How to Dress in the City in Summer: The Guide to a Light Luggage

What should you wear in the city during summer? How to stay comfortable and enjoy your visit? For holidays, it's always best to pack light, choose the right outfit, and avoid ...

Davide · Published December 5, 2021 · Updated July 25, 2024 · 7 min

What should you wear in the city during summer? How to stay comfortable and have an enjoyable visit ? For holidays, it's always best to pack light, choose the right outfit, avoid carrying unnecessary weight, useless clothing items, or worse, being forced to buy things you hadn't planned for. For this reason, here is a small but essential guide on how to dress in the city during summer:

Come vestirsi in città in estate

Summer in Italy can present very different climates depending on the place you visit. Obviously, some regions are warmer than others, but what should you generally pack to dress appropriately and cope with the urban heatwave of the hottest months? The key is to be versatile.

Summer in the City: North or South?

Northern Cities

Summer in Italy can be unbearably hot or more tolerable, depending on where you go.

Northern regions are usually less hot than southern ones, that's the general idea. However, there are some exceptions. Make sure you are aware that even if you spend just one day in Milan during July or August, it can be terribly hot and humid.

Many actually say that Milan is not less hot than Naples: it's just much more humid.

Of course, not all regions of Northern Italy are that hot in summer.

Cities closer to the Dolomites, the Alps, and the Apennines will always be a bit cooler, even in August. Make sure to bring a light jacket or cardigan to wear at night in case it gets colder. Naturally, there won't be snow, but expect some rain.

A rule of thumb is to bring just a light cardigan (which can also be used for a nice evening out) and maybe a foldable raincoat that doesn't take up much space in your luggage..

In short: usually big cities, especially in the north, are quite hot and humid, and those visiting or staying there for a while should be prepared to face quite a few sultry days.

Oh, a little reminder: if you want to go to the Navigli area to experience Milanese nightlife, make sure to always carry a good insect spray with you!

Mosquitoes are a problem in Milan during summer... especially around the Navigli! And this actually applies to many Italian cities that have a river or watercourse nearby.

... and Those in the Central-South

At the same time, a city like Perugia will certainly be much cooler than any northern city during summer, and many southern cities facing the sea will be extremely breezy.

The South is usually warmer than the North. You will definitely sweat a lot, but at least in southern regions there’s a good chance to enjoy some beach time, since most cities are on the coast! Sicily, for example, with its long and scorching summer, offers relief only by eating tons of granita and enjoying the best beaches.

The Outfit for Staying in the City in Summer

So, how do you dress in the city during summer?

Always Carry With You

If you plan to visit coastal cities, your summer luggage should absolutely include a pair of sunglasses, a great hat—preferably light and wide-brimmed to protect from the blazing sun—along with, of course, good sunscreen and at least one bottle (or better yet, a reusable water bottle) of water to always carry with you.

What to Pack

Breathable Shoes

One very important thing when visiting a city is footwear: it’s worth investing in a pair of walking shoes to avoid blisters, pain, or discomfort. Don’t let your trip be ruined by unsuitable shoes: walking or standing could become really impossible.

Always choose a pair of shoes suitable for walking if you want to see a lot and be out and about.

Sandals or flat shoes might not always be a good idea, both because cobblestones make surfaces uneven and because shoes that are too flat or tight (like many sandals) will hurt your feet over time.

If you prefer open shoes, Birkenstock-style sandals are specifically designed for walking and letting your feet breathe.

Natural Fiber Clothing

Since it will be quite hot, it’s a good idea to wear clothes made of natural fibers (cotton, bamboo, silk, etc.). Synthetic fibers will make you sweat a lot, unless they are special technical breathable fabrics, and could irritate your skin over time, as well as produce unpleasant odors.

Lightweight pants, or leggings and cotton t-shirts will certainly be worth packing or keeping handy in your summer wardrobe. Don’t forget to bring something to cover your shoulders, even if light. If you plan to visit only the hottest cities, you might pack a cotton scarf that you can drape over your shoulders if needed. It won’t take up much space in your luggage and will do its job well.

Summer clothes in natural fabrics are bright, light, and you can wear them to a restaurant or if you want to go out for a drink after your more exploratory tour. Pack at least one.

Going out at night is definitely part of the fun when traveling in the city: depending on the restaurants you want to visit, you can opt for something elegant but cool and suitable for outdoors, or something shorter and playful. Certainly, a mid-calf dress will always come in handy.

Linen pants are always perfect for going out in the city at night, or wide “Turkish-style” pants. Otherwise, you can definitely opt for a pair of capri pants in black or jeans with a casual shirt.

Sundresses can also be used for summer evenings in the city. Choose a fun model, a pair of nice sandals, and you’ll have the perfect light outfit for an evening with friends, for a drink, or even just for an afternoon coffee on a terrace.

If, on the other hand, you wear it with flat sandals or a pair of sneakers, it will be a good option to explore during the day. Always mix and match to be sure to pack light!

Oh, and remember that oversized shirts are also perfect for a city trip.

Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit.

Accessories

Accessories are invaluable items that will help you pack light and be ready for anything. They are true lifesavers that keep our luggage light!

They offer unlimited opportunities for clothes, transforming them from a beach day set into an elegant outfit. A floppy straw hat and a crossbody bag, for example, perfectly accompany a light dress or a natural fiber shirt and pants during the day.

For an evening out, a pair of heels or sandals and a small clutch will work wonders: you can match them with everything and they won’t take up much space in your luggage.

A must-have should also be a cotton scarf, hair clips or bands, a cap, and a belt/fanny pack.

What Not to Wear

In seaside cities, it’s perfectly fine to go around in flip-flops, shorts, and tank tops. However, remember that if your vacation includes visits to places of worship or important museums, it can be considered offensive or even forbidden to enter with bare shoulders or legs.

Museums usually aren’t that strict about dress code, although we certainly can’t expect to enter wearing a swimsuit.

To avoid an embarrassing situation, we always recommend adding a large cotton scarf (another reason to always have it on your accessory list). It’s light, so you can keep it in your backpack and put it over your shoulders if you want to visit a church. High heels are also banned: you won’t have many chances to wear them since you’ll be walking all day, so why take up space in your luggage? The same goes for boots and combat boots.

Especially if you travel alone, avoid wearing expensive jewelry in the city because it can be very dangerous. Choosing the right accessories will make you look fashionable without putting yourself at risk.