What To Wear In Nantucket
Nantucket has become a favorite getaway since I moved to the East Coast over ten years ago thanks to its charming shops, cobblestone streets, stunning homes and floral filled corners! While Nantucket is known for being lavish, it’s actually a very relaxed beach town where sometimes all you need is a Nantucket sweatshirt for dinner! With that said, it is also one of my favorite places to pack for.
Whether you’re heading to Nantucket for a long weekend with grielfriends or a full week with family, packing for the island is its own kind of fun. The vibe of Nantucket is classic New England preppy — think navy, white, and pops of color — but it’s far more relaxed than you might expect! This guide covers everything from beach days to dinners in town, so you can pack light and still have the perfect outfit for every occasion on the island.
WHAT TO WEAR IN NANTUCKET
CLASSIC STAPLES
The Nantucket aesthetic leans preppy and polished but never overdone. A striped tee tucked into jean shorts works for browsing the shops on Main Street, while a lightweight cashmere sweater thrown over your shoulders (yes, really) is basically the island’s unofficial uniform for cooler evenings. And don’t forget a woven purse! Stick to a neutral base — navy, white, tan — and you’ll be able to mix and match everything in your bag.
SUMMER DRESSES
Nantucket in the summer is full of color, so I love to bring that color to match with my summer dresses! I try to stick with linen and cotton dresses as the summer can get super hot walking around.
For dinners out, a midi or maxi dress in a floral or gingham print hits the sweet spot between casual and put-together. Smocked dresses are a forever Nantucket favorite because they’re comfortable in the heat and look effortlessly chic. If you’re only bringing one dress, make it something you can dress up or down.
LAYERING PIECES
While the island can get super hot in the summer, it can also have unpredictable weather and chilly days. Nantucket’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, even in July and August. Mornings and evenings can feel surprisingly cool thanks to the ocean breeze, and a foggy day can roll in out of nowhere. A classic cable knit sweater, striped sweater, or a linen button down you can layer over a tank will save you more than once. The American flag sweater isn’t just cute — it’s practically required packing if you’re visiting around the 4th of July, when the whole island goes full Americana.
SANDALS AND TENNIS SHOES
One thing you can avoid packing on Nantucket? Heels! The cobblestone streets are charming but you’ll be grateful yo stuck to flat shoes (or at least a very low heel)! I love a pair of chic and minimalist leather flip flops for the beach, a classic neutral sandal for day to night and then maybe a low heel for a dressy dinner.
SWIMWEAR
Nantucket has some truly beautiful beaches, so don’t forget your swimsuit. A one-piece is ideal if you’re planning to pop into town mid-beach-day because you can just throw on a pair of linen pants, but a bikini with a breezy cover-up works just as well. A good straw bag for hauling towels, sunscreen, and snacks is also a must.
NAUTICAL picks
Nantucket is one of the few places where leaning into a nautical aesthetic feels natural rather than costume-y. The key is keeping it refined — think stripes, navy and white, lobster and shell motifs, and dresses like this and this!
