I’m back again with another packing list post! This time I’m sharing my packing list for our seven-day trip to Guadalajara, a few outfit photos, and my reflections on my selections and what I saw locals wearing.
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As with all of my previous packing lists, I sought to bring everything I’d need for my time away in my carry-on bag (reviewed here). And also like all of my other packs, I checked the forecast obsessively in the days leading up to the trip. It rarely wavered from its prediction of highs in the mid-90s and lows in the upper-50s (Fahrenheit, of course – although it felt close to boiling at times).
Warm-weather packing presents a unique quandary: fabrics are lighter and the clothes are generally smaller (thus occupying less space in the suitcase), yet the sky-high temps mean each garment can only be worn once (thereby increasing the total number of items needed). As a very sweaty person™, I knew I’d want to change outfits between day and night, but I also wanted to avoid bringing fourteen different outfits if at all possible. So how did I circumvent this?
By choosing fabrics wisely.
You’ll notice that many of the garments I packed are cotton or linen, sure – but a good portion of them are made from an unexpected hot-weather hero: wool.
Looking for more packing lists? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
Wool’s breathability and odor resistance made it a prime candidate for this packing list. I learned firsthand that it can be worn multiple times without complaint after once getting stranded with only a wool dress to wear for six days. I crossed my fingers that ten outfits would be sufficient (including my airplane outfit of jeans + tee/tank + sweatshirt), but I also knew we’d be able to find a laundromat or purchase an additional outfit if needed. So, here’s what I packed for our April trip:
Guadalajara Packing List
Guadalajara Outfits
My Thoughts on Packing for Guadalajara
I can (proudly?) say I wore every garment in my suitcase – except for my light jacket. You see, “lows in the mid-50s” apparently meant that the temperature would dip that low in the very early hours of the morning for just a moment, and not any time that my no-longer-twenty-something self would be awake. By the time we headed out the door each morning, it was too hot for sleeves.
You’ll notice that nearly all of these outfits are one-pieces (i.e., dresses and jumpsuits). As we’ve traveled through Latin America, I’ve noticed a reluctance among locals to wear shorts – unless the location is a beach town. I don’t own many breezy skirts and knew I’d be way too hot in jeans, so these easy-to-wear garments made the most sense from a packing standpoint. But putting my theories into practice? I felt slightly overdressed at times; thankfully my sneakers helped to make each outfit a bit more casual when needed. Mostly I appreciated the ease of getting dressed each day. There was no creative layering to consider, or time spent mixing and matching in a fun or unique way; I just tossed on one garment and moved on. And early in the trip, I worked out that by wearing a dress or jumpsuit first in the evening when it was a bit cooler out, I could rewear it on another day and it would still be clean. There were even days I wore three outfits – to allow the garments to air out between wears.
The two pieces I was most grateful for were my airy striped, ruffled dress (thrifted, linked to a similar option) for its fun and floaty vibes and my black shift dress℅ for its ability to hide sweat and odor (I wore it three or four times throughout the trip!). But the unsung hero of this travel wardrobe were these slip shorts I purchased right before leaving. They were so helpful with keeping cool and staying modest during any gusts of wind and getting out of Ubers.
I feel like I should also chat about shoes because it’s the category everyone always seems to struggle with. I knew I’d want a pair of easy-to-clean sneakers℅ to combat city grime. If you’re a sneaker-head who can’t stand a bit of dust and dirt on your shoes, I’d consider bringing a black pair instead of white (look how dirty mine got in Tequila!). For evenings out, like my fancy birthday dinner at Xokol, these cushioned pointed flats (reviewed here) were a great choice – although I had to spend a little time with shoe cleaner and a scrub brush once I got back home.
If you’re new around here, I often like to talk about local style. Although it’s been a few years since my last visit to Mexico City, the style in Guadalajara is noticeably more relaxed than in the nation’s capital. Despite the heat, most Tapatíos were in skinny jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. However, I did notice some shorts and more revealing clothing in the hipster areas (and a lot of tank tops and crop tops all over the city). The one thing I really didn’t expect to see all over was Doc Martens and combat boots. Not because they’re not in, but because it was so. hot. It’s true that sometimes style just trumps comfort.
And because these are the times we are in, I should mention this too: at the time of our visit, face masks were mandatory in most places, and locals seemingly wore them around the clock (even outdoors, with no one else nearby). While we obviously complied with regulations, I couldn’t always manage comfortably with my mask on outdoors. Provided no one was within range, I would remove mine to keep it clean and dry. Since this visit, though, some of these restrictions have been lifted. In any case, please be mindful and mask when required or requested.
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*Many of the garments in my wardrobe are several seasons old and no longer available from the maker and I've linked a similar/updated product.
I should also note that while I technically didn't pack my hat - I bought it in Zapopan - it was such an essential piece of my wardrobe for the week I had to include it here (and yes, I'm fully aware of how often I'm holding the hat brim in these photos - I was so terrified of losing it!).
Looking for more? You may also like:
- Guadalajara Travel Guide
- Guadalajara Food Guide
- Tequila Day Trip
- Dining at Xokol in Guadalajara
- What to Expect During Semana Santa in Guadalajara
- Three Days in Mexico City Packing List
- Five Days in Mexico City Packing List
- Puerto Vallarta Packing List
- All Summer Packing Lists
Would you rather pack for a hot- or cold-weather getaway?
