The Ultimate Ladies Guide to Packing For Italy In The Summer

Blog Post

Apr 22

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Wondering how to pack for your trip to Italy? Don't want to look like a tourist? Here are some packing Do's & Don'ts for your Summer trip to Italy.

LET'S GET PACKING

My husband was born in Naples, Italy. We have been routinely visiting Italy for over 12 years. Usually, we visit for two or three weeks and take very little luggage. So, packing correctly is critical. In fact, for most trips, we each only pack one piece of carry-on luggage.You just gasped when I mentioned only a carry-on for two or three weeks.I know this isn’t for everyone. Possibly, visiting one of the world's fashion capitals temps you to pack every great piece you own. However, traveling in Italy with bulky luggage is a challenge. Strategic packing will make your experience more enjoyable, and it is all in the planning. So let's get packing!

List of DOs to Pack for Your Summer Vacation in Italy

DO pack Sundresses, Maxi Dresses, and Skirts (nothing really short). This is most of what I pack when I travel to Italy in the summer. Lightweight fabrics such as linen and cotton are ideal for daytime.
DO pack T-Shirts, Tank Tops. Cotton t-shirts and tank tops are excellent daytime options-especially with skirts. Additionally, they take very little room in the suitcase.
DO pack a few pairs of Jeans/Slacks. Jeans are generally too warm during the day. However, jeans are perfect for nighttime. Italians tend to wear classic tailored style jeans without embellishment or distressing. I usually only pack two or three pairs of jeans and wear them for short periods. This means I can wear them several times.
DO pack a Bikini. Pack and wear your bikini. Nobody cares. The beaches in Italy are full of women of every age - and they all wear bikinis. I have been advised that a one-piece bathing suit is frowned upon.And by the way, there are excellent bathing suit shops in Italy.

SHOES FOR ITALY

DO pack a pair of Walking Shoes/Sandals. And by walking shoes, I mean shoes designed for a lot of walking. I am not suggesting big ugly running sneakers. I am talking comfort here. If you bring sneakers, bring stylish sneakers. I love the Superga brand sneakers.I have always done well with good walking sandals. You can walk twenty thousand steps while sightseeing in Rome, so be prepared.
DO pack a pair of low-heeled Wedges. Italy is mostly cobblestone. Nothing kills an afternoon of shopping quicker than the wrong pair of shoes. Unless it is a special occasion, Italian women don't wear high heels. You may be able to get away with heels if your hotel restaurant accommodates this; however, a low wedge is your best bet. By low, I mean under 2 inches. My absolute favorite wedge is Toni Pons Espadrilles.Instead of packing high heels, save room in your suitcase to shop!
DO expect to purchase Water Shoes. Water shoes are ugly but necessary. You can buy them in Italy and leave them behind. If possible, check out your beach ahead of time. Many of the beaches in Italy are rocky, not sandy. Navigating the rocky path from beach chair to water takes tremendous skill. Do NOT attempt this!

ACCESSORIES FOR ITALY

DO pack a few lightweight Scarves. There is no better accessory in Italy than the almighty scarf! Scarves are perfect for nighttime. Many of the areas in Italy are cool at night due to the high elevation. Scarves look great with a dress, and yes, Italians wear scarves year-round.If you are wearing a tank top, you may need a scarf to cover your shoulders if you visit a church.
DO pack one lightweight Duster/Sweater/Poncho. As you know, a lightweight duster transforms an outfit and keeps you comfortable. It may get slightly cool at night. Fortunately, most of your dinner options are outside. My thought here is to use lightweight layers. This ensures your dining experience is comfortable and creates more versatile style options.
DO pack Sunglasses. Unless you are in Milan, you probably won’t see a lot of designer clothing worn by the locals. You will see great sunglasses. My husband bought me my only pair of Prada sunglasses on our first trip to Italy. Italians love designer sunglasses. As a side note, the young people in Italy are obsessed with Ray-Ban Sunglasses-go figure!

DO pack a Hat. This is a tough one. My husband hated my hat choices, but I needed protection from the sun. He felt that nothing says “tourist” more than a lousy hat.So several years ago, he purchased a hat for me at one of Positano’s finest linen shops.It is stylish and also folds flat in my suitcase. I still wear it in Florida.
DO pack a Cross Body Purse. Any large city has pickpockets, and Italy is no exception. I strongly recommend a non-designer cross-body purse instead of a backpack for site-seeing. If you don’t have one, Italy has many small shops where you can purchase an inexpensive, high-quality leather purse. I bought one in Rome about seven years ago, and I use it whenever I travel to Italy.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR ITALY

DO pack Sunscreen. You will need sunscreen in Italy. If you have a brand preference, pack it by all means. I do not pack sunscreen because I love the sunscreen sold in Italy. I am particularly fond of Avene. Italy has a lot of pharmacies, and you can find this brand in most of their pharmacies.
DO pack a Re-useable Water Bottle. Water is readily available just about everywhere in Italy. You can fill your bottle from public fountains - the water is safe to drink. Check with your hotel first, but most tap water is perfectly safe to drink. With this said, bottled water may be a challenge to find in some areas.
DO consider Nails and Hair before you travel. It is rare to find a salon in Italy that does only nails. Nor will you find blow dry bars. Italian women do not do this. Before you travel, consider gel nails if you want polished nails or elect to go natural. Most hotels have hairdryers but not flat irons. Check your flat iron ahead to see if it can convert with a voltage adapter. Purchase a dual voltage flat iron if you need one. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to have a salon/spa in your hotel. Hair is my biggest beauty challenge in Italy.

List of DON’Ts to Pack for your Summer Vacation in Italy

DON’T pack a lot of Makeup. If you want to blend with the locals, keep your makeup to a minimum.Women are very natural-looking in Italy. Women wear the basics: Foundation, light-colored lipstick, and mascara.
DON’T wear Flip Flops on the street. Flip Flops and Water Shoes are only for the beach, not the street.
DON’T overdo Designer. In Italy, one piece of designer attire is tasteful. Italians appreciate classy, quiet luxury. Don’t make yourself a target.
DON’T pack Shorts. Ok, tourists wear shorts. Italian men and children wear shorts. You will probably not see grown women in Italy wearing shorts. Unless hiking, shorts are not worn by Italian women. This is only good advice if you prefer to blend with the locals.
DON’T wear Mini Skirts/Dresses. This is considered disrespectful - especially if you are visiting a church. Many churches ask that your shoulders and knees are covered to enter. I have entered many churches with exposed knees, but not with a mini skirt. If you want to go skimpy, save it for the beach.
DON’T wear Gym Attire on the street. Gym attire on the streets of Italy is just not considered acceptable. Many hotels in Italy do NOT have gyms. However, if your hotel does have a gym and daily walking uphill is not enough for you, then, by all means, pack gym attire. Consider this also means you will have to wash your gym clothes or have them cleaned (very expensive). Aren't you on vacation?

WHAT I FOUND IN ITALY

Italy is synonymous with fashion, luxury, and beauty. I can say my initial perception of Italy was distorted. I expected to find exotic, voluptuous-looking women strolling around the villages with perfectly coifed hair. Additionally, I expected women to be wearing red lipstick and winged eyeliner that screamed “Sophia Loren.” My perception was all wrong.

Instead, I found a country full of amazing people with style and taste. Their culture is unassuming and open. They are too busy enjoying their country's amenities to be concerned about perfectly coifed hair and winged eyeliner. Italians know how to live in the moment. They appreciate a quiet kind of luxury. The type of quiet luxury that is experienced by sipping espresso, dining with family, and wearing a great pair of sunglasses.We hope this helps, now get to planning and packing!

Stay calm and travel on,