“What to wear to a coastal destination in the summer?” is an easy question to answer, but “What to wear to a coastal destination in the fall?” is a bit tougher.
Here in the Southeastern United States, our autumns are generally mild, with occasional cold snaps and rain. Our coastal destinations experience the same weather events but with frequent balmy days and lots of wind.
It’s that last thing that can make a pleasant day feel a bit colder, and it makes the process of packing quite the conundrum.
Looking for more packing lists? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
When packing for a late October weekend in Beaufort, South Carolina, my guiding principle was layering.
(Novel, I know)
But since we were never far from our vehicle or our cottage, I knew I wouldn’t be burdened by having to remove my jacket if the weather warmed, or if the temperature started dipping earlier than anticipated.
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As for the very layers themselves, I leaned into the coastal setting for this trip with my packing list, pulling in natural whites and sandy beiges, a hint of nautical blue, and a fun punch of green just because – all grounded with my wardrobe’s foundation color of black. Here’s a look at everything I packed, the outfits, and my takeaways:
MY PACKING LIST FOR BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA
Fisherman Sweater | Breton Top | Cropped Sweater℅ | Floral Dress℅ | Cropped Alpaca Cardigan℅ | Plaid Blazer* | Safari Jacket℅ | Tan Buttoned Jumpsuit* | White Denim* | Blue Denim | Heeled Sandals℅ | Tennis Shoes℅ | Sunglasses (top) | Sunglasses (bottom) | Woven Belt [save 20% with code WAYWARDBLOG or use stacking code WAYWARDEXTRA] | Vintage Bag*
BEAUFORT OUTFITS
*this item is no longer available and I've linked a similar product
MY TAKEAWAYS: PACKING FOR BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA
I definitely enjoyed dressing for the destination while in Beaufort. I’m glad I chose to lean into the relaxed coastal vibes – yet I still felt like myself, since everything I wore on this trip was already in my closet. Beaufort’s style is a little more laid-back than its sister down the coast, Charleston, and I felt perfectly at home in every shop and restaurant we visited. This packing list suited our diverse selection of activities (bike rides, beach hikes, and fancy dinners) quite well, and I was never further than a rolled sleeve or light jacket away from feeling comfortable. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing!
Enjoyed this post? You may also like:
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How did packing for your last trip go? Did you learn any valuable lessons, or did it feel like a cinch?
I love going to beach towns in “off” seasons! Less people and it’s still enjoyable even if you can’t go swimming. Love all the looks, a great mix of nautical and fall!
Swimming is only a small part of the beach experience, anyway! What are some of your favorite beaches to visit off-season?