Traveling Light: A Summer Packing List for Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

From a blogging perspective, I’m very excited to share today’s post with you.

Why? Well, a lot of readers stumble across my blog after searching for recommendations for what to pack for a trip to Dallas, Texas.

Well, that’s pretty cool, right? And it’s exactly why I am committed to sharing my destination-specific, real-life packing lists here on wayward – to help people prepare for their upcoming travels without overpacking.

But you see, my last visit to Dallas-Fort Worth occurred during early March when the weather was still pretty nippy – quite different than the metroplex’s temperatures during the remainder of the year. Is that post helpful to readers visiting in March? Absolutely. Is it helpful to readers visiting in July? Not so much.

So that’s why I’m glad to finally share a warm-weather packing list for Dallas-Fort Worth today.

Looking for more packing lists? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter

A word of caution: this packing list is a little all over the place because our itinerary (or perhaps, lack thereof) was a little all over the place. Before departure, I knew only two things for sure: 1) We would be attending a concert at the world’s largest honky tonk and 2) With temperatures in the 90s, we’d be spending a lot of time indoors.

If you’re not from the Southern United States, you may be a little shocked by the use – or perhaps overuse – of A/C when you visit. I always keep a jacket handy, because my body is uncomfortable with the dramatic temperature shifts that occur when entering and exiting shops and restaurants. So naturally, a goes-with-everything jacket had to be on this packing list. As for the rest of the packing list, I prefer to fly in jeans or pants to stay warm and for cleanliness; I debated about bringing the two pairs below as it felt excessive, but ultimately kept both in case I got too sticky in one pair for the return trip. You’ll notice that all of my tops are in one color: black. Yes, it’s hotter than any other color, but I love to travel in it to conceal any sweat or stains. Toss in some easy-wearing shorts and dresses and you’ve got yourself a summer packing list that can handle a nice dinner out or an afternoon of museum-hopping.

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Oh, wait – one critical category is missing: shoes.

As a nod to my last DFW packing list, I packed the very same Western-ish ankle boots. And for comfort, I added in the perfect white sneaker and the most comfortable sandals.

If it seems like a lot, well, it kind of feels like that to me, too. But by my successful packing list litmus test (i.e. “Did I wear everything in my bag?”), this was indeed a winning pack. And of course, everything was packed neatly in my carry-on suitcase with room to spare for a few souvenirs. Ready to peek inside?

DALLAS-FORT WORTH PACKING LIST

Silk Cami* | Cotton Tank* | Eyelet Top℅ | Wool Tee℅ | Midi Dress* | Canvas Shorts℅ | Denim Shorts | Wide Leg Jeans* | Wide Leg Pants℅ | Maxi Dress℅ | Linen Blazer* | Sneakers℅ | Sandals | Ankle Boots* | Crossbody Bag* | Belt Bag℅

DALLAS-FORT WORTH OUTFITS

This trip was so low-key I wound up not taking an outfit photo every day (which isn’t great blog-wise; I’ll take it as a sign that I was too busy enjoying myself), but I did manage to snap a few!

Look 1 | BBQ + Shopping

Midi Dress* | Sneakers℅ | Sunglasses | Earrings* | Necklace 1 | Necklace 2

All the easy-breezy comfort in this look! I thrifted this dress shortly before the trip, and after a quick alteration, it has integrated into my wardrobe quite nicely. The length allows me to move comfortably without worrying about gusts of wind revealing anything I don’t want to be seen, and the ease throughout the middle ensured I could have my fill of all the delicious brisket I wanted. Popping from shop to shop meant I spent some time outside, but the light and drapey fabric helped me keep my cool. This dress sadly isn’t available any longer, but I highly recommend long dresses for ease in getting dressed. Simply throw on a pair of comfy sneakers (these are my favorite lately), and roll out the door!

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Look 2 | Museums + Tacos

Silk Cami* | Denim Shorts | Linen Blazer* | Belt | Sandals | Crossbody Bag* | Sunglasses | Necklace*

The third piece really makes a difference, doesn’t it? The blazer is the only core outfit piece that has changed between these photos (the handbag feels secondary here), but it changes the look so much. Even with a four-inch inseam (one of the longer ones carried by the brand), these shorts still show a lot of skin – especially combined with a spaghetti-strap tank – and the blazer adds a bit of polish. There are a lot of conflicting aesthetics going on here, but I felt very comfortable in this look.

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Look 3 | Texas Honky Tonk

Eyelet Top℅ | Denim Shorts | Ankle Boots* | Belt Bag℅ | Sunglasses | Necklace*

Before leaving, I Googled “What to wear to a Honky Tonk?” If we were visiting Nashville, I would have had an answer, but none of the results presented to me did a good job describing what to wear to a Honky Tonk in Texas. So naturally, I turned to Instagram. Scrolling through, it was apparent there is a uniform: low-cut tank or frilly tee, high-waisted bootcut jeans or denim shorts, and cowboy boots. So, I dug around in my closet to approximate the look without spending money on a one-time-use outfit. Billy Bob’s bag policy is that items can either be carried in a clear bag or a small clutch; my belt bag (reviewed here) was perfect for this as I could carry the bag in as a clutch and then reattach it to the belt once inside. And well, while I felt like I was wearing a costume, I did feel like I more-or-less fit in with the crowds at Billy Bob’s. If I had to do it all over again, I would opt for jeans instead of shorts; I’d read the venue can get hot, but I was freezing the entire time.

*this item is no longer available, and I've linked a similar option

FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR DALLAS-FORT WORTH

While I am definitely not made for hot weather, this packing list helped me feel as comfortable as possible in the heat and frigid A/C. If I had to generalize local style, Dallas skews a little more formal and preppy, while locals in Fort Worth tend to embrace a more relaxed look. We saw the largest occurrence of cowboy hats, boots, and belt buckles in the Stockyards area of Fort Worth (though those may have been fellow tourists). Despite these differing styles, I felt like I found a happy medium in this packing list (while still staying true to my personal style!).

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When you travel, do you usually try to “fit in” wherever you go?