Planning a trip to Charleston, South Carolina? Yay! We can’t wait to welcome you here. Now that you’ve made travel arrangements, you are probably wondering what to wear in Charleston, SC. What the heck do I pack for the South? How is the weather?
You’ve come to the right place if it is your first time in Charleston. I am born and raised here so can provide true perspective for you when it comes to planning Charleston outfits and dressing in each season.
Charleston style is definitely southern chic. People are always dressed to impress while making it look effortless! Charleston ladies dress classic, feminine, and a little flirty!
I’m here to tell you alllll about what the weather is actually like in Charleston by season and how people dress in Charleston. You can’t always gain a full understanding of the climate on weather apps or gauge appropriate attire from Instagram!
Read on for my local’s guide to packing for Charleston, dressing for each season, and outfit ideas for your vacation to the Holy City!
I suggest using the Table of Contents below because this is detailed!!
This site participates in affiliate programs. When you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support allows me to continue providing this free content. Thank you!
Short on time? Here’s a quick rundown of what to wear in Charleston by season!
HOW TO DRESS IN CHARLESTON | Charleston style is southern chic. The ladies dress on the more conservative side and aren’t afraid to wear color and florals anytime of year!
| Season | Tips | What to Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | During the spring, Charleston has warmer days but cooler mornings and nights. Layering is key in the springtime. | White pants, dresses, maxi skirts, denim jacket, lightweight sweater for chilly evenings/mornings, exercise sets, comfortable white sneakers, sandals, and wedge heels. |
| Summer | Summer in Charleston is very hot and humid. Comfortable and breathable clothing is essential. Dresses are ideal for the heat! | Swimsuits, shorts, skirts, flowy dresses, breathable materials like linen, sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats. |
| Fall | By October, Charleston cools to a pleasant temperature. Pants, light jackets, and dresses/skirts are ideal for the season. | Jeans, maxi dresses & skirts, denim jackets, vests, Barbour jacket, sweaters, sneakers, wedges, and boots. |
| Winter | Winter in Charleston is unpredictable. Days can range from sunny and warm to very chilly, so checking the forecast is essential. | Cute trousers, jeans, sweater dresses, long sleeve and maxi dresses, skirts, sweaters, heavier coats (wool coat, puffers, etc.), boots, and closed-toe heels. |
Read on for an in-depth guide for packing for every season in Charleston, SC!
How to Dress in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is a beautiful year round destination so it’s always fun to plan your outfits for the Holy City in any season! The city is full of southern charm and your outfits should reflect it if you are wanting to blend in.
Like I mentioned, Charleston ladies looove to dress to impress. We have so many amazing locally owned boutiques in the area and everyone loves to shop local whenever possible. It’s a close-knit community and we strive to support one another!
We love to wear color and fun prints, especially anything floral! You will see us in dresses all year-round to easily transition from day to night activities.
On balmy summer nights, dresses and skirts are the perfect outfit choice in Charleston.
And in the winter, we can often be found in maxi dresses paired with booties and chic coats!
People in Charleston do dress on the more conservative side even when going out. I would leave any of your clubbing outfits at home and plan to dress more elegant for a night out on the town!
What to Wear in Charleston in Spring
Spring is one of the best times to be in Charleston! I love when everything starts to bloom – the azaleas especially!
Spring kicks off with fun events like Charleston Wine and Food, the Credit One Open, Riverdogs baseball games, and of course lots of weddings.
It’s the perfect time of year to have lunch outside or on a rooftop, hello patio season!
You will see the locals wearing floral dresses (lots of maxi dresses) or cute skirt sets with sneakers or wedges during the spring in Charleston.
You’ll also see a lot of white pants as we can finally wear white again in the South. It’s usually a rule from Labor Day to Easter that you can not wear white. Although, we break the rule and call it “winter white” the rest of the year.
Be sure to pack some comfortable white sneakers that go with everything as you can expect to do a lot of walking in this southern city as you explore the hidden gems of Charleston!
Charleston Weather in Spring: March, April and May
Here’s a weather breakdown by month of what to wear in Charleston in the Spring months:
- March – Typically, the mornings/nights will be cool and the days will warm into the 60/70s. I recommend watching the forecast closely and packing lots of layers in March. Anything can happen weather wise this month. There is usually a week in March where it gets cold again after it warms up.
- April – April starts to show signs of summer with some days reaching 80º! You’ll still want to pack a light coat like a denim jacket to throw on in the mornings/evenings when it gets a bit cooler. It can still be colder by the beach especially if there’s a breeze.
- May – usually really nice weather with warmer nights and hot days! By the end of the month, you will not need a light sweater at all and may see temperatures hit 90º.
Charleston Spring Outfits
You will see lots of chic sundresses, pastels, and florals in Charleston this time of year. We simply can’t wait to break out our fun colors! Here are some pieces to point you in the right direct and inspire your Charleston outfits:
Leisurely Tip: Always go with wedges or a block heel. The streets in Charleston are historic so they tend to be pretty uneven and it’s easy to trip.
What to Wear to Brunch or Shopping on King Street
If you are heading to brunch in Charleston, I recommend to wear something pretty and comfortable! However, you often will see the locals heading to brunch in workout sets if it’s a more casual spot.
You will certainly want to indulge in the amazing brunch dishes like shrimp & grits and southern biscuits and of course a bloody mary so a comfy outfit is key.
These outfits were made for Charleston in the spring! Try any of these looks for brunch in Charleston or shopping on King Street.
*CLICK ANY IMAGE TO SHOP!*
