My colleagues were confused when I lamented about packing for Mexico City.
“Why?” they asked. “Don’t you just pack shorts, tanks, and sandals?”
All of Mexico is not hot, with sunny beaches. In fact, much of the interior of Mexico runs quite cool due to the elevation. Mexico City’s temperature varies little throughout the year, with temperatures peaking in April and May, and dipping the lowest in December and January (relatively speaking). With highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s, I knew I’d need to layer to get through the warmth of the day without sweating and the temperature drop in the evening without freezing.
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Our plans during the trip varied, too. We’d been on the waitlist for Pujol for months and were hopeful we would score a Saturday night seat, so I packed a dressier outfit just in case (alas, this did not happen, so my LBD returned home still freshly laundered). We also booked tickets to a rowdy wrestling match, which also demanded its own dress code (unofficially, of course – but I knew I would not want to wear anything too delicate).
The forecast included rain for several hours every day, so a very light, packable rain jacket made its way into my bag. We were grateful that the forecasters were wrong – it did rain very hard one evening, but not for long. We enjoyed beautifully sunny days the rest of the time, and I’ve never been so happy to have a packed garment go unused.
Looking for more packing list inspiration? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
I kept my styling simple but contemporary, avoiding wearing anything too flashy, yet still feeling right at home in a fashionable world city. My crossbody bag kept my hands free for eating tacos, yet avoided the very real threat of pick-pocketing due to having multiple closures. I made sure to include my sturdiest shoes, which was a blessing as we encountered many uneven sidewalks.
But the real hero of my suitcase was my olive green cropped jacket. It was warm enough to wear early in the morning and late in the evening and also looks great when wrapped around my waist, 90s-style. It has a slightly waxed coating as well, which helped to fend off the little bit of rain we encountered. If we returned tomorrow, I’d happily pack the same items all over again. That, to me, is the sign of a successful packing list.
Here’s everything I packed, in collage form:
MEXICO CITY PACKING LIST
tops || Silk Tank* | Cotton Tank* | Drapey Tank* | Long-Sleeve Shirt* || dresses || Jumpsuit* | LBD* || bottoms || Midi Skirt* | High-Waisted Denim || outerwear || Cropped Jacket* | Cardigan* || shoes || Sneakers* | Booties* | Loafers* || pajamas || Sleep Tee | Leggings || accessories || Sunnies* | Packable Rain Jacket* | Crossbody Bag* | Tote
MEXICO CITY OUTFITS
Saturday
morning
It seems I’m breaking my “don’t pack brand new things” rule more and more these days. This tank was a recent thrift find; I’m not sure of the fabric but it drapes like a rayon. It mostly worked out, though I discovered by the end of the plane ride that it wrinkles terribly. I was sure to wear my heaviest shoes on the plane, which happened to be my boots.
daytime
I kept my same outfit from the plane ride all day Saturday, swapping out my boots for sneakers and giving my tank a quick steam with my travel steamer. I felt comfortable and also dressed appropriately for the day of sightseeing and exploring.
Sunday
daytime
I don’t wear this skirt often, but when I do I’m always reminded why I love it. It’s midi-length, which is perfect for exploring churches, and also figure-flattering. The sneakers and olive jacket kept the look from feeling too prim, and I was comfortable for a full day of eating and museum-going.
evening
A reader suggested wearing sneakers to the Lucha match, and she was right! The atmosphere is casual, but it’s also a little messy – particularly if you are in the front few rows, where you could easily end up with a wrestler in your beer. Thankfully we were a few rows back and our beers were free of luchadores. Afterward, we enjoyed late-night drinks and eats at some hip neighborhood bars and fit right in.
Monday
daytime
My feet get tired of wearing the same shoes on repeat, so I swapped in my loafers. This outfit felt comfortably luxurious with wool, silk, and leather combined to a sum greater than its parts. I shed real tears at the thought of leaving such a beautiful city but felt safe and cocooned in my clothing, at least.
evening
This again. I wear this tank with a pair of jeans on almost every trip. Exciting? No, but if it isn’t broken, why fix it? It drapes beautifully and it’s a great outfit for this transitional season. Even after a long flight, I still feel composed.
*this item is no longer available and I've linked a similar product
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR MEXICO CITY
I felt quite pleased with this packing list, but if I could change anything, I think I would have left my boots at home. If it indeed rained as it was forecasted, they would have been great (they are waterproof and also have a pretty grippy sole!). As it was, they just took up space in my suitcase. Better safe than sorry, sometimes, but I would have had a little more room to bring home some tortillas!
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- Things We Ate: Mexico City
- Things We Ate: Mexico City (Part Two!)
- Essential Mexico City: Lucha Libre
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Have you recently found a suitcase hero – one item of clothing that made your whole packing list a success?
