Charleston was our second getaway as a family of three, and it was just what we needed. You never really know how traveling with a baby is going to go, but Josie did great. We enjoyed strolling around the residential areas, eating amazing food, and just getting out of our routine for a bit. It was the perfect little Spring getaway. As promised, I’m sharing what to pack for a Spring trip to Charleston and my outfit recap.

For more inspiration for vacation looks, you’ll love this post HERE with more than 20 outfits for your next adventure.

What to Pack for a Trip to Charleston

The attire in Charleston is more elevated for day-to-day wear. I would describe it as casual chic, which is right up my alley! People tend to dress up a little bit more, even just for casual strolls around the city, which I think is attributed to the southern charm of the city. Think a casual dress or chic white linen pants instead of cut-off shorts and a t-shirt. A pastel color palette will also fit right into the local, Charelston city charm.

The Spring season is by far my favorite season to visit Charleston, and it’s because the weather is beyond perfect! It’s typically sunny and mid 70’s during the day, with far less humidity than during the peak summer. It can still be chilly during the mornings and evenings, and even in the shade while walking about the city, so it’s important to pack a layer or two to have on hand just in case. It’s a coastal city, so it never hurts to bring an umbrella along with you. If you’re staying at a nicer hotel, they do typically have these on hand for guests to use if you forget.

What shoes to pack for Charleston

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Collectively, we walked around 15+ miles while in Charleston. So we were definitely moving and grooving. If you too like to explore by walking, then a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I wore these white sneakers during the day while exploring the city, and can’t recommend them enough. Another reason I love them is because they look great with shorts, denim or dresses. They’re very versatile when it comes to what you can wear with them. I also saw a lot of other ladies wearing white sneakers with dresses, too!

For dressier evening attire, I recommend a wedge to make walking the cobblestone streets a bit easier on you. I wore this pair, and was still comfortable but elevated for the sophisticated, evening dress code.

Clothes to Pack for Charleston

Charleston’s style fits right in with my personal style. Think lots of flowy dresses, pastel color palettes, and elevated comfort. Here is what you should pack for a spring trip to the Holy City.

Southern Charm Dresses

Flowy dresses are the perfect attire to pack along with you to Charleston. You can dress them down with sneakers and sandals during the day, then dress them up for the evening by switching out your shoes for a wedge. Here are a few dresses I think are perfect for your trip

a light jacket

Though the sun can get intense in Charleston, it can also get chilly at night. I recommend packing a light jacket for the cool mornings and evenings. Whether you’re taking a stroll or eating dinner on an outdoor patio, you’ll be glad you have it. This denim jacket goes with a variety of outfits and can take you from day to night.

White Pants

Since Charleston is a little more sophisticated, I recommend packing white jeans or white linen pants instead of jeans. Your outfits will look elevated, but still have a casual comfort for day to day.

Shorts

If it’s a breezy day, you may want to wear a pair of shorts instead of a mini dress…I learned this the hard way! I recommend a nice pair of tailored shorts that you can dress up or down.

Random Must-haves to Pack for your trip

hair ties

Hair ties are another must-have for what to pack for a trip to Charleston. It can get pretty humid, hot and what I also found out is windy, depending on when you go. So have them on hand. I love these because they’re functional and pretty. I love to add a pony scarf to make my hair look a little more put together.

sunscreen

That southern sun can get pretty intense. So even if you’re just walking around the city, I’d recommend spraying sunscreen on for a little extra protection. I love this one because it’s light and effective.

And of course, don’t forget your face. Wearing sunscreen on your face all year round is a good idea, but especially if you’re going to be outdoors most of the day. I put it on after my moisturizer each day and feels super light and has a velvet finish.

swimsuit

If you plan to head to the nearby beaches or take a dip in your hotel pool, don’t forget a swimsuit. Two of the best beaches in the Charleston area are Folly Beach and at Kiawah Island. I rounded up some of my most favorite swimsuits from this season in this post HERE.

crossbody bag

The last must-have travel essential for our trip to Charleston is a crossbody bag. It’s easier to carry and more secure around your body. I only take what I need when walking around the city, so the bag isn’t too heavy. This outfit was also my travel outfit. Loved these white linen pants paired with a blush top.

sun hat

During the sunny months, I always like to have a sun hat to keep the sun off my face. This one has been my go-to for years. It packs well and I love that it has different sizes to fit your head shape. I wear a size small. If you’re looking for cute sun hats, I rounded up my favorites here!

What to pack for baby

If you’re traveling with a baby, keep in mind the streets aren’t super stroller friendly. We were glad to have it with us to carry along all our must-haves, but at times we had to lift it up and navigate cobblestone streets. I would recommend bringing along a carrier as another option to get around the city with a baby.

books

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Books were great to have for me on this trip because we had early nights since Josie goes down to bed early. These are the three books I purchased recently to read this month. I finished Reminders Of Him and absolutely loved it! And I surprisingly didn’t cry like I do with most of Colleen Hoover’s books. I’ll keep you posted on the other two once I finish them.

Charleston Outfit Recap

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Josie has a new trick, and it’s about the cutest thing ever. I wore this dress while walking around the city and paired it with my white sneakers. Dresses are easy to wear when you want an elevated look and want to stay cool. Although, the winds were about 20 MPH, so in hindsight, the dress wasn’t ideal in this instance. 🙂

I wore these white linen pants traveling to and from Charleston, as well as for a chilly morning stroll. They were perfect to keep me warm enough in the morning but not overheat once it warmed up in the afternoon.

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I had to swing into LoveShackFancy while we were there, and it was as a dreamy as I thought it would be. I wore floral linen shorts with a white Amazon top. They’re both light and perfect for a slightly warm day. For extra sun coverage for my face, I wore my favorite straw hat, which instantly elevates any look.

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For dinner out one evening, I wore this puff-sleeved maxi dress with pearl embellished slides. The sleeves gives this dress a designer look. What’s great too is that the dress is bump and nursing-friendly. It would also make the perfect Easter dress.

This midi dress was made for a Charleston trip. Plus, it’s comfortable! It’s a piece you can easily dress up and down for day and night. I’m wearing a size medium, and it runs TTS for this brand.

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For another mini dress option, this floral smocked dress was perfect for the trip. You can easily take this from day to night. Wear the white sneakers with a crossbody bag throughout the day, and then simply change into neutral wedges for an evening out.

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This affordable belt is great to wear with flowy dresses to give a bit more structure to your natural waistline. I also packed my favorite self-tanning lotion and oil for a nice bronzy glow.

What’s your must-have travel essential? Let me know in the comments below.

Charleston Packing List Shop

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