How to Dress in Miami

Co-authored by Susan Kim

Last Updated: December 8, 2021 References

Heavily influenced by Latin culture, Miami style is bold, bright, and sensual.This sunny city offers beautiful beaches and a vibrant party scene, so you will want to pack the right clothes for daytime and nighttime activities. Swimwear and casual clothing will take you through a day of swimming and sightseeing, and by night, you’ll be ready to dress up and hit the clubs.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Picking Your Outfit for the Day

1
Pack casual clothing. You will want to have plenty of clothing for daytime activities like sightseeing, shopping, and casual dining. While you should dress up for nice restaurants or the theater, you will be able to wear jeans or shorts and flip flops to most places.
2
Choose light fabrics in the summer. If you visit Miami in the summer, wear light fabrics like cotton and linen. Bring short sleeve shirts, tank tops, shorts, skirts, and capris.

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3
Bring warmer clothes for spring, fall, or winter. If you do not visit in the summer, be sure to include some long sleeve shirts as well as lightweight long pants. A light jacket or sweater will suffice for spring, summer, or fall, but in the winter, you will want a warmer jacket or sweater to layer.^{[1]
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- It’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before your trip. Miami experiences cool fronts and warm fronts, so the temperature may surprise you.^{[2]
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4
Consider dressing loudly. Miami is all about bright colors. This is the place to be daring with your fashion choices. You might opt for flower prints and big hats.^{[3]
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5
Bring a swimsuit. Part of the Miami experience is spending time in the South Beach area. In Miami, a one-piece bathing suit can act as regular clothing when worn with a simple cover-up. Wear this to lunch, the bar, the spa, or for shopping.^{[4]
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- If you are tanning, wearing the same swimsuit is a great way to measure how much sun you are getting.^{[5]
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6
Bring a Panama hat. This item originated in Ecuador, but has come to be associated with the tropical lifestyle. It will protect you from the sun, and make you fit right in with the Miami crowd.^{[6]
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7
Go for the maxi dress. A light, flowing maxi dress will keep you feeling cool on those hot summer days. Choose a dress with a bold print and you’ll stay comfortable in style.^{[7]
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8
Don a pair of bright patterned shorts. Men, exchange your khaki shorts for a colorful pair. You can wear these with striped laceless shoes or flip flops, and of course, sunglasses.
9
Carry a wrap, a cover-up or a light jacket. While it is true that Miami stays warm throughout the year, even during the winter months, you will need something to put on quickly when going from the outside heat to the inside air conditioning. Some form of cover is also important if you want to dress for Miami parties, because many Miami parties are held on rooftops, which can get very breezy at night.
10
Don’t forget your exercise wear. Miami’s beaches aren’t just for swimming and tanning; they are ideal running spots too. Miami also has plenty of green parks for runners and walkers, so you’ll want to have your athletic wear and sneakers to take advantage of this.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Putting Together a Nighttime Look

1
Wear a dress and heels (or wedges). Women should definitely avoid jeans, sandals, or flats. The nightclub is the place for more formal attire. Having the perfect outfit will not only make it easier for you to get into a club, it will set the tone for your experience.
2
Put on a button down shirt with dark jeans and shoes. Men should stay away from shorts, ripped jeans, t-shirts, polo shirts, or tennis shoes.^{[8]
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Research source}Options for men include:
- dark jeans with a white or lavender button down shirt and dark shoes.^{[9]
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- red jeans with a white shirt, black belt, and black cowboy style shoes.^{[10]
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- jeans, a South Beach style button down shirt, and black shoes.^{[11]
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3
Give some thought to the trends. Instead of a dress, a woman may wear an elegant romper, or luxury yoga pants with a black top.^{[12]
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Research source} Note that women tend to wear bright colors, with low necklines and short hemlines.^{[13]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Wearing Accessories

1
Bring a variety of footwear. Walking shoes are a necessity for sightseeing by foot. These may be tennis shoes or comfortable walking sandals. Flip flops are ideal for a day at the beach. Dress shoes are essential for evening activities.
2
Remember your sunglasses. This accessory will not only protect your eyes, it will also make a fabulous addition to your look. You may want to bring multiple pairs.^{[14]
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3
Pack a wrap scarf. You will be glad you have this multipurpose item. You can tie it around your waist as a poolside cover-up, use it as a towel or pillow on the beach, wrap it around your wet hair, or wear it across your shoulders to block the sun.^{[15]
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4
Add jewelry. This is a great way to add some sparkle to your evening attire. Miami fashion is loud and flashy, but for the nightlife, you will want your jewelry to look sophisticated. A tasteful pair of earrings will complement a simple dress.^{[16]
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Research source} A nice watch will enhance a man’s outfit.
5
Take that tote bag. This capacious item is great for transporting what you need for a day at the beach. It is also perfect to take to a museum.^{[17]
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Pack a zip clutch purse. Slip your identification, room key, money, and lip balm into this pouch for when you don’t need to carry much.^{[18]
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Expert Source

Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 4 May 2021.}^{[19]
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Community Q&A

Question

What should I pack for winter in Miami?

Community Answer

Miami is generally very warm during winter compared to the rest of the United States and northern destinations. Sleeveless shirts, dresses, shorts, and tank tops should be fine for the most part, but check the weather forecast and pack appropriately. Additionally, having a lightweight jacket or windbreaker just in case things get chilly is always a good option.
Question

How do I dress for Miami precipitation?

Community Answer

Miami is usually pretty warm and temperate, depending on the season, so regular t-shirts with a light jacket or sweater and exercise pants work well for casual outfits. Consider going for a skirt or open legged pants for formal wear. Loose-flowing clothing works well for circulation without allowing you to get too cold at night.
Question

In Florida, does the no-white-shoes-in-winter rule still exist?

Community Answer

It's perfectly fine to wear white after Labor Day, whether you are on the West Coast in California, southeast in Florida or in the northern part of our nation in New York. The shades of white, such as bright, eggshell or winter white, all have to do with the ensemble.