Florida in July – Outfits and Weather

Are you planning to visit Florida in July? Despite the heat, it’s a great time to go. However, maybe you are wondering …

• Are you not sure what to pack for this month?
• Wondering about the best outfits to stay comfortable and stylish?

Don’t worry; our Florida resident wrote this guide with all the answers you need to make your Florida trip comfy during the summer.

• Weather in July
• Outfit Guide | Packing Tips
• Essential Clothing Items

💡 Visiting Florida during another summer month? Read our guides for

• Florida in June: Outfits & Weather
• Florida in August: Outfits and Weather

This guide was written by our Florida local and includes many unique must-know tips.

Outfits Overview | Essentials

Most cities in Florida, like Orlando, Miami, and Jacksonville, let you enjoy a laid-back vibe while getting to enjoy the parks, the water, the views, and so much more. The heat and humidity tend to keep the locals in comfortable shorts and sandals attire, which means you can blend right in as you discover the state’s gems.

Essential: Stylish Swimwear | Shop Now on Amazon

Keep in mind that Florida knows how to show anyone a good time with a variety of nightlife and one-of-a-kind restaurants, so make sure you’re ready to dress your best come nighttime after a day of fun in the sun.

💡 More comprehensive outfit tips later!

Weather in August

July is the hottest and muggiest month of the year for Florida. It is smack in the middle of the rainy season and comes with a lot of thunderstorms and extremely high humidity levels. Despite the showers, it also comes in second after April for having the most sunshine and the longest amount of hours of sunlight during the day.

In Florida the average high temperature in July is 87-92°F (31-33°C), rarely falling below 76°F (24°C). July is the middle of the rainy season, bringing daily rains, thunderstorms, and hot and humid weather. Rain more frequently at the end of the month with an average of 6 inches.

Average highs in July in the most visited places:

• Miami: 87°F (31°C)
• Tampa: 91°F (33°C)
• Orlando: 92°F (33°C)
• Jacksonville: 92°F (33°C)
• Destin: 89°F (32°C)

The weather in Florida is always unpredictable, especially during the rainy season. As you travel south the higher the sun and the warmer the temperatures become. However, you are also more likely to have cloudy days with showers.

Rainfall

July is the middle of the wet season. Rain showers can occur almost every day, so you should be prepared with either an umbrella or poncho on hand. The rains tend to increase throughout the month from a 64% chance at the start to a 73% chance by the end of the month.

With July being the hottest month of the year, sometimes rain can be a blessing in disguise. Nothing feels better after walking around a theme park all morning in 90-degree weather, than cooling down and feeling the raindrops hit your face.

💡 After many summers in Florida, we learned to appreciate the showers when they come.

The average rainfall in July is 6 inches, rarely exceeding 9 inches. It usually rains at least 15 days of the month, with harder and longer rains towards the end of the month. Thunderstorms are expected on 87% of rainy days, usually occurring in late mornings and afternoons.

Heat/Humidity

Florida is basically a Caribbean island. It’s the only state that has a subtropical climate all year long, but the summers in Florida are outrageously hot. Get ready for a lot of sweaty and sticky days!

The humidity in Florida can become very dangerous if you are not used to it or not prepared for it. After spending many summers in Florida, we can say the humidity is unlike anywhere else in the state. Dehydration and heat exhaustion can easily occur with too much sunlight and not enough water.

The average humidity in July is anywhere between 63-92%, depending on the time of day. Early mornings tend to have the highest humidity levels, but cooler temperatures. Afternoons bring the highest temperature levels, but lower humidity. With it being a wet and rainy season, this can cause humidity levels to vary.

Daily Weather Progression

July is one of the hottest months of summer. Typically in all regions of the state, it is going to be constantly hot and humid all day long. Late mornings and early afternoons tend to be the hottest time of the day from 11 am-3 pm, with rain showers in the afternoons. Evenings are still warm but tend to bring a light breeze, cooling off at the end of the day.

Here is a Daily Progression of a southern location, Miami:

• 8 AM: 80°F
• 11 AM: 86°F
• 2 PM: 87°F
• 9 PM: 81°F

Water Temperatures

July brings warm temperatures in every aspect, including the water. The warm waters surrounding the coastline of Florida are just one of the many reasons people come here on beach vacations.

Keep in mind that the further south you go, the warmer the waters and the higher the chance of a storm.

Waters on the Northern Atlantic side by beaches such as St. Augustine, Cocoa Beach, or Amelia Island will have the coolest temperatures with an average of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The waters on the panhandle and Tampa bay area have temperatures of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the southern Atlantic will average around 83 degrees Fahrenheit.

Good to know: The warmest waters in all of Florida can always be found in and around Miami and the Keys, where the water is about 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Packing Tips | Complete Outfit Guide

If you are wondering what your packing list should consist of, mind the weather.

The humidity gets outrageously high during July in Florida, so it is best to avoid wearing anything that is tight-fitting. Instead, wear clothes that are lightweight and loose-fitting. Bring fast drying shorts, t-shirts and tank tops, flowy sundresses (ladies), and a raincoat.

Essential: Stylish Swimwear | Shop Now on Amazon

Good to know: It is also the middle of the wet season. Make sure to bring an umbrella, rain jacket, or poncho. Ponchos are always a big hit at the parks because of their convenience and can keep your whole body dry.

During the month of July, the clothing items in your suitcase should consist of:

• Shorts (fast-drying, not cargo)
• T-shirts & Tanks
• Ladies: Sundresses/skirts (flowy)
• Long-sleeved cover-up (evenings)
• Bathing suits / Cover-up, Swim Trunks
• Raincoat or Poncho
• Hats and sunglasses
• Flip flops and strappy sandals
• Walking shoes

Since July is in the middle of summer, it’s more than likely your vacation trip involves a trip to the beach.

Ladies: Grab your bikini, and thin cover-up, and head to the coastline. Men: Swim trunks are essential. Make sure your beach bag is prepared with all of the essentials: A towel or sarong, sunscreen, water bottle, sunglasses, beach hat, and flip flops.

Comfortable Shoes

Comfortable shoes are a must, no matter where you go in July. Don’t underestimate the amount of walking you will be doing, especially when going to Orlando and visiting the theme parks. Without comfortable walking shoes, you might end up with blisters and hurting feet at the end of the day.

Please don’t wear flip-flops when visiting a theme park. If you plan on climbing on a water ride, make sure to take off your sneakers and socks before the ride starts to keep them from getting wet. Otherwise, plan on doing the water rides at the very end of your day at the park.

Fast Drying Shorts – Recommended

Beach Outfits

If you visit the beach and have plans in the area afterwards, most establishments are swim-attire-friendly. Always make sure, but you shouldn’t have any problems if you want to grab a bite to eat after the beach in a swimsuit and cover-up or T-shirt and swim trunks.

Sundress – Essential

For the late afternoons and evenings, a flowy dress with sandals or a sleeveless blouse and skirt will help keep you cool.

Prepare Your Bag With the Essentials

Other suggestions would be a small backpack for day trips, sandals with ankle support, a visor or hat, water shoes (if doing water sports or boating), a small portable fan or spray bottle, a cooler, and of course your Mickey Mouse ears for Disney.

Tip: When visiting Florida, we always keep long sleeves or a light jacket handy throughout the day for dining out in indoor restaurants. Since the temperature outside is particularly hot, the air conditioners are on full blast. If you are someone who tends to get cold easily, this is a great tip to keep in mind.

A travel tip that we have learned from traveling in Florida is to always bring some medicine for a headache. The Florida heat is no joke and if you aren’t used to a warm climate, this could really bring a damper to your visit.

To help prevent a headache before it begins, invest in bringing or buying some electrolytes, like Liquid IV powder, which is portable and can be mixed into your water bottle. This will help keep heat-related headaches or exhaustion at bay.

Stay Safe in the Sun

Bringing hats, water, electrolytes, and loose-fitting clothing doesn’t just help keep your body cool in the heat, but it also helps keep you fresh against the Sunshine State’s strong rays. It is extremely important to wear sunscreen with adequate SPF.

Mind the SPF: Dermatologists and the Skin Cancer Foundation recommend using water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for any extended outdoor activity.

Tip: Applying sunscreen in the morning before your Florida excursions won’t be enough if you plan on being out all day. Reapply at least every two hours, especially if you are sweating or getting your skin wet.

Personal Experiences and Tips

Protect your thighs if wearing shorts: ‘I wore some athletic shorts to walk around the Universal and Islands of Adventure parks all day. They were cooler than leggings, but my thighs were chafing really badly because of sweat and humidity.

If you plan on wearing shorts, either wear long biker shorts or bring baby powder and lotion to absorb the moisture on your legs and reduce chafing! It would have saved me a lot of pain.’

Dehydration: ‘It’s better to stay away from sodas and alcohol while you’re enjoying Orlando’s theme parks, even though it may be tempting.

I was drinking some water during our summer trip to the parks, but it was really hot and I also had two alcoholic drinks. I felt really tired and dizzy a few hours into the day, and I had to sit in the shade for a while with a Gatorade to feel better.

It didn’t ruin the day, but definitely put the fun on pause for a little bit. Even if you feel fine, make sure you keep drinking hydrating fluids!’

Walking: ‘Whatever you do, bring an extra pair of shoes to South Florida! Even though we weren’t planning on going to the beach one day, we made an impromptu visit while visiting Hollywood.

I had originally been wearing sneakers and a walking-around outfit, but I had brought flip-flops and a bikini in my bag just in case. I’m glad I thought ahead and brought the extra clothes because it meant I got to cool off with everyone else in the water!

When we finished the night by walking around some more and going to dinner, I got to dry off and change back into my clothes. They took up some extra space, but it was worth it to not have my feet wet or blistered while I was trying to enjoy the sights.’

Party time: ‘If you can pack a portable speaker, bring it with you to the beach! People like to blast some Daddy Yankee or Bad Bunny while they’re relaxing in the sand.

It adds some extra fun to the beach day and got us talking with another group of people near us who brought their own music!’

Essential Packing List for Women

• Tank tops
• Loose shirts
• Sundresses
• Loose or sweat-wicking shorts
• If you must wear pants, wear something flowy or loose-fitting
• A light jacket or sweater
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Flip flops for the beach
• Strappy sandals or heels for a night out
• Sunglasses
• Tip: For women with longer hair, plan on bringing extra headbands or hair ties. Between the heat and humidity, you may find some relief in getting your hair out of your face or off your neck.

Tank Tops / T-Shirts

T-shirts and tank tops are essential for staying cool and comfortable in Florida’s hot and humid summer weather. Bring enough pairs for a change, ideally one for each day of your trip, to ensure you always have a fresh, dry top to wear.

Clothing Tips From Morning to Evening

Start the morning with an outfit that can get you through whatever you have planned. If you plan on walking around, bring some sneakers. If you’re having a beach day, wear your flip flops with an extra pair of comfortable shoes in your beach bag.

No matter what the day throws at you, make sure you’re wearing breathable clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Tip: A baseball cap or other hat would go well with any attire and protect your face from the sun.

If you don’t plan on returning to your hotel for most of the day, bring a bag with a swimsuit, a similarly styled change of clothes, and spare flip-flops to be ready for whatever the afternoon brings.

For the evenings, consider wearing a nice dress with sandals or a short-sleeved shirt with trousers and sandals or closed-toed shoes.

Bring a light sweater with you, as the air conditioning in many establishments will be freezing. If you want to go all out and put on your favorite heels for a nightclub or similar outing, make sure they’re comfortable.

Plan Your Evening

For those who would prefer to wear heels on a night out, it might not always be feasible to carry an extra pair of shoes with you.

As an emergency backup plan, bring a thick pair of socks in your purse or clutch. This way, if you can’t tolerate wearing your heels as the night goes on, you don’t have to walk barefoot on the ground.

Our Florida local says this is a particularly useful tip if you’re still doing a lot of walking in the evening, like bar hopping or going to a concert.

Jewelry

As for jewelry, less is more during the day. Stick to simple chains with a secure clasp, especially if you plan on going in the ocean or on theme park rides. Avoid rings, earrings, or other pieces of jewelry that can get lost or caught on something.

At night, feel free to dress up your bling, especially if you’re exploring one of Florida’s big, bright cities! In Miami, for example, no piece of jewelry is too much. Bring out your bold rings, statement necklaces, and fill your ears with bright studs and hoops!

Safety Tip

Like with any area that is popular for tourists, keep your wits about you and be aware of your surroundings, especially if your bag, jewelry, or other belongings are easy to snatch.

Pay attention to where you are, who is around you, and keep track of your belongings at all times. You don’t want to put a kink in your vacation by having your things lost or stolen!

Essential Packing List for Men

• T-Shirts
• Button-up shirts
• Trousers
• Khakis or cargo shorts
• A light jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Flip flops for the beach
• Dress shoes for a night out
• Sunglasses
• A hat or baseball cap

Clothing Tips From Morning to Evening

For the mornings, keep it comfortable with walking shoes or sandals, depending on your plans. Wear a loose shirt and shorts with some sunglasses at the ready.

A baseball cap or other hat would go well with such a casual outfit and protect your face from the sun. If you plan to be out all day, consider bringing a bag with swimming shorts, a similarly styled change of clothes, and spare shoes to be ready for whatever the afternoon brings.

Tip: If you’re in a city that’s by the beach, most establishments are swim-attire-friendly. This means you shouldn’t have any problems if you want to grab a bite to eat after the beach in a T-shirt and swim trunks.

For the evenings, consider wearing a wrinkle-free button-up with trousers and dress shoes or nice sneakers. Bring a light jacket with you, as the air conditioning in many establishments will be freezing.