What to Wear in New Orleans

New Orleans, my hometown. Fashion, one of my favorite topics. I’m so excited to combine the two in this blog for you and help you dress in ways that allow you to enjoy New Orleans the most. Growing up here, I never realized what a destination it was. The way we are raised here is very unique to how other people are raised, even throughout the world. Mardi Gras alone sets us apart from the rest of the planet, and our other idiosyncrasies help define us as New Orleanians through and through.

We have an expression about our people: “we don’t hide our crazy, we parade it down the street.” That goes for our fashion choices as well. When I say “anything goes,” I mean it. New Orleans is one of most welcoming, friendly, and quirky places you will ever visit. People might come here to eat the best beignet or poboy of their life, but they end up falling in love with the people and the culture. Grab your favorite wig and let’s get started on what to war in New Orleans on any day of the week.

DL1961 Denim Jumpsuit

I see so many questions about our weather. As locals, we have a lot of questions as well because it’s so unpredictable. A running joke is that the weather people have the most job security because no matter what their prediction is and what the weather turns out to be, they still somehow have a job. One thing I tell people when they come is that if it’s raining, just wait a minute. It usually stops shortly after, unless it’s a big thunderstorm that lasts all day or for several days (and that might be a hurricane).

The rain is the main area of concern for us (with extreme heat being a close second), as we are below sea level. That fact shines when the rain is heavy. People not from New Orleans rarely understand why I won’t go out in the rain, and they don’t realize that it’s because it can be a deluge that floods areas in a matter of minutes. Aside from that, we enjoy complaining about the cold, about the heat, and we are out in droves when the weather is just right.

Figuring out what to wear in New Orleans is simply a matter of preference. As I said, the rain usually only lasts for a little while, so you don’t typically have to plan your entire day around a rain forecast as you would in other places. It may rain for an hour, for 15 minutes, for half the day. Immediately following, you would think it never rained at all. You can generally leave your heavy rain boots at home, pack your comfortable sneaks (maybe a couple of pairs) and get on like it’s any regular day. What I will discuss a lot is the hot weather, as that is our biggest source of complaints. The rain is the rain, but the heat…whew! We’ll get into all of this, so let’s get started.

Bright and Flowy Pants

Midi Skirt and Comfortable Mary Janes

Springtime is my absolute favorite time in New Orleans. While it never lasts long enough, I relish and every moment of it. You’ll usually find me walking around my favorite neighborhoods with my camera and smelling the scrumptious blooming jasmine that is laced all over the city. I might be outside working at a coffee shop on such blogs as this one. Many days, I’m enjoying my screen porch at my house and watching the birds eat. I’ll share exactly what I wear and how I style myself. As a resident that lives here all year long and a person who loves fashion, I am an expert at knowing what to wear in New Orleans any day of the week, month, and year. Let’s start with spring.

Midi Skirt

Midi skirts are my favorite skirt for a few reasons. They can be modern or retro (vintage) looking, and they cover pasty legs that are emerging from winter (maybe that’s just me). Pair the skirt with a tank top and sandals and you are good to go for the whole day and night in New Orleans.

Loose Pants

A while ago I stopped (almost completely) buying clothing that is synthetic fiber. I’ve switched to cotton, linen, or something similar for my spring days in New Orleans. Since loose is in style, I like to pair some cropped-ish pants with sandals and a cute top for my day in New Orleans.

Casual Dress

I love to break out the dresses in the springtime. In earlier spring it may still be a little chilly, but grab a jean jacket and go. You can wear any number of dresses, and I would try to make sure they are cotton. We are a humid city, and your armpits will thank you for respecting their need to breathe. A dress is perfect for most daytime and nighttime activities. No need to wear heels, either. Wear some comfortable shoes, whether sneakers or sandals, and you’re golden.

Jeans

You’re still in the zone of safety weather-wise if you want to wear jeans. I am a jeans and denim fanatic, so you will most certainly see me wearing them as long as I can. Wearing a cute tank top or button down shirt with some jeans is how I rock many a spring day in New Orleans. I’m usually in my Veja sneakers or Birkenstocks to go with them.

Shorts

You can absolutely get away with wearing shorts, especially for our spring festivals. While shorts are not my number one choice in wardrobe choices, I do have some that I like and wear around the city. Mostly I try to spare the rest of the public from my stark white legs that have been covered for months. Just wear your sunglasses if you see me.

Shoes

Springtime in New Orleans definitely warrants open-toed shoes. When you're walking around our unique city. my advice is to not wear flip flops that could potentially blow out. Secure, flat shoes such as Birkenstocks or similar are your best bet behind closed-toed shoes, like fashion sneakers. Here is a list of my favorite summer shoes, also applicable to spring here.

Bathroom Selfie for Mid Summer Mardi Gras

My gut response to what to wear in New Orleans in the summer is your birthday suit. It’s so hot here that there are not going to be many more recommendations than a few. We somehow get through the summer year after year, and some of us choose to go to an equally hot climate and bake on a beach in Florida. You will not find me there. I will be sweating it out in New Orleans, and maybe escaping to the north east for a week around my birthday in June. This is what I refer to as “two shower per day weather” so let’s see what I have in store.

Dress

Your best bet is to wear a natural fiber dress, such as cotton or linen, during the summer. I’ve loaded up on mine and wear a dress nearly everyday. The only problem with this is that when you go into places, they air condition the heck out of the place, so take a light jacket with you so you don’t freeze.

Flowy Pants

I love loose, flowy or wide-leg pants for summer. If I am wearing anything long, I’m wearing this type of pant with a tank top or short sleeve shirt. Depending on your tolerance for heat, I’ll let you decide if this is right for you. It’s good if you’re going out at night, as I mentioned before there could be some cool places if you’re going into venues.

Shorts

I’m not going to lie. Shorts are so-so for me in general, but during the summer you will see me in them nonstop. Typically I don’t wear them to restaurants (unless it’s super casual), but they are generally acceptable for men and women all over the city. It’s a casual city. You’re safe in shorts. Linked here are some of my favorites from Quince.

Sandals

How could you not have your feet airing out all day with all of this heat? Do us all a favor, though, and take care of those gnarly things before exposing them to the rest of us. We love a cute pair of sandals, and we love cute toes equally as much!

Skirts - Long, Midi, or Short

Skirts are great for summertime in New Orleans. You can usually dress them up or down, throw a belt around the waist, and a cute little jacket on top if you are going somewhere that does have a dress code. Skirts are also great for Birkenstocks, sneakers, or a wedge heel. All of it works!

Classic Trench Coat Works Like a Charm

Sadly, our fall still feels like summer for much of the time. It takes a while to cool down the city after the level of heat we endure. September and October are generally still very warm, if not hot. You’re going to have similar recommendations from me as you would summer, but not totally the same because it’s fall, not summer. Obviously.

Denim

Fall equals denim to me. It’s the time to start getting ready for cooler weather, for being cozier and busting out the fall wardrobe. I have a whole blog here on ways to wear denim, and I encourage you to read it. While it suits most of the year, it’s especially useful for fall in New Orleans. Denim all ways, coming right up.

Cute Flats

Cute flats are a great way to dress up a casual outfit, so I would encourage you to look at brands like French Sole or Madewell for some comfortable options. I have both, I wear both, and I pair them with my jeans, a skirt, or a dress. They go with everything, and they make you look more elevated in the process.

White Button Down

The easiest way to make an outfit look effortless is to wear a plain button down white shirt. Ladies, it’s a very French look, especially if you tuck it into pants and throw a belt with some pop on there. I love the white shirt and jeans look. Simple, elegant, and can be worn anywhere around town. Roll up those sleeves if it’s still warm. If it’s cool, throw a cardigan over it.

Short Sleeve Sweater

I love the look of sweaters, but here in our beloved, warm, tropical city, sometimes a long sleeve sweater is too much. My solution is wearing a short sleeve one that I can throw a jacket over if need be. The weather is always a toss up, so be prepared for anything. A short sleeve sweater is a great look and comfortable as well.

Jacket

Our weather definitely is wonky in general, and fall is no different. Come prepared to have hot weather one day and really cold weather another in the fall in New Orleans. Don’t leave your jacket at home because the moment you do, you will need it. You likely just need one to get you through, so a trench coat or similar would work great. Versatile, neutral, and perfect.

Wool Blend Coat from J.Crew Factory

Winter in New Orleans is one interesting bird. Some Christmases I remember being in shorts, some in every piece of clothing I had. In 2025, it snowed a record amount and we found out we had more snow than most places that regularly get it. It was wild. My point is, watch the weather carefully before coming, but here is a general guide.

Wool Blend Coat

Because we are in such a damp environment, it would be good to have some fibers around you that will keep you warm. Wool is a great option. I have multiple wool blend coats that do the trick. While I don’t wear them everyday, they are great when I need them. Especially if you’re walking around and it’s chilly, it’s a good option to have.

Cardigan/Sweater

You’ll often find me throwing on a cashmere or cotton sweater over a shirt of some sort. It could be a t-shirt or sweater, but as I mentioned we have a very bone-chilling cold here and an extra layer helps defend from feeling like you just want to stay indoors. Layers are good here and I highly recommend them.

Boots

Boots are going to be one of these things that I would recommend, but an ankle height that are waterproof would be amazing here. It could potentially rain during our winter months and it’s nice to not have your toes getting wet. I have several pairs that are both functional and cute. Linked here is a pair I just got and love.

Casual but Cute Shirts

As far as shirts go, I love the look of a rugby style shirt or a striped Breton shirt like you would see in France. They are a great option to dress up or down, and they never go out of style. You can throw a sweater over them and hit most restaurants, whether you’re bopping around the French Quarter or the Garden District.

Scarf

It’s nice to keep your neck warm in New Orleans. When it gets cold, it’s really cold. There are endless options to scarves, from cashmere to silk to wool, and I recommend any of them to keep your neck toasty. It will serve you well, even if it’s just as an accessory.

Dress with Sneaks is a Perfect Way to See New Orleans

New Orleans is an extremely special place to visit, and truly anything goes. This guide is very much how I dress while bopping around my hometown and how I know I'll be ready for whatever occasion pops up. A casual lunch or a dinner with a dress code can all be accomplished with this list. Remember that our cooler months are shorter and our summer months (or the feeling of them) are longer. We are here for all of it and excited to welcome you to this wild place we call home. Buckle up - we are unlike anything you've ever experienced. I can promise you that!

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