What To Wear In The Hamptons (easy ideas for this summer!)

The Hamptons are a highly popular beach destination on the far east end of Long Island.

This upscale vacation destination is known for pristine white sand beaches, lively parties, and celebrity sightings.

Visitors include the mega rich, surfers, and weekenders fresh off the Jitney from Manhattan.

Locals, however, descended from farmers, whalers, and fishermen who were here long before the Long Island Railroad came through and changed South Fork forever.

Underneath all the rosé and hoopla is a relaxed beach town with tons of history.  

So whether you’re hitting the trendiest restaurants in East Hampton or Southampton (don’t forget reservations!), surfing in Montauk, or simply relaxing on a quiet beach, the Hamptons are for you!

I spent a year living in the Hamptons and regularly return to visit family, this is a compilation of what I’ve observed.

Read on for everything to know about what to wear in the Hamptons during the summer months.

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What To Wear In The Hamptons

Beach Day

A summer visit to the Hamptons should be all about the beach, it’s the perfect place to cool off from New York’s summer heat!

The east end of Long Island has some of the most picturesque beaches on the East Coast, complete with pure white sand and surprisingly warm water throughout the summer.

From families to surfers, Hamptons beaches can provide the perfect getaway.

The salty breeze of the ocean is refreshing and cool, but sometimes a little too cool, particularly in early summer.

Unless it’s a hot day — in the upper 80’s or 90’s (Fº) — you may want a coverup.

You’ll also want to utilize a beach bag which is easy to clean and doesn’t collect sand, such as a straw bag or rubber tote.

Tip: Waves on the oceanside beaches are rough, so opt for a sturdy swimsuit (ahem, skip the strapless suit unless you strictly plan to tan).

Below are some stylish swimsuits and beach accessories for your Hamptons beach day.

Below are some popular swimsuit styles, all options come in a variety of colors:

Looking for more swimwear ideas?

I love Lululemon and Athleta’s swimwear for durable and sturdy swimsuits.

I enjoy Aerie, Cupshe, and Madewell swimsuits for fun pieces which are both affordable and inclusive of all body types.

Casual Outfits

When trying to decide what to wear in the Hamptons think sleek, clean pieces leaning on the informal side.

Airy summer attire, like cotton pieces, linen sets, maxi dresses, and classic prints, such as polka dots and nautical stripes, are always perfect for summer in the Hamptons.

Tip: Timeless staples mixed with fun trendy pieces from your summer wardrobe are a good way to go.

Below are a couple outfit ideas which are easy for shopping, post-beach hangouts, strolling Main Street in Sag Harbor, a day trip to Montauk, or lunch at Lobster Roll.

Best of all, they easily transition into a nice dinner look.

Again, all items are linked in the captions below!

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Dinner & Wine Tastings

While you do want to get dressed up for dinner, wine tastings, or a popular event, you probably don’t need to get as dressed up as you think.

The Hamptons style is elegant but with relaxed, beachy undertones.

There’s no reason to overdo it unless you plan to attend a particularly fancy event or fine dining establishment.

Summer dresses and casual pant suits, or simply dark jeans and a white shirt, all lend themselves nicely to most “formal” affairs in the Hamptons.

Tip: Avoid stiletto heels in the Hamptons. Low chunky heels or a dressy flat are the best way to tackle the area’s casual beach vibe and uneven sidewalks.

Also keep in mind it can get quite cool in the evening.

Bring a blazer or jacket for the chilly nights.

Dinner Outfit Ideas

Below are a few dinner outfit ideas for the Hamptons, all items are linked in the caption below:

Sweet & Simple Outfits For A Wine Tasting:

Below are some outfit inspirations for a tasting at Wölffer Estate or Channing Daughters Winery.

Not sure which vineyard to visit? Check out my guide to the Best Wineries In The Hamptons.

Nightlife Outfits

Your day pieces should easily transition into casual nightwear.

But if you’d like to step it up a bit for cocktail hour, or plan to visit more of an upscale restaurant, check out these ideas below.

Most items linked come in a variety of fun colors:

Beach Bonfire Or Clambake

Heading to a beach bonfire or clambake instead of the club? Sounds like a good time!

S’mores at the beach is one of the best Hamptons activities during the summer season.

For nighttime beach visits be sure to wear long layers to protect from bugs and the cool breeze off the ocean, light jackets or cozy sweaters are perfect.

Don’t forget you need a permit and a fire pit to bonfire in the Hamptons.

Here’s a few ideas of what to wear in the Hamptons if you’re attending a bonfire:

Hamptons Style Tips

To recap, keep in mind the following when planning what to wear in the Hamptons:

• Dress on the casual side.
• Wear comfortable, but cute, footwear. Strappy sandals, cute flats, or chunky low heels are always in style here.
• Minimal jewelry, such as dainty gold pieces, or simple studs are most popular.
• If visiting in early summer (roughly Memorial Day through mid-June) the weather will probably be a bit chilly. You’ll definitely want to plan for layers and a light jacket.
• Items from summer wardrobes can easily transition into Hamptons outfits. Have fun with your fashion choices, there’s no exact dress code here!

Hamptons Packing List For A Long Weekend

Below are a few items I’d pack for a summer weekend trip to the Hamptons:

• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 sweater
• 2 t-shirts
• 1 cotton maxi dress or casual pant suit
• 1 linen set or romper
• Strappy sandals or comfortable dress shoes
• Pair of sneakers
• 2 swimsuits
• Beach cover up
• Towel
• Beach bag
• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sun screen)
• Beach shoes (water shoes or flip flops you don’t care to get dirty)

As you can see there’s lots of fun ways to style your Hamptons vacation outfits. I hope you’ve found this helpful in trying to decide what to wear in the Hamptons.

Do you have any questions or additional ideas? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media!

Looking for more ideas? Check out my additional Hamptons and New York guides below!