What I Packed for a Summer Vacation in Italy
Packing for Italy in the summer is its own little art form. You want to look effortlessly put-together in every photo, stay cool when it's 95° in Rome, and still be able to walk ten miles on cobblestones without your feet staging a revolt. After a lot of trial and error (and a few outfit regrets), this is the exact summer capsule I'd pack today — breezy dresses, chic Italian bikinis, and sandals that are actually comfortable.
The best part? Every single piece is on Amazon, so you can build the whole suitcase from your couch. Grab what you love, mix and match, and you're set from a beach club in Capri to a late dinner in Florence. Everything below is shoppable — just tap “Shop” on any piece.
This dress was one of my favorite things that I wore while I was in Italy. You can shop all of my accessories, including my clutch and shoes, on Amazon.
My Top Picks at a Glance
Best overall maxi dress — Lioness Sweetheart Maxi Dress: Shop it here
Best dinner dress — FULLVEB Backless Satin Maxi: Shop it here
Best walking sandals — CUSHIONAIRE Trio Memory-Foam Flip-Flops: Shop it here
Best dressy sandals — GORGLITTER Gold Metallic Strappy Sandals: Shop it here
Best chic bikini — Calzedonia Shiny Satin (top): Shop it here
Best swim cover-up — parihan Cotton Block-Print Sarong: Shop it here
Best theft-smart bag — DONNAIN Suede Crossbody: Shop it here
Best church cover-up — HOLIIBN Silk Sun-Protection Scarf: Shop it here
Best statement earrings — House of Hunter Isla Green Aventurine: Shop it here
Best tailored shorts — MAUDE CLUB Marsh Shorts: Shop it here
Dresses: Your Day-to-Night Workhorses
Lioness Sweetheart Maxi Dress — Best Overall
This is the dress I'd wear for a sunset dinner on the Amalfi Coast. The sweetheart neckline and long, flowy skirt feel romantic and a touch dressy without being fussy, and it packs down to almost nothing. If you buy one dress for the trip, make it this one.
Shop the Lioness Sweetheart Maxi Dress →
FULLVEB Backless Satin Maxi Dress — Best for Dinner
A low-back satin maxi that looks far more expensive than it is. It's my pick for aperitivo and dinner reservations — add gold earrings and strappy sandals and you're done. It comes in a rainbow of colors, so it's easy to make it feel like your own.
Shop the FULLVEB Backless Satin Maxi →
4th+Reckless Valeria Dress — The Fashion-Girl Pick
A trendier, more structured option if you like a sharper silhouette. Great for a night out in Rome or Milan when you want to feel a little elevated and photograph a little editorial.
Shop the 4th+Reckless Valeria Dress →
Amazon Essentials Crochet Sweater & Tank Set — Best Layer
Coastal evenings get breezy, and a lightweight crochet knit is the piece you'll be glad you packed. This set layers over a dress or pairs with a skirt for that easy, thrown-together Italian-summer look.
Skirts & Shorts: The Mix-and-Match Base
Skrtimory Satin Silk Maxi Skirt — Most Versatile
A satin maxi skirt is the ultimate mix-and-match hero — dress it up with a going-out top at night, or keep it easy with a simple tank by day. It catches the light beautifully in photos, and it comes in enough shades that you may want two.
Shop the Skrtimory Satin Maxi Skirt →
Prefer a different shade? Here's another color of the same skirt.
Shop the Satin Maxi Skirt (second color) →
LOMON A-Line Cotton Midi Skirt — Best for Sightseeing
Cotton, flowy, and — praise be — it has pockets. The midi length is perfect for long sightseeing days and keeps you dress-code appropriate for the Vatican and the Duomo.
Shop the LOMON Cotton Midi Skirt →
MAUDE CLUB Marsh Tailored Shorts — Best Shorts
Yes, Italians wear shorts — just tailored ones, not athletic. These dressy shorts pair with a tucked-in top and flat sandals for a polished daytime look that still lets you breathe in the heat.
Swimwear: Chic Italian Bikinis
Calzedonia is an Italian institution for a reason — their suits have that expensive, Euro-summer sheen. All three sets below are sold as separate tops and bottoms, so you can mix, match, and get your exact size on top and bottom.
Calzedonia Shiny Satin Bikini — Best Overall
That glossy, beach-club-in-Capri finish. This is the set I'd reach for first.
Calzedonia Elegant Ethnic Bikini — Best Print
A printed, elevated option if you want something a little more statement. Looks great mixed with the solid sets, too.
Shop the Elegant Ethnic Bottom →
Calzedonia Sophisticated Shine Bikini — Most Refined
A subtle shimmer that reads sophisticated, not flashy. Flattering cut, gorgeous in photos.
Cover-Ups: Beach to Lunch in One Step
parihan Cotton Block-Print Sarong — Best Overall (Under $20)
A block-print cotton sarong is the hardest-working thing in your beach bag. Tie it as a skirt, a dress, or a shoulder wrap and walk straight from the sand to a lunch spot without missing a beat.
Shop the parihan Block-Print Sarong →
GORGLITTER Crochet Swim Cover-Up — Most Put-Together
A boat-neck crochet cover-up that looks intentional over your suit. Throw it on for the walk back to the hotel and you still look pulled-together in every candid.
Sandals & Shoes: Comfortable Enough for Cobblestones
CUSHIONAIRE Trio Memory-Foam Flip-Flops — Best for Walking
Do not underestimate how far you'll walk in Italy. These have a memory-foam footbed and a braided strap with a little metallic ring, so they're comfy enough for all-day cobblestones but still cute enough for photos. My most-recommended shoe on this list.
Shop the CUSHIONAIRE Trio Flip-Flops →
CUSHIONAIRE Chai Flip-Flops — Best Everyday Pair
The throw-on pair for the pool, the piazza, or a quick espresso run. Same cushy footbed, simpler strap, easy to rinse off.
Shop the CUSHIONAIRE Chai Flip-Flops →
GORGLITTER Gold Metallic Strappy Sandals — Best for Dinner
Metallic goes with everything and instantly dresses up a look. These are my dinner sandals — flat, so still walkable, but shiny enough for a nice reservation.
Shop the Gold Metallic Strappy Sandals →
GTBINGGO Slingback Flat Sandals — Best Dressy-Daytime
A slightly more structured strappy flat for daytime, when you want something a touch more polished than a flip-flop but just as easy to walk in.
Shop the GTBINGGO Slingback Sandals →
RJYLP Rope Strappy Flat Sandals — Most Mediterranean
That espadrille-adjacent, rope-detail look that just screams Mediterranean summer. Casual, comfy, and perfect with a sundress.
Leather Toe-Ring Flat Slides — Best Minimalist
A clean, barely-there toe-ring slide for the days you want a minimal sandal. Slips on and off in a second — handy at airport security.
Bags: Hands-Free by Day, A Little Sparkle by Night
DONNAIN Suede Crossbody — Best Daytime (Theft-Smart)
In busy Italian cities you want your bag zipped, in front of you, and hands-free. This suede crossbody is small enough to be pickpocket-smart but roomy enough for a phone, a little cash, and sunscreen — and it's often on sale.
Shop the DONNAIN Suede Crossbody →
Stizimn Evening Clutch — Best for Dinner (Under $30)
A little sparkle for dinner. This clutch takes a jeans-and-tank look straight to reservation-ready, and it tucks flat into your suitcase on the way over.
Jewelry: Gold, With a Little Italian Flair
House of Hunter Isla Green Aventurine Earrings — Most-Worn
Gold plus a pop of green stone equals instant Italian-summer glamour. These chunky studs are the earrings I'd wear most on a trip because they go with every single dress.
Shop the Isla Green Aventurine Earrings →
House of Hunter Gold Oval Statement Earrings — Best Lightweight
Lightweight gold drops that dress up a plain top without weighing your ears down on a hot day. Under $20 and endlessly wearable.
Shop the Gold Oval Statement Earrings →
House of Hunter Lenny Red Pendant Necklace — Best Pop of Color
A red-and-gold pendant that adds just enough color to a neutral outfit. Layer it or wear it solo with a lower neckline.
Shop the Lenny Red Pendant Necklace →
ROISE LADY Beaded Gemstone Necklace — Best for Beach Days
A beachy beaded choker for the more casual, boho days — perfect with a cover-up and salty hair.
Scarves & Wraps: The Most Useful Thing You'll Pack
HOLIIBN Silk Sun-Protection Scarf — Best Multitasker (~$10)
This is the single most useful thing I pack. A big silky scarf covers your shoulders in churches, blocks the sun on a boat, doubles as an airplane blanket, and dresses up any outfit — all for about ten dollars.
HOLIIBN Silk Scarf — Grab a Second Color
They weigh nothing and take up no space, so pack a second color and you'll always have a fresh one ready.
How to Pack for Italy in Summer (Without Overpacking)
Build a color-coordinated capsule
Pick two neutrals and one or two accent colors, and make sure most pieces work together. A satin skirt, a couple of dresses, one pair of shorts, and interchangeable tops will get you a week of outfits from half a suitcase.
Choose breathable fabrics
Italian summers are hot and humid. Lean on linen, cotton, and lightweight satin — they breathe, they photograph well, and they shrug off a long day of sightseeing better than synthetics.
Respect the church dress code
Major churches (the Vatican, the Duomo, most cathedrals) require covered shoulders and knees. A midi skirt and a packable silk scarf mean you can walk into any of them without a second thought.
Prioritize broken-in, comfortable shoes
Cobblestones are no joke. Bring sandals with real cushioning, break them in before you go, and save the pretty-but-painful pair for short dinners only.
Think day-to-night
The magic of a good travel capsule is that a beach outfit becomes a dinner outfit with a swap of shoes, a scarf, and earrings. Every piece here is chosen to pull double duty.
Carry a theft-smart crossbody
Tourist areas attract pickpockets. A small zip crossbody worn in front keeps your essentials safe and your hands free for gelato.
My Italy Packing Hacks
Roll, don't fold — it saves space and cuts down on wrinkles.
Wear your bulkiest shoes and layers on the plane to free up suitcase room.
One silk scarf = church cover-up + sun shield + airplane blanket. Never skip it.
Pack a foldable tote for the beach and for whatever you buy while you're there.
Skip the athleisure — a sundress is just as comfortable and instantly more ‘Italy.’
Leave 15% of your suitcase empty for shopping. You will shop, trust me!
Italy Summer Packing FAQ
What should I wear in Italy in summer?
Lightweight dresses, flowy skirts, tailored shorts, and breathable tops in linen or cotton, finished with comfortable leather-look sandals, gold jewelry, and a crossbody bag. Aim for ‘casual but put-together’ rather than athletic.
What is the dress code for churches in Italy?
Shoulders and knees must be covered in most churches, including the Vatican and the Duomo. A midi or maxi skirt plus a packable silk scarf over the shoulders will keep you covered anywhere.
Are sandals or sneakers better for Italy in summer?
Both work, but cushioned sandals win for hot days as long as they have real support. Flip-flops are for the beach and pool, not all-day sightseeing — look for a memory-foam footbed if you'll be walking a lot.
Can I wear shorts in Italy?
Yes — tailored or dressier shorts read as stylish, while athletic shorts read as tourist. Pair tailored shorts with a nice top and flat sandals and you'll fit right in (just remember you can't wear them into churches).
What should I NOT wear in Italy?
Skip gym clothes and athleisure for everyday wear, and avoid anything too revealing near religious sites. Italians dress simply but intentionally, so lean elevated-casual.
How many outfits should I pack for a week in Italy?
With a mix-and-match capsule you can pack around five to seven bottoms and tops, two or three dresses, two swimsuits, and two to three pairs of shoes, and re-wear pieces in different combinations. That's a carry-on-friendly week.
What colors should I wear in Italy in summer?
Neutrals (white, cream, tan, black) mix easily and photograph beautifully against Italy's warm stone backdrops. Add a couple of accent colors — a red pendant, a green earring, a printed bikini — for that pop of Italian flair.
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Buon viaggio — have the best time. xo, Brooke
