WHAT TO WEAR IN CHARLESTON, FALL 2023

If you’re planning a visit to Charleston you might be wondering what to wear there, especially as it’s a spectacular city with endless photo opportunities! Packing the right outfits will help you get the most out of the city’s gorgeous backdrops and create truly memorable vacation photos.

The Backdrops and Colors in Charleston SC

First of all, Charleston has amazing color variety, with a rainbow of gorgeous pastel exteriors in peach, pink, blue and green all through the city. So, unlike cities with a single predominant color (like the blue you see in Santorini for example) you actually have a lot of flexibility when it comes to your Charleston wardrobe. That said, you can’t go wrong with outfits in warm shades of peach, pink and blue.

The Charleston architecture is another factor to consider when deciding on your trip wardrobe. The grand Antebellum architecture, sweeping exterior stairways leading up to porches, and the quaint cobblestone streets really lend themselves to a feminine style and statement pieces.

What to Wear in Charleston

Flowy dresses, midi skirts and statement tops are all excellent choices for Fall in Charleston and fit right in with the colors, architecture and vibe of the city.

Given my love of statement midi skirts, my go-to outfits were thin turtlenecks paired with midi skirts. I packed several midi skirts to cover me for about a week (you can shop my current favorite midis in the gallery below). I also packed quite a few of my favorite style of turtleneck, which is thin and fitted. It was easy to do a lot of mixing and matching with these pieces.

Midi-skirts are such great wardrobe pieces in general, in or out of Charleston, because they’re super versatile and can easily be styled for different occasions. In fact, all of the skirts I linked work really well for the holiday season, no matter where you are.

SHOP THE POST HERE:

https://tapto.shop/petitestyle/p/6565eda7fb88f645a8e52ff6

Essential Pieces for Fall in Charleston

Fall weather in Charleston is mild (ranging from the 60s to the low 70s Fahrenheit) so, bringing layers is a good idea. I recommend packing a few thin long-sleeve base layers that can deliver some warmth. A thin fitted turtleneck is a great top option for a southern Fall. These look sleek and are perfect for tucking into skirts or pants and keep you comfortable if the temps are at the low end of the range.

I would also take a couple of sweaters you can layer over your base. If you’re planning to wear a lot of bold colors for your base outfit, going with neutral color medium weight layers is a safe wardrobe strategy. I brought a camel sweater that pairs well with virtually any color or style of bottom and tucks in easily into skirts or pants. Also, this soft oversized grey sweater, which I wore mostly as a scarf “just in case” it got cold.

Are you wondering if you need a jacket? Honestly, if you bring a heavy sweater I don’t think you really need a coat. I generally have very low tolerance for cold but didn’t need my coat at all in Charleston. My winter coat stayed in my carry-on during the whole trip, including evenings. 

What Shoes and Bag to Wear for a Fall Charleston Trip

I only used a carry-on suitcase for this trip, so I had to be pretty choosy with my footwear and accessories. With only 21 inches of space, I could only fit 2 pairs of shoes.

Pair #1 was sneakers. I highly recommend comfortable sneakers because Charleston is very much a walking city. If you love sight-seeing you will probably be walking a great deal. There are also many cobblestone streets that are easiest to navigate in footwear with a flexible and broad sole – like sneakers.

For the second pair, I recommend bringing walkable sandals. Block heel sandals will get you through hours of walking. If you’re a fellow petite like me, you might also appreciate that it gives you a bit of height without sacrificing comfort. Also, a pair of block heels just makes your outfit so much nicer when you pop in for lunch at one of Charleston’s many fantastic restaurants.

In terms of what to wear bag-wise, I suggest something hands-free. A cross-body bag that’s roomy enough for essentials, yet not too heavy, is great when you’re trying to take photos and carry a coffee. I brought my daily brown leather bag (in English Saddle) since it checks all these boxes. It’s multifunctional in that you can carry around enough for a whole day of sight-seeing but not as casual as the athleisure belt-bags.

And, if you’re wondering why the slug of this post includes “Porches and Pralines”, it’s because Charleston has some of the best porches anywhere, and I discovered a delectable dessert called pralines there. If you haven’t tried pralines, they are indescribably delicious. You have to visit the South and try them for yourself!