up sand. I’ve used it as a piece tote, on street journeys, for air journey, and on trip—excellent in each approach for anybody who wants a big bag to hold all of the issues.

Charleston Journey Outfit

We packed up Monday morning to move residence however needed to get one final have a look at the water earlier than hitting the street. I at all times get chilly within the automobile, so I wore a transitional sweater and cozy chinos, each of which I picked up at J.Crew whereas on the town. The Chloe bag and Janessa Leone hat are two favorites I’ve had on heavy rotation all summer season, however sadly they’re virtually bought out, so I linked related beneath.

What to Put on in Charleston, SC

What Do Individuals Put on in Charleston

Charleston fashion is exclusive in that it appears to marry the very best of each worlds from seaside trend and conventional southern trend. Actually, although, the principle factor you’ll see is attire, from informal day attire and sundresses to flowy night attire. They’re the primary factor I like to recommend packing for Charleston, no matter what time of 12 months you go to.

In spring in summer season, an awesome sundress will take you from procuring on King Road to brunch and even a dinner out, when paired with the suitable equipment. I additionally noticed quite a lot of athleisure, together with train attire, tanks and shorts, and informal, breathable items on individuals exploring town by foot.

In fall or winter, packing a wide range of layers for Charleston is finest because the climate could be unpredictable. Temperatures within the 80s can linger into early October however unexpectedly dip within the evenings. For a fall go to, I’d pack lengthy sleeve mini and maxi attire in fall tones, light-weight denim and fall blouses, and layers, like cardigans and lightweight sweaters, for the night.

Charleston Packing Checklist

Right here’s what I like to recommend packing for a 3-5 evening journey to Charleston:

  • Informal Outfits: For those who’re staying downtown, you’ll probably be strolling a great bit in the course of the day. Comfy separates or an off-the-cuff costume is finest. I packed shorts and easy tops to combine and match. If you wish to prioritize consolation, athleisure is totally high-quality.
  • Day to Night Attire: Breathable attire that transition from day to nighttime are a should on this metropolis. They’ll preserve you cool procuring, exploring, brunching, and lunching, after which you may throw on a cute heel and seize a night clutch for dinner. My favourite manufacturers for this fashion of costume are Xirena, Sundry, and J.Crew.
  • Seashore Day Necessities: For those who plan to go to the seaside, I like to recommend packing a showering go well with, coverup, and tote. A lot of the seashores have cute strips of eating places and bars, so put on a coverup you’ll really feel snug grabbing a drink or meal in.
  • Footwear: Should-have footwear for a Charleston journey embrace beach-friendly sandals, a strolling shoe (white sneakers, birkenstocks, or snug sandals), and a dressier shoe for dinner (heeled sandals or booties). Downtown has quite a lot of cobblestone streets, so preserve that in thoughts when selecting your heel fashion.

Charleston Journey Information


Charleston has a lot to supply. I feel you would go to 100 instances and never see all of it. I did analysis earlier than our journey to construct our itinerary (Grace Atwood’s Charleston Information was superior for this). I additionally discovered it vastly useful to ask locals what their favourite spots have been as soon as we arrived. Right here have been our favourite eats, procuring spots, and actions:

  • Espresso: The Rise espresso store was hooked up to our resort and serves the very best chilly brew I’ve ever had. Additionally cherished the espresso and breakfast at Miller’s All Day (get it to go and stroll to the water).
  • Lunch: Primary Kitchen was a cute wholesome lunch spot for salads, bowls, and so forth. Uncooked 167 had the very best seafood, however I like to recommend getting a reservation for a correct desk (we sat on the bar).
  • Bars: Little Palm, The Watch, and Bin 152 have been our favourite bars. The Watch has a tremendous view of downtown.
  • Dinner: Chez Nous, La Farfelle, and Sorgum & Salt are three eating places I’m already dying to go to once more. Critically, each single factor we ate and drank at these locations was to die for.
  • Procuring: I cherished shopping the designer choice at Hampden Clothes, and it was enjoyable to see the Lake Pajamas retailer in particular person. Croghan’s Jewel Field is a should see.
  • Actions: Rainbow Row and the Battery are musts if it’s your first go to. We did a sundown sail on Schooner Delight, which I cherished as a result of there’s no narration/tour, so that you simply sip and benefit from the views. We drove over to Sullivan’s Island and across the neighborhoods in Mt. Nice. Downtown gives loads of artwork galleries, museums, and vintage outlets to discover.
  • Keep: We stayed at The Restoration Lodge and, whereas I’d keep there once more, I’m going to attempt Guesthouse on our subsequent go to.

There you might have it! That’s the whole lot I wore in Charleston, a Charleston packing checklist, and a mini information to town. You probably have any questions on our go to or what to put on in Charleston, SC, hearth away within the feedback.