Packing for 2.5 weeks in Italy in August

[Anonymous]

I know it will be hot. I know I need at least 1-2 things that fully cover my knees and shoulders. Can I get away with:

1-2 pairs linen wide leg pants
2 pairs shorts (1 denim, one linen)
2 dresses (1 midi length with short sleeves, 1 sundress)
1 skirt (knee length)
1 black romper (can be dressed up with accessories)
6 t-shirts - 2 white, gray, black, one colorful, one striped
1 nicer blouse
One lightweight linen sweater or button down layer

Biggest issue is we won’t have access to a washer/dryer until almost the end of the trip. I can hand wash underwear and t-shirts in the sink, but that’s harder for shorts and pants.

For shoes I’m thinking white Vejas, Birkenstock gizeh in silver, athletic shoes. I’d like a “nicer” sandal but I don’t have one that’s good for walking.

[Anonymous]

Get some Tevas to bring with you. You're not going to want to wear closed shoes in that heat.

I am a sweaty person so I would bring more tops and shorts, personally. Maybe a couple of dresses that can be washed in the sink. LOTS of underwear. It really stinks - literally - to be sweaty, and not have something fresh to change into. If you are less sweaty, YMMV!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get some Tevas to bring with you. You're not going to want to wear closed shoes in that heat.

I am a sweaty person so I would bring more tops and shorts, personally. Maybe a couple of dresses that can be washed in the sink. LOTS of underwear. It really stinks - literally - to be sweaty, and not have something fresh to change into. If you are less sweaty, YMMV!

I’ve never been a fan of tevas. Any other ideas for slightly more stylish sandals?
I’m not a very sweaty person but I think maybe another pair of shorts and a couple t shirts if I can fit them in.

[Anonymous]

Here is my advice: take your laundry to a lavandería and ask them to wash/dry/press your clothes for you. it takes 24-48 hours and is the best.

alternately, autoservice laundromats have been popping up all over europe lately. with dryers even! you might be surprised.

[Anonymous]

You don't have enough tops.

I'd cut back on bottoms and a dress and take more tops. Do you really want to be handwashing tops in the sink while on vacation?

[Anonymous]

For trips like these (hot, long, no access to a washing machine)- I save up underwear that I would have tossed (ripped, holes). I wear it on the vacation and then just toss it. Just less dirty clothes I have to bring home. It also frees up a little space in my bag. I do the same with dh's socks and boxers too. He always gets holes in his socks, but I save them for trips like these.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't have enough tops.

I'd cut back on bottoms and a dress and take more tops. Do you really want to be handwashing tops in the sink while on vacation?

Depends on what you like to wear. I would take more dresses, less tops and shorts. I think dresses keep me much cooler and look more put together. Italians aren't big on shorts.

[Anonymous]

I would get some nice pieces in gauze material (Eileen Fisher has some great ones right now). You can wash gauze in the sink and it dries quickly, and it's very comfortable in hot weather.

https://www.eileenfisher.com/shop/the-fabrics/organic-cotton-gauze?cgid=organic-cotton-gauze&start=16&sz=16

Oh My Gauze has some good pieces at a better price point (just ignore all of the crazy styles and find the more normal looking pieces). https://www.ohmygauze.com/santorini-gauze-dress-lagenlook

I'd get some Sink Suds detergent and a travel laundry line from Amazon (just search both of those terms) to have in case you need to wash something.

[Anonymous]

Op again - also, what about a bag? I use a small cross body for everyday and usually carry a tote, but I think a slightly large cross body would be a good idea so I only need to use the tote for purchases etc.

[Anonymous]

Birkenstock Papilio label are a bit dressier and just as comfortable as regular Birks, IMO.

https://www.birkenstock.com/us/campaign/papillio/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhqaVBhCxARIsAHK1tiPCM2HRepBNG1p6RaVBHBlptIy6jAplUR02rN8c-3QieFt3MtKcCHkaAloKEALw_wcB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is my advice: take your laundry to a lavandería and ask them to wash/dry/press your clothes for you. it takes 24-48 hours and is the best.

alternately, autoservice laundromats have been popping up all over europe lately. with dryers even! you might be surprised.

We found one of these on a 3 week trip and it’s one of my best memories of that trip 😉

[Anonymous]

I'm an admitted overpacker, and I would need way more stuff than you have for that trip if laundry isn't available. The good thing is that summer clothes pack down small and take up less space than heavy winter items. I would make sure you have at least a full week's worth of outfits with no repeats. Also, won't you need bathing suits and coverups?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is my advice: take your laundry to a lavandería and ask them to wash/dry/press your clothes for you. it takes 24-48 hours and is the best.

alternately, autoservice laundromats have been popping up all over europe lately. with dryers even! you might be surprised.

Yes, I’ll likely have to find one (or use the hotel) at our second stop (we have 5 nights in Rome and then 5 nights in Florence, one in a b&b and then a hotel), and that’s fine - but I still need at least @10 days of clothes. My kids are the ones who will almost certainly need their clothes washed.

The old underwear/sock idea is a good one!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an admitted overpacker, and I would need way more stuff than you have for that trip if laundry isn't available. The good thing is that summer clothes pack down small and take up less space than heavy winter items. I would make sure you have at least a full week's worth of outfits with no repeats. Also, won't you need bathing suits and coverups?

Yes, I didn’t include as I wasn’t thinking of “specialty items” like they and pajamas as part of my daily wear. I’ll likely take 2 suits and one cover up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't have enough tops.

I'd cut back on bottoms and a dress and take more tops. Do you really want to be handwashing tops in the sink while on vacation?

Depends on what you like to wear. I would take more dresses, less tops and shorts. I think dresses keep me much cooler and look more put together. Italians aren't big on shorts.

+1 Just returned from Italy and had more dresses than tops and shorts. I wore each dress twice for a 10 day trip. Wore sneakers with the dresses. Seemed to be the "uniform" I saw everywhere.