What to Wear in Napa Valley (Outfit Inspo + More!)

Dress to impress with our guide on what to wear in Napa Valley, California!

You don’t need to wander far to seek beauty, relaxation, and fun in Napa – it’s all around you!

From the rolling hills of Napa Valley to the charming streets filled with local artwork, Napa is the perfect aesthetic backdrop for your next vacation.

And we’re going to make sure that you look the part!

In this post, we’re sharing all you need to know about what to wear in Napa, California!

We’ve included outfit ideas for every occasion, as well as weather expectations and general packing tips. 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. For more info, see disclosure.

What to Wear in Napa Valley

In general, the dress code in Napa is referred to as “wine country casual.”

In other words, people tend to dress nicely without going over the top. 

For women, dresses, slacks, blouses, and appropriate footwear are typical – no flip-flops, and no high-heels if you’ll be walking through vineyards as the heels will sink in the soil.

Similarly, men will wear collared shirts, polos, slacks, and close-toed shoes. 

Jeans are also totally appropriate for most Napa venues, including wine tastings.

Just remember to opt for a pair of dark-washed jeans without holes or distressing. 

Beyond this, your biggest considerations when deciding what to wear in Napa should be based on your planned activities. 

Activities in Napa range in formality from outdoor activities to formal dining occasions.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to pack versatile options that can be dressed up or down. 

For example, a flowy, mid-length dress is comfortable enough for sightseeing and wine tasting throughout the day when paired with flat sandals.

At night, you can elevate this look with some high heels or a pair of wedges for a nice dinner. 

Napa Valley Activities to Pack For

There are several things to do in Napa besides wine tasting, and for that reason, you’ll need to carefully consider your Napa outfits based on what you’re planning to do.

Here’s a list of Napa activities that you’ll want to consider bringing outfits for:

• Formal dining – Dresses, closed-toe shoes, dress pants, collared shirts
• Winery tours – Casual dresses, long skirts, trousers, blouses, shawls, nice jeans, polos
• Sightseeing – Comfortable shoes, cotton shirts, shorts, casual dresses, jumpsuits, light jackets
• Outdoor activities – Sneakers, tee shirts, comfortable pants

Want to know what to wear in Napa today?

These are some general, year-round tips when it comes to what to wear in Napa:

• When in doubt, it’s always better to feel a little bit overdressed than it is to be underdressed; taking pride in your appearance in Napa is always appreciated!
• Pack basics that you can dress up or down based on your ranging activities.
• Include a series of light layers to help you navigate temperatures throughout the day. 
• Remember to wear an extra layer when heading out to wine country, as it can get a little crisp when outdoors and while touring barrel rooms and wine cellars. 
• If you’re planning day trips to Sonoma County or San Francisco, pack some comfortable car wear that is appropriate for sightseeing!
• Remember formal wear and jewelry if you’re going to take advantage of Napa’s fine dining. 
• Pack comfortable shoes that you can walk in all day long. 

Looking for more California content? We’ve written several guides on traveling within The Golden State!

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Napa Weather  

With pleasant weather nearly year-round, Napa is quite easy to pack for.

Depending on when you’re traveling, weather conditions range from bright sunny skies to chilly winter days. 

Regardless of the daily temperatures, Napa is a wonderful place to travel to, even in the coldest months. 

Napa temperatures to prepare and pack for are as follows:

• January – High of 60°F, Low of 40 °F
• February – High of 64°F, Low of 41°F
• March – High of 68°F, Low of 43°F
• April – High of 74°F, Low of 47°F
• May – High of 76°F, Low of 50°F 7
• June – High of 83°F, Low of 54°F
• July – High of 83°F, Low of 56°F
• August – High of 82°F, Low of 56°F
• September – High of 85°F, Low of 54°F
• October – High of 79°F, Low of 50°F
• November – High of 67°F, Low of 43°F
• December – High of 59°F, Low of 40°F

So, you may be wondering.

When should you visit Napa?

The best times to visit Napa depend on the following considerations.

If you prefer fewer crowds, cheaper accommodations, and cost-effective experiences, the wintery off-season is the perfect time for you to visit. 

In other words, if you choose to visit in November-February, you’ll get the most bang for your buck.

You’ll just need to remember to prepare for some chillier days with long sleeves and a medium-weight winter coat, however.

The busiest time of year takes place during the harvest season from August-October which is also when temperatures are at their warmest.

If you visit at this time, the weather is fabulous and you’ll see women in sundresses and sunhats, and men in lightweight collared shirts and khakis.

You will, however, have to deal with crowds and surging prices on just about everything. 

From March-May, you’ll find a happy balance between good weather and moderate price points. 

Slacks, layers, and lightweight jackets are essential as there is definitely a chill in the air during these months.

What to Wear in Napa For Women

Following the “wine country casual” dress code is appropriate for most activities you’ll find in Napa.

Whether it be a tasting experience, a picture-perfect hot air balloon ride, or a train ride through wine country. 

With this being said, don’t be afraid to follow your own style!

Whether you’re a lover of all things fancy or a casual-smart dresser, you can swap up these tips to fit what makes you feel most comfortable. 

These are the main categories you should consider when packing clothes for women:

Casual Wear

While activewear is far too casual for several Napa events, you’ll want a couple of casual options for planned outdoor activities. 

Consider what would be comfortable to wear on a hike, for a day at the lake, on a bike tour around town, or for casual meals. 

Some casual items to wear in Napa for women include:

• Tee shirts
• Tank tops
• Shorts
• Leggings 
• Drawstring pants
• Light jacket (windbreaker or zip-up)
• Light sweaters 
• Denim jacket
• Mid-weight winter coat (for winter months)
• Sandals
• Sneakers
• Fashion tote bag

Wine Tasting 

An obvious draw to the region, you’ll likely experience several wine tastings and winery tours on your trip; in other words, the perfect wine-tasting outfit is a must!

When touring wine country, I recommend you keep things smart but casual with pretty midi dresses or dark wash jeans with a nice top and blazer.

For shoes, make sure you choose a comfortable option that you feel good about traipsing through the vineyard in; dressy flats, flat sandals, or a pair of wedges are all good options. 

Finish off your look with a lightweight cover-up like a shawl or cardigan and a sun hat to protect you from the elements!

Some wine-tasting options to wear in Napa for women include:

• Black skinny jeans
• Dark wash flares
• Maxi skirts 
• Slacks
• Blouses
• Shawls
• Cardigans
• Blazers
• Midi dresses
• Sun hats
• Statement sunglasses
• Wedge heels 
• Sandals 
• Tote bag or handbag 

Formal Wear 

Whether you’re celebrating Saturday night of your girls’ weekend, taking the family for a fine dining experience, or enjoying a special occasion, you’ll want a few formal options to wear throughout Napa. 

Napa is known for its luxury, with formal events and Michelin-star restaurants to prepare for!

Some formal wear items to consider packing include:

• High heels (varying heights)
• Closed-toed flats (kitten heels, oxfords)
• Nice dress (cocktail or black tie, depending on the occasion)
• Cover-up (shawl, blazer)
• Dress pants 
• Blouses 
• Your favorite jewelry 
• Handbag 

What to Wear in Napa For Men

When traveling to Napa, men also need to dress the part.

Their clothes are often more multi-functional and can be mixed and matched to suit different formalities. 

These options will take them from the trails to tasting rooms to the famous French Laundry restaurant:

• Dark wash jeans
• Collared shirts 
• Sports coat
• Blazer 
• Suit jacket
• Dress pants
• Dress shoes
• Sneakers 
• Polo shirts
• Tee shirts
• Shorts (for casual wear)
• Sunglasses
• Hats
• Active-wear pants 
• Ties 
• Light sweaters (for layering)
• Warm jacket (for winter months)

What to Wear in Napa For Kids

Kids have a little more leniency when it comes to dress codes.

It’s best that they’re happy rather than being overstimulated by an itchy, uncomfortable outfit. 

Still, for special events, it’s a good idea for kids to dress up to fit the occasion as well!

While they don’t have to be in black tie, an effort to wear the dress code will be appreciated, even for the youngest of tots. 

Clothing items to pack for kids include:

• Tee shirts
• Long sleeve shirts
• Tank tops
• Bomber jacket
• Hoodies
• Jeans
• Drawstring pants
• Dresses
• Collared shirts
• Dress pants 
• Light sweaters (for layering)
• Warm jacket (for winter months)
• Hat 
• Sunglasses
• Dress shoes
• Sneakers
• Sandals 

Conclusion: What to Wear in Napa

That covers our guide on what to wear in Napa!

I hope you’ve found it useful in packing for your beautiful Napa Valley getaway. 

If you have any more packing tips for traveling to Napa, feel free to share them in the comments down below. 

*Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to help with your travel planning. Find exclusive travel discounts, and book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*