One of the biggest misconceptions about Dallas, TX, is that it is hot here year round. If you are planning to come down in January to escape a northern winter, you will not be escaping much as the average temperature in January is 36 degrees! Translation -- really cold! You may also think that Dallas is all country cowboys and farms. This is far from the truth. Yes, cowboys still exist out on the ranches, but rarely will you see a true cowboy walking around downtown Dallas. Dallas happens to be one of the nation's most diverse cities filled with many different ethnicities, lifestyles, and religions. It is full of history, art, architecture, and shopping, shopping, shopping! Dallas actually has more shopping centers per capita than any other major US city! 24 of the Fortune 500 companies reside in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Area. This is a rich city (culturally and financially), so be prepared. Listed below are a few tips on how you should prepare for your trip to Dallas during each season of the year! We’ve also included some major shopping destinations – so pack light or bring an extra suitcase big enough to fit all your new wardrobe purchases!
Winter (Dec – Feb): The average temperature in these months can range from the low 30’s to the high 50’s, so pack for fairly cold weather. I would recommend a great pair of designer jeans (Dallas loves designer clothes) and a nice pair of boots. Cowboy boots are definitely in for both men and women, but unless you plan on bringing in some cattle, leave the Wranglers out of the equation. You will need a winter coat such as a lined pea coat, and don’t forget a nice sweater (we love cashmere). This is the town where they prefer you leave your down ski bomber at home. You will also want to pack a scarf or Pashmina and gloves set for those days and nights in the 30’s. Burberry has a great cashmere scarf and glove set for both men and woman.
Spring (Mar – May): If you’re visiting during spring, pack for rain. This is tornado season, so be prepared for some tough storms. When it’s not raining, the weather can be a bit confusing. It ranges from the high 40’s to the high 80’s and that can literally be the high and low for the same day. So, you will definitely need a combination of clothes. For women, a stylish sundress and boots during the day and some great jeans, a chic blouse, and light jacket for when it cools down at night. For men, pack simple t-shirts in a variety of colors (we love American Apparel or James Perse), a few short sleeve and long sleeve button ups, jeans, and your favorite boots or canvas shoes. It can drop 20 degrees in an afternoon if a storm is coming in, and flash floods are common during these months, therefore you will want to pack an umbrella, a rain coat, and sleek pair of rain boots (try Hunter since they have a great assortment of rain boots for men and women).
Summer (June – August): Holy Hotness! Dallas is steaming during these months. It is extremely hot and humid. Invest in a big bottle of sunscreen, a mini fan, and pack a few bathing suits. It is almost impossible to make it through the day without jumping in a pool for a quick cool off! You will want to pack light-weight clothes such as cotton tanks and tees and linen pants or shorts. For women, during the day you will want to have shorts, skirts, playsuits, and a pair of sandals. Flip flops like Havianas are the easy go to shoe, but to spice it up from day to night, we love stylish gladiator sandals. Also, bring an assortment of dresses and rompers for the evening. Men, stick to khakis, seersucker, and linen pants paired with polo shirts, plain light colored t-shirts, and tanks. Do not plan on wearing much denim during these months unless you have had all of your sweat glands removed. Many of the bars have outside areas and you will regret it as soon as you realize that it stays exceptionally hot, even after the sun goes down. There is nothing less sexy than sweat dripping down your face while chatting up a potential suitor!
Fall (Sept – Nov): These are some of the most beautiful months in Dallas. The weather is cooling off (low 50’s to high 80’s) and the sunsets are beautiful! I don’t know what it is, but there is something exceptionally beautiful about the sunsets during this time of year. However, this is hurricane season. Although Dallas is about 4 hours away from the ocean, the rain will still travel up from the south, but it won’t be as bad as tornado season. For women, pack your heels, your sexiest pair of jeans, beautiful airy blouses, long sleeve sheer tops, and anything bedazzled with studs! This is Dallas! Men should pack jeans in black and blue, as well as collared shirts, light-weight sweaters, and trousers. Bring your umbrella, just in case, but you should be able to leave the rain boots at home.
Shopping: There is a plethora of shopping options for you, and you will not go home empty handed. Try as you might, it just won’t happen. This city even has a guided tour that just takes you shopping! It’s called Big D Shopping Spree, and it will take you to some of the hottest shops you can’t find in a mall, including local and international designers, hand tailored clothing, and jewelry. You will also receive a discount card for additional savings at some of your stops. Not in the mood for a guided tour? Then hit up the following:
Galleria Dallas was once recognized by USA Today as one of the Top 10 places “to spend it all.” It is home to amazing designer stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Thomas Pink, Versace, and Zara to name a few. You can spend the day shopping and then dine at one of their amazing restaurants (Grand Lux is my fave!). You can then burn off the calories from lunch at the indoor ice rink where you can rent ice skates year round.
Highland Park Village is the Beverly Hills of Dallas. It is known for being a National Historic Landmark and for having some of the world’s most upscale retailers all in one place. Shops include Chanel, Hermes, Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, Escada, Ralph Lauren, and Jimmy Choo. Salivating yet?
Neiman Marcus Flagship is the original Neiman Marcus store and has set the standard ever since it opened its doors in the 1900’s. There is even a 5th floor museum that tells the history of this store and its founder.
West Village is an urban shopping center in the middle of Uptown. It is named after the same city in New York for resembling the urban New York feel with street side cafes, restaurants, and lounges. You can just sit and people watch or walk and window shop, but I guarantee actual shopping will be hard to resist.
NorthPark Center is both a mall and an art museum. The NorthPark Center Art Collection has shown major works of art by world-renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, and Jonathan Borofsky to name a few. NorthPark is also host to Fashion at the Park, a collection of runway shows every Spring and Fall, which has included designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Miss Sixty, Valentino, and Diesel.
Written By Heather Kilpatrick
P.S. Don't forget to make a trip to Barney's New York Dallas and ask for Jessica Millek!
