My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

For beauty and fashion style advice, join in our Style forum chat.

Style & Beauty

Capsule holiday wardrobe for the italian Coast?

27 replies

KB2651 · 03/06/2015 23:00

Hello

I'm headed on holiday in a few weeks and have no clue what to wear. Does anyone have any suggestions? Ideally I'd like things that are interchangeable, but I don't really know where to start.

OP posts:
Report
oobedobe · 03/06/2015 23:32

Linen cropped trousers, vest tops, some nice shorts or skirts. White jeans, Couple of dresses maybe. Nice sun hat and new handbag, good sandals that are stylish and comfortable. Taos sandals are good.

Report
KB2651 · 04/06/2015 18:08

Thank you! I especially like the sound of a new handbag Grin

OP posts:
Report
Twinklestein · 04/06/2015 18:51

Buy your handbag in Italy, particularly have a look in the markets.

You'll get excellent quality leather for a much better price than here.

Report
Twinklestein · 04/06/2015 18:51

Whereabouts on the coast are you going?

Report
Kundry · 04/06/2015 18:57

Where and by a few weeks do you mean August?

oobedobe has it - cropped trousers, vest tops or T shirts (if you are sight-seeing in churches they will usually want you to cover your shoulders), white jeans, sandals and a hat.

Depending on where you are going and what you are doing, comfort may be more important than style. In some areas Venice everyone is a tourist and you practically needn't bother with style. If you saw the picks of Beyonce in Florence recently, for example, she was the only woman in heels as everyone else had sensibly noticed all the cobbles and worn flats.

Finally in many areas late July/August can be brutally hot and any polyester you pack will not be worn! Last year they had a bad summer - DH and I were so relieved as it was really pleasant weather Smile

Report
Twinklestein · 04/06/2015 19:18

July was quite cool last year and there were some bad storms, but that's not normal. If you're there in July/August it could easily be 35-40 degrees. It's 31 at the moment in Florence.

We have a house there and I hardly ever wear trousers in the summer, I only wear very light jeans that I've bought in Italy - the denim is much thinner.

If it were me I'd just take dresses, skirts, shorts, tops, a pair of jeans to travel in & lots of bikinis and kaftans.

Report
FrugalFashionista · 04/06/2015 20:37

Things not to wear: maxi dresses, jeweled sandals, trekking sandals, trousers with toggly bits and technical fabrics - these are automatically touristwear. Italians dress quite formally in the city. As a tourist you can of course break all dressing rules. Hats and shorts are tourist territory too (unless you are on the beach or a young girl wearing cutoffs). I am pale and Nordic so wear a hat often and people just stop and stare Wink

I never wear jeans or trousers here during proper summer, 32C in Rome today and it can hit 40C in July and August. Outfits are really easy: bare legs, an airy dress (silk or cotton or lyocell for me) and simple flat sandals are a summer staple around here for most women. And don't forget high SPF sunscreen. Bikinis for the beach even if you are a greatgrandmother. You can buy coverups and all kinds of other accessories on the beach if you forget to pack something.

Report
Twinklestein · 04/06/2015 21:02

Jewelled sandals are fine, millions of Italian women wear them...

Report
Karbea · 04/06/2015 21:15

I did exactly this when I went to Mexico this year. I picked a few colours, brown, orange, white and it meant I took less but had more to wear. Take a look at this site for ideas.

Report
Kundry · 04/06/2015 22:21

I saw a hell of a lot of Italian women wearing jewelled sandals.

Report
MalmseyWhine · 04/06/2015 22:35

Can I hijack and ask a question please?

Rome in October, should I be looking at taking summer stuff or jeans and jackets?

Report
FrugalFashionista · 05/06/2015 14:03

October in Rome can be fabulous, summery weather and 25C temperatures - often one of the nices months of the year and a great time to visit! Extremely heavy winter rains usually start in November, but if you are unlucky, there can also be some heavy rain days in October. So check the weather forecast before your trip.

Italians dress by calendar, not weather. The switch usually happens sometime in October so you may see gilets, light down jackets and merino sweaters and even boots although it can still be really warm. If you wear shorts and sandals, you will stand out. I would wear closed shoes. Fancy high-tops and sneakers are fashionable here. If you are in touristy parts of Rome, you can wear anything, including cowboy boots, a stetson and a fanny pack Wink You will just be seen as another species...

Normal Roman streetwear is formal and understated (hence a no to blingy sandals). In my part of town, most men wear suits or very dressy casual outfits. Women are usually stylish and pared down, shades of gray, nudes, navy and brown. Accessories are top notch. Lots of dresses and blouses. Few t-shirts, long-sleeved ones are really rare. Scarves are not very popular here. Italians love denim. This spring I've worn a utility jacket (all younger women seem to have one) with jeans and high-tops.

Be careful with your belongings, pickpocketing is a real issue here.

Report
FrugalFashionista · 05/06/2015 14:13

Oh forgot to say that the nights can be really cold towards the end of October but indoor heating usually starts in November. So it might be smart to take some warm options - a sweater, chunky socks or slippers. We do a lot of weekend trips here and I usually pack a light down jacket, it can be chilly inside.

Report
HappyGirlNow · 05/06/2015 15:16

Ooh I'm on a lounger in a Portofino hotel as we speak.. Grin It's very warm already, around 30 degrees, no breeze.. Also been to Amalfi previously.. And to the East Coast of Italy..

I have a mix of bikinis, short skirts, dresses, tube tops.. Mostly all in neutral colours so all match, and mostly all in natural fibres so comfortable in the heat.. And my panama I take on every holiday - very classy and hides awful hair and prevents sunstroke Grin

Home at the weekend (boo) will link to some things then..

Report
Madbengalmum · 05/06/2015 15:38

Why does a maxi dress and sandals automatically make you look like a tourist?
Many italians are wearing them this season, and many italian designers have included them in this years collections.
A well styled maxi and some pretty sandals doesnt have to look touristy.

Report
Greengardenpixie · 05/06/2015 15:45

Sorry OP and i know it wasnt your intention but i do get annoyed at these threads in a way simply because its a case of dont wear this, dont wear that. Maxi dresses are worn everwhere. Totally agree with madbengalmum!

Report
Greengardenpixie · 05/06/2015 15:46

*should have said, get annoyed at these threads when they turn this way!!!

Report
Twinklestein · 05/06/2015 16:18

Why does it matter if you look like a tourist? You are a tourist.

Do you think Italians visiting England think they better get a floral dress and tattoos so they look native? They just go as themselves.

There are particular English looks I avoid - Boden and crumpled linen - but the same goes in England.

Report
FrugalFashionista · 05/06/2015 16:19

Sorry, just trying to be helpful. I travel a lot and am usually happier if I blend in.
It can be a safety factor too.

I don't know why maxis haven't caught on in Rome. Probably too hot for them, well past 30C today. I went to a party last night, 100+ people, one person (not Italian) was wearing a maxi. Don't see them on the street either. But like I said, wear what you like, there are no rules for tourists, whatever floats your boat Wink

Report
Madbengalmum · 05/06/2015 16:24

I visit italy often, and maxis are popular in the coastal resorts, which is what i believe Op was asking about. I think it is pretty clear that people wear different clothes in the city, to what they would wear elsewhere.

It very much depends on where you visit, i tend to go to glamorous coastal locations and see many wearing this seasons collections from italian designers. Clothing is far more conservative in rome for sure.

Report
Greengardenpixie · 05/06/2015 16:33

Well i am off to Tuscany in 3wks but travelling through Europe before we get there and stopping off. Ive got a variety of things in my suitcase. Shock horror i have a one piece incase we make it to the beach or for hanging around the pool [ In Italy]. I have a couple of full length dresses [ not quite maxi] a few short ones, 3 or 4 pairs of shorts, some linen trousers, a short skirt and some shirts/vests. 2 pairs of sandals [flat] and a pair of palladium canvas trainer type things.

Report
TheBookofRuth · 05/06/2015 16:56

Ooh, I'm off to the Amalfi coast next week. Am taking mainly dresses, in a variety of colours, lengths and styles, plus a couple of bikinis, and a couple of pairs of sandals in neutral colours.

Sorry, I realise none of that is helpful, but I'm excited and wanted to share anyway! Grin

Report

Newsletters you might like

Discover Exclusive Savings!

Sign up to our Money Saver newsletter now and receive exclusive deals and hot tips on where to find the biggest online bargains, tailored just for Mumsnetters.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Parent-Approved Gems Await!

Subscribe to our weekly Swears By newsletter and receive handpicked recommendations for parents, by parents, every Sunday.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Twinklestein · 05/06/2015 17:02

Me and my husband both look Mediterranean due to colouring - and inevitably buy a lot of clothes there, people assume we're Italian but I don't see that as any bonus.

I prefer French style tbh.

Report
Kundry · 05/06/2015 17:34

Women are usually stylish and pared down, shades of gray, nudes, navy and brown

This is not a look I am familiar with from Umbria, La Marche or Emilia-Romagna. I've seen average streetwear you would see in any English high street, crappy accessories bought at the market and most commonly a tendency towards the leopard print/multiple bright colours end of Cavalli. Plus deep deep tans.

It doesn't matter if you look like a tourist (I do anyway by being paler than pale), just that you are going to be happy in your style and not boil to death in the heat

Report
KB2651 · 05/06/2015 18:59

Ooh lots of replies!

We're going to Ravello Twinklestein down the coast from Amalfi. Thanks for the tip about handbags, I'll bear that in mind.

By in a few weeks I meant we'll be there at the end of June/early July. I think the plan is for a few touristy bits and pieces, some exploring of local towns and relaxing really. Originally I was considering taking shorts and skirts, a mix of some t shirts and strappy type tops, flat shoes and converse and swimwear. Maybe a pair of jeans, I'll have a rummage through my wardrobe and see if any of mine are thin-ish.

Thank you all for your replies Smile

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.