Traveling Light: A Cowboy Boot-Free Packing List for Nashville, Tennessee

Sharing everything I packed in my carry-on for a weekend in Nashville, Tennessee, for my girlies who don't own cowboy boots

One of the perks of running a blog is having the ability to look back more closely at the clothes you once traveled with. When packing for a recent celebration weekend away in Nashville, I did just that, pulling up my packing list from the same weekend in 2017 (aww, I was just a baby blogger!).

As much fun as it would have been to bring the same things all over again, my style has shifted some over the years (I think we can all agree we’re probably not the same people we were in 2017!). So today I’m sharing what I call my “2023 Dopamine Packing List for Nashville” because I just grabbed what my heart felt was right for the weekend I wanted to have. I should note that this was perhaps not the typical Nashville trip, judging by the sheer number of bachelorette groups swarming the streets in their matching outfits and cowboy boots.

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Instead, Michael and I made the return trip to Nashville to celebrate our fifteenth dating anniversary, letting the second-visit nature of the trip take the pressure off all the “must-dos” so we could just focus on eating, relaxing, and spending time together. There was very little on our agenda for this trip beyond chilling at the hotel pool and eating great food, so this packing list reflects that. But, if I learned anything from my previous trip to Nashville, it’s that the city is hot in August – so we rented a car this time around and I packed a few extra changes of clothes in my bag. Thankfully, Southwest has a generous baggage allowance, so I took the opportunity to pack a new-to-me carry-on suitcase℅ from Solgaard for the first time, filling it up with all my current faves:

EVERYTHING I PACKED FOR NASHVILLE

Ivory Knit Tank* | Tan Knit Tank* | Midi Dress* | Jumpsuit* | Cutout Dress* | Shorts* | Jeans | Pajama Top | Pajama Bottoms | Swimsuit | Cover Up* | Leather Sandals | Sneakers℅ | Heeled Sandals (save 15% with code WAYWARD15) | Sunglasses | Satchel* | Cardigan℅ | Suede Jacket | not pictured: Handbag (borrowed from my hotel!)

NASHVILLE OUTFITS

Alyssa wears a crop top and jeans at the airport with a suede jacket — *at the airport*: Knit Tank* | Jeans | Suede Jacket | Sneakers℅ | Belt | Necklace | Rings

Alyssa wears a blue dress with sneakers on a roof in Nashville — *daytime*: Midi Dress* | Sneakers℅ | Sunglasses | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings | Bracelet | Necklace | Rings

Alyssa and Michael in front of a mirror — *Celebration dinner*: Cutout Dress* | Heeled Sandals (save 15% with code WAYWARD15) | Handbag | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings | Bracelet | Necklace | Rings | (and my favorite accessory, Michael )

*Celebration dinner*: Cutout Dress* | Heeled Sandals (save 15% with code WAYWARD15) | Handbag | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings | Bracelet | Necklace | Rings | (and my favorite accessory, Michael )

Alyssa wears her PJs with a sweater — *lobby coffee run*: Pajama Top | Pajama Bottoms | Leather Sandals | Cardigan℅

Alyssa and Michael take a photo before going to the pool — *pool day*: Swimsuit | Cover Up* | Leather Sandals

Alyssa wears a white top and rust shorts in front of a pink house — *daytime*: Knit Tank* | Shorts* | Sneakers℅ | Handbag | Sunglasses | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings | Bracelet | Necklace | Rings

WHY I CHOSE THESE ITEMS

If you hovered your mouse over the little X to close out this tab at the sight of a suede jacket in August (what on earth is this lady thinking?), I will have you know I wore it at some point each day while in Nashville. If you’re visiting the Southern United States for the first time, you might be shocked to learn that we run the air conditioning here like it’s going out of style. Even on the hottest day, you’re going to want to bundle up the moment you step foot inside the Nashville airport.

Of course, this is in stark contrast to the way you’ll feel as soon as you step outside when the heat and humidity attempt to swallow you whole, so layers and breathable fabrics are vital. I went with a combination of a floaty dress and as little clothing as possible for the daytime, chucking my jacket or cardigan in the backseat of the rental car to grab as needed. And when the sun set each evening, I chose a flowy jumpsuit (for dinner at a high-top stool) and a dress with strategically placed cutouts.

Looking for more packing list inspiration? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter

By the time I packed enough changes of clothes and a mix of comfortable and dressy shoes, I was running out of space for accessories. I kept jewelry to a minimum and relied on my hotel’s collaboration with Anthropologie to borrow an extra handbag for my stay. I have to admit, it’s pretty genius – I hope more hotels consider starting a similar program!

*This item is no longer available and a similar product is linked

FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR NASHVILLE IN SUMMER

Packing for the typical Nashville visitor experience is unlike packing for any other city in the world. Walking down Broadway (or even just people-watching from our hotel lobby), it’s clear there is a preferred style of dress for out-of-towners. Normally I’m all about dressing for your destination, but the typical Nashville outfits are not really my style and I simply opted out (and over the years I’ve heard so many locals say they’d never wear cowboy boots in their home city). If cowboy boots, short shorts, and crop tops are your jam, though – go right ahead. There’s no better place to break them out than in Nashville!

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