What To Wear in Italy in Summer: Comfortable & Stylish Outfit Ideas + Packing Tips

Packing for Italy’s warm weather can be a little tricky — temperatures are high, sightseeing involves a lot of walking on uneven cobblestone streets, and many churches have modest dress codes.

Lightweight Clothing for Italy Summer

When planning outfits for my trip, I focused on lightweight fabrics, comfortable shoes, and dresses that could work for visiting churches as well as sightseeing and dinner.

I’ll share specific pieces that worked well for me. I wore every item I packed at least twice.

Best Dresses for Sightseeing in Italy

Dresses are the perfect one-and-done outfit for summer travel. They’re comfortable, easy to pack, and versatile for a range of activities. You may prefer capris or shorts and a top, but choose breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen, and look for styles that skim the body rather than cling.

What I Actually Packed for Italy in Summer

Best Travel Dress (Quince Linen Midi)

Note: If you’re planning time in Rome, I also share a detailed Rome itinerary covering major sights, neighborhoods, and tips for making the most of your visit.

This midi linen dress from Quince ended up being a true workhorse in my suitcase — I’ve linked the exact one I wore here.

I wore it almost every time I visited a church because it met the modesty standards often required. I’m petite (5’2″), so I added a snap above the top button for a bit more coverage at the neckline. It comes with a fabric belt, but I often wore it with an elastic rattan belt.

What I Loved About This Dress:

• breathable fabric
• comfortable for walking
• easy to pack
• photographs well

I felt feminine in this dress, and I loved that it was also affordable and practical. I wore it at least three times in our 17-day trip to Italy.

Tommy Bahama Dresses

Note: If you’re heading to Venice, I also have a guide to taking a gondola ride and exploring the city’s canals and hidden corners.

Another style I wore on repeat in Italy was linen sheath dresses from Tommy Bahama — specifically the Palm-A-Dora and Two Palms styles. I chose ones that were lined so I did not have to wear a slip underneath. I wanted to stay modest without adding an extra layer.

Simple sheath dresses packed well and looked polished in photos. They could be dressed up for dinner or dressed down for sightseeing. Many of the ones I brought were linen, but a few were cotton.

Best Shoes for Italy in Summer

Walking Sandals for Hot Days

To get the most out of your trip to Italy, you’ll be walking a lot, especially in cities like Rome and Florence where the sights are close together. A quick tip: even if you’re comfortable walking in heels (as I was from my teaching days), it’s best to leave them at home for this trip.

Wedges are more stable and may be a good option, but don’t underestimate how tough it will be on your ankles to traverse those uneven cobblestone streets!

Choosing walking sandals that are both comfortable and stylish should be high on your packing list. Look for sandals that are breathable, supportive, and easy to pair with dresses.

I took three pairs (two walking sandals and one pair of flip-flops) with me, but my best purchase was a pair of leather sandals from Naot. Full disclosure: I bought mine on eBay because I couldn’t justify paying full price for something I originally saw as just a vacation item. That said, I ended up wearing them at home all the time too.

I brought along a pair of Skechers arch support sandals in a light pink shade that matched my skin tone. They are synthetic, so a bit sweatier than the Naot sandals. With so much walking, having multiple pairs to rotate made a big difference.

I packed flip-flops for convenience, but be aware that Italians are not wearing them out and about, only tourists.

Sneakers for Long Sightseeing Days

You’ll want to pack a pair of comfortable sneakers for museum days, longer walking routes, travel days, and sightseeing tours.

I picked a pair of Sam Edelman white leather sneakers and broke them in before I left home. They were versatile, comfortable, and a great choice for sightseeing days.

What to Wear in Churches in Italy

When visiting churches like St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome or the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), modest dress is required — shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.

For women, this can be as simple as a knee-length dress with a scarf or light cardigan. Men should plan on wearing trousers and a collared shirt. While jeans and t-shirts aren’t strictly banned, churches across Italy tend to favor more respectful, polished attire.

Best Accessories for Italy Travel

Lightweight Scarf

I packed this inexpensive white gauzy scarf from Amazon and tucked it in my bag before heading out sightseeing. It was perfect for covering my shoulders when stepping into churches. I also used it for sun protection and light layering in the evenings. A scarf can act as a warm layer on the airplane as well.

Choosing the Right Bag

I considered a crossbody bag for anti-theft purposes, but ultimately chose a backpack so I’d have room for snacks and my DSLR camera.

This leather anti-theft backpack from Amazon ended up being the perfect choice for travel days. The primary zipper is against your back, making it difficult for pickpockets to access.

It also has side pockets for water bottles, which I highly recommend carrying and refilling from the cold, free water fountains (called nasoni) that are everywhere in Italy, but particularly in Rome.

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My one regret is that I picked a design that I loved, but I didn’t consider that my husband would often carry the backpack for me. I should have gone with a more unisex design, as this one has little hearts on the straps. Thankfully, he was a good sport. 😁

Packing Tips for Italy Summer Outfits

Why Linen Works (and the Pre-Owned Hack)

Before my first trip to Italy, I read a lot about wearing linen. I was hesitant because I always felt wrinkled and sloppy in linen and I certainly didn’t want to see that in my pictures! I discovered a great hack: pre-owned linen.

Linen softens as it is washed, which makes it wrinkle less over time. Pre-owned linen has already been broken in, softened, and pre-shrunk. It’s wonderful!

ThredUp and eBay are two platforms I used to find pre-owned linen items. I have purchased several pre-owned Quince items, as well as Tommy Bahama dresses that I continued to wear at home after my trip because they were so cute and comfortable. An added bonus is that pre-owned items are budget-friendly and sustainable options.

Choosing Colors for Travel Photos

Something to consider when shopping or packing for your Italian vacation is how your outfits will look in photographs. Choose clothing you feel comfortable and confident in. If you feel unsure in an outfit, it often shows in photos. Try to pick items that don’t have busy patterns or are too trendy, which may eventually date your photos.

You should also consider colors.

Here’s what I mean — think back to the color wheel from art class.

Keep in mind the colors that will appear most often in your backgrounds. Consider your potential background and choose a color that is across the color wheel from that — it will help you stand out in photos.

In Italy, this will often be those warm terracotta browns from the roofs and stones. Shades of blue will look great in your photos that have orange tones from the tile roofs.

You’ll have lots of greens from fields if you visit Tuscany, so choose something from the red family.

Additionally, white is always in style and always photographs well. When you are visiting sites across Italy, neutrals are your friend — this will ensure that your outfits are not in competition with the stunning backgrounds.

This tiered white eyelet midi dress from Lucky was one I wore on repeat.

💡Tips for What to Wear in Italy in Summer

• Choose breathable fabrics like linen or cotton
• Bring shoes that are already broken in
• Pack versatile neutral colors
• Carry a scarf for church visits
• Plan for lots of walking on uneven surfaces
• Pack items that don’t wrinkle easily
• Consider washability — it’s often easier to do laundry than pack extra items

Overall, the goal is to prioritize comfort while still feeling put together.

Final Thoughts on What to Wear in Italy in Summer

Comfort should be your top priority when traveling. Choose simple outfits, and consider neutral colors or colors that will complement your background. Pack comfortable shoes. Most importantly, wear pieces you’ll enjoy seeing when you look back at your photos.

Planning outfits with both comfort and photos in mind made a big difference on this trip.

Do you plan your outfits with travel photos in mind, or do you focus purely on comfort?