The Gold Coast is home to everything an Australian could need: warm weather and plenty of sunshine all year round, beautiful beaches for swimming and surfing, famous theme parks, and a reputable nightlife. So it’s also no wonder that millions of tourists flock to the sands to soak up the atmosphere and see everything there is to offer.
If you’re wondering how to maximise your Gold Coast experience by dressing to match, this article is the place for you. We’re going to go through the different styles favoured in the region, and how you can affordably achieve them, head to toe.
Keep reading to find out our tips on how to nail your Gold Coast look.
Bohemian Beauty
If you’ve ever been to Burleigh Beach, you’ll know that bare feet and flowing fabrics dominate the streets. Sadly, affordable price tags do not dominate the clothing rails. When most of us picture Gold Coast fashion, the first thing that comes to mind is those wispy breathable fabrics that keep Australians as cool as a cucumber, in both senses of the word. Unfortunately, cotton, linen, and the other natural fabrics we associate with the bohemian aesthetic, and which keep our skin nice and comfortable, are not super cheap.
Stick to the boho attitude and shop at Myer online to source great deals and sales prices across loads of brands, and earn Qantas Points via the Qantas Shopping website while you’re at it. Look for earthy tones with the occasional pop of colour. The natural landscape is your inspiration, so take your palette from what you see around you – whether it’s the dazzling yellow of the sun, the vivid blue of the sky, or the lush green foliage of nearby rainforests.
Party Ready
Now, you’ve had your day at the beach, feeling all sun-kissed and relaxed. But The Gold Coast is famous for more than just sunbathing – we know how to put on a party. Even if you’re travelling with no more than a backpack, you’ll want to make sure you keep an outfit or two tucked away for your Friday and Saturday nights… and Wednesday nights… and Tuesday nights. Well, basically for any day you want a party.
In the Gold Coast, more is more, so pack your neon, your cowboy hat, your face glitter and your make-up bag, and get glam. Not far off, many head to the state’s capital Brisbane, where you’ll find people love to get even more dressed up. This is one of the few places in Australia where heels are a staple of the nightlife. Many of the Gold Coast clubs have pools, so make sure you bring at least one cozzie with a little bit of pzazz too.
If clubbing isn’t your style, then surely you’ll be heading to one of the many festivals along the Gold Coast that grace our fields each year. Whether it’s BLEACH Festival, Blues on Broadbeach or Groundwater Country Music Festival, the Gold Coast has an event for every kind of music lover. Wellies and sequins are a must.
Coastal Chic
The idea behind the coastal chic aesthetic is that you’re inspired by what’s around you – the breathtaking, stunning landscape of the Gold Coast itself. The weekend is over, you’re dressing for work or lunch in the city, but with a nod to the environment that the city is placed in.
Mix elements of sophisticated inner-city fashion with more of the breezy boho styles we mentioned earlier, and of course, it wouldn’t be coastal chic if there weren’t a lot of blues, whites and beiges, to mimic the colour of the oceans and many beaches around you.
You may want to think about investing in a few key staple pieces that you can play around with to create the effect. A quality white cotton shirt, a plain maxi dress that can be layered under or over, and cream or beige pants that go with anything. To turn your outfit from beach-bum day to effortlessly sophisticated, add copious jewellery, watches, sunglasses or statement shoes. With coastal chic, the overall look is relaxed, but it’s the finer details that make you stand out.
****
The best way to nail your Gold Coast look is to shop local. Pop into boutiques, get people-watching, and if need be, head online for some second hand bargains or digital-only deals. Whether you’re in the region for work, travel, or to simply see what all the hype is about, a successful Gold Coast look is all about stylish, easygoing comfort.
If you can dress for the beach and the club on the same day, and make it look as though you didn’t spend a second thought on it, you’ve nailed it. Bonus points if your skin is naturally golden, or your hair is naturally long, wavy and sun-kissed. Then you’ll have people thinking you were born on Rainbow Beach.
