What to Wear in Miami

As the classic Will Smith song states - “I only came for two days but I end up staying”.

Miami has to be one of our favorite cities in the USA. The charming vintage art deco facades, palm-lined streets, juxtaposed against the modern boutiques and fast cars make Miami a place like no other. When you add in the delicious food, amazing nightlife, and beautiful beaches, it's no wonder Miami is such a popular destination. Whether you're visiting for a short break or a longer vacation, you're sure to fall in love with this city.

When it comes to Miami style, there’s no shortage of inspiration. The city is full of fashion icons who know how to dress for the heat, the sand, and the nightlife. If you’re headed to Miami and want to make sure you pack everything you need to look your best, we’ve got you covered. We’ve put together 6 Miami outfit looks, complete with an itemized packing list. So whether you’re hitting the club or strutting down Ocean Drive you’ll be looking flawless.

Best Time To Go

The best time to visit Miami is during the months of December through April. This is when the weather is at its best, with average highs between 70s-to-mid 80s and less rain. Of course, this is also the peak season for tourism, so expect higher prices and larger crowds.

If you can stand the heat, between March and April is also a good time to visit, as the weather is still pleasant and the rates are lower. We recommend avoiding the hurricane season, which also has more rain. The South Florida rainy season runs from mid-may through till October.

Packing For Miami - Things To Consider

When packing for a trip to Miami, it's important to consider the type of activities you'll be doing and the dress code of the places you'll be visiting. If you're planning on spending time at luxury hotels, it's a good idea to check the dress code of their restaurants to ensure you've packed the right clothes.

Miami is known for its crop tops, bright colors, and beachwear, so packing accordingly is a great way to get into the Miami aesthetic. However, it's also important to keep in mind the time of year you're visiting. If you're traveling during the rainy season, you'll want to make sure to pack a light rain jacket or coat.

Miami has a unique local fashion scene, so you’ll also want to leave some space in your bag to shop at the boutiques.

Miami Outfit Ideas

South Beach Miami Look

A versatile two-piece set is a chic choice for South Beach. This bright-colored crop top from Alexis screams Magic City, while the fabrics make it sophisticated enough to take you from your beach lounger to a rooftop bar. We’ve paired this two-piece set with some gold chains and hoops for a classic Miami vibe that’ll make it easy to go from day to night without having to change.

Dinner Date Miami Outfit - 1. Gianvito Rossi 120mm Strappy Sandals , 2. Dion Lee Interlock Buckle Pant and Column Corset Top 3. EF Collection - Single Diamond Enamel Huggie Earring 4. Bottega Veneta Cassette Padded Intrecciato Canvas Shoulder Bag

Dinner Date in Miami

The dining in Miami is first class, with a wealth of high-end dining to choose from. If you’re heading to a fine dining venue you’ll want to ensure your dressed the part. Opt for a long pant or cocktail dress. In the outfit above we’ve paired some lightweight Dion Lee trousers with a textured crop top to make it cool and easy to wear regardless of humidity levels. Elevate the look with a designer bag, high heels, and some hoop earrings.

Miami Club Outfit - 1. Aquazzura Yes Darling 95mm mules 2. Paco Rabanne Pixel Double FL Silver and Gold-Tone Earrings 3. Oseree, Plumage Babydoll Dress

Miami Clubs

Miami is known for its nightlife and for good reason. The city has a heavy Latin influence in the clubbing scene, which means that sexy dresses are a must. The shorter and sultrier the better. If you really want to stand out, go for a plunging neckline or a backless dress. You’ll be sure to turn heads and have a night to remember.

We’ve recommended a playful babydoll dress paired with bright Aquazzura heels that channel studio 54 with their silver stiletto. We love the addition of the feather fringe on the babydoll dress, perfect for nights filled with carefree dancing and downing cocktails.

Downtown Miami & Art Museums

Miami Design District Outfit - 1. Shona Joy Sara Set in Grey 2. Louis Vuitton Capucines BB 3. Saint Laurant Nu Pieds Woven Leather Slides in White 4. Khiry Khartoum Hexagonal Ring

Miami is a modern design mecca, and its downtown area is brimming with inspiration. Fashion thrives here, with luxury brands and boutiques dotting the landscape. If you're looking for style inspiration, you'll find it in abundance in the arts district, there's plenty of visual stimulation to be found. To soak up the sun in style we recommend going for a neutral matching set and getting creative with your accessories. We’ve recommended the Shona Joy Sara set which has a crop top to keep you from heating up, but a halter top will work well too. The Louis Vuitton Capucines bag makes every outfit look elegant, which is ideal when you’re on vacation as it can be worn with multiple looks. The Saint Laurant Nu Pieds slide is a comfortable slide that allows you to walk around downtown for hours, but sophisticated enough that you won’t feel out of place in an art galleries or designer boutiques.

Miami Poolside Outfit - 1. Saint Laurent Woven Shoulder Bag 2. Devon Windsor Moroccan Sunrise Set 3. Christian Dior Pacific S1U White Square Sunglasses 4. Slowtide Turkish Towel.

Miami Activewear Outfit - 1. Bottega Veneta Intrecciato leather slides 2. UWL Saint Laurant Wood Effect Surfboard 3. Zimmerman One piece 4. Balenciaga Cat-eye Acetate Sunglasses

Miami Resort Wear

We channeled Slim Aaron’s vintage summer style for these looks., inspired by Miami’s glamourous beachfront estates and timeless art deco buildings. The poolside outfit has a chic cover-up paired with a matching bikini set from Devon Windsor’s line. The sarong is 45 x 45 and can be wrapped multiple ways making it a convenient vacation staple. The tote bag from YSL is this seasons must-have beach bag, we love that the raffia works with any color. You can’t go wrong with some classic white sunglasses. We couldn’t choose between the winged Balenciaga or the rounded Christian Dior frames so we opted for both. You can never have too many sunglasses.

We’re coveting the YSL surfboard, and while we might not want to use it on the waves with the $7000 price tag, it’s definitely got that Miami mood that makes us want to hit the beach.

Miami Packing List

Whether you're spending your Miami vacation swanning around South Miami’s beautiful beaches, or visiting the design district, you’ll want to be prepared for Miami’s heat. To make packing for Miami simple and stress-free, we’ve pulled together a quick packing list of all the essentials you’ll want to take with you. In each of the drop-down boxes below is a list of items to pack, these have been separated into categories; travel, bathroom, clothing, and make-up.

A guide to choosing what to pack for Miami:

Making looks before packing helps to streamline the process and ensure you don’t overpack. No one wants the pain of lugging around tonnes of baggage. Follow our outfit inspiration and create your own looks. Pack each individual look together in a packing cube. Include suitable underwear for each outfit.
You won’t need much outerwear for Miami, the temperature rarely goes below 17°C, even in Winter. We recommend packing one versatile jacket or lightweight coat and one lightweight jumper that works with most of your outfits.
The humidity is intense. Trust us when we recommend breathable lightweight fabrics. If you sweat a lot, you’ll want to avoid really tight bodycon dresses. Opt for light summer dresses instead.
Most Miami locals dress pretty casually, it’s not a 3 piece suit and tie kind of place. If you like to get dressed up on holiday, opt for a well-groomed beachside style by choosing high-end fabrics like silk, chiffon, and linen paired with statement heels or a bold bag. Avoid overly structured and tailored looks. Miami is vibrant, energetic, and colorful, get into the vibe by playing with your styling.
While Miami is generally portrayed as a party place, there’s a growing number of great wellness spaces opening in the area. Pack some activewear and head to one of Carillon Miami’s 65 fitness classes, or sweat out all your toxins at The Standard Spa. You can also find a few surfing and SUP spots, so pack some wave-friendly swimwear to make the most of it.

Tank Tops
Beach cover-up
Swimwear
Flip Flops or beach slides
High Heels
A pair of sneaker
Maxi Dress
Mini Dress or Cocktail Dress
Denim Shorts
Long Pants
Lightweight coat or jacket
Lightweight cardigan or jumper
Activewear
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Earings
Necklace
Bras & Underwear
Suntan lotion
Hairspray
Bug spray
Travel skincare kit (cleanser, moisturizer, serum)
Deodorant
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Shampoo & Conditioner
Travel size perfume
BB cream or light foundation with SPF
Blush & lip tint
Bronzer
Mascara
Concealer
Eyeshadow travel palette in vibrant colors
Passport & entry documents
Credit Cards
Cellphone & charger
Noise-canceling headphones
Camera
Beach Bag
Laptop

More Miami Travel Tips

Read our Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel Review to find out why this resort is one of the hottest stays in South Beach
Read our latest hotel review, Mayfair House Hotel and Garden, a design oasis in Miami.

What To Wear In Miami: 6 Outfits For A Magic City Mood