12 Outfit Ideas For Nashville Summer 2021 What To Wear: Summer In Nashville
In May I went to Nashville for the first time and had the most amazing time. I loved it so much that I just had to book a trip back to Music City. This time around I went with my sweet mama as a belated Mother’s Day gift and we made the most amazing memories together. Of course, we also did our fair share of shooting too. In fact, I managed to shoot twelve outfits over our four-day stay.
As promised, today I’m giving you part 2 of my Nashville outfit guide (click here for part 1). Similar to last time, I’m sharing everything I wore throughout the duration of my stay + links to shop. There are photo ops left and right in Nashville so I’m also linking directions to each location in case you also want to grab some cute pictures during your stay!
Keep in mind, my style is a little different than most. While some people were far more casual than me others were dressed just as out-there as the city is packed full of trendy tourists. While some outfits were actually worn for an event, others were simply worn for pictures. For reference, we visited in early June and it was humid as all get out + mid-eighties for the entirety of our trip.
(click pink text for links)
UP UP AND AWAY
My mom and I had a super early flight so I opted for a comfy travel outfit. This oversized tee had an adorable acid wash to it with a bright graphic that reads Joshua Tree. I sized up in this for a loose fit and while I probably could have gotten away with it as a t-shirt dress, I popped on a pair of shorts to go with. I finally tested out the Bermuda trend and have to say, I’m kind of loving them.
Throw on a pair of frilly socks and Converse and you’re good to go for a comfortable yet stylish look. I definitely could have worn this for an entire day but me being me, changed into something else for more photos.
tee // shorts // sneakers // socks
photo location ✈ The Gallatin Hotel
DAZED IN DENIM
If you’re looking for something dummy-proof when it comes to styling then I highly recommend reaching for a jumpsuit. I love reaching for these when in a rush because they give you an adorable outfit with minimal thought. This one is from Fashion Nova and looks similar to overalls.
This piece has a super slim fit to it with buttons that line the entire bodice, giving you a little cleavage in the best way. Unlike regular overalls, you definitely don’t have to wear a tee-shirt underneath these. Because the bottoms are so wide, a pair of open-toed shoes were a must. I reached for a pair of nude heels and my go-to felt hat from Lulus. While I definitely wouldn’t recommend heels this tall for a night on Broadway, this would be a super cute look for lunch at a restaurant like Hampton Social.
photo location ✈ The Gallatin Hotel (backside)
LOVE ME IN LEATHER
Nashville is the perfect time to experiment with pieces you wouldn’t necessarily reach for. For me, that means playing with different textures. When I saw this faux leather romper on Fashion Nova, I knew it’d be perfect for this trip. It has an extra layer of fabric, making it look like a dress in the front and a romper in the back.
To keep things interesting, I threw on a pair of heels from SheIn. These are an old favorite in my wardrobe—with a short chunky heel they are super manageable for a night of bar hopping. They also have some fur along the front strap to keep things fun and flirty. I def recommend this look for the evening time as leather can get quite hot during the day, especially if you’re going to be doing a lot of dancing.
photo location ✈ East Nashville
FEELING THE FLARES
Can’t go wrong with bell-bottoms in Nashville. This look is perfect for brunch with the girls or a stroll along 12 South. This area is full of tourists so several people will be dressed in their best. I get all of my funky denim from Fashion Nova. Their bottoms definitely run long for a 5’2 girl—platform heels are a must with them. Don’t forget to stop in Finnelys! It’s the cutest boutique with affordable prices and adorable Nashville graphics.
photo location ✈ Finnelys
MOO MOMENT
This outfit was perfect for a morning bagel sandwich run + walk around East Nashville. We strolled into quite a few little shops and overall just took some time to explore. I scored these cow print pants from Romwe and they are adorable. They are denim so I recommend going with your usual size. I love a straight-leg look but decided to give these a couple of cuffs to keep them from dragging along the ground. For shoes, I’m sporting a pair of Nike sneaks.
I said it in my last Nashville outfit guide but in case you missed it, Nashville is much less walkable than other cities I’ve been to. To get from The Gulch to 12 South to Broadway you’ll likely need to Uber, so in reality, your don’t need to base your shoe choice around your itenerary. You will be fine with a pair of cuter sneakers; save your running shoes for NYC.
top // pants // sneakers // earrings
photo location ✈ East Nashville
GROOVY GIRL
A basic tank, denim, and boots are some of the most common outfits seen in the Broadway area. For obvious reasons—it’s comfortable and Southerners seem to do things a little simpler all around. You know me, I can never actually follow the dress code. I’m spicing things up a bit with these funky flares. These patchwork jeans scream seventies and add so much spunk to this basic look.
photo location ✈ Broadway
SAVE A HORSE
I’ve never gotten so many stares in my life than the day I wore this two-piece set downtown. Apparently even this was a little out there for Broadway… at least during broad daylight, lol. However, I was approached by a professional photographer shortly after shooting these photos and was given a mini photoshoot for free.
But seriously, if it makes you feel good, don’t be afraid to wear it. I love cow print and unexpected cuts, so this set was made for me. It’s the softest material and super stretchy so it’s perfect if you’re planning on doing a lot of snacking. Add boots and a cowgirl hat for the full effect.
photo location ✈ Broadway
FABULOUS IN FRINGE
I have a few pairs of cowgirl boots and yet I brought these white Dolce Vita booties with me instead. They have a western cut to them with a few detailed embellishments along the toe box. However, they are much shorter than a typical cowgirl boot and therefore are much lighter in weight. I managed Broadway + the Pedestrian bridge just fine in this look.
For the rest of the outfit, I’m pairing a fringe bodysuit with some denim shorts. I love this combo because it’s casual enough for your average day in Nash but still has a “fun” element to it.
bodysuit // shorts // boots // hat
photo location ✈ Jason Aldean’s Rooftop/Pedestrian Bridge
POPS OF PRINT
Honestly, I was hoping to wear this outfit with black flares for a sexy dinner out but ended up wearing shorts for a day of window shopping along The Gulch. Outfits that are quickly adaptable and can work for several occasions are key when packing for a place like Nashville. I went for a monochrome look and pops of cow print. These little mules were just the right height. Of course, I had to bring my favorite fringe jacket. We had on and off rain all day so this was perfect to throw on and keep dry with.
bodysuit // shorts // belt // jacket // shoes
photo location ✈ Kittenish in The Gulch
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING
Agh, you know I couldn’t resist pulling out my favorite blue floral boots one more time. These babies are an old favorite of mine from SheIn and they score me more compliments than any other piece in my closet. Because they are such a statement, I keep the rest of my outfit very simple when styling them. This time around I reached for a white, ruched one-shoulder dress from Hello Molly. I am a sucker for this fit and strutted my stuff along 12 South, catching just about everyone’s gaze.
photo location ✈ Draper James on 12 South
CANADIAN TUXEDO
Another denim jumpsuit becuase I just can’t get enough…. this is another Fashion Nova find. As you can tell, they are one of my faovirte stores to find unique, trendy pieces that don’t break the bank. I wore this look to the Grand Ole Opry and it was perfect. From the cascading ruffles to the plunging neckline to the flared pant legs, this piece is stirking in every way.
While it definitely screams Mama Mia in some ways, I decided to take it the western route. I threw on those same white booties, my favorite cow pirnt bag, and a buckle belt to accentuate the waist. My cowboy hat was the perfect finishing touch + photo prop.
jumpsuit // belt // boots // purse // hat
photo location ✈ The Holiday House
SUNDAY STROLL
Amelia’s Flower Truck is one of Nashville’s prime photo spots. It changes locations every few days but more often than not you can catch it along 12 South. If you’re looking for something comfy + casual for a day of walking a graphic tee and shorts are all you need. I popped on high top Converse—if you bring any shoe with you on this trip, I’d recommend these. They go with everything and are comfortable enough for the distances you’ll be walking.
top // shorts // belt // sneakers
photo location ✈ Amelia’s Flower Truck on 12 South
pin this post to refer back to later
As you can tell, this trip called for an outfit change every few hours, lol! I traveled with my Long Champ Le Pliage (size large) and while it’s definitely not the cutest bag I could have carried, it was perfect for this trip. I had a change of clothes + my vlog camera with me at all times which made shooting content extremely convenient.
I saw tons of people with fanny packs though so that may be a route worth considering. I hope you’ve enjoyed all the Nashville content. I’ve got a list of must-sees + a packing guide coming later this week. Stay tuned!
Well, that’s a wrap for this post! Be sure to let me know which look is your favorite in the comments below. Oh, and make sure you’re following me on Instagram @styledbymckenz so you don’t miss out on more photos from my trip (I took over 6,000 photos so I promise there are more coming, lol!)
With love, McKenz
Latest Post: Weekly Wrap Up #24 2021
Related Post: The Ultimate Nashville Travel Guide Summer 2021
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