What I’m Packing for a Summer Trip to Italy

To my mind, packing for a trip is half the fun and the below list is everything I packed for our 9 days in and around the Amalfi Coast. This is both an easy resource for you if you spot something you love on my Instagram, and a checklist for me to make sure I don’t leave anything behind! All of this fits in my personal item, one carry on and one checked bag, which is the maximum amount of luggage I ever like to travel with on a trip. I always pack my most special pieces plus the items I need to get me through the first 48-72 hours of the trip in my carry-on just in case the checked bag goes missing for a couple of days, and I highly recommend using apple air tags in your checked bag for extra peace of mind!

Dresses:

Nothing is easier than throwing on a dress for lazy summer days and dresses will be my look of choice for our trip. Sundresses don’t take up much space in luggage and look elevated yet are incredibly comfy. I’m bringing a bunch of white and neutral accessories to mix and match so getting dressed will be a breeze. I’m bringing lots of fabulous options for under $200, plus a few special pieces. 

Casual Dresses for daytime exploring:

• I’m so obsessed with this knit midi dress (under $150!) that I bought (and brought) it in two colors
• This blue and white striped dress will look fab with this belt
• I’ll be cinching this white tiered dress with this belt and a silk scarf
• This white shift dress (on sale! more sizes here) is so simple and chic. (I wear tennis shorts underneath – especially important when climbing stairs)
• This pink linen wrap dress will echo the rosy colors of Positano
• Another super flattering ruffle wrap dress
• Excited for this timeless red embroidered sundress

Special pieces for dinner:

• I love the retro feel of the beaded neckline and cuffs on this caftan. 1960s glamour!
• I just discovered Cartolina Nantucket’s collection and their dresses are so beautiful plus many are inspired by Bridget Bardot’s yachting style – perfect!
• A Tove bow-front dress in white (old, seen in blue-grey here)
• Going full Italian glamour in this stunning rust and teal dress by LaDoubleJ, and this silk caftan by the same brand
• You can never go wrong with a floral sundress from Oscar de la Renta (watch for it to go on sale again!)
• I’ve collected some favorite Italy-specific pieces over the years (mostly pre-loved!) and brought a majolica sundress by Dolce and Gabbana Dress (found on theRealReal (watch this page) or similar here, this fabulous maxi skirt, and this embroidered shift! 

Tops:

I might have gone a little too light on this category, and will likely end up wearing bathing suits as tops a lot on this trip, but since most days will involve dips in the Mediterranean or a pool I think that’s ok!

• Love this fun raffia fringed tank
• Brought this Breton-striped rollneck sweater for the plane and beyond
• Can’t go anywhere without a cashmere cable knit sweater (even if I only drape it over my shoulders!)

Bottoms:

• These paisley trousers are so fun
• I never leave home without my favorite white jeans
• These patch front white shorts are so flattering and easy
• The perfect (opaque!) white capri pants do exist!

Bathings suits:

• This bow one-shoulder suit in white and in blue (can pass as a top if paired with a skirt!)
• This classic white tank swimsuit
• A navy Zimmerman high-waisted bikini (old, but same silhouette in seersucker here: top and bottom)
• Love this pink marbleized bikini top and bottom. (I’ve had the same suit in an older paisley print for 5 years and still love it!)

Coverups:

• Two Agua by Agua Bendita pareos (the silk cotton blend gives them such a lovely drape) my patterns are old, but current prints are here!
• A white Three Graces London eyelet coverup (old, but their new version is almost identical)
• This pretty eyelet number is technically a coverup but I think you can get away with it as a dress for a poolside lunch too.
• This green floral wrap skirt.
• This Pucci sarong.

Bags:

Summer accessories are so easy, pick a couple neutral options and mix and match as you go! (Plus several of these fit inside each other, so they don’t take up much space).

• Bamboo top handle wicker bag
• White wicker clutch
• Mini Straw and leather tote
• Pamela Munson floral embroidered clutch
• Cream Mark Cross top handle bag (sold out)
• Aqua Coral embroidered clutch

Shoes:

• Two pairs of super comfortable white slides – these are my favorites to wear with dresses and these ivory slides are for days by the pool!
• Two pairs of my favorite block heeled sandals for navigating old cobblestone streets (I brought gold and navy but they come in so many colors!)
• My favorite cognac “bow” sandals 
• Cork wedges that go with everything
• Yellow espadrilles for a pop of color!
• Raffia mules for travel days and shuffling down to breakfast (get 20% off with code “friendsofstacie”)
• Fabulous sunset colored Sara Flint Aet flats that were inspired by the Amalfi Coast! (old, current colors here).

Accessories:

• This Alice Walk cashmere wrap (in ivory) is so plush and a total lifesaver on chilly planes and will be my go-to layer when the temperature dips at night
• I almost always wear stud earrings in my day-to-day but I’m excited to wear these statement pearl hoops for our dinners out! (They are so pretty!)
• My gold locket.
• Three belts include: this one (pair with a silk scarf), a white double Aquazurra one (old, current season here) and this raffia one.
• Sunglasses including tortoise frames, rose-colored-glasses, and white sunnies!
• A silk scarf, which can also be tied as a top.
• We’ll be mostly walking for our workouts, but I brought a pair of leggings and a sportswear to hopefully do a few mat exercises while away.
• My XXL sunhat for shading my face at the pool (yes it fits in my luggage!) 
• Two Lake nightgowns and a robe!