This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)
Autumn (together with Spring) is one of the best seasons if you are planning to cross a few names off your list of Italian getaways. The huge crowds of tourists (as it happens most of the times in Florence) are mostly gone after the high peak season, the weather is still good with the occasional rain and the weather is less warm, especially in the South of Italy. Yes, because I live in Naples and I can tell you without a doubt that Summer in the South of Italy can be as nice as stepping into a furnace, hence the suggestion I gave you to wear light, cotton dresses if you’re visiting Positano!
Fall is also a very interesting season for a vacation in Italy for the food lovers. It’s the period of the year where in Italy we pick the grapes and start the new wine, or the olives to make the new oil, and we have the best chestnuts. Why am I saying this? Because in Tuscany (it also happens in other Italian regions but Tuscany has so much to offer) during Fall you can plan a wine or olive tasting tour. In the South you can go on tours to pick up the chestnuts in beautiful woods in full foliage and maybe eat them in delicious cakes… see what I’m trying to point out here? The “Bel Paese” is less crowded, less warm, and you can experience off the beaten path tours that will show you a side of my Country that I swear it’s very interesting (and delicious: let’s not forget about the food!). It can also be a good destination for solo females, also in Winter.
Trying to decide what to wear in Autumn in Italy might be a bit of a problem, mostly because the North of Italy is different from the South. While in the North the air is a bit chilly and it rains more, the South is still warm. If you are lucky, you might still be able to go to the beach in September, here in the South (Amalfi Coast or Puglia are absolutely perfect in Autumn). Sure, maybe the water will be colder but you’d get the chance to enjoy the view in Positano without anybody pushing you aside to take a picture, as it often happens in August!
If you are visiting Italy during Fall for two weeks or more, it doesn’t mean that you need to drag around two heavy suitcases! I mean, we don’t do Italian suits every day, even if when people think of “Italian fashion“, they believe we only wear expensive clothes or we change our outfit like three times per day. I can assure you that it’s not the case!
We have a way to save space in our luggage and to dress up for every occasion. We call it the “a cipolla” style, which means using layers like an onion. Now I don’t have to teach you what to wear in Autumn in Italy, but of course you can’t go to a classy restaurant wearing your favorite pj’s, so let me show you a few outfits that will help you to blend in and be prepared both for the North and the South of Italy… at an affordable price (which is always a bonus!).
What to wear in Autumn in Italy – Day outfit to explore the city
This kind of jacket can be used for the North and the South of Italy. Chances are that in Milan for example you will have to wear it also during the day, while in Naples you might have to wear it only in the evening or in a particularly chilly day. It is soft enough that you can eventually fold it and store it in your backpack in case you aren’t using it, and it provides the right comfort to explore our art cities without feeling overdressed: street style. A pair of tight fitting jeans will also save your life on more than one occasion. I always have at least 2-3 pairs in my suitcase, because I can change my shirt and jacket, keeping the same pair of jeans (we do have laundromats also in Italy, so in case you need to, you can wash your clothes without spending too much or overpacking!)… and it looks like a completely new outfit. September and October, especially here in the South, will let you keep your short sleeves, provided that you have a warmer jacket with you. If you get the kind of jacket like the one I’m showing you here, you won’t need to wear long sleeves, because it’s warm enough. Of course, if you’re worried you might still be cold, by all means, pack also a long sleeved shirt… but… one. Not twenty. I know you were already stuffing them in your luggage!
Shoes, if you are spending the day walking around Florence, exploring the Art Metro Stations in Naples or any other Italian city, have to be comfortable. A pair of sneakers like this Adidas model are perfect because they won’t get your feet wet in case of rain, and you won’t hurt them trying to walk on the uneven floor of many Italian cities with heels. Ugh! We’d never do that here, so we’re used to sneakers!
This outfit is also perfect if you have lunch in the city!
What to wear in Autumn in Italy – (Warm) morning at the beach
This outfit is to be considered strictly for a beach morning in the South of Italy, mainly in September. The water might be too cold, but we still have some amazing warm and sunny mornings when you can spend a few hours at the beach. To get to the beach, you can still bring with you the sneakers from the previous outfit, hence the big bag that will serve as a “beach backpack”, where you could also store a light jacket, just in case. My sister lives in Milan and she assured me that September is already way too chilly to even think of wearing flip-flops, even if some tourists do it. And we don’t want to be “that” kind of tourist, right?
What to wear in Autumn in Italy – Winery/Olive oil producer visit
If you are going only for a wine/olive oil tasting, move over to the next outfit. If on the contrary you’re going to visit, and they will also show you how we pick the grapes or the olives, then this is the right outfit. My husband’s family comes from Lazio and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to see (and help!) when they were picking up the red grapes: it is a very delicate (and time consuming) task. Same goes for the olives: it’s fun to watch, especially if you’ve never seen it before, but it can be pretty tiring, just think of how tiny these olives are! You won’t want to wear a clear shirt because it might get dirty and it’d be a mess to clean it up. According to the weather, a denim shirt might be too warm, so I suggest a cotton one, you can still roll up your sleeves if you’re sweating! And again according not only to the weather but also to the time you’ll get back to the hotel (it gets chilly and possibly damp in the fields) you might want to bring along one of these light jackets that you can crush and roll up. It also fits in a medium sized purse, I tested it!
What to wear in Autumn in Italy – Wine/Olive tasting
Black jeans, especially skinny, will go a long way: you can use them for multiple occasions. Same goes with this kind of tunic, because it’s elegant but doesn’t overdo it, and being cotton, it’s fresh enough that you won’t be too warm. If you might be worried that it’ll be too chilly, bring along a nice black blazer like this one I’m showing you. You can also use it when you’re exploring the city, and it will be useful especially if you still plan to wear a tank top on a particularly warm day: remember that naked shoulders won’t do in any religious building in Italy, so you will need something to cover yourself anyway. As for the shoes, if the setting is informal, you will be perfectly fine wearing the same kind of shoes I suggested for the day outfit, so white sneakers all the way! If on the contrary you will be wine/olive tasting in an elegant setting, then a classic pair of black pumps will be perfect. You can also use them for an evening outfit, with a different and more elegant shirt! Prosit!
What to wear in Autumn in Italy – Outfit for an evening dinner
In case you hadn’t noticed, I love maxi dresses. I could go for a midi dress, but hey, to each his own, right? I think this kind of dresses can be used in so many occasions. Opera? Check. Dinner out? Check. Date? Check. Elegant restaurant? Check. Must be the reason why my closet is so full of them. And my husband totally isn’t complaining because I’m stealing his side of the closet, absolutely not!
Anyway, in the evening it will be chilly. Long sleeves will be ok in the South, and depending on the weather, you might not need a blazer too. In the North, you will definitely need long sleeves and a blazer. You can use the same one you packed for the wine tasting, a simple black one will do on most dresses. As for the shoes, here in the South we still wear sandals for most of September, and sometimes up to early October. In the North you could go for the pumps you got for the wine tasting, black and classic. If you don’t have enough space in your suitcase, just go for the black pumps, better not risk it!
What to wear in Autumn in Italy – The basics
- Don’t over pack!
- Always mix and match
- The South is warmer during the day but it will be chilly in the evening
- Pack a light raincoat or a small folding umbrella
- Check online the restaurants you want to go to, so you won’t risk being overdressed
- If you are staying in Italy for longer than two weeks, just use a laundromat in stead than overpacking
Important disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Pin it for later!
LOved this post, it gave me the idea of going olive tasting. Amazing blog
Yum that’s a great idea, actually! Thank you so much for reading!
We went in autumn to Italy, and packing was so much more complicated because we moved from Capri in the south to Como up north. What a variety of climates and temperatures. Layering technique came in most handy.
I am so ready for fall!! These are great tips, thanks for sharing 🙂
Same here! I hope they’ll be useful for your trips!
Such a thoughtful and detailed guide with many helpful tips. I haven’t been to Italy during the fall but next time will try to go during spring or fall as the summer was way too hot on my trip and it was in the north.
I feel you! I’m used to the warm weather and yet Milan in July is definitely too much even for me! I prefer to travel in Spring or Fall also to avoid the huge crowds!
I love all the suggestion, very helpful and classy specially the one for dinner. Hopefully, I could visit Italy during autumn. That would be very amazing!
You’d be in for one hell of a ride! 😀
I love Italy! I actually thing weather wise autumn is a great time to visit. I’ve been once before during this time of year and you miss most of the crowds but the weather is still great!
Exactly! It might be a bit more moody but considering how warm and how crowded it is during the summer…!
“a cipolla” style, which means using layers like an onion. I just knew there is a name for this. And this helps to save luggage space for sure! I love all the outfits you recommend. 🙂
Haha yes whenever we ask each other “what should I wear there?” we always reply “dress a cipolla!” so it’s a commonly used expression here! 😀 I’m really glad you like the suggested options!
A perfect guide for Italy in Autumn! I completely agree – Autumn is such a good time to visit. I’ve only been to Rome so far but I’d love to travel to a few other places you’ve mentioned. A wine tasting tour in Tuscany sounds fabulous!
I hope you can make it to the South one day, there’s so much to see and do!
I don’t know about Italy clothes cause I would wear them for visiting any location! Very cute options!!
Haha being Italian we give a lot of importance to what we wear, but in my opinion you don’t have to spend a month’s pay just for one dress, there are cuter options that come for less! I’m really glad you like them!
Great article, thanks. We’re heading to Verona for Valentine’s Day next year. Should we be wrapping up warm? ✌️❤️
February in the North can be a bit on the cold side, so yes, definitely! Bring warm clothes and go for layers anyway, I doubt the temperatures would be over 20°C but you never know!
Thanks for this! I am trying to convince my fiancé to go to Italy in September for our honeymoon. I thought it might be warm enough to go to the beach!
Here in the South and on the Amalfi Coast I can confirm that you can still go to the beach in the morning! It’s chilly in the evening, but that’s why we suggested the layers strategy! Congratulations for your upcoming wedding!
I live in a climate where it is all about layering and yet I still find myself trying to master that. I think some people are born with a knack for it. I would love to visit Italy in fall and taste all the foods made with mushrooms and experience wine crush. Thanks for sharing, as Italy is on my list.
I love mushrooms too! In Italy we have so many delicious foods that use mushrooms, especially Porcini!
I can’t believe that some locals think it’s too cool in Milan in September to wear flip-flops. I was there just a few days ago and it was horribly hot! (But, it was still early September and global warming…)
Really? The temperatures have dropped a lot within the last days, which is why one has to be ready for everything!
Now the weather is so crazy that you cannot know with seasons. I would also choose Autumn for a couple of visits in the south of Italy but now that you mention Tuscany . . well, I read that they are not having a good time right now 🙁 Your proposals look great: comfortable and fancy!
Nope, there was a big flooding in Livorno and people have died. 🙁
Very cute outfits, for all the locations and events! I hope to make Italy very soon..
Fingers crossed that you make it here soon!
Knowing just the right clothes to pack when in Europe is so helpful, often there are quirks to various locations we travel to and there’s nothing worse than being underdressed or overdressed. I love that you’ve included such a thorough guide.
Or forgetting that the rules for religious buildings here are pretty strict!!!
This is really helpful! I’m always torn over what to bring with me on my travels through Europe because of the different style of dress that we use in the US.
The weather also plays a huge role in deciding what to bring. Layers are great here in Boston, too, but we are definitely more casual especially in the winter with the snow flying 🙂
Yeah in Italy we really care about what we are wearing! And more often than not I find people rolling their eyes when they notice people clearly out of context. The “oh, gosh, usual tourist” eyeroll… that I don’t like. But then again I’ve seen tourists in shorts, in March, on the top of the Vesuvius, shaking with the cold and with blue toes. Flip flops and shorts might not be the best idea in that case 😀 I think Boston is already colder in this period?
Love your outfit suggestions – I’m a big fan of layering, which also lets me diversify an outfit when I need to. We would be heading to the south, so definitely working on ideas for a beach wardrobe – love the idea of a “beach backpack”! Love the suggestion on black skinny jeans – they look classy for so many occasions. And thanks for the reminder about naked shoulders in religious sites – will definitely factor in shirts with shoulders.
Exactly what I meant! You can bring a few items and mix them to diversify without having to drag around a huge suitcase. Skinny black jeans are a must for every season for me, you can use them for every look, grunge, slightly more elegant, sporty: anything you need!
Looks like a great post for women. I guess shorts and a t-shirt is all a guy needs.
Actually with shorts you won’t be able to get into any religious building and you will nearly freeze in the North, but ok I guess. 😀
I never really consider visiting anywhere around the Mediterranean in Autumn as I just assume the weather will be a little middling so usually go for autumnal breaks in northern Europe instead. How wrong I was – especially if the weather is still good enough to hit the beach! I’ll definitely have to consider a trip to Italy in autumn if it means I can try a wine tasting tour!
Italy offers so much to do in Autumn, and the food is delicious! Give it a try sometimes, you won’t be disappointed!
I didn’t know you could go chestnut hunting in Italy! That sounds like a lovely afternoon to me:) I love that even in the fall, you can still wear a swimsuit in Italy.
And you can eat delicious cakes made with the chestnuts you found too! 🙂
Nice tips. I’m gonna pass this article to my wife for sure. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I hope she finds it useful!
Nice post Dany! Autumn and spring in Europe can be tricky for packing as the weather can be so changeable. I like your recommendations to pack layers and separates, it lives up to the “capsule wardrobe” concept. I love Italian style too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’m trying to get rid of the huge suitcases unless I’m forced to because I need to bring props or other things for our videos! 😀 I’m glad you found it useful!
Haha I guess I’ll have to work on not being one of “those kind” of tourist! I grew up in California wearing flip-flops year-round. I think I have more flip-flops than pants, and they’re nice and not cheap sandals. I think I need to invest in just a few lighter-weight jackets that I can use to dress up a bunch of outfits and a scarf or two!
Flip flops here happen too, in Positano in Summer! It’s way less posh than what people think! 😀 Also for this kind of travels I shop on Amazon, and I keep these for my trips, like last Winter! I got heavy clothes (like VERY heavy) even if here it’s never that cold. Now for this Winter I can travel again in snowy areas because I have everything!
Perfect for millenials which I am not!
Really? Here in Italy (and the article, if you read it, is written for people to “blend in”), women find long dresses and high heels stylish at every age. And my mom still goes hiking with a pair of jeans and sneakers, because it’d be insane to think of doing it with heels. 🙂 Of course, if you think that going to an elegant restaurant in the evening with sneakers or flip flops… well you’d do what we were trying *not* to have. Stick out like a sore thumb. 🙂
It’s Italy, we are very aware of what we wear, here.
Good tips here, I even found myself wearing shorts and t-shirts in southern Italy in December. I love going there in the winter months 🙂
It’s very warm, we’re quite used to it! Sicily is also much more warm!
The weather in Southern Italy in fall is pretty much the same like in Greece. You can still go to the beach but you are going to need a light jacket at night here as well!
That’s it! Exacly why I always apply the layered clothes strategy: it’s much easier!
Wow, that is so cool you live in Naples. Well, those pictures certainly do not match what I would wear in Italy, or anywhere, but I have a nice sense of what to bring for autumn trips to Italy.
Yep, I often write about my area, Pompeii, Naples, Amalfi Coast etc 🙂 Have you been?
Nice tips! You have a great scence of style too! Autumn is a great season for styling clothes. Never been to italy during autumn tho, I might now in the future 😉
Oh that is mostly my sister’s help! She’s very much in love with fashion, keeps updated and loves to shopping. I’ve just been following her suggestions 😀 As for Autumn in Italy, I think together with Spring is my favorite season: there’s so much to do and without the huge crowds!
Wifey loved the looks. So here she goes on a shopping spree! Thanks to you:)
Hey didn’t you know? Us women never have anything to wear 😉
I love your featured image! I am absolutely horrible at picking out an outfit to wear. Most of the time it is the first thing that I get at hand. I’ve been looking for a change but old habits die hard. I may just take you up on some of these tips.
It’s the magic of Fall! I love the red, yellow and brownish leaves! 🙂 And here in Italy we pay a lot of attention to what we wear, not because we want it to be expensive but because it has to match the places we are going, so absolutely not the first thing at hand 😀
We love Italy in autumn, and I think most of my visits have been that time of year, and some in Spring. I dislike that intense heat of summer, not to mention the crowds. Like you, I think layering is the key to dealing with the weather differences north to south, and even in one place where the weather can change from day to day.
We couldn’t agree more! It can be absolutely, unbearably warm, and way too crowded, in the summer, especially here in the South. Layering is the perfect solution not to overpack and to be always ready: the temperatures shift a lot in Autumn, you never know if it’s going to be warm or chilly, if there will be sun or not!
Great selection! I really love the post:)
Glad you like it!
Love love this article. How helpful and so much fun to read! Thanks!
Thank you very much Lisa 🙂