What to Wear to Charleston in the Summer

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Seasonal Guide: The 10 pieces you need to pack for a trip to Charleston, South Carolina in the summer

Outfits for Travel Packing Guides

We hope you enjoy this seasonal packing guide. To stay on-trend, each of our packing guides at Outfits for Travel is developed at the beginning of each season and updated throughout the year to ensure you can buy each item. We hope you love the guides as much as we do! Big hugs, much love! xo, OFT

What to Wear to Charleston in the Summer

We developed this Charleston packing list to help make packing easier for travel to Charleston this summer. To ensure this, we worked to fit our favorite fashion trends into a 10-piece travel wardrobe. This Charleston summer travel wardrobe is incredible! It highlights some of the chicest trends of the season with a focus style and comfort! And when paired together, these styles make for the ideal Charleston summer travel wardrobe! Check out the items in our 10-piece packing list below for your Charleston, South Carolina packing needs!

What to Do in Charleston in the Summer

While visiting Charleston in the summer, be sure to experience the seasonal festivities like the Spoleto performing arts festival that takes place the end of May through mid-June. Or set sail on the Schooner Pride for a sunset cruise or a dolphin watch.  

A trip to Charleston would not be complete without a horse and carriage tour by Palmetto Carriage Works to immerse yourself in scenic views and historical tales of Charleston. Plan to do this in the morning or the evening to beat the heat. And make time to visit at least one plantation. For a full day of plantation exploration, your best bet is to visit Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens and Drayton Hall as they are very close to one another on Ashley River Road. Pack a picnic or plan for a light lunch at the Middleton Place Restaurant. We highly recommend the She Crab Soup; and the Middleton Place Garden Salad, made with assorted vegetables from Middleton Place Organic Farm is always lovely.

Another plantation worth visiting is Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens. It is located in the opposite direction of the Ashley River Road plantations, but its oak-lined entrance is a sight to see and its Gullah history events are second to none. This planation is a great option if you’d like to visit a South Carolina beach. To see one of Charleston’s best, we recommend taking a short detour to the Isle of Palms after you finish at Boone Hall.

Be sure to pack mosquito repellent for any outdoor outing!

Where to Eat in Charleston in the Summer

One of the best parts about a visit to Charleston is the food.  Charleston has a plethora of excellent restaurants. HUSK and FIG serve exceptional food but you must get reservations far in advance for dinner at both locations. You may also want to check-out Leon’s Oyster Shop, 167 Raw, Lewis BBQ or Xiao Bao Biscuit.

Also be sure to drop by Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on King street for a little cool-down while you are shopping!

Next, we discuss the weather in Charleston in the spring and how to pack your travel bag accordingly.

Charleston Summer Weather

The high temperatures for Charleston in the summer range from the upper-80s to the low-90s, dependent on the month you arrive. Summer low average temperatures in Charleston range from the upper-60s to the low-70s. Packing light-weight, breathable clothing is a good choice for humid summer days and nights. A straw hat and nude sunglasses are a must this time of the year if you plan to do any exploring around the city.  And pairing a silk skirt with a lace camisole for a nice dinner out will fit right in with the effortless, chic style of Charleston. Below we have included a detailed monthly list of the average high and low temperatures for Charleston in the summer. Below, we have listed detailed monthly averages of high and low temperatures for Charleston in the summer.

This average weather list was adapted from a Charleston South Carolina Weather outlook by Dream Charleston.

Below we feature 10 pieces to help you create chic and stylish outfits for summer travel to Charleston.

WHAT TO WEAR TO CHARLESTON IN THE SUMMER

CHARLESTON SUMMER PACKING GUIDE

THE 10 PIECES YOU NEED TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO CHARLESTON IN THE SUMMER

Gold Sandals | Lace Camisole | Straw Hat | Nude Sunglasses | Red Crossbody | Nude Dress | Nude Slides | White Silk Skirt | Off-Shoulder Top | Denim Shorts

When selecting what to wear to Charleston in the summer, your outfits should focus on chic items for style and loose-fitting pieces for comfort. Charleston is a stunning city with an abundance of history. The summer is a popular, albeit hot, time to visit Charleston. So whether you are packing outfits for Charleston in June, July or August, remember us when you prepare to pack for your trip. And refer to our Charleston packing list with trending pieces that will work great for your travels!