What to Wear on Your Next Vacation to Mexico | Bella Style Living (2024)

FAQs

How should I dress to go to Mexico? ›

You'll still want to dress casually so as to not call too much touristy attention to yourself. A mid-length sundress or cute shirt and jeans combo would be the perfect outfit. One of the most important essentials you can pack when visiting Mexico is sunscreen.

Mexican style includes everything from traditional dresses to fashionable jeans and stylish tops. Most Mexicans dress more modestly, including wearing jeans and pants even in the warmest months. Packing dresses, lightweight long pants, and capris will help you blend in more, especially outside of coastal areas.

Generally soft, stretchy, and loose-fitting clothing is best for travel, as it'll keep you comfy and won't feel restrictive on long flights or drives. Some people may also opt for compressive clothing, like leggings or compression socks, which helps promote circulation on long travel days.

In general, Mexico City fashion is more casual than in the United States or Europe. Amongst chilangos (Mexico City locals), you'll find that most folks dress modestly with jeans and teeshirts. Even in the hottest parts of the year, most locals will wear pants rather than shorts.

The most common traditional Mexican garments are the huipil, a loose-fitting tunic worn by women; the sarape, a colorful woolen blanket-like shawl worn by men; and the sombrero, a wide-brimmed hat that protects the wearer from the sun. Long, flowing skirts have also been a staple of Mexican fashion for centuries.

If hiking through nature or up pyramids, sneakers and hiking boots are a must. You may also want to bring at least one pair of closed-toed dress shoes for going out to more upscale restaurants and clubs, particularly if you plan on spending time in a city.

You'll want to bring clothes that are cozy and warm, but also stylish and colorful. Some good options are: A sweater or cardigan that you can layer over a shirt or dress. Jeans, pants or leggings that are snug and comfortable.

This applies doubly for neighborhoods that are perhaps less well-traversed by tourists, and on public transport, which is a ripe hunting ground for pickpockets. This is absolutely not to say that you can't wear nice earrings or carry a camera, but just be aware of your surroundings when doing so.

Choose wrinkle-resistant fabrics that are comfortable, breathable, and easy to care for. Opt for basics like stretchy jeans, leggings or travel-friendly trousers as a foundation. Pair them with blouses, tops, or sweaters in neutral tones, allowing you to effortlessly create stylish ensembles.

Which outfit is best for trip? ›

Consider the following when putting together travel outfits

Loose-fitting garments are best. If you do opt for something tighter, like leggings, make sure the material is soft and stretchy. Material: Materials like pleather aren't ideal for flying. Stick to cozy fabrics that look nice, like cotton or cashmere.

Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs.

What not to wear. Again, from a strong Mediterranean influence, Mexico City is relatively formal compared to more northerly cultures and those influenced by such cultures. With that in mind, no matter the time of year, it is not really the place to wear shorts or sandals or flip flops.

There are no rules about what you must wear when visiting Latin American countries. But it helps to know the culture. Some parts of Latin America are more socially conservative. People tend to dress more modestly than in the US, especially in rural areas.

Again, from a strong Mediterranean influence, Mexico City is relatively formal compared to more northerly cultures and those influenced by such cultures. With that in mind, no matter the time of year, it is not really the place to wear shorts or sandals or flip flops.

The best currency to bring to Mexico is a mix of pesos and US dollars. Use the dollars to pay for tours, entrance fees, accommodation, and travel. For everything else use pesos. It should be relatively simple to get pesos in your own country before you travel.

Carrying goods to Mexico

Passengers are allowed to bring, free of duty, merchandise in their personal luggage when entering the country. These include, among other things: Items for personal use, such as clothing and footwear.