What to Wear in Mexico City: Outfit Ideas and What to Pack
Wondering what to wear in Mexico City?
You’re about to step foot in a culturally rich, historically significant, lively city – do you have an outfit for that?! Now that I’ve been to Mexico City a few times, I can help. Read on for my guide on what to wear in Mexico City, what not to wear, inspiration for cute outfits for Mexico City and tips on what to pack.
What to wear in Mexico City
Before we get into exact recommendations and outfit inspo, here is some helpful information to keep in mind:
Fashion in Mexico City
Mexico City is often compared to New York, with most saying people dress up more in the former than in NYC. In other words, people dress more formally in Mexico City than they tend to do elsewhere.
But of course, like any big city with a diverse population, you’ll see many different street styles here.
What is the dress code in Mexico?
There’s no official decree with a dress code in Mexico. Generally, Mexico has a more conservative culture based in its faith and you can see this reflected in how people dress as well.
At the same time, how people (including tourists) dress varies depending on what part of Mexico you’re in.
When I was in Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita, both beach towns, more people were wearing sandals and shorts. When I was in Oaxaca City and Mexico City, I didn’t see nearly as much of that.
What not to wear in CDMX
Mexico City is a large city with plenty of tourists, expats and open-minded people. Ultimately, you can wear whatever you like.
However, if you want to ensure you feel comfortable and don’t stand out too much as a tourist here’s what I would avoid: shorts, flip-flops, showy jewelry or accessories, short skirts or overly revealing clothes.
As a solo traveler to Mexico City, and really to anywhere, I personally don’t like to attract unwanted attention. I plan my outfits accordingly and I’ve never felt uncomfortable in my clothes anywhere in Mexico.
I pick pieces that are feminine, comfortable and more on the conservative side which is the aesthetic of outfit ideas I’m sharing in this post.
Outfit ideas for Mexico City by season
Mexico City climate includes a dry season and a rainy season. You might notice that temperatures don’t tend to vary too drastically throughout the year in Mexico City.
Generally, Mexico City experiences chilly (40s/50s°F) mornings and evenings and comfortable daytime temperatures ranging from 70s-90s°F depending on the season.
This is why it’s going to be important to check the weather for your trip dates to help you ultimately decide what to pack. If the forecast predicts cooler daytime temperatures for your travel dates, you’ll want more sweaters or long-sleeve shirts and pants.
If it’s looking like it will be consistently warm, you can stock up on the dresses and tank tops. Either way, bring layers so you can stay comfortable through the daily temperature fluctuations.Here’s how to dress for each:
Dry season: What to wear in Mexico City in winter and spring
Dry season is also the most popular tourist season in Mexico City. It begins in October/November and goes until the end of April.
In October, you might still run into some afternoon showers as it’s a bit of a transition month between rainy and dry seasons, but overall you’re likely to have great weather.
Daily temperatures vary month-to-month, with it being cooler at the start of dry season and warmer during the latter half of dry season.
I’ve visited Mexico City during the second half of dry season, specifically in February/March and April. Every time I was there during these months the weather was beautiful – sunny with clear blue skies.
If you’re visiting Mexico City during the months of October, November, December and January expect temperatures to range from 40-75°F on average.
Typically, you’ll find it’s cooler in the early mornings and evenings but warmer during the day so it’s a good idea to bring layers and a mix of clothes.
I opt for long, sleeveless dresses because they keep me cool during the day without being revealing and they have a feminine flow to them. Add a cardigan or a button-down top over it when temperatures drop. You can also opt for midi or maxi skirts with a blouse, t-shirt or tank-top.
For pants, jeans are a staple when I visit Mexico City and linen trousers are another great addition. Chances are, you’ll be doing a fair amount of walking. Choose comfortable yet stylish shoes.
If you’re curious about what to wear in Mexico City at night, it depends on what activities you have planned. To check out the nightlife scene, a dress or skirt+blouse with heels could be a solid option. For a fine dining experience, slacks and a blouse with heels or even flats would work well.
Cute outfit ideas for Mexico City
Rainy season: What to wear in Mexico City in summer and fall
Rainy season in Mexico City runs from May through to October. Summer months bring hotter temperatures, but the rain and overcast skies can still make it feel cool at times. Fall gets cooler but not by too much.
It’s important to know that it’s not typical for it to rain all day everyday in Mexico City during rainy season. Usually, it’ll rain intensely for a half hour to an hour several times a day. So, you can still have comfortable exploration time and pop into cafes or shops when it rains to stay dry.
Even so, some key items you’ll want to add into your packing mix during rainy season include a raincoat or waterproof windbreaker. Especially if you’re visiting during the summer months, keep this lightweight.
Don’t forget an umbrella, and bring a couple pairs of walking shoes so you can cycle through in case one pair gets really wet. Make sure they have good traction.
Additional tips on what to pack for Mexico City
Beyond clothes, here are additional items Sunscreen
Rain or shine, sunscreen is a must. I love this eltaMD tinted one for my face and this Supergoop one is easy to travel with for body. Don’t drink tap water in Mexico City, of course. You can pick up water bottles at a grocery store, or buy it by the gallon and use that to refill your own water bottle. Eye protection – stylish and sensible! Lately I’ve been wearing my Izipizi sunglasses I picked up on a recent trip to Paris. Since 2021, I haven’t taken a single trip abroad without this anti-theft crossbody. You won’t regret having some pepto-bismol chewable tablets on hand. Whether you plan to take a day trip from Mexico City or simply spend a day out exploring the parks and museums, a day bag can come in pretty handy. Plus, this one is so compact and easy to pack I always bring it along just in case. Another item I never travel without is this portable charger to help make sure my phone stays working all day while I’m out and about. Here’s a quick recap on some common questions as you plan what to pack for your Mexico City trip: There’s so much to do in Mexico City at night and this will depend on what you choose. For something casual like attending a Lucha Libre fight or taking a food tour, jeans and a sweater would be perfectly fine. For something like going out or eating at an upscale restaurant you’ll want to dress up more – think dress and heels or slacks and a blouse with flats as an example. If you normally wear jeans and find them comfortable, absolutely. I like to bring a lighter wash pair for daytime activities and a darker wash jean for evenings to have a more formal look. They’re a versatile clothing item for a travel capsule wardrobe. Skip the flip-flops and shorter shorts – save them for the beach. The way you dress can directly impact how comfortable and confident you feel, and who wants to feel drab or awkward on vacation? Not me! These tips on what to wear in Mexico City will guide you toward an ideal packing list for your upcoming trip. Reusable water bottle
Sunglasses
Cross-body purse
Stomach meds
Day bag
Portable battery
Common questions about what to wear in Mexico City
What to wear in Mexico City at night?
Should I take jeans to Mexico?
How to not look like a tourist in Mexico City?
Final thoughts on how to dress in Mexico City
