If you’re planning a trip to Austin, Texas, it’s important to know what to wear for the weather and the activities you’ll be doing.
Austin is known for its warm climate, but the weather can vary greatly depending on the season.
In this blog post, I’ll cover what to wear in Austin, TX for the winter, spring, summer, and fall seasons.
I’ll also give you some outfit ideas and tips for dressing for festivals, live music concerts, and outdoor activities, such as hiking, with links to make your shopping super duper easy.
What to wear in Austin, TX
No matter the season, Austin has a laid-back vibe and casual dress is the norm.
For a casual daytime look, consider wearing comfortable shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals.
Canvas sneakers are also a good option for a more supportive shoe that won’t make your feet sweat too much.
For a more dressed-up look, jeans, a blouse, and boots are a great option. A boho-chic maxi dress or floral frock is also a fun option for nighttime.
Lastly, whether you’re into the Country music scene or not, cowboy boots are also a fun option.
And of course, lots of denim – denim jackets, jeans, jumpsuits, shorts, cargo skirts; basically whatever your heart desires when it comes to denim!
You likely won’t need a long sleeve shirt, unless you’re visiting during the winter months. That said, a lightweight long sleeve linen button up makes for a great cover-up that will also help protect your skin from the sun.
As for a bag, stick with something that’s easy to carry and zips, like a fanny pack, mini backpack, or small handbag.
If you’ll be hitting up the boutiques, bring a reusable shopping bag along to avoid single-use plastic bags.
Festivals and concerts
Austin is known for its music festivals and concerts, such as South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL). It is, after all, referred to as the live music capital!
For these events, it’s important to dress comfortably for standing and walking for long periods of time.
That’s not to say you can’t look cute will doing that!
Consider wearing comfortable shoes, a lightweight dress or skirt, and a hat or sunglasses for sun protection.
Whatever you do, don’t wear brand new shoes that you’ve not broken in, even if they’re sneakers.
Plus, if you’ll be outside, you’re better off wearing an older pair of sneakers that you don’t mind getting dirty.
If you’ll be inside at a concert venue, such as on Rainey Street, South Congress, or East Austin, jeans and a flirty top or a fun dress is perfect.
Again, Austin is more casual, so think flowy and flirty, rather than bodycon.
You can probably get away with boots or heels for a shorter concert. But honestly, these days, sneakers are more and more acceptable at nightclubs and concert venues.
Check the dress code ahead of time, just in case!
Outdoor activities
If you’re planning on hiking, swimming, river tubing or other outdoor activities in Austin, it’s important to dress for the activity.
For hiking, wear comfortable, breathable clothing, hiking boots or trail sneakers, and a hat for sun protection.
For swimming or river tubing, wear a swimsuit, water shoes or sandals, and a rash guard or lightweight shirt for sun protection.
Board shorts are also a good idea if you’ll be in the water for a while.
When it comes to biking, kayaking, canoeing, or other outdoorsy or athletic activities, stick to similar clothes as hiking, but trade the hiking boots for sneakers.
Lastly, regardless of the activity you’ll be doing, bring along a refillable water bottle so you can stay hydrated.
Weather in Austin by season
In addition to the outfit ideas above, there are a few extra items you may want to pack for Austin, depending on when you’ll be visiting. Weather data provided by US Climate Data.
Winter (December – February)
Winters in Austin are generally mild with occasional cold snaps.
Average temperatures range from the low-40s to mid 60s (Fahrenheit).
While it doesn’t snow often here, it’s still important to dress in layers and be prepared for cooler temperatures.
Definitely throw in some warm layers if you’ll be visiting in the Winter, such as pants, jeans, sweaters, and a jacket. A faux fur vest is also a fun option that’ll keep you warm!
Spring (March – May)
Spring is a beautiful time to visit Austin, with warm days and cool nights. It’s also when the infamous SXSW festival is held.
Average temperatures range from the low-50s to mid-80s.
Be sure to pack lightweight layers and comfortable shoes for walking around the city.
Summer (June – August)
Austin summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching the high 90s and even into the 100s.
Lightweight, breathable clothing is essential, as well as sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
Definitely pack a swimsuit, as well, whether it be for the hotel pool, river tubing, or swimming at Barton Springs.
Fall (September – November)
Fall in Austin is generally mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to low 90s.
As you can see, that’s a pretty big range! Fall is definitely a big transition weather-wise in Austin, with early fall on the warmer side (still getting days in the 90s) and later fall on the cooler side (with many days in the 50s and 60s)
This is a great time to pack a few extra layers, as the temperature can vary greatly from day to night or even day to day!
Shop this post
Are you ready to start packing? Check out these fun outfits and accessories that are perfect for your Austin, TX packing list!
A fun, flirty dress is perfect for concerts, dinner, or any kind of nighttime activity while in Austin.
I love this off-shoulder dress because it comes in a variety of colors and floral patterns. It goes great with cowgirl boots or sandals. Best of all, it's super affordable!
Speaking of boots, the trend these days seems to be short, white cowgirl boots. My sister has this pair and wears them all the time!
Go all out with this hilarious rhinestone embellished earrings. They'd be perfect for a bachelorette trip gift bag, too! All options come 2 to a pack, so you can easily split them up amongst all your gal pals.
If you don't want to blow your vacay budget on cute clothes, but want something fun for your trip to Austin, go for something you can pair with basic items you already own.
This western fringe vest can be thrown over a solid tank to instantly add country cutie charm. Pair it with denim shorts, skirt, or jeans for a night out on the town.
You can't go wrong with a pair of denim cut off shorts for pretty much any vacation spot - but especially in Austin.
I swear by Levi 501 denim shorts and have multiple pairs. They come in a variety of washes and can often be found on sale.
TIP: If you are curvier on the bottom like me, I recommend ordering up a size or 2 for the perfect fit.
Another great way to add some Western charm to items you already have in your closet is a fun accessory, like this belt. It comes in several different shades, even a few with gold accents rather than silver!
Denim jackets are another great item to have in your closet if you don't already have one. They are classic and never go out of style. Plus they make a great light layer that will match tons of outfits.
To make it a little more special, check out this customizable option. It comes with pearl-like accents and you can add a name on the back. It'd be so cute for a bachelorette trip or birthday!
One of the keys to traveling carry-on only is to bring pieces that you can wear with just about everything, like this Lululemon crossbody bag.
I love crossbody bags for travel because they leave your hands free. Plus, if you wear under your jacket, it adds a layer of security so no one can snatch it from you!
I can't go anywhere without my sunglasses. These are my go-to pair from Sojos. The black-to-tortoiseshell color helps them match with everything.
However, they come in a variety of colorways, if you're looking for something fun. They also have a variety of styles, so if cateye isn't your thing, you're sure to find something that better matches your style.
If you're planning to hit a hiking trail, kayak on Lake Lady Bird, or go swimming, a breathable hat will be invaluable. It'll hide wet or sweaty hair and keep the sun out of your eyes.
I love athletic rompers or onesies for travel because it makes getting ready super easy. Just put on and go.
This option from FP Movement is great for those that are hesitant to wear onesies, as it looks more like running shorts and a workout tank!
Last but not least, if you're planning to go hiking, make sure you pack a pair of trail sneakers or hiking boots. Please don't hike in flip flops - your feet will not be happy!
Plus, if you have a pair in a neutral color way (like the New Balance sneaks pictured above) or solid white, you could also wear them during the day while hitting up museums, art galleries, and other tourist spots.
What will you wear in Austin, Texas?
In summary, Austin’s weather varies greatly depending on the season, so it’s important to pack accordingly.
Casual dress is the norm, but consider dressing up for festivals and concerts. For outdoor activities, dress for the activity and be prepared for sun protection.
With these tips, you’ll be able to dress appropriately and comfortably for your Austin adventure.
Next up, check out these Texas travel tips:
About the author
Meg Frost is a Boston-based travel blogger that helps people embrace technology to make vacation planning and traveling wicked easy, affordable, and fun.
She holds an M.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and B.S. in Communication & American Studies from University of Miami.
This post was originally published March 10, 2016. It was last updated September 22, 2023.
