One of the best times to visit Charleston? Autumn
Note: this post was updated from its original version to include new photos and links.
If you’re like me, you’re looking forward to visiting Charleston in September. It’s one of the best months to visit, just after the summer rush. The weather starts to turn, and there are multiple festivals to take advantage of. Just don’t forget that September is hurricane season, so you need to be prepared.
If you’ve never been to the South in the fall…it can be hard to know what to pack. Especially on the coast!
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During the day, it can feel a bit sticky like the summer months, especially in direct sunlight during your walking tours. But once the sun goes down? You’ll be wishing you had a sweater to ward off the chill of the ocean breeze!
During the fall (September-November), average highs in Charleston are 75°-67°F with average lows between 62°-53°F.
You can expect rain every 4-7 days, so definitely pack an umbrella or rain jacket (I’ve had one similar to this one since 2016 and love it because it’s packable into one of its own pockets).
But I’m getting ahead of myself. What do you even wear to Charleston?
Like any southern town, Charleston is certainly known for its chic fashion. That’s what draws many people to King Street, after all – lots of shopping! Always make sure you pack something nice enough to wear at a restaurant that requires a dress code, just in case (which is why I recommend brining a little black dress like one of these).
You’ll typically find women wearing dresses during the early fall as it can still be quite warm out. Once it cools off though, you’ll see a lot of sweaters and dark denim with ankle booties – but my favorite way to stay warm is this packable wrap.
Still not sure what to pack? Here’s a full list of what to bring.
What to wear in Charleston
Transition season: September
September is that weird month where the first half is still summer…and the second half could either be fall, or more summer. You just won’t know until you get there.
Since Charleston has a few beaches nearby, you’ll want to pack a bathing suit or two.
I wear a bunch of brands, but have been REALLY happy with my Summersalt bathing suit purchases – I bought mine before a trip to the Bahamas last year. The Sidestroke really is the magical swimsuit that looks amazing on everyone – I have it in white (it’s not see-through!) and red, and love how flattering they are (see below).
Just don’t forget to choose a reef-safe sunscreen before you hit the water – ProtectMe 30 by this company is the one I swear by. No stinging, no white cast, and it smells amazing (and it’s a mineral SPF).
Dresses
If you see anything in Charleston, it will be lots of dresses. While there are a lot to choose from, here are a few I recommend packing.
These dresses are on constant rotation for me as they’re flowy but so flattering (I get compliments EVERY time I wear one), and can be dressed up or down, whether you pair it with heels or white sneakers. I own it in red and blue (shown above). They’re also extremely packable, but don’t forget your steamer to get the wrinkles out.
This dress style has become one of my favorites because I love the neckline – while you might find this one locally at the flagship Kenny Flowers shop on King Street, I would order this oyster dress ahead to wear it our to dinner (I wore it all summer in Old Town Alexandria). Check out my Girl’s Guide to Charleston for some restaurant recommendations.
P.S. – If you love the pattern, they have a matching print for the men in your life, and my fiancé loves his!
I have been SUPER into flutter sleeves this year, and this dress is so flattering on everyone. While I love this print and colorway for fall, they have a few prints in this style.
I also think you should always keep a little black dress in your bag, in case of emergencies. But this color!? You needed to see it.
Tops
You simply can’t go wrong with a blouse or button down. I personally never travel without a white button down, because it can be worn with literally everything and easily be dressed up or down.
The stiff collar and ruffle cap sleeves on this V-neck blue pinstripe button down will take a simple look and make it immediately elevated. You’ll want to pair this one with dark wash denim or white denim.
Outerwear
A wrap or sweater is an absolute must when visiting Charleston in the fall. In the early season, it’s still hot enough for businesses to blast their AC. But later in the season, the temperature simply drops once the sun sets (and you’ll want to catch those sunset views from these rooftop bars).
The travel scarf / wrap can fit into virtually any bag, and comes in multiple colors. I own four of them, so trust me – it’s worth the splurge for the Cashmere Cotton Luxe blend because of how incredibly soft the fabric is. I love the original Organic Cotton blend too, but the softness is unmatched with the Cashmere Blend (plus, the blue color is so good!).
This has been my go-to sweater for the last year to throw over my shoulders on my way out the door (and I love that they support the coastal destinations I love to visit by replanting oysters with every purchase). The cream base means it matches everything – just order a size up, or choose to order the Men’s sizing, for more comfortable layering.
Plus, it’s OUTRAGEOUSLY soft, and cozy.
If you’re visiting Charleston in October or November, you certainly need more long sleeve options to wear on their own because of the chill.
Like I said before, the rain can be hit or miss in the fall and you want to be prepared. I do love a packable rain jacket so it won’t be in the way, but I love the length of this style.
Shoes
If you’re planning to truly explore Charleston, you’re going to need comfortable shoes. Downtown Charleston was named a “walker’s paradise” in 2022, indicating it is extremely walkable.
I always pack a pair of white sneakers when I travel, and these work well with any outfit due to the shape and style. I’ve had the same pair for two years, and simply clean them with a magic eraser when I need to (I should probably replace the laces at this point though).
If you’re looking for something even lighter and sporty, these sneakers are one of the best purchases I made in 2023. I actually bought them for walking on my walking pad when I’m home, but bring them when I travel because they take up no space and can be worn around town and at the gym.
Now, Charleston is a waterfront town. I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you about these:
I swear by these OluKai slip on shoes anytime I’m heading to the water or the beach because they have great arch support and breathe well.
They’re designed to have the heel cup collapse so you can easily get them on with sandy toes. I have them in two colors because I love them so much! OluKai also is a B-Corp and has a fantastic mission to support Hawai’i, so you can always feel good about supporting them.
While I love those shoes, sometimes we need something a little more stylish than a sneaker. I love a good heel as much as the next person, but I’ve broken my foot walking around in heels before (true story).
Now, I stick to flats, mules, and booties when I’m planning to spend a few hours walking around town, but want something more stylish than a sneaker.
Other things to pack
While the outfit might be what you’re thinking about the most, there are a few other things that you’ll want to make sure you have on hand before you catch your flight to the Holy City.
Comfortable bag
Bring a comfortable travel backpack if you’re planning to walk around the city or work remotely. This backpack has a luggage strap allowing you to easily attach it to your roller bag, and holds slim water bottles (like this one that is GREAT for traveling). It fits a 15-inch laptop comfortably, and it’s incredibly light weight.
I also bring my lululemon everywhere belt bag on every single trip I take. It’s perfect for keeping my important documents together in the airport, and I’ll throw this into a larger purse or backpack to keep my items organized when I’m out and about.
Get a steamer
If you don’t have a travel steamer, it’s time. I’ve ruined a dress before trying to iron it with a hotel iron (there was something sticky on the iron I didn’t see until it was too late), which is what prompted me to convert to team steamer.
Most of them are shaped weirdly and aren’t designed to pack well in a suitcase, but this steamer has a foldable handle and heats up SO quickly. Plus, you can pop off the bristle attachment and actually use it as an iron. I make space for it on every single trip, because wrinkles are the quickest way to take an outfit from looking put together to looking sloppy.
Upgrade your toiletries
Nobody has time for exploding products anymore (and we’ve all had something explode in our bag at least once). That’s where these products come in.
If you’re traveling in September like me, it’s probably still going to be hot, which means you’re going to be sweaty at the end of every day. Get ahead of those sweat-induced breakouts with the best kaolin clay mask, Detox Me. Luckily, it also comes in a very secure screw-top container, and is TSA approved.
You’ll also want to check out this lotion bar and perfume roller from coast+salt to keep yourself smelling like an alluring coastline your whole trip. I love their products because they smell incredible, it’s a small woman-owned business, and every product you purchase supports the planting of one mangrove tree (which helps protect the coastal places we love to visit).
The scent Salt leads with notes of sea salt, bergamot, and dried driftwood. If you prefer a sweeter scent, you’ll love Cabana (it’s like a freshly blended piña colada). Use code KELLY15 at checkout to save 15% on your order.
Bring activities for backup
Whether it’s for the flight or for the beach, you’re going to have some downtime, so make sure you bring something to read.
Plus, it’s a vacation after all! You can find all of my favorite beach reads, here, and support local book stores in the process. When you need a break from reading, you’ll want these other activities.
You never know if you’re going to get a freak rainstorm, or need to shake things up with your travel buddies, so I always recommend packing a travel game or two. All of my recommendations below are cards and question games that are easy to pack.
The Detours game is a great way to help you explore the city if you’re feeling adventurous. Beach Trivia is always a fun way to learn something new, and find out how big of a coast lover you really are.
I think Table Topics is one of the greatest things ever invented to bring on a trip. A deck of cards that help get the conversation started and keep it fresh, they have topics about travel, for a dinner party, and for families.
Things to leave home
It’s also important to think about the things you DON’T need to bring. There is so much fun exploring to do in Charleston, so here’s a quick list of things to leave at home.
Don’t bring your fun hat. You’re going to want to get one from one of the beautiful stores on King Street. Just bring a hat clasp instead, to bring it home without damaging it.
You’ll want to bring lots of accessories for this trip (we all know how fun it is to dress our best on vacation). But the truth is, you’re going to want to make your own memories and make your own bracelet at HART Jewelry. Leave some of your bracelets and necklaces at home.
If you’re heading there in September while it’s till warm, leave one of your tropical sundress at home. The new Kenny Flowers store opened on King Street in 2023, and you’re going to want to bring something home with you.