If you’re looking for some inspiration on what to wear on your next summer trip to Italy, you’re in the right place! In this blog post, I’m sharing actual outfits I wore during my travels through Italy over the years.
They’re pieces that not only kept me cool and comfortable, but also looked quite stylish, if I can say so myself.
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One thing you’ll notice? I love wearing dresses in summer! They’re my go-to for warm-weather no matter if I’m traveling or I’m out and about with everyday business. This is because they’re breezy, easy to style (aka I don’t need to put too much thought into it), and they instantly elevate any look without much effort.
As an added bonus, dresses usually look great in photos and they make posing feel so much more effortless. Looking back, I can’t believe it took me years to realize just how much more practical (and comfortable!) they are than jeans, especially in the summer heat!
But enough praise to dresses, let’s get to the fun part: the outfits I wore during my summer adventures in Italy!
01. My little white dress moment in Sirmione
Nothing beats wearing a simple white dress (preferably made from breathable materials!) in the summer heat! Just maybe avoid sitting anywhere too dusty – you’ve been warned! 🙂
Throw on a straw hat and some comfortable shoes and you’re ready to explore Sirmione, too!
02. Be as colorful as Vernazza
When visiting colorful places like Cinque Terre and you’re unsure which color to wear yourself, go for a multi-colored dress: it complements everything around you!
The dress above has quite a simple design, but its charm lies in the print: a colorful pattern of different houses that instantly catches the eye. I even had a lady stop me in Vernazza to ask where I got it.
03. Bright dress, brighter Manarola views
You can also go the other way and opt for a simple dress in just one color. Picking a bold hue will make you stand out, but it won’t clash with your surroundings.
A not-so-fun fact about the above dress is that it stayed behind in Manarola, as I somehow managed to forget it at my accommodation. I still don’t understand how and I’m still sad about it because I loved its cut.
04. Keep it simple and let Cinque Terre shine
There’s also a 3rd option: go for a neutral color. It will complement any colorful backdrop without competing with it.
Shades like beige, white, or soft taupe will let the scenery shine while still keeping your outfit chic and versatile. And it will also keep you comfortable in the summer heat!
The dress above carries a special story: it’s the one I wore to celebrate my 18th birthday! Knowing it was starting to come apart at the seams, I brought it with me to Cinque Terre on purpose, just to capture a few final photos in it.
I’m so glad I have these digital memories to hold onto now, even if the dress itself is gone.
05. Play matchy-matchy in Arbelobello
So uncharacteristic of me (I usually go for brighter colors), but I wore a dark blue dress with small white flowers during my visit to Alberobello.
It ended up being a good choice as it looked like I was matching the trulli, the unique houses that made this small town so popular with tourists all around the world.
06. Living la dolce vita in red
While there’s nothing special about it, this is one of my favorite dresses and I’ve worn it so many times I can’t even count.
It’s long enough to avoid any wardrobe mishaps when you’re out and about exploring, yet short enough to stay cool and comfortable in the summer heat. The bold red color adds a pop of drama, while the simple cut makes it easy to wear in any circumstances.
It’s one of those pieces that just works wherever you are: easy to throw on, flattering, and somehow always photogenic, no matter the setting.
The picture above is from Portovenere, but I also wore it in Riomaggiore and it looked great against the backdrop of the colorful harbor and rugged cliffs.
07. Wrapped in sunshine in Bellagio
I wore this long yellow dress during my visit to Villa Melzi in Bellagio and it couldn’t have been a better choice.
The bright, cheerful color really popped in photos against the lush gardens and the lake, while the lightweight, breathable fabric kept me cool and comfortable even in the summer heat.
08. Going floral in Desenzano
I wore this white dress with a yellow floral pattern on a warm summer day in Desenzano del Garda, and it instantly lifted my mood. The print felt cheerful, like wearing a little bit of sunshine.
It’s also light and breezy, perfect for strolling through Italian streets in the heat.
09. Colorful asymmetry in Como
I love the asymmetric cut of this dress and its colorful stripes, but I have to admit it’s not made from the best material out there. Because of that, I usually save it for cooler, cloudier days like the one pictured here in Como.
10. A touch of lace, a hint of mauve
The standout feature of this dress is its open back, which makes it perfect for staying cool during the summer. It also has a pretty mauve color that tends to look nice in any setting.
The bow gives it such a cute and romantic look, too.
11. Blue florals in Camogli
This dress is made from a transparent material with a pretty blue floral pattern that contrasts with the orange hues of the buildings in Camogli wonderfully.
Its only downside is that because it’s sheer, it has an underlayer and that’s a bit plasticky, so I try to wear it when it’s not super hot outside.
12. Pretty in pink
I will say right off the bat that this dress doesn’t photograph extremely well (it looks much cuter in real life), but it’s so comfortable that it simply doesn’t matter. And that’s saying something, considering that I love snapping photos while traveling – they’re the best (and cheapest!) souvenirs you can get.
The picture above was taken at Villa Monastero in Varenna, a location I strongly encourage you to visit if you’re at Lake Como.