Out And About Outfits

During the spring season, the Emerald Coast is alive with outdoor festivals during the day and elevated entertainment by evening. 

With a packed social calendar, you’re defrosting from winter, emerging from your chrysalis, and curious about what to wear. If you’ve been living in loungewear to office wear and back, spring makes for the ideal season to revive and refresh your wardrobe. Splurge on a bit of surprise in a season that encourages eruptions of color, whimsical prints, and flowy fabrics. 

Due to temperate weather and sunny skies, outdoor festivals are abundant. By evening, charities host gala events, and local theaters invite audiences to indulge in the arts. 

Photo courtesy of Free People

“For an attendee headed to a wine or food festival, consider relaxed pants and a tight or fitted top with comfortable, cute shoes,” says Sunny Mitchell owner of Kiss the Sky Boutique in Destin. “This look is comfortable and effortlessly cool.”

For a daytime event, consider layering as the day may start and end cooler with warmth midday. Women, think wide leg linen trousers and a tank top or a structured blazer with linen shorts. For men, a tailored pair of linen pants or joggers. 

For a music or art festival, boho is the way to go. 

“I envision a boho-style flowy maxi dress or romper in pastel hues with lace details,” says Joy Hardy, owner of Sunset Shoes & Lifestyles. “Accessorize with comfortable boots or sandals, a wide-brim hat, gold statement jewelry, oversized sunnies, and a fringe bag.” 

And don’t forget, spring and early summer is wedding season on the coast.

“I would style a wedding attendant in a mini or maxi dress in a silk, satin, or another soft fabric, in a soft color, paired with elegant heels, delicate jewelry, and a small bag,” says Mitchell. 

Photos Courtesy of Tommy Bahama

As Mitchell notes, silk is one of spring’s favored fabrics. Its sleekness can be styled up or down. Pair a silk skirt with a silk top and silk ballet flats for a polished monochrome look. The same skirt can be styled with a band T-shirt and Chelsea boots for a casual yet edgy vibe. 

Where silk thrives this spring is scarves—around the neck, around the head, or fashioned as a top.

Knitwear and fringe make for playful, textured elements. Either achieves the bohemian look in top, dress, or purse form. 

Hardy notes that loafers, Mary Janes, and flip-flops are all popular shoe styles that are in on the knit and embellished trend. Think of breathable knitwear flats or sandals with tassels at the ankle. 

The year 2026 is proving that bits and bobs and sparkles need not stay confined to the holiday season. Runways have featured tassels, pom-poms, feathers, fringe, sequins, and textured elements on spring looks. 

Spring is the season for embracing the pastel palette. In 2026, that color wheel includes peach, aqua, lilac, sage green, and butter yellow. Pretty pastels paired with fanciful florals indulge the feminine core trend that shows no signs of stopping.

How about a slinky silk dress paired with a pastel shawl, a gold fringe dress with a leather bomber jacket, or a bubblegum-pink ball gown sprinkled in sequins? Or a linen suit in periwinkle blue, paisley and floral ties on standby, and a fresh pair of designer kicks or leather loafers with standout tassels? 

Eveningwear encourages an unexpected element; think off the shoulder, a keyhole neckline, an open back, a cutout, or a slit. 

Whether shopping for an outdoor festival, grand gala, or spring wedding at one of the Emerald Coast’s beautiful venues or simply looking for a wardrobe refresh, local boutiques have teams that not only research the most current fashion but also have a passion for helping their clientele find the ideal look. Shop local and then support local by attending community events.