EVELYSS / Guides / Travel & Everyday

What to Wear in Miami in December (Women): Beach Days, Cool Nights and Dress Codes

“Miami in December is a gift, so don't pack as if you're still in your hometown. Bring the light dress, and then bring one layer for the moment the sun goes down and the air conditioning gets ambitious. That's the entire secret.”Her take

What is the weather like in Miami in December?

Miami's December normals are around a 78°F high and a 64°F low. It's usually warm and comfortable in the day, and the evening can feel surprisingly cool if you're near the water or sitting at an outdoor table. Rain is much lighter than in summer, typically about one to three inches for the month, though a brief shower or cold front can still pass through, so check the forecast before you pack.

That range means you're dressing for two different weather systems. Plan your day for sun, then carry a layer. Air conditioning in shops, museums and restaurants can be quite strong, and that thin wrap you brought for the evening will earn its keep at lunch too.

What should you wear during the day?

Choose light, breathable fabrics: linen, cotton, lightweight knit or a soft midi dress. Simple shapes work best because they're easy to wear in the sun, and they look good when you've been walking all day. Sleeveless tops and shorts work on warm days, and a light long-sleeved shirt helps if you're out in the sun for a long time.

Sun protection is part of the outfit. Pack sunglasses, a brimmed hat and a broad-spectrum sunscreen, and apply it even when it feels mild, since December sun can still catch you off guard. Choose a crossbody or small backpack for walking, which keeps your hands free in places like the Design District and Wynwood.

• Walking and shopping: linen shirt, white or stone wide-leg pants, flat leather sandals.
• Museums: soft midi dress, thin cardigan, clean sneakers.
• Outdoor lunch: sleeveless shirt, tailored shorts, brimmed hat, sunglasses.

What should you wear to the beach in December?

Warm afternoons are often good beach weather, and the ocean usually sits somewhere in the 70s, though the water and breeze can feel cooler than you expect, especially on overcast days. Pack a swimsuit and a light cover-up, and bring a long shirt or thin sweater for when the wind picks up or the sun drops. Plenty of people will be in swimwear and shorts, while others will simply enjoy the sand in a light layer.

Choose a swimsuit you can move in and a cover-up that works for walking to lunch: a shirt dress, a linen button-down or soft wide-leg pants. Flip-flops are fine on the sand, but bring a sturdier sandal for walking to the beach. Pool days are similar, though a shaded chair with a breeze might have you reaching for your shirt.

What should you wear for Miami evenings?

Sunset comes between about 5:30 and 5:40 p.m. in December, and it can feel cooler soon after. A slip dress with a light blazer, wide-leg trousers with a silky top, or a satin skirt with a thin knit all look right. A lightweight leather jacket works if you're walking outside, and a wrap is enough for most restaurant patios.

Many upscale restaurants, rooftop bars and clubs have a dress code, so check before you go. In general, avoid beachwear, flip-flops and very casual shorts at night, and consider a heel you can actually stand in or a dressy flat sandal. If you're going dancing, a smaller bag and a shoe with a stable heel will make the night easier.

Five-day Miami packing list for December

This list fits in a carry-on and mixes easily. Check your actual dates, because the forecast can shift a few degrees in either direction when a cool front arrives.

• Two lightweight day dresses, including one that works for dinner.
• Two pairs of pants or shorts: one wide-leg linen or light twill, one tailored short.
• Three simple tops, including a fitted tee and a silky evening top.
• One light jacket and one thin cardigan or wrap for air conditioning and cool nights.
• One or two swimsuits, one cover-up, sunglasses, a brimmed hat and sunscreen.
• Three pairs of shoes: flat sandals, clean sneakers and a dressy evening pair.
• A crossbody bag for daytime, a small evening bag and simple jewelry.

What shouldn't you pack for Miami in December?

Leave the heavy winter coat, thick sweaters and snow boots at home, and travel in layers you can take off. If you're arriving from a cold city, wear your warm coat only as far as you need it, or use a light puffer that packs small. Wool-heavy outfits are usually too warm in the afternoon, even when your phone says it's only in the 70s.

Be careful with very delicate fabrics on humid days, which can crease fast, and with brand-new shoes that haven't been broken in. Pack one extra pair of comfortable sandals so you don't end up shopping for bandages on your first evening.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Dress for a warm day, carry one layer for the cool night, and keep a real evening look ready for places with a dress code.

Read next