Italy in July, anyone up for a holiday wardrobe challenge?

[MotherOfChickens]

I'm usually quite good at packing for summer holidays however this year has got me stumped!
I'm in the process of putting together a shopping list of things I need to get for my summer hols but have hit a brick wall. I'm going for two weeks and will be spending a few days in Venice, Rome, Sorrento and Naples, so lots of sight seeing but a few days chilling by the pool in Sorrento. In between I'll be travelling by train so packing light is a must.

If anyone has any suggestions for a holiday capsule wardrobe or a heads up on what the Italians are wearing so I don't stand out like a sore thumb I'd be grateful. I'm 42, size 10 - 12 hourglass and don't like bright colours or my legs if that helps!

Having been to Italy in the summer, I personally would just take a summer dress for each day, a couple of cardigans and scarves and really comfy shoes/sandals. As for style- could you google some Italian fashion mags and see what's vogue?

Ps don't forget your scarf/cardie when you visit the Vatican!

It's very hot!
We are wearing all sorts of things, forget the stereotype of "elegant" Italians. Elegant italians can nowadays be counted on the fingers of a hand, as we say.

So, don't get stressed out about having to follow god knows which rules.

Bear in mind that it's going to be very hot, especially in Florence and Venice, where it gets excessively humid. Therefore pack accordingly... During the hot milanese summers I usually wear: light cotton trousers (jeans are impossible to wear during the summer, too hot), light weight cotton tshirts or blouses, short dresses, long skirts, flat sandals. Bring a cardi for the air con on the train.

Have fun!

Fashion wise, I think many italian trends are exactly the same as the british.

Ooh great ideas so far, hadn't thought about air con on the train. I'm more of a trousers type of gal so was thinking about a few pairs of this style or even these worn with a vest and superga in the daytime and dressed up with metallic sandals for evening.

Oops posted too soon,
Glad to hear that style wise trends are pretty much the same, I had visions of trying to look all Audrey Hepburn in this but alas it's just not me

Have been to Italy several times in July and think you'll find those trousers far too hot. Look at some that are cropped and very light material . Though I recommend mainly dresses myself.

Biden have lots of other light dresses which would fit the bill.

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Remember to take something to cover if you plan to visit any churches. We were in Italy (Florence/Pisa areas) last July and didn't see much evidence of Italian style!

If you don't want to wear a dress, you need to buy some very thin trousers in pale colours and wear them with a sleeveless top and sandals (for evening) and some trainers (for walking around ruins and old city centres).

I agree that those trousers look too hot. You want thin, natural fibres. It'll be roasting.

Yes to the trainers - essential for walking round eg on Roman cobblestones and ruins.

Thank you for your replies I would love to wear summer dresses but have a hang up about my ankles .

Ok back to the drawing board. Have got a neutral light cotton cardigan which will make a suitable cover up, white superga pumps for trekking around the sites and pale gold flat sandals which will be dressy for evening - it's the bits in between that are causing the problem, it doesn't help that they will be crammed into a holdall and need to remain crease free!

Cotton jersey is great for rolling up small with minimal creasing. Often hard to find with a high cotton content, but maybe Gap (there are always discounts), or M&S. Or cotton cheesecloth, as it already has a texture to it so the creases don't show so much.
This type of dress is great for packing light, this one comes in seven colours and has that texture I was talking about that wont show too many creases. You can then wear as a skirt or dress, and just pop a cardy over the top when you need to smarten up:

www.bhs.co.uk/en/bhuk/product/women-1020590/dresses-1020593/holiday-dresses-1735327/emerald-two-way-skirt-dress-2649515?refinements=category~%5b1052491%7c471259%5d&bi=41&ps=40

I love Superfamily but personally would wear something with a thicker, more cushioned sole for for ruins/ uneven ground.

Superfamily ??? I meant Superga.

If you are contemplating a dress at all, I've worn the Boden casual jersey dress successfully in sweltering Rome weather in previous years. It's actually cotton jersey so lovely and cool and has little sleeves so OK for churches.I stick to the plainer, less pretty-pretty colour ways.