What to Wear in Puerto Vallarta; Keep It Cool and Casual

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Deciding what to wear in Puerto Vallarta is simple. When you are packing, just think COOL and CASUAL. We aren’t exactly fashionistas, but I like to think we keep up… mostly. This post is full of suggestions about what to wear in Puerto Vallarta. There is also a free printable/download at the bottom of the post!

Once upon a time, we had nice big closets full of clothes and shoes. When we moved to Puerto Vallarta, we gave away 99% of them. (Confession: Sometimes I actually miss wearing business clothes. I love the polished look of a perfect sheath dress, tailored blazer, and great heels.) Currently, I only have about 30 hangers worth of clothes, so I pretty much wear everything I own every week or two.

All the same, Puerto Vallarta has the best vibe of any place we’ve ever been. No one cares what you wear. It’s all about how you feel and the energy you bring. If you feel fancy, put on your sequins and heels and strut down Basilio Badillo. The rest of us will be there in our flip flops telling you how beautiful you are!

Puerto Vallarta Wardrobe Staples for Ladies

My significantly downsized wardrobe consists of the following items:

• quick-dry athletic clothes
• sneakers
• sundresses
• flip flops
• swimsuits
• belt bag (fanny pack)/crossbody purse

Quick-Dry Athletic Clothes

If you go out and about during the day, you probably want to wear quick-dry clothes. The temperature seldom dips below 80 degrees during the day. If you are in the sun, you’re going to sweat. Oh, and it’s really hot from July through October. Being from southeastern Oklahoma, we thought we knew humidity. We did not. Without moisture wicking clothes, you can expect a case a swamp-ass! Note: The shorts linked below are SO much like my fave Lululemon running shorts, but at a FRACTION of the price. Seriously, y’all need to try these!

Sneakers

We walk a LOT in Puerto Vallarta, so comfortable sneakers are crucial. Cobblestone streets are one of the truly quaint features of PV. As quaint as they are, they’re hell on feet and ankles. You should also expect uneven sidewalks and various trip hazards. It’s just how things are in Mexico. My heart goes out to uninformed young people hating their lives as they wobble around in heels on cobblestone streets. (Just had a flashback of some hot, but murderous, heels I wore in Vegas once. Oh, to be in my 20’s again!)

Sundresses

Nothing beats a sundress for tropical weather. They make you feel about 10 degrees cooler, and instantly put together. Everything I wear these days takes a beating in the washer and dryer, so inexpensive sundresses are perfect!

Sandals and Flip Flops

Again, I cannot overemphasize how important it is to wear comfortable shoes. I pretty much live in flip flops during the hottest months. These are currently in my full-time rotation and are super comfy!

Swimsuits

Now that I wear a swimsuit almost every day, I need to bulk up my collection. Swimwear can be really expensive, but I just buy cheapies that can be tossed in the washer and dryer every day. Here are some cute ones I recently ordered.

Belt Bag (Fanny Pack) and Crossbody Bags

If you read our “Is Puerto Vallarta Safe?” post, you already know that I wear a belt bag (in my day we called them fanny packs) or a crossbody bag. There’s just no reason to tempt potential pickpockets, when cute options are available. The first two items I already own. The third one should arrive any day.

Brad’s Retirement Uniform

Brad wears khaki shorts and a navy blue t-shirt almost every day. Somedays he shakes it up and wears grey shorts and a white t-shirt, but you get the idea. He claims he is eliminating as many decision points as possible now that he is retired. The only decision I want him to make is where we’re going for dinner!

Since his wardrobe now consists of only shorts, shirts, and shoes, it’s easy for him to commit to specific items.

Khaki Shorts

Let me tell you about these shorts. They aren’t just regular khakis. They are Birddogs. What makes Birddogs so special? Well, they feel like athletic shorts, but look like regular chinos. Does that make them the mullet of shorts? (Business on the outside, party on the inside!)

Key features: faux fly, built-in underwear, zipper pocket, quick-dry fabric, and they come in different lengths. Brad says they are totally worth the $68 price point, but check out these knock-offs I found on Amazon for about half the price. Our son is also a Birddogs devotee, so he’s testing the knock-offs for us now. I’ll update the post when he reports back.

Update: These are the perfect Birddog dupe! They come in different lengths, and at half the price they are an amazing option. Brad now has several pair in rotation and says he can’t tell the difference. Looks like we’ve bought our last pair of Birddogs. Yay, for finding a better deal!

The Rest of the Uniform

Brad rounds out his exciting uniform with a Polo t-shirt and running shoes or flip flops. After wearing a suit and tie every day for 30 years, I suppose he’s earned the right to simplify his wardrobe. Khakis or not, I still think he’s the cutest thing ever!

Printable Download – What to Wear in Puerto Vallarta

If you made it this far, you’ve earned a freebie. Feel free to share with anyone you know who is traveling to Puerto Vallarta.