What To Wear: Art Basel Miami
Art Basel turns the sidewalks of South beach into a runway whenever the art world arrives in town for the legendary December fair.
Art Basel Miami is one of the biggest weekends of the year for people in the art world. Gallerists spend months preparing their booths, advisors spend copious amounts of time prepping their clients, and museums and foundations work tediously to put on special exhibitions for the crowds to see outside of the fair. All this to say, there is a lot of ground to cover around Miami during this one weekend. But the fair isn’t exclusive to just art dealers and collectors, it attracts a broader audience including celebrities, influencers, athletes, you name it. The experience that is Miami Basel has evolved from a humble art fair into one of the biggest party occasions in the United States. People from all over the world come to enjoy the Miami scene that weekend just because of all the legendary opportunities that unravel. From yacht parties, to VIP events, nightclub performances, and exquisite fine dining experiences… the options for Art Basel weekend are truly endless.
One of my favorite parts of working in the art world is getting to witness everyone’s incredible style. Because events like Art Basel attract such a niche and unique crowd, you’re always bound to see some super cool outfits. With that being said, what exactly does one wear to Art Basel Miami?
If I could describe the attire vibe of Miami Basel it would be this: “Loud lux meets artsy meets old money class with a little bit of beach vacation sprinkled in.” The options of things you could wear on this weekend are limitless, and I always like to remember that for events like this, the devil is in the details.
In this Substack I’m going to walk through some of my outfits that I’ve worn to Basel, and hope they drive some inspiration for you guys! I want to preface this article with the fact that there comes a time whenever fashion and comfort coincide and when they don’t — That really is a personal decision at the end of the day. But for me, my mom always used to tell me growing up “If it isn’t hurting, it isn’t helping,” so please forgive me but in a majority of these looks, yes, I am wearing heels. I think it’s important to invest in a good pair or two that don’t murder your feet throughout the day, and to take breaks when you can. But hey, if your feet start to hurt at the fair just go grab a glass of champagne and that’s my remedy every time — and remember, you look hot!
I wore this look to the actual fair last year, and it was a huge hit. It’s a vintage Ralph Lauren jumpsuit with the most exquisite cape attached, and then I paired it with my super fun Cult Gaia shell bag which is what made it really stand out from the crowd.
This is another great outfit for perusing the fair during the day, a fun little colorful set is the perfect artsy vibe. I threw on a blazer to make it a little more professional looking, and of course accessorized with some fun jewelry and a cute bag! Accessories are the best way to elevate an outfit.
I wore this look to another fair that was happening during Basel, and I honestly think it was my favorite. It was so chic and comfortable but also extremely flattering and totally giving the boujee art dealer vibe. Alice and Olivia really knew what they were doing with this one.
Lastly, it wouldn’t be a full Art Basel weekend if you didn’t go out once, twice, or three times. For evening attire, I encourage you to go all out. Wear the fun pink dress with a giant flower on it, wear the gold tight mini, and reach for the fun Cult Gaia dress with giant sleeves. Even if you’re just going to a fun dinner with friends, go the extra mile. It’s always worth it! And once again… You will feel hot!
I hope this helps you all out with outfit inspiration and maybe if you weren’t planning on going to Art Basel, now you want to! See you there.
As always, you can shop my looks on my ShopMy.
With love,
The Art Girl