I’m just recently back from my seventh trip to Nantucket. This island in Massachusetts is so charming and so special. It remains one of my favorite places to visit. If you’re heading to the island in Spring or Summer or even early Fall, this post should help you decide what to pack. 

The island itself may be upscale in its nature (and prices!) but the vibes overall are casual and laidback. As you get ready to explore all the island has to offer, this post will help you plan what to pack and what to wear while on Nantucket.

15 Nantucket Outfits

Below will give you lots of style inspo and there’s also a shoppable widget where you can shop a lot of the pieces you see featured along with some other items I think are perfect for wearing on Nantucket. 

First and foremost, you can leave your heels at home. A lot of Nantucket is cobblestones so you won’t want to have any heels with you. Nice sandals are perfectly acceptable for evenings outs and you can think more about fit and fabrics when it comes to dressing up for the evenings. For daytime activities the island is full of timeless staples that skew on the more American preppy side. Think stripes, button downs, white sneakers, linen dresses, etc. 

What to Wear in Nantucket

Lace Dresses

I have a whole collection of favorite lace dresses I love for Nantucket days to nights. 

Don’t miss my Favorite Summer Dresses.

Coordinated Sets

A cute break from dresses, bring a linen set you can mix and match to make the most of your Nantucket wardrobe while on the island.

Reformation makes a lot of darling coordinated sets as does Tuckernuck like this one I recently wore on the island:

Top + Skirt (size L)

Pin the image above for later and shop the styles seen here.

Linen Dresses

The sun on Nantucket can get very hot so I reach for breathable fabrics like linen when on the island in July and August.

The above little dress from J.Crew is the perfect neutral linen mini (size M) – here is this year’s version. I paired it with a Jenni Kayne sweater (size L), my Loewe Basket Bag and these super comfortable Margaux sandals. You can use code MEGHANDONO10 for 10% off your Jenni Kayne orders.

You can shop even more of my favorite linen pieces for the summer season in my Linen Pieces I Am Loving guide.

White Dresses

No summer suitcase is complete for me without at least one or two white dresses. 

Above I am wearing a beautiful Hill House Dress paired with these super comfortable Margaux sandals. Seen styled with one of my favorite basket bags I own from Sezane.

You will see women all over the island in Hill House Dresses and you can even visit one of their stores downtown. 

Don’t miss my Summer Dresses Edit.

Gingham

A favorite summertime fabric gingham fits the preppy, laidback vibes of Nantucket perfectly.

Above I am wearing the Jenni Kayne Garden dress (size M) with a little bag from Madewell last year. My sandals are from YSL. You can use code MEGHANDONO10 for 10% off your Jenni Kayne orders.

You’ll want to be sure to bring a couple of sweaters as it gets cool on island on certain days and in the evenings – particularly if you plan to eat outdoors. 

Don’t miss my Guide to the Best Sweaters for Spring and Summer.

Pin the image above for later and shop the styles seen here.

White Jeans

Perfect for cooler days on the island. Pair them with a striped sweater or a button down.

Striped Sweaters

As mentioned, Nantucket can sometimes get chilly in the evening and can be cool in early mornings as well in Spring and Summer so I like to have a striped knit with me in neutral tones that pairs well with what else is in my suitcase.

Above I am wearing the Jenni Kayne Chloe Crewneck Striped Knit (size M) with the Jenni Kayne Rove Dress (size L). I paired the look with one of my favorite basket bags I own from Sezane and these super comfortable Margaux sandals. You can use code MEGHANDONO10 for 10% off your Jenni Kayne orders.

Striped Tees

And you’ll always fit the island’s nautical vibes with a striped tee. Perfect for a day on a boat!

This striped tee from Sezane is a favorite. Get even more styling ideas in my The Best Sezane Essentials post.

Denim Shorts

I always bring a pair of denim shorts with me to Nantucket. I’ll style them with a cute blouse for casual evenings or style them with a linen button down over a swimsuit when I head to the beach.

This pair is my favorite.

T-Shirt Dress

Easy, breezy and versatile. I love this La Ligne midi dress (size M) with sandals and with sneakers. It also makes a great travel dress! It comes in three colors but often sells out. You can use code MEGHAND10 for 10% off your first order. 

Eyelet

One of my favorite summer fabrics, eyelet is perfect for Nantucket. Casual yet put together.

My dress above is from Veronica Beard who makes some really beautiful dresses you won’t see everywhere. I paired it with my Loewe tote and these super comfortable Margaux sandals.

Or you could opt for something a bit more glam like this Staud maxi dress in eyelet (Size L).

Or this La Ligne dress (size L). Seen styled with a little Longchamp Pliage bag.

Linen Trousers

Perfect to pair with a button down, a tee or a sweater, linen trousers are a great versatile piece to wear on the island. They serve double duty for me often to throw on over my swimsuit at the beach.

You can shop favorite linen pieces for the summer season in my Linen Pieces I Am Loving guide.

Crochet

Given Nantucket’s island status, crochet is the perfect subtle nautical nod.

I recently wore this great crochet coverup (size M) from Banana Republic on a beach day. Find out all my favorite beaches on island in my Nantucket Guide.

Pin the image above for later and shop the styles seen here.

Button Down and Shorts

This is like a uniform on Nantucket it often feels like. Add sneakers and a cute basket bag to finish the island look. Perfect for a day spent riding bikes or beach hopping. 

Navy

I always pack some navy in my suitcase for Nantucket! The above one is from J.Crew and they always have so many cute dresses to explore this time of year.

I paired it with one of my favorite basket bags I own from Sezane and these super comfortable Margaux sandals.

Shirt Dress

I love a shirt dress year round and it’s such a versatile piece to bring to the island since you can easily dress it up or dress it down depending on the right accessories. 

The above is the Tuckernuck Chloe Dress (size L) which comes in a variety of colors and patterns. See more styles of shirtdresses I like in my How to Style a Shirt Dress guide. 

If you’d prefer a linen shirt dress for hot days, I recommend this one by Aritzia (wearing a L). 

Or this one by Staud which features a light-as-air gauzy linen that’s just gorgeous (wearing a size 10). 

Swimsuit

Bringing swimwear to the island in summer is a must! Because once it gets hot you’ll want to head to the beach and dive into the ocean.

This year I am loving Stylest for their sculpting swimwear that’s well made and makes you feel good and Left on Friday where seemingly all the girls wearing swim you love but don’t know where it’s from are buying their suits.

. . .

Have you been to Nantucket in the summer? I’d love to hear what you enjoyed!

Shop for Nantucket

 

You May Also Like:

• 25 Things To Do in Nantucket.
• How to Style a Shirt Dress.
• Shop My Summer Wardrobe.

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