Dresses for Summer in Europe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What matters most to me personally for walking a lot on a hot day is having good bike type shorts and a sports bra. Then over that a loose linen or cotton dress.

Bike shorts are too hot in Southern Europe. Just wear linen pants.

YES! Bike shorts and a sports bra is way too much clothing for the Mediterranean in the summer. It's boiling hot during the day. I always wear VERY lightweight dresses or shorts/tanks there. I'm small up top, so I also don't wear a bra -- no extra layers of clothing if I can avoid it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What matters most to me personally for walking a lot on a hot day is having good bike type shorts and a sports bra. Then over that a loose linen or cotton dress.

Bike shorts are too hot in Southern Europe. Just wear linen pants.

If you sweat linen pants will get soggy. I would not wear pants.

I have some very lightweight, thin undershorts that I like for under summer dresses, but can't for the life of me remember the brand right now.

[Anonymous]

It’s so hot. I’d bring dresses, skirts and shirts, and flowy pants. You may want coverage (from the sun, for the aforementioned comfort getting on and off busses) but make it as breathable as possible.

Cotton dress: https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-organic-cotton-weekend-tank-dress-black?collection=womens-dresses

Gauze: https://www.quince.com/women/organic-cotton-gauze-tiered-maxi-dress?color=indigo-blue&g_network=x&g_productchannel=online&g_adid=&g_acctid=978-058-8398&g_keyword=&g_adtype=pla&g_keywordid=&g_ifcreative=&g_adgroupid=&g_productid=43022935130282&g_merchantid=128669708&g_partition=&g_campaignid=20656732069&g_ifproduct=product&g_campaign=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=&utm_term=43022935130282&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG430ReX_1c4CFwZtqfSKpTm2rpi5EyBy2dvHay_MHnCbyR6YqgT4d_MaAqpUEALw_wcB

Pants: https://www.madewell.com/the-harlow-wide-leg-pant-NG521.html?color=GR6100

Skirt: https://www.eileenfisher.com/fine-jersey%C2%A0straight%C2%A0skirt/S2MIW-S4277.html?loc=US&dwvar_S2MIW-S4277_color=364

Linen dress: https://www.poetryfashion.com/product-UC23-POADS/colour-n-cobalt/dresses-skirts/shawlcollar-linen-dress.htm?Media=CLDBG067&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG41E7BiEMRe400drtXErcDRibaI4KwB6_oHr8HXccqjBlZwhw8PCxtwaAtQZEALw_wcB

Tank: https://www.thecompanystore.com/company-essentials-linen-jersey-tank-top/62089I-M-DEEP-NAVY.html?cm_mmc=GPLA-_-PMax+-+Best+Seller-_-c-_-62089I-M-DEEP-NAVY&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG403dll6gWaewLswEcPZvKCXd1LFU98HSYVGinkP-u9oFYjW5cPQI7EaApsnEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Linen shirt: https://www.garnethill.com/easy-linen-button-down-tank/598814

And what ever you get, you can just make sure it’s casual enough to go with comfy sandals/sneakers:

https://www.pikolinos.com/us-en/blanes-w3h-1892.html?dwvar_blanes-w3h-1892_color=BRANDY

https://www.fitflop.com/us/en/shop/gracie-matt-buckle-leather-fisherman-sandals-p-FV3#592

https://us.ecco.com/ecco-womens-soft-7-sneaker-430003.html?dwvar_430003_color=01053

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/medalist-low-sneaker-women/7330602?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FBrands%2FAUTRY&color=710

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s so hot. I’d bring dresses, skirts and shirts, and flowy pants. You may want coverage (from the sun, for the aforementioned comfort getting on and off busses) but make it as breathable as possible.

Cotton dress: https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-organic-cotton-weekend-tank-dress-black?collection=womens-dresses

Gauze: https://www.quince.com/women/organic-cotton-gauze-tiered-maxi-dress?color=indigo-blue&g_network=x&g_productchannel=online&g_adid=&g_acctid=978-058-8398&g_keyword=&g_adtype=pla&g_keywordid=&g_ifcreative=&g_adgroupid=&g_productid=43022935130282&g_merchantid=128669708&g_partition=&g_campaignid=20656732069&g_ifproduct=product&g_campaign=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=&utm_term=43022935130282&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG430ReX_1c4CFwZtqfSKpTm2rpi5EyBy2dvHay_MHnCbyR6YqgT4d_MaAqpUEALw_wcB

Pants: https://www.madewell.com/the-harlow-wide-leg-pant-NG521.html?color=GR6100

Skirt: https://www.eileenfisher.com/fine-jersey%C2%A0straight%C2%A0skirt/S2MIW-S4277.html?loc=US&dwvar_S2MIW-S4277_color=364

Linen dress: https://www.poetryfashion.com/product-UC23-POADS/colour-n-cobalt/dresses-skirts/shawlcollar-linen-dress.htm?Media=CLDBG067&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG41E7BiEMRe400drtXErcDRibaI4KwB6_oHr8HXccqjBlZwhw8PCxtwaAtQZEALw_wcB

Tank: https://www.thecompanystore.com/company-essentials-linen-jersey-tank-top/62089I-M-DEEP-NAVY.html?cm_mmc=GPLA-_-PMax+-+Best+Seller-_-c-_-62089I-M-DEEP-NAVY&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG403dll6gWaewLswEcPZvKCXd1LFU98HSYVGinkP-u9oFYjW5cPQI7EaApsnEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Linen shirt: https://www.garnethill.com/easy-linen-button-down-tank/598814

And what ever you get, you can just make sure it’s casual enough to go with comfy sandals/sneakers:

https://www.pikolinos.com/us-en/blanes-w3h-1892.html?dwvar_blanes-w3h-1892_color=BRANDY

https://www.fitflop.com/us/en/shop/gracie-matt-buckle-leather-fisherman-sandals-p-FV3#592

https://us.ecco.com/ecco-womens-soft-7-sneaker-430003.html?dwvar_430003_color=01053

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/medalist-low-sneaker-women/7330602?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FBrands%2FAUTRY&color=710

Thank you! yes these are the sorts of items I'm looking for!

[Anonymous]

I got these and they were insanely comfortable. I have bad feet:
https://www.vionicshoes.com/amber-adjustable-sandal.html?color=337

I also got this, which I guess athleta isn't making anymore but it was pretty cool and comfy and looked moderately fashionable with some sunglasses, sandals and maybe a denim jacket or cardigan:
https://poshmark.com/listing/NWT-Athleta-Baja-Linen-Midi-Dress-64dffc73ff04844d22645ae9?utm_source=gdm&utm_campaign=20437711613&campaign_id=20437711613&ad_partner=google&gskid=pla-2264588637582&gcid=669100670819&ggid=155214327274&gdid=c&g_network=g&enable_guest_buy_flow=true&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG43WOy3rjHkURffLAHwNkSYkGFF2jWId24GbaKIvfeyWM05_7Bi56Z8aAn0eEALw_wcB
There might be one similar on athleta.

I also have a jersey lands end dress that is no longer made but is somewhat similar to this which is a total workhorse for summer travel:
https://www.soma.com/store/product/Soft-Jersey-V-Neck-Short-Bra-Dress/570343200?color=001&size=0170&sem=pmax&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG422Tk1GeLPKZrp8CFENV4rWb_ymuZw7j9c9lvID3XaMlkhKoAsihloaAkJqEALw_wcB

[Anonymous]

The PP got me looking at garnet hill --- I think this would be cute with sleeves rolled up and a pair of shorts. I would bring one pair of shorts with a nicer fitted tee (J Crew makes some good ones, and Lands End is still okay for this) and something like this. Especially if you have a day where you're going someplace particularly warm. I think the old advice about no shorts in Europe is out-dated. Just make sure they fit right and aren't too short and that the top looks tailored.

https://www.garnethill.com/easy-linen-tunic/sale-clearance/387431?listIndex=8&uniqueId=387431&isNewProduct=false&defattrib=Color&defattribva

[Anonymous]

Happy to see others have mentioned Garnett Hill. I wanted one of their dresses SO badly for a trip last summer, but I was too shy of having ugly legs.

Linen pants worked well, but I still mourn that linen dress.

[Anonymous]

Agree just buy a local hairdryer or use the hotel ones. Otherwise you'll probably have electrical issues with an American one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree just buy a local hairdryer or use the hotel ones. Otherwise you'll probably have electrical issues with an American one.

Many (most?) blow dryers have a switch you can turn to 110 (US) or 220 V. You then just need a little plug converter.

OP, for dresses, consider also synthetic, breathable quick dry fabrics or if you choose cotton, look for something with a bit of spandex in it. I love linen and cotton, but by the time you unpack, they will be so wrinkled.

[Anonymous]

Boden and Eileen Fisher both sell linen dresses, pants, and skirts. J Jill usually sells linen dresses in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What matters most to me personally for walking a lot on a hot day is having good bike type shorts and a sports bra. Then over that a loose linen or cotton dress.

I feel bike shorts under a dress are for those who have an issue with chafing, correct? Or if the dress is very short. Otherwise this sounds completely miserable - for me personally.

+1
Me too. Sounds incredibly hot and sticky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What matters most to me personally for walking a lot on a hot day is having good bike type shorts and a sports bra. Then over that a loose linen or cotton dress.

Bike shorts are too hot in Southern Europe. Just wear linen pants.

YES! Bike shorts and a sports bra is way too much clothing for the Mediterranean in the summer. It's boiling hot during the day. I always wear VERY lightweight dresses or shorts/tanks there. I'm small up top, so I also don't wear a bra -- no extra layers of clothing if I can avoid it.

This ^^. I'm also small on top and my teenaged daughter has gotten me hooked on adhesive breast petals. It is SO wonderful not to have to wear a bra when it's scorching outside.

[Anonymous]

You should buy a couple dresses on your trip. You will find better, more attractive dresses in Europe. Pack light and buy a few things there

[Anonymous]

I would not take a denim jacket nor would I take a cardigan unless you’re going up to the mountains. I would take a scarf that I could double as a wrap.

[Anonymous]

I get a lot of linen dresses from Boden.