What I Wore in Austin for a Weekend Getaway

Squeezing style into a carry-on isn’t always easy — but Austin felt like the place to try. I had a weekend booked with a mix of coffee shops, rooftops, and long walks between murals and margaritas. Translation: I needed outfits that could handle heat, surprise plans, and at least one dance floor.

Instead of overpacking (guilty), I tried to build a few looks around pieces I actually wear on repeat—plus a couple wild cards I’d been meaning to test-drive. Some things pulled double duty. Some didn’t make it out of the suitcase. But everything told me something.

Here’s what I wore, what worked, and what I’d pack differently next time.

Why Austin, Why Now

Let’s talk about weekend escapes — the kind where you don’t want to overthink your outfits but still want to look like you thought about them.

A City With Style—and Heat

Austin has that magical mix of easygoing charm and creative edge. One minute you’re sipping cold brew in a sun-drenched café, the next you’re dancing under string lights to a band you’ve never heard of (but now follow on Spotify). It’s stylish, but not precious — which makes it perfect for clothes that feel effortless but still say “I tried.”

Also: it’s hot. Like, sweat-through-your-sundress hot. So anything I packed had to breathe, layer well, and hold up without needing a steamer. Not a diva-friendly destination, but if you pack right? It loves you back.

Weekend Vibes, Wardrobe Intentions

I went in with a loose plan: one carry-on, three days, and no outfit meltdowns. I didn’t want to be the girl who brought six dresses for a two-day trip (again), so I focused on versatile pieces I already knew I loved — plus one or two I’d been eyeing for this exact kind of test.

The goal? Clothes that could handle brunch, walking tours, and a cocktail spill or two — without sacrificing style or suitcase space.

Friday: From Flight to Food Truck

Day one was all about transitions — from TSA lines to tacos in under three hours. Here’s how I kept things comfy, cute, and mostly wrinkle-free.

Airport Look That Didn’t Scream “Airport Look”

I started with my usual travel formula: soft trousers that feel like sweats but look like I care, a ribbed tank, and my oversized linen shirt that doubles as a light jacket.

Add chunky sneakers — mine are the New Balance 574s in white and grey — and my favorite tote that holds snacks, sunscreen, and a full-sized water bottle I definitely forgot to empty before TSA.

✈️ These sneakers walked through TSA and straight to tacos — zero regrets.

Nothing pinched. Nothing rode up. And I didn’t feel like I needed to change the second I landed — which is always the mark of a solid travel outfit.

Quick Hotel Freshen-Up

Checked in, freshened up, and swapped the tank for a cropped knit top that felt a little more pulled together. Everything else stayed the same — including the slightly frizzy bun situation. I added gold hoops and tinted SPF, and suddenly it looked like I had a plan all along.

It’s amazing what five minutes, clean mascara, and better lighting can do.

Dinner + Drinks in Denim

Dinner was a casual taco spot with picnic tables and a view of the skyline, so I leaned into the city-cool thing: swapped trousers for high-waisted jeans (my forever-favorite pair with just the right amount of stretch), kept the knit top, and added strappy sandals.

I layered on a lightweight blazer because yes, I’m that person who gets cold the second the sun goes down — and it made the look feel instantly intentional.

Verdict? It worked. Even after sitting on a curb post-margaritas.

Saturday: Brunch, Exploring, and a Surprise Rooftop

This was the kind of day that started slow and ended somewhere I didn’t expect — which meant the outfit had to keep up without falling apart by hour four.

Brunch Fit (Spoiler: Linen Again)

I’m fully in my linen era. Saturday morning called for my cream linen shorts and a slightly sheer button-up I’ve worn a dozen times and still love. It’s the kind of look that feels like effort, even when I’m barely caffeinated.

I added tortoiseshell sunglasses, barely-there sandals, and pulled my hair back with one of those oversized clips that somehow always makes me feel a little more French. Practical, breezy, and photo-ready — even if I did spill iced oat latte on my lap five minutes in.

Afternoon Wandering

Austin afternoons don’t mess around. I needed shoes that wouldn’t hate me by mile two — so I swapped into my broken-in sneakers, threw on a baseball cap (borrowed from my boyfriend, sorry), and called it a look.

My crossbody bag became the MVP — just big enough for sunscreen, lip balm, and a portable fan I laughed at when I packed but was very grateful for by 3 p.m. Also, shoutout to the button-up for surviving both sweat and surprise A/C blasts in vintage shops.

Rooftop Shift

Here’s where the day surprised me: we got a last-minute invite to a rooftop show. I didn’t have time for a full change, so I did what I could — swapped the shorts for a flowy midi skirt I’d packed for “just in case,” added a swipe of red-tinted balm, and switched back to sandals.

It wasn’t planned, but it felt like me — and honestly, sometimes that’s better than any outfit I overthink.

Sunday: Chill Mode with a Side of Style

By day three, I was craving comfort — the kind that still looks like a person who packed on purpose. Sunday was slower, softer, and full of little outfit moments that didn’t try too hard.

Coffee Run Uniform

Bike shorts. Boxy tee. No shame.

This combo has become a non-negotiable for me on travel mornings — especially when I’m two coffees away from full sentences. The tee was a vintage find that’s perfectly worn-in (but still thick enough to not feel flimsy), and the bike shorts are the pair that doesn’t roll or ride up. A miracle, honestly.

I threw on a canvas tote and my gold aviators, and somehow it all felt intentional. Like I might be heading to a yoga class I don’t actually have booked.

Late Lunch and Last Looks

Lunch was a casual spot by the water, so I changed into a ribbed tank dress I’ve had for years. It’s fitted, but not clingy — and it doesn’t wrinkle, which made it a Sunday hero. I layered a cropped sweatshirt over my shoulders in case it got breezy (it didn’t), and slipped back into my slides from Friday.

This outfit also doubled as my travel-home look. No buttons, no waistbands, no regrets. Just soft fabrics and enough polish to avoid the “did she sleep in that?” airport look — which, in my opinion, is always worth a little effort.

The Pieces I Reached for the Most

There were a few stars in my suitcase — the kind of pieces that earned their spot and then some. These are the ones I wore, rewore, and would absolutely pack again.

The White Button-Up That Did the Most

This one did everything but cook breakfast. I wore it layered over a tank, tied at the waist, and even thrown over my shoulders when the sun got intense. It’s double-lined, so no weird sheerness, and it somehow never looked rumpled — even after being stuffed in my tote for an hour.

I’ve had this one from Everlane for a while, and it just keeps proving itself. It’s the definition of intentional basic.

The Slides I Didn’t Regret

Comfortable from the first step and didn’t give me a single blister (rare). They paired just as well with linen shorts as they did with my midi skirt. The footbed is slightly cushioned, which I didn’t think I’d care about… until hour five of walking. I cared. A lot.

If I could go back, I’d pack a second color.

The Bag That Fit My Whole Day

Small enough to wear crossbody without feeling bulky, but roomy enough to fit everything I needed — including my portable charger and an emergency claw clip. The strap adjusts easily (a tiny detail, but underrated), and it has just enough structure to hold its shape without being stiff.

Mine’s the Mini Easy Zipper Tote from Cuyana — structured without being stiff, and still looked good even after a full day of walking.

Bonus: it looked polished even with my bike shorts. Always a win.

What I’d Pack Differently Next Time

Even with a solid plan, not everything made the cut — and a few things I left behind ended up being the exact thing I needed. Here’s what I’d change if I did the trip again (which, let’s be honest, I probably will).

Less of This

I brought a silky slip dress I thought I’d wear to dinner. It looked great in theory — slinky, easy to fold, the whole “I just threw this on” vibe. But the truth? It didn’t match the weekend energy. It felt too dressed-up, and I never reached for it. Also, the neckline sat weird after being folded for two days, and I wasn’t about to steam anything on vacation.

Lesson learned: cute doesn’t always mean convenient.

More of That

I wish I’d packed my bucket hat. The one I almost grabbed but left behind because I “already had sunglasses.” Rookie move. By mid-Saturday, I was craving extra shade, and a hat would’ve made my outfit look even more intentional — plus saved my part line from sunburn.

Also? A travel-sized facial mist. Not totally essential, but after long walks and dusty sidewalks, it would’ve felt like a tiny luxury. Next time, it’s coming with.

Would I Do It Again? (Style Edition)

Three days, one carry-on, and no outfit meltdowns? I’ll take that as a small win — and a sign that my closet is actually working with me these days.

What Worked

Keeping things simple but styled gave me just enough range without overpacking. The linen pieces pulled their weight (again), and I was surprised how many looks came together with just a few accessories. Everything I wore felt like me — no costume changes, no panic swaps.

Also, choosing pieces that already had mileage in my closet made a difference. Nothing was a total wildcard, and it showed in how easy getting dressed felt each day.

What Surprised Me

Honestly? How much I leaned into sneakers. I usually default to sandals on warmer trips, but comfy shoes that still looked good saved me more than once. Also, how a borrowed baseball cap can make a plain outfit feel intentional. Noted.

Final Word

Austin was fun, sweaty, and stylish in that laid-back way that never tries too hard — which made it the perfect backdrop for pieces that feel lived-in but still a little special. I wouldn’t change much, but I’d pack smarter. And I’d absolutely go back (with the hat this time).

Style is personal, but good taste speaks loud.