Soulful, eclectic, undeniably over-the-top—there are countless ways you can try to describe New Orleans and yet none quite do the coastal Louisiana city justice. Culture rings through every corner of the “The Big Easy” from the candy-colored townhouses boasting those historic architectural details to lively rhythm and blues spilling out onto the street from the jazz clubs to the larger-than-life parades of Mardi Gras and beyond.

While you should take the journey down the famous Bourbon Street at least once, the real magic lies in the surprisingly softer moments, stumbling into a quaint antiques shop in the Garden District, discovering a small mom-and-pop restaurant serving the best gumbo you’ll ever have, and meeting locals who have witnessed and ushered in the city’s rebirth after Hurricane Katrina.

New Orleans is a city filled with delights and treasures, but you never really know what you may be getting up to, which can make packing tricky. Luckily, New Orleans just so happens to be one of the VERANDA team’s favorite cities for shopping and all things design, which means our editors know a thing or two about what to bring (and how to beat the extreme heat). From colorful caftans that match the city’s vivacious spirit to warm weather-approved body oils, here’s everything you need to pack for your dream trip to New Orleans.

From jazz nights to garden strolls, here’s how to do The Big Easy in style.

$67.00

Every Southern lady needs a hit of lipstick—it’s the finishing touch on the ensemble. Lean into your surroundings, and let it be more colorful than your normal gloss.

775.00

We love some shimmer when in the city (thanks, Mardi Gras!). These Le Monde Beryl crystal-embellished mesh flats will be breezy, but full of personality.

$420.00

New Orleans is known for its flair and its residents’ singular sense of style—join them in expressing yourself with these ochre-shaded bell bottoms.

550.00

This chic black-and-white vest pairs easily with most tops in your closet. Whether it’s a turtleneck for fall or a breezy tank for summer, it immediately takes an outfit to the next level.

140.00

This is a must-have body oil for moisturizing for warmer locales. It soaks right in, smells amazing, and doesn’t make you feel greasy—and you stay moisturized much longer than when using a normal lotion.

$395.00

For reading those pesky small prices at the auction houses and antiques shops of the Garden District, these chartreuse-hued readers (from a New Orleans-based brand) are just the ticket. In New Orleans, color can be seen in the locals’ houses and style, even down to the smallest accessory.

$88.00

One of our favorite things to do in New Orleans is go for a walk or run in Audubon park and then hit French Truck Coffee afterwards. These leggings plus the matching sports bra will keep you cool in that sultry heat.

$148.00

This woven bag is just the companion for running from museum to lunch to shopping. Made in India, it features an optional strap that can transform it from a chic bucket bag to a reliable crossbody.

$135.00

This black enamel and gold necklace will go perfectly with your caftan for dinner, your breezy dress for Jazz Fest, or your Carnival costume for the Mardi Gras parades.

$620.00

For some reason, when in New Orleans, we're lovers of the color orange—perhaps it's the coral-colored double parlors of the Garden District or the colorful houses of Treme. This cotton caftan, embroidered with some sparkle and outfitted with a drawstring for easy wearing, is a must for an evening out.