OT - Miami - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

OT - Miami

bella

(website)

Veteran

Fellow YLFers,

My hubby and I will be in Miami, FL for a little while next week and I am in need of suggestions. This will be our first time and we will be there for about 2 nights and 1 1/2 days. What are some must-see attractions? What do you recommend we see/visit? I realize that we won't be able to see everything in so little time so I am just looking for some activities that will give us a flavor of the city. We will be staying in South Beach.

On a different note, what is the weather like? Is a jean jacket over a sundress sufficient or should I plan to bring more substantial layers?

Thank you very much in advance, I really appreciate your help!

General

23 replies

Latest reply was from bella

Maya

Veteran

Isn't Miami steaming hot even in November? I think a denim jacket might even be too much for outdoors (though might be a good idea in the AC).

No idea on anything else. I have never been. I always think of the Golden Girls though. Maybe you can have cheesecake and talk smack?

bella

(website)

Veteran

My knowledge of Miami is also limited to what I've seen on tv shows, Burn Notice and Dexter.

Woo hoo, I sincerely hope so it's hot! I am looking forward to warm weather.

Marley

Veteran

I'm not any help either! The last time that I was in Miami - Miami Vice was still on TV - so when I think of Miami style I go straight to the white suits!

Kate

Veteran

haha, Bella, my only knowledge is from Burn Notice! If you run into Fiona please tell her to start wearing a bit more clothing, some of her outfits are absurd!

Have a great time!

AJ

Veteran

I just visited my sister there at the end of Sept. They mostly dress like it's summer year round.

With the short amount of time you'll be there, just enjoy the beautiul beaches and yummy fresh seafood!

Vani

Veteran

Last December, when I was in Miami, it was 90 degrees! I was walking around in a tank top and jeans and regretted the jeans. Definitely dress for heat and be prepared for rain. Sunnies, suntan lotion, swimsuit and sundresses

What AJ said, enjoy the beaches during the day. If you will be staying in one of the hotels on Ocean Dr., it is blast just lounging in the downstairs restaurants sipping Mojitos, listening to live music and just people watching. For activities, you can rent bikes and ride around, go para-sailing, sky diving - whatever tickles your fancy. If you prefer something slower paced you can take in the architecture and history of the art deco district with or without a guided tour. Also, if you are going to be spending a weekend there, I highly suggest Sunday brunch at Nikki Beach (close to the Marriot at the very beginning of Ocean Dr.) It could be a little pricey (the brunch is not too expensive but the drinks add up) but it is right on the beach and with live music and beautiful settings, it is just what one needs on a beach getaway Another excellent choice with excellent brunch food is Front Porch. There is always a wait but not for more than 5-10 minutes and the food is totally worth it! Also, if you can, do try the Mojitos at the restaurant in Hotel Cardozo. You might get a kick out of the HUGE servings

South Beach is a whole different story at night. As far as the clubs, I'm always underwhelmed. People are allowed to enter based on how trashy the women are dressed. Did it once and will never again. We try to dine atleast one night at Taverna Opa (right across from Nikki Beach), very lively and entertaining with great food and wine. I've been hearing a lot about a restaurant called Sugarcane (Tapas place) lately. Might be worth a shot. Though, I think you might have to drive out of South Beach to get there.

Let me know if you need any more info and I'll rope in my cousins and friends to get answers!

bella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Vani! That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I just googled Front Porch, it's only 5 minutes away from where we will be staying. We will definitely go there for brunch.
We are not very much into the nightlife/club scene, so a place with good food, drinks and music sounds perfect.
How is the beach access? Can we rent sun chairs/ umbrellas?

Barbara

Veteran

Hi bella, nothing new to suggest. This post has some FAB tips for anyone planning to visit Miami this time of year. Have fun!

jerseyjan

Hi Bella,
I'd like to chime in on the south Florida weather. I live on the west coast of Florida so here're my thoughts. Yes, it's still "summer" in the daytime, 80's or so. Evenings require a wrap. The jean jacket over sundress is perfect. I've been wearing my summer clothes with lots of layers that I'd give up in the real summer here. I'm quite comfortable in cottons, jeans, woven tops, bf sweaters, Gap denim shirt, sandals, spring weight boots like these Frye perforated ones (which I just bought in Buttermilk and have worn 3 times...Love...!) You shouldn't need any rain gear at this time of the year. Glorious sunshine and blue skies abound. I hope this helps. Have Fun!!

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Vani

Veteran

Glad I could help Bella! Access to the beach is pretty much open and hotels on the beach also have private entrances onto the beach where you can order drinks from the hotel, sunbrellas and chairs might be covered by the hotel. If not, it is quite easy to rent what you need from vendors all along the beach. Honestly, I've never felt even mildly cold I'm Miami but do pack your denim jacket just in case. Or better yet, don't so you have an excuse to shop on Collins Avenue! I completely forgot to talk about shopping *smacks forehead very hard*. Mango, Club Monaco, Zara, Guess, Arden B, Nicole Miller, Armani, Gucci, Dior, Intermix, Urban Outfitters etc.. Hope you have tons of fun!

Vani

Veteran

*waving to fellow FL YLFer jerseyjan*

bella

(website)

Veteran

Hi Jerseyjan - thanks for posting your lovely pictures and chiming in!
Vani - don't tempt me! I will be in travel mode, when I usually feel like I can and do spend more than usual so I can make serious damage to my budget at those stores!

jerseyjan

*Huge Smile* Hi Vani! I haven't been to Miami/South Beach yet in the 10 yrs that I've lived in SW Florida, so I'm saving your *all* ideas. I can't wait to try them out. The recommendations sound perfect for exploring.

Bella, have a great trip! Take lots of pix for us!

bella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks! I surely will.
I am obsessively checking the weather and now weather channel is forecasting scattered showers all weekend. What a bummer!:(

bj1111

Veteran

if you're looking for something to skip...mr chow in the w hotel south beach. food's not bad...the drinks are outrageous and turnover is definitely the focus so not the most relaxing dining experience.

on the other hand, the pool at the w is most excellent.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I realized that I didn't give an account of our Miami trip:
We were really lucky that the weather was really nice. It was only cloudy and overcast for a couple of hours and really beautiful and warm for the rest of the weekend. I was able to stick to my summer wardrobe (skirts, sleeveless tops) and donned a jean jacket at night.
We had breakfast at the Front Porch - it was excellent! Thanks for the recommendation Vani. We also had dinner and drinks at one of the restaurants on the Ocean Drive. The food was ok, but the drinks were really great. Let's just say that I found out the hard way that they like to mix their drinks very strong in Miami! We also discovered this amazing, authentic cuban restaurant.
One of the highlights of our day was the antiques market on Lincoln Road. I love estate sales but unfortunately we don't really have any permanent antiques markets over here so this was a very lovely surprise.
I didn't really do any shopping except for a lovely, vintage brooch.
Thanks for all your suggestions and voila a quick picture.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Aw, I wish I'd have seen this earlier - I would have said dinner in B.E.D. is a fun time! I found the shopping to be less than spectacular, but I haven't been since 2003. I mostly saw trashy club clothes in the shops. Glad you had fun.

AJ

Veteran

I was just remembering this morning that you had planned a Florida trip and I wondered how it went. Thanks for the update. Glad you had a good time!

taylor

Veteran

Have a wonderful time!!

It has been quite sometime since I have been to Florida...I would have no idea what to wear!

Auburn

Veteran

Glad to see this thread as BF and I just made plans to spend New Year's Eve in Miami. He's never been, though I've been many times.
In looking at yelp restaurant reviews, I was amused by how divergent the reviews are--most restaurants have 3 stars but that's based on a split of 1 star reviews and 5 star reviews. Anyway, I have always enjoyed Taverna Opa and Bond Street Sushi and am hoping to get to both. We're also going to try the steakhouse Prime 112 one night.
Bella--I'll be sure to get to Lincoln Road for the antiques!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

OH, and Romero Britto has a gallery there. Fun stuff to go look at!

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

tarzy

Veteran

You look so happy and relaxed!

bella

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, it was really fun and relaxing!
Auburn - Yes, I had the same problem with restaurant reviews. Also, we went to Lincoln Road on a Sunday, I don't know if the antique market takes place every day or just Sundays.