People travel from all over the world to visit the Big Easy, so you’re likely to see clothing of all kinds on your New Orleans tour. The most important piece of advice we can give you is to dress for the heat. New Orleans has daytime temperatures in the 90s over the summer, dropping to the 60s in the winter, and the high humidity can make it seem even hotter. We’d recommend bringing lightweight and breathable clothes, primarily short sleeves or tanks.
The touristy parts of the city, like the French Quarter, are difficult to drive around but easy to walk, so expect to spend a lot of time on your feet. Some famous places like Bourbon Street have cobblestone sidewalks, so make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes—sorry, no high heels!
The overall “vibe” of New Orleans fashion is fairly casual, so don’t feel the need to dress up unless you’re going to an upscale restaurant. The nightlife in the Big Easy is focused around Bourbon Street and has a party atmosphere, with people drinking and dancing out in the street. If you want to fit in, wear clothes that are fun, comfortable, and easy to walk around in. Bring a light jacket for the evenings if you visit during the colder months or are easily chilled.
If you’re taking any tours outside the city or visiting the plantations, the most important thing to wear is bug spray! Due to the swamps that surround New Orleans, the amount of flies and mosquitoes can be quite high. Otherwise, more or less the same rules apply: lightweight, comfortable clothes and shoes you can walk around in. If you’re taking any riverboat tours, make sure you’re wearing clothes that can get wet!
To make the most of your next trip to the Big Easy, check out our New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Tour, or you can sign up for Action+ to gain access to over 100 tours for a single yearly price.
Essential Travel Guide:
