What to Wear in Chicago
USA · 8 monthly packing guides
Chicago dresses for weather that changes within an afternoon. Summer brings humidity, lakeside wind, and legitimate afternoon thunderstorms. The local aesthetic is Midwest practical with an editorial edge — the city has a real fashion industry and it shows. Walkable neighborhoods reward good shoes; the Red Line at 6pm rewards a breathable top.
Choose your month below to match your layers and shoes to the weather. Across the months covered, average daily lows reach -7°C / 19°F in January; average highs reach 29°C / 84°F in July.
Compare Chicago by month
Monthly averages help compare packing needs; check the forecast before departure. Only months with published guides are listed. See the source notes below for station and measurement differences. Scroll across the table to see all weather details on a small screen.
| Month | Average low | Average high | Rain days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January packing guide | -7°C / 19°F | 0°C / 32°F | 11 | 9h 30m |
| May packing guide | 10°C / 50°F | 21°C / 70°F | 13 | 14h 30m |
| June packing guide | 16°C / 61°F | 27°C / 81°F | 11 | 15h 15m |
| July packing guide | 19°C / 66°F | 29°C / 84°F | 10 | 15h |
| August packing guide | 18°C / 64°F | 28°C / 82°F | 9 | 14h 10m |
| October packing guide | 7°C / 45°F | 17°C / 63°F | 10 | 11h |
| November packing guide | 1°C / 34°F | 9°C / 48°F | 10 | 9h 45m |
| December packing guide | -4°C / 25°F | 3°C / 37°F | 11 | 9h 10m |
Choose your Chicago packing list
Chicago in January: 0°C / 32°F afternoons, −7°C / 19°F nights, 11.3 inches of snow and 3.5 nights at or below 0°F.
In this capsule: Dark navy knee-length insulated parka, sherpa-lined hood; Ivory heavy lambswool crew; Black waffle-knit thermal long-sleeve.
Chicago in May: 21°C / 70°F afternoons, 10°C / 50°F mornings, 13 rain days — the wettest of any spring month.
In this capsule: Classic or cropped trench; Cropped blazer; Fitted tee or silk tank.
Chicago in June: 27°C / 81°F afternoons, 16°C / 61°F mornings, 11 rain days, ~66% humidity — lake breeze drops evenings 10°C / 50°F fast.
In this capsule: Linen camp shirt or cotton button-down; Ribbed cotton tank or fitted tee; Wide-leg cotton or linen trousers.
Chicago in July: 29°C / 84°F afternoons, 19°C / 66°F mornings, 69% humidity, 10 rain days — festival peak and the hottest month.
In this capsule: Linen midi dress or cotton slip; Cotton tank + linen camp shirt; Beige tailored high-waist shorts.
Chicago in August: 28°C / 82°F afternoons, 18°C / 64°F mornings, 71% humidity, 9 rain days — peak festival month.
In this capsule: Powder-blue linen midi dress with spaghetti straps; Lolla-ready outfit (first weekend of August); Linen camp shirt + ribbed tank.
Chicago in October: 17°C / 63°F afternoons, 7°C / 45°F nights, and a lakefront wind that makes the gap feel wider than 17°F.
In this capsule: Charcoal wool overcoat, knee length, single-breasted; Black fine-knit crew sweater; Cotton poplin shirt in pale blue or ecru, long sleeve.
Chicago in November: 9°C / 48°F days against 1°C / 34°F nights — the month the night crosses freezing.
In this capsule: Camel belted wool wrap overcoat; Oatmeal heavy lambswool roll-neck; Mid-weight merino thermal base, charcoal.
Chicago in December: 3°C / 37°F afternoons, −4°C / 25°F nights, and four times November's snow.
In this capsule: Charcoal insulated hooded parka, knee length, zip and snap placket; Charcoal-black fine-knit crew sweater; Sage merino long-sleeve base layer.
Climate sources by month
These credits follow the source recorded on each monthly guide. Climate figures inform the packing advice; outfit combinations and illustrations are editorial suggestions.
- January: NOAA · O'Hare · 1991–2020 normals
- May: NOAA · O'Hare · 1991–2020 normals
- June: NOAA · O'Hare · 1991–2020 normals
- July: NOAA · O'Hare · 1991–2020 normals
- August: NOAA · O'Hare · 1991–2020 normals
- October: NOAA · O'Hare · 1991–2020 normals
- November: NOAA · O'Hare · 1991–2020 normals
- December: NOAA · O'Hare · 1991–2020 normals
Frequently asked questions
Start with your travel month. The 8 published guides cover January, May, June, July, August, October, November, December. Compare the average low as well as the high: among these months, January has the lowest average low at -7°C / 19°F, while July has the highest average high at 29°C / 84°F. For a trip spanning two months, read both lists before deciding which layers to bring.
No. They are monthly climate averages for planning, not temperatures promised for a particular day or hour. Check the local forecast close to departure and adjust your layers and rain protection. The source, station and averaging period are listed for each month where recorded; different stations or rain-day definitions can affect comparisons.
No. Treat the capsule as a set of clothing functions: walking shoes, a base outfit, weather protection and any change for dinner or a venue's dress code. Start with equivalents you own. Adjust quantities to your trip length and laundry access; the illustrations are outfit suggestions, not a shopping requirement.