One of the most common questions I receive when it comes to Round Top, Texas Antiques Week… what should I wear? Perhaps you’ve never been to Round Top before, but you’ve come across my Beginner’s Guide to Round Top blog post. Well, welcome to the latest travel guide installment for the famous Texas antiques show, What to Wear to Round Top!
Let me just preface by saying, it wouldn’t be Texas weather if it didn’t throw us curve balls. I’ve been to Round Top Antiques Week multiple seasons now, and each one has been totally different in terms of weather. One day there’s rain, another day it’s a late-spring freeze or windstorm, or it’s extra-hot and sunny. Truly, weather Round Top Antiques Week weather runs the gambit.
Not to fear, I’m here to share a variety of outfit ideas based on what I’ve personally worn to the Round Top Antiques show throughout the years, along with provide some recommendations for similar styles, too.
Check out my comprehensive Beginner’s Guide to Round Top Travel guide filled with tips on where to stay, eat and shop
What to Wear to Round Top
When the forecast calls for perfect spring weather, wear this:
When the Round Top forecast is sunny skies and 80 degree temperatures, I opt for lightweight dresses and sneakers. Some gals wear their cowboy boots, and that’s totally their prerogative. However, sneakers are most comfortable for me when walking thousands of steps!
You’ll see a variety of outfits in Round Top, but on sunny, spring days the throw-on-and-go dress plus a comfortable pair of shoes is most common.
I also always opt for a crossbody purse for my Round Top outfit. It’s easy to keep track of and stays out of the way. Plus, it’s usually roomy enough to hold some snacks, hand sanitizer, a water bottle or some sunglasses. I always throw in a few band-aids as well, you never know!
I love wearing J.Marie embrodiered dresses come Texas spring and summer, they’re cotton, but lined, and lightweight (run true to size). I’ll usually keep a denim jacket in the car for cooler temperatures in the morning and evening. And pair with my go-to Veja Esplar sneakers (read my full review here) or these Cole Haan GrandPro tennis shoes. I’ve had mine for years and they’re so comfortable!
When the Forecast calls for rain, wear this:
In case you didn’t know, a vast majority of the Round Top Antiques tents and retailers are often setup in fields. With that in mind, when it rains, comes mud! So if the forecast calls for rain and you’re still going to venture to Round Top, wear your rubber rain boots! And if you don’t own a pair, then wear a pair of boots or sneakers that you’re okay with getting dirty.
My Hunter rain boots are one of my top 10 items in my closet, ever since I moved to Texas. I wear them SO much. I’ll admit they aren’t as comfortable as my leather boots or sneakers, but I’ve added in some insoles to help. But they’re the perfect pair of shoes for rainy Round Top weather, because chances are you’ll be walking through puddles and mud.
Be sure to bring along a rain jacket, too. I love this monogrammed rain jacket because it’s longer, with more coverage. But I also love my North Face Venture waterproof jacket! I first picked mine up back in college at UT Austin and have since purchased another – it’s worth every penny.
When the forecast calls for cold and/or Wind, wear this:
One word: Layers! If the Round Top forecast calls for cold/wind then you’ll want to dress in layers. You’ll want to wear a cozy sweater, a jacket that’ll keep you warm and bring along a coat that has wind resistant qualities. I personally love my Barbour Beadnell wax jacket for this type of weather. Plus wear some sort of boot, booties or sneakers that’ll keep your feet warm. Remember Round Top antiques week is 90% outside, with most vendors popping-up in tents or barns.
I have been lucky to only visit Round Top once when it was freezing, windy AND rainy. While there usually are less people and crowds, the weather can be downright miserable when it’s cold and/or windy for the Round Top show.
If you’re unfamiliar with Texas weather, spring swings are common. Meaning, one day it can be perfectly sunny and 75 degrees and the next it can be rainy and 55 degrees. Case in point, my very first visit to Round Top was perfectly sunny and breezy on our first day, a front rolled-in overnight and we woke up to temperatures below 50 degrees, rain and a windchill. You can see what Rick and I wore that day to the right.
Again, layer up! That day in Round Top I wore a chambray denim button-down shirt, with a sweater layered over it and my Barbour jacket. I wore my Hunter boots with thick socks since it was muddy and rainy.
Rick also layered with an undershirt, a long-sleeve button-down, a zip-up fleece sweater and his North Face wind breaker on top. We were both still cold and agreed we wouldn’t do Round Top again in rainy and cold weather.
Inevitably there are usually 2 or 3 days during each season of the Round Top Antiques Show where it’s cold, rainy and windy. Just be sure to plan accordingly!
We’re lucky to be within driving distance of Round Top when we spend time at my family’s ranch. We’ve driven up a few times throughout the year to simply enjoy dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Lulu’s. Round Top is super casual, so if you’re heading up for just dinner, wear some denim, a cute top and your cowboy boots. I’ve also gone for lunch and worn jeans and sneakers and felt adequately dressed compared to all the other patrons.
The Round Top Antiques Show is definitely a destination you don’t want to miss! Hopefully you have a bit more clarity on what to wear to Round Top. Feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions!
