Venice dressing - leave Thursday!

[Rhootintootinboo]

Help. I’m off to Venice (after waiting 30 years for a romantic mini break I’ve realised going with my bestie in our 50th year would be just as special) but no idea what to wear. I live in jeans or jodhpurs. Any capsule wardrobe packing advice. Was also cheapskate so only 10kgs carry on….. thanks in advance. I literally have no style so all suggestions very welcome.

Have you checked the weather?

comfy shoes for all the walking! can’t help with clothes, but we were there in July when it was 35 degrees, but it was amazing
but lots of walking (and steps with all the bridges) so trainers would be my tip

Check the weather forecast, and think about what you’ll be doing. I go for the art and walk miles and miles daily, so choose my most comfortable walking shoes and let that dictate everuthing else.

I'm just back from Venice, it was a bit cold but highly manageable with a jacket and a jumper. Plan a raincoat or a good umbrella, it can be very windy, and when it rains there aren't many options, it's not like you can catch a bus or a metro quickly.

I went from 4 days, 3 nights, I had green barrel trousers, and black dungarees. On top, only black tops, because well, I mostly wear black tops. A dark mustard corduroy shirt on top as a jacket, and then an oversized trench / raincoat. Black converse high tops on the feet and that's it.

Don't overthink it, it's full of tourists (I've been to Venice many times and its the busiest I've seen it) who are dressed very practically. The only places where I've seen stylish people were the Architecture Biennale and around Cannaregio.

Enjoy, its such a magic place.

Weather looks dry and mild which will be perfect. I have the comfy shoes I think. I just don’t want to be in skinny jeans the whole time (I think I’m being ambitious though with anything else. Not sure I have anything else)

Linen trousers and layers (couple of tops and jumpers in neutral colours you can swap around).
I'm insanely jealous btw.

(Edited to remove something which is not open atm)

Thank you! I can’t wait. My friend is very hip and insisting we go to architecture biennale. I just want to get my cornetto and sing on a gondolier 😁

Weather forecast says around 17 to 20c during the day. What would you wear in the UK if you were visiting a UK city heaving with art galleries, churches and musuems in the summer where you'll do a lot of walking?

Don't worry about the threads you see on here about "Italian women are sooo much more elegant and stylish than us lumpen Brits" They aren't and the place is heaving with foreign tourists. Agree with the comment that the only places I saw anyone vaguely stylish was at the Biennale and our hotel.

The Biennale is good, but if you don't have time, I would skip it and head to the Collezione Pinault, fantastic exhibition at the moment and the location is a treat in itself.

If you are into wine, Vino Vero in Cannaregio is a must!

Taking my mate there soon hope it's romantic want to go end of October

This made me laugh. (Btw the gondoliers are the people not the boats - they might object to you singing on them😁)

I've just come back from there and saw the architecture biennale! have fun and definitely make sure you have some coffee and gelato stops in amidst all the walking. Comfy shoes, light waterproof jackets, and a few pairs of trousers & tops will see you through - I saw a bunch of tourists dressed in full romantic white dresses / flouncy clothing which looked lovely but was completely impractical for what the city actually is.

Actually, the most important thing to take is a little crossbody bag with internal zips - my hosts warned me that though Venice is generally extremely safe, there is a lot of pickpocketing in busy places so you'll need to keep belongs close to you. Also leave your passport wherever you're staying and keep a photo of it on your phone, in case you're asked for it.

For Venice I'd dress practically. The cobbles take a toll on your feet. At this time of year it might be raining. And almost every person you see will be a tourist or working in tourism.

We turned up at a restaurant Italian time at 9pm and discovered it was nearly shut. It works on tourist time and the staff need to get home to the mainland.

Dress for comfort and lots of walking. Worth checking tide predictions although I think the acqua alta is more likely in November/December than October but the one time I went in November I was very, very glad I’d checked and taken wellies!

I haven’t been to Venice since before the pandemic because elderly parent care has made travel impossible but used to go every other year for the art biennale (not been to the architecture one but I would like to). It’s a great city and it doesn’t feel that touristy once you get away from San Marco. Let yourself get really lost!

I’m going in half term but I haven’t thought about clothes yet. The last time I went it was hot and I had to buy some better sandals because mine were not supportive enough. I haven’t seen the weather forecast so this might change but I would probably go with 2 or 3 pairs of trouser ( blue jeans, black & olive green) long sleeved t shirts, a couple of thin sweaters, a short quilted jacket and waterproof. I’d probably add a scarf and 2 pairs of trainers. I’m also on 10kg so would wear the heaviest items on the plane.

If you have limited luggage, prioritise a change of shoes so you have options for aching feet. Take warm but thin layers and a lightweight raincoat that you can carry easily. Pack some extra small accessories to liven up a simple outfit, which takes up less space than a change of clothing and will keep up with your hip friend!
I go to Venice fairly regularly and absolutely love it. Have a fantastic time OP.