A Summer Packing List for Washington, D.C. (Carry-On Only!)

I said it in my last post and I’ll say it again: Summer is my least favorite time to visit Washington, D.C.

Why? It’s hot, it’s humid, and it’s crowded.

Looking for more packing list inspiration? Check out my packing lists by season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter

(I feel like I just broke a bunch of blogging rules by starting this post with a bunch of negative statements, but I like to keep things real).

But the promise of a concert and hang time with local friends called Michael and me there one August weekend, and so we went, begrudgingly packing our carry-on suitcases with clothes we hoped would stand up to the high-90s forecasts.

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While I typically would reach for my Away Carry-On (review) or my Solgaard Carry-On Closet (review), I’m currently in the middle of reviewing the Quince Carry-On for an upcoming blog post, so I reached for it this time around. It felt like overkill, but I also brought along my go-to travel backpack to hold my mid-flight essentials like my knitting and my laptop.

Summer clothing is generally smaller, so I had plenty of room left over in case we decided to beat the heat by shopping or (more realistically) hitting up bakeries to bring goodies home with us. Let’s see what made the cut:

A CARRY-ON PACKING LIST FOR WASHINGTON, D.C., IN THE SUMMER

A collage of clothing packed for Washington, D.C. in the summer — Crop Top* | Tank Top | Gingham Linen Dress | Black Linen Dress | Linen Pants | Barrel Jeans | Linen Blazer | Midi Dress | Sandals | Sneakers | Satchel* | Belt | Mini Bag | Fan | Sunglasses

WASHINGTON, D.C. OUTFITS + WHY I PACKED THESE ITEMS

Alyssa wears a gingham dress and sneakers — *Sightseeing*: Gingham Linen Dress | Sneakers | Satchel* | Sunglasses | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings | Necklace*

Alyssa wears a black midi dress and sandals — *Museum-going*: Midi Dress | Sandals | Satchel*

Alyssa wears a black dress with statement earrings and sunglasses — *Bold accessories (with a side of humidity)*: Statement Earrings* | Stud Earrings | Sunglasses | Necklace*

Alyssa walks in front of The Darcy wearing a white crop top and green linen pants — *Heading home*: Crop Top* | Linen Pants | Sneakers | Satchel* | Sunglasses | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings | Necklace*

A big theme for this trip was linen. Linen dresses, linen pants, a linen jacket—it’s simply the only thing I could stomach the thought of wearing in D.C. I’m not ashamed to admit I own that square-neck linen dress in two colors; it’s bra-friendly, easy to dress up or down, and doesn’t look rumpled after a day of walking (though I definitely pop a pair of slip shorts underneath to keep things comfortable).

Okay, as you can see, I tossed a pair of jeans in my suitcase too. Airports and airplanes can be quite chilly, and these barrel jeans are almost as comfortable as pajamas (plus, I like the protection dark denim provides against grimy seats).

I kept the color palette cool and neutral, bringing in black, ivory, and sea colors to reflect the summer season and to give me just one less thing to worry about on my trip: matching. I find so much joy in lazy travel dressing because it lets me focus more on where I am than what I’m wearing. Still, I like to chat about outfits after the fact:

Though I only wore my jeans on the flight to D.C., they were an easy item to throw on for quick treks to the hotel lobby for coffee and water refills. I had every intention of wearing them with a black tank to see The Marías concert on Friday night, but that plan was quickly thwarted by the weather. So, I tossed on my gingham dress, a 90s-style choker, my Vejas to protect my toes, and a little extra eyeliner and called it a night (I would have preferred to style this outfit with a pair of chunky loafers or Chucks, but I wouldn’t have worn either shoe for the rest of the trip, so they stayed home).

For the remaining days, I mixed and matched as needed or wore one of my other dresses for ease, only relying on my blazer occasionally to keep me comfortable indoors (fewer D.C. places keep it on blast as they do in Charlotte). The MVP of this trip, though, is this portable fan. I tossed it in at the last minute, and it was a huge help in making me feel a little cooler. It’s safe to say you can expect to see it in nearly every other future summer packing list!

*this item is no longer available and a similar option is linked

ZIPPING IT UP: MY THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR D.C. IN THE SUMMER

Summers in D.C. are brutal, but packing the right fabrics and silhouettes can add a little layer of relief. Natural fibers that wick moisture away from the skin are most welcome here, as are airy cuts and shapes that hang away from the body.

As for D.C. fashion, the local style remains largely buttoned-up. You’ll see a lot of corporate wear on weekdays, but even on weekends, the residents keep things pretty straightforward. I saw a lot of athleisure, tees-and-jeans (or shorts) combinations, and sneakers with everything. People seem to be always on the move, and their style reflects that.

As a result, my instincts to stick to easy dresses, comfortable shoes, and a dressed-down suit felt spot-on. But as a global city, you can really get away with just wearing your favorite outfits from home. It certainly makes packing easier, huh?

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Questions for you

Have you found a handy gadget that makes travel a little easier?

What are your favorite colors to pack for summer?

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Traveling Light: A Summer Packing List for Washington, D.C.