Need the Ultimate Nashville Packing list for your trip to Music City? Don’t worry I’m a local and I’ve got you covered!
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Do you need help making your Nashville Packing List for your upcoming Nashville trip? I can help!
I was born and raised in Nashville, so I’ve spent almost 30 years experiencing every single season Nashville has to offer. It can be tricky planning what to wear because of the unpredictable weather, but don’t worry I’ll make sure you’re prepared for anything.
I also have been playing music on Broadway since 2019 so I’ve seen ALL the outfits you can possibly think of, from bachelorette party looks, to festive family attire, and everything in between. (p.s. come see me if you’re visiting Nashville! I keep my schedule pretty up to date on my website www.MeganGolden.com but you can also DM me on Instagram @MeganAGolden and I’ll send you my schedule for the days you’re in town!)
The “Nashville” style is typically trendy but laid back. Filled with Southern charm and maybe some sparkles here and there 🙂 Downtown you’ll see lots of cowboy boots, denim, fringe, and flowy dresses. Incorporating comfort and trends is typical because you’ll probably be doing lots of walking and dancing!
Overall Nashville is really a pretty casual city, if you’re heading down to Broadway you’ll see everything from jeans and a t-shirt to people getting all done up. I’ll include something for everyone on this list, so you can plan for whatever your personal vibe is and hopefully, you’ll be able to piece together some cute outfits that fit your taste!
You definitely don’t NEED to wear anything super fancy for most of Nashville. If you plan on going out to a really nice dinner though to celebrate a special occasion, just double-check to see if there is a dress code. It’s pretty rare in Nashville, but there are some places that require a little fancier outfit than you might otherwise plan on wearing in Nashville.
Although Nashville rarely gets SUPER cold, the weather can be very unpredictable. Always make sure you keep checking the weather on the days leading up to your trip, but if you use this list to pack you’ll be set for whatever curve ball the weather decides to throw that day.
For a comprehensive list of other things to pack on top of your clothing, scroll to the bottom! I’ve got an overall checklist of everything that should be on your Nashville packing list.
PS – If you want a more general packing list for any vacation, I’ve got the checklist I use for every trip on my Ultimate Packing List For Vacation blog post!
This post is the Ultimate Nashville Packing List: What to Wear in Nashville Tennessee!
The Ultimate Nashville Packing List: What to Wear in Nashville!
1.) Tops & Bottoms
First things first: What tops/shirts should you wear? When packing for Nashville always bring layers! Most times of the year the weather is very unpredictable and up and down, so come prepared for some unexpected changes.
In the Spring (March-May) and the Fall (September – November), the weather is usually very mild – not too hot and not too cold. Some great options of tops to bring are graphic tees, chambray shirts, lightweight sweaters, and light blouses.
During the summer months (June-August), Nashville can actually get pretty hot. This is going to be a great time to bring out the tank tops and crop tops! Whatever you decide on make sure it’s lightweight. You’ll be shocked at how hot it can be walking the downtown streets with the sun beating down.
Although it does get pretty chilly in Nashville in the Winter (December – February), it doesn’t get too extreme. But all that to say, if you’re bar-hopping in Nashville, you’ll definitely want to dress pretty warm. And to be honest, winter is the most unpredictable time when deciding what to wear. I’ve had Christmases in Nashville where we got snow and I’ve had Christmases where it felt like perfect spring weather outside. So, just make sure you come prepared!
In most cases, long sleeves are definitely the way to go. Here are some of my top picks:
2.) Bottoms
As far as what bottoms to wear, you can never go wrong with denim! Blue Jeans or skinny jeans are always a good go-to option and are so versatile for your day looks to night looks. Bell bottoms have definitely been a big thing in Nashville recently. If it’s summertime, a good fringe skirt or jean skirt or denim shorts are great to help you stay cool!
3.) Coats & Jackets
In the Winter you’ll definitely want to bring some sort of coat just in case it drops below freezing, but every now and then in the fall or spring, you may need a light jacket too. Daytime temperatures can vary a lot from the night so adding some warm layers is perfect to stay comfortable at all times. Jackets are such a great way to add some fun to your Nashville look too! My top picks would be to throw on a denim jacket, a leather jacket, or something with a little fringe.
4.) Dresses
When traveling, dresses are perfect! They are easy to pack because you don’t have to worry about putting together so many pieces for just one day’s outfit. Dresses are PERFECT for the sunny days in Nashville when it’s getting pretty hot out.
5.) Hats
Well, you can’t talk about Nashville fashion without mentioning a Cowboy hat. Although I don’t really know many actual locals who wear cowboy hats, you’ll still see them everywhere on Broadway.
I personally have been loving all the wide-brimmed hats look lately! Here are some of the ones that’ll fit in perfectly with your trip to Nashville.
6.) Shoes
As the same with cowboy hats, you can’t talk about Nashville without talking about cowboy boots. Broadway is lined with tons of places selling cowboy boots and offering sales (usually buy one get two free deals!). Adding cowboy boots to any outfit will definitely add to the Nashville look you’re going for.
Overall though, the most important thing is to wear comfortable shoes. Keep in mind cowboy boots can take a while to break in and can be extremely uncomfortable to wear until then. So if you’re planning on getting new cowboy boots for the occasion you might want to wear them around a bit before taking them on the Nashville adventures.
If you’re planning on bar hopping in the Honky Tonks on Broadway you’ll be doing a lot of walking, and if you’re planning on going late at night to dance or listen to live music you could potentially do a lot of standing. Even if you are more of a museum person, the Country Music Hall of Fame is MASSIVE – so once again there’s lots of walking to be done. Make sure you don’t make the mistake of wearing uncomfortable shoes… you don’t want your feet killing you all night! You can never go wrong with sporting a pair of cute sneakers.
7.) Jewelry
A fun way to spice up any outfit is jewelry. Nashville is the perfect place to bust out some of those bigger chunkier pieces of jewelry you might not wear in your day-to-day life. Turqouis, leather pieces, and hat pins are all a big hit when it comes to Nashville fashion.
8.) Lounge Wear
Last but certainly not least, you have to pack some comfortable clothes of course! Whether you’re going with friends or family or your significant other, it’s pretty common for people to need some downtime in their hotel room or Airbnb.
You might spend the day sightseeing, then need to go back home to rest up before getting ready to hit the downtown bars or head to a show at the Grand Ole Opry.
Nashville is such a fun city! I know I’m biased as a Nashville native, but I really think we have something for anyone. If you ever find yourself in Nashville stop by to see me play! I play regularly on Broadway and try to keep my schedule up to date on my website, www.MeganGolden.com. You can also DM me on my Instagram, @MeganAGolden and I’ll send you the days I’m playing while you’re in town. I would love for you to come and say hi!
I also know Nashville can get expensive so I’ve also put together a list of all kinds of free things you can do in Nashville if you want to try to save some money while you’re visiting but still want to make sure you’re gonna have a good time!
Check out my printable packing list for a comprehensive checklist for any vacation you might be taking! I’ve also got a blog post explaining it all 🙂
This post was all about the Ultimate Nashville Packing List & What To Wear In Nashville!
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