Are you headed to Napa or Sonoma this summer and want to know what to wear to a winery?  Here are some handy style tips, and winetasting outfits for daytime at the vineyards and evening dinners outside.

1.  Dress Wine Country Casual

Wine Country Casual is a term you’ll hear a lot, and it basically means dress smart casual – so more elegant and sophisticated rather than urban and edgy.

A cute vineyard outfit might be a nice pair of casual pants, white jeans, or chinos with a pretty summer blouse. (Blue jeans are kind of hot and heavy and not so dressy). You could also wear a casual sundress, casual jumpsuit, or a breezy skirt and top.  In the evening, a dressier version of these is perfect, even if it means simply adding some fancier accessories.

As for color, think light summer colors and fabrics, floral prints, stripes, eyelet, or anything with a romantic, feminine look and feel. These marry well with the breathtaking natural surroundings.

Things to stay away from would be anything too athletic, like leggings or bike shorts, statement tees, anything too edgy like ripped or distressed clothing, or outfits that are very dark or have a lot of hardware or detail.  Loud or geometric prints don’t fit with the classy winery vibe either.

2.  Don’t Fear White

Wearing white is an individual choice. If you are going to be worried the whole time, it’s just not worth it. Just wear dark colors. Personally, I like White in summer, and I’ve seen lots of people wearing white clothing at wineries. White is fresh, summery and classy looking, plus it keeps you cool.

3.  Comfy Shoes are a Must

Sometimes you will be walking on paved driveways and sitting on outdoor patios, but other times you’ll be standing at on grass and visiting the fields where there are dirt and pebbles. The key to a great day is to wear comfy shoes. Flats are perfect or can wear a wedge, and if you are in the fields, you may want closed-toe shoes.

If you prefer to wear sandals, it’s not a bad idea to bring along a pair of closed-toe shoes and leave them in your car, just in case.

4.  A Crossbody Bag Comes in Handy

You’re going to be standing up at some point juggling wine and some nibblies, so a crossbody bag is ideal. Or, you can wear a cute body purse. There are some really cute ones out there these days.

5.  Yes, to Wearing Shorts to a Winery

Can you Wear Shorts to a Winery? That’s a good question, and the answer is if it is going to be hot, yes, but you’ll and feel better in a shorts outfit looks pulled together in a stylish way. There’s a big difference between wearing a cute pair of tie waist shorts with a pretty eyelet top and fab accessories versus wearing a utilitarian pair of hiking shorts, a plain old tee, and running shoes.  Keep it classy.

6.   Don’t Forget a Hat and Sunglasses

It’s sunny and hot in wine country into the 80’s during the day, and if you are going to be outside, you may want to think about bringing along a cute sunhat. Sunglasses are a must and please don’t forget the sunscreen!

7.   Think about Layering

When nighttime arrives in wine country, you might be in for a surprise as temperatures vary and can suddenly drop.  A light jacket, sweater, or wrap is perfect for taking the chilly edge off, especially if you are dining outside. Also, some wine tastings are held in cellars or caves where the temperature can get down to 55 degrees, so a layering piece comes in handy here too.

One Last Note: Don’t wear Perfume

One final thing that you may not have thought of is, don’t wear perfume or scented cosmetics. The summer heat will enhance the scent, and it will interfere with the wine tasting- yours and others, and that’s no fun!

Have a great time, and have a nice glass of California Cabernet for me! I’ll leave you with some flowy, feminine dresses, some that are ideal for day touring and others that are perfect for dressier evening dinners outside at the winery.