Help me pack for Italy!

[Bumblebee907]

Hello,

I'm going to Italy, for five weeks, in July, and early August, I'm starting to write my big list, and wondering what I should pack! And what might I forget, any advice would be greatly appreciated! I have got a list, but I'm just wondering if there are any gems which anyone can offer which might help me not forget something important.

❤️

You got lucky! DH is Sicilian and I swear half the toilets in Sicily have no toilet seat, even in fancy restaurants and lovely gelato bars

I was in Zuma in Rome a couple of weeks ago and there were no loo seats although at least the floor was dry. There and the five star hotels aside I don’t think there was a single restaurant or bar I went in that didn’t have wet/dirty floors, even those with bathroom attendants.

Loos everywhere in the world are almost always a lottery. Some you win, some you lose. Some you want to poor Domestos (other bleaches are available!!) all over yourself when you come out (not recommended. I once encountered the challenge of a squatty loo on a train. They say travel broadens the mind.

@StarlightLady

Loos everywhere in the world are almost always a lottery

Not really. You might take your chances on a train, or a Thai beach bar, or the sandwich shop on the champs elysees, or a dive bar in Brooklyn, but not at decent bars and Michelin restaurants which is universally my experience on multiple trips to Rome.

plus a lottery suggests you sometimes win. Which is not my experience of Rome.

Glad you’ve had better experiences than me - but it absolutely is worth bearing in mind because I’m certain my experience is not unique.

My most traumatic toilet experiences have all been in Italy.

In Greece toilet seats may be optional but at least they have always been clean. In Italy not so much. And always have loo roll in your handbag.

Top tip for dealing with voluminous clothing in grotty toilets: remove the item that is at risk of contamination altogether and drape it around your neck while you use the toilet. Note this does not work well if the door can’t be closed and locked effectively.

It doesn't matter- everyone else will be more glamorous 😀

I live in Italy and just wear midi dresses and sandals during the Summer. The last time I went to Rome I just wore a good pair of sandals on my feet. My experience of the Italian style is that its actually quite casual and anything goes, really. Honestly, whatever is cool and comfortable and available to buy in most highstreet shops, and you can't go too far wrong. I will say bring mosquito spray, repellent and after spray and whatever your usual medications are, as stuff like paracetamol costs a bomb here.

Don't forget to pack empty space for all the things you will buy there!!!!

And a light scarf to put over your shoulders when going into churches.

But it’s even worse if you take your shoes off 😂.

I live in Italy too & not one of my Italian female friends wears designer heels, in fact none of them wear heels or designer anything, they are very casual! In summer they (and I) live in Birkenstocks. Mosquito repellant is the most important thing, you can buy it here in every supermarket, so no need to pack it, just make sure you use it every evening. You would die in jeans in Rome, well anywhere in Italy in August actually! As a previous poster said, bring stuff like Paracetamol or Nurofen, it's costs a bomb here. My summer wardrobe is wide leg linen trousers, knee length shorts, long cotton skirts, midi dresses, vest tops & t-shirts. Bring a hat, you'll need it if you're planning on walking under the sun.

Pack a set of larger sized clothing

You're gonna need it after all the pizza and gelato

🤗🍸

Undo shoes. Step through clothing and drape around neck, replacing feet in shoes. Ngl, it’s a faff, and a bit of yoga grounding helps, but it’s better than pissy clothes.

Same here! Everyone is super casual and I certainly don't feel like I'm trying to compete with all these Sofia Loren style glamour pusses. Just normal women wearing normal clothes, trying to stay cool like everyone else.

For things to pack, I accidentally purchased this https://www.boots.com/boots-bite-relief-click-it-10234814
Thinking it was topical cream. It sends electric shocks to a bite - I found by treating bites with this, it looked like it stopped the neon 'eat me' sign and I stopped getting bitten so severely. Take other precautions too though!

Is there a nation on earth where women are now routinely wearing high heels? As I say, I’m in France right now. Not a heel to be seen.

Loose linen shirt, vest and shorts

Summer dress x 2 - Zara / HM have loads

cotton kaftan type dress https://lakepajamas.com/products/granita-stripe-marnie-caftan/?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=blaireadie

Linen set in blue or green

sandals x 2

Thanks so so much, so much to consider here!

This doesn't bother me, I'm not into glamour, all about naturalness. I was thinking linens, sandals etc.

This is a slightly random question, I'm feel like I'm all sorted in terms of T-shirts, bottoms, sandals, hat et cetera, but because it's going to be so hot, I'm completely drawing a blank what to have as a sort of extra layer, I've got a couple of shirts, but should I be taking something thicker like a decent cardigan. I will take my waterproof, and my very lightweight down jacket, but I can't imagine the world where I really need them! I was worried that evenings might get chilly though! I'm from the north, so fairly hardy, I would consider 18 C to be T-shirt weather.

I very much doubt you'll need an extra layer, a shirt over a vest top should be fine. Last time I was there in July/August the lowest night temperature was about 30!

You will not need an extra layer one bit unless you're in a place with a lot of air con! Leave the down jacket at home, you'll regret taking it. It'll never go cold at night, next week will 23°c at midnight in Rome & it's only May. In the height of summer it'll be hitting 35°c even before midday there and probably 40° by the mid afternoon, so the evenings will be hot!

I think the only time you’ll need to cover up is from the sun!

I usually take a long sleeved linen shirt to cover up from the mosquitos or sun if needed.

The last couple of years I have found an oversized denim shirt to be the perfect extra layer. It feels a bit more on trend than a denim jacket, and is more comfortable to sit and eat in.

I take a shawl. But in August it would probably stay in the suitcase.