i would never travel with 3" heels and i would not duplicate the same shoe (if i read your post correctly that the 1 tan and 1 black are the same style). i hate synthetic pants in warm weather. yes to layering cotton solid color t-shirt type tops with a silk knit cardigan style lightweight sweater. i always take at least one pair of good looking but comfy sandals.

Hi Daisy!

You can do comfortable and stylish!

As far as clothing, anything a Banana Republic-type will do great in Italy! I was sorry that I did not bring my little jean jacket with me, so perhaps you might want to consider one. I would recommend sticking to darker colors for practical reasons. Just see that your stuff is more or less color coordinated. Like black and tan, etc. Also, everyone wears jeans. I bought a really stylish pair of slack looking black jeans which worked out very well. As far as shoes, I bought a pair of Mephisto walking shoes, a lace-up kind. Expensive and not sexy, although they were largely covered by my pants and jeans, but feet saviors. I also brought another pair of stylish walking shoes, Geox I believe.

Anna Roz

hi anna_roz! the Banana Republic reference is really helpful! And I agree on the little denim jacket idea.
ditto on the "color scheme" thought,
thinking brown, black, creme, white,
camel, maybe a little peach.
...btw, guys just don't have these issues do they..

no...we pack for them!

Hi,
I was in Rome last May and am going back this year for again this year, late May/early June.
May sure you pack really comfortable shoes - I thought I had but ended up with blisters and had to wear one pair of somewhat shabby puma trainers for the rest of the trip.
Jeans, t-shirts and a denim jacket would for would be a good base to start with, also some cotton or linen pants, skirts and tops, as it can be quite warm in May. And of course, I think part of the fun is shopping in Rome - not that I can afford expensive designer gear but there are affordable stores like Coin, Oviesse, Mango, Zara, etc, once you move away from the main tourist drag.
The Italian women are so elegant that there's no point in trying to compete!

dlrogue-so true!! =P~
JMHauldren--regarding your "women really need only 4 pairs of pants in their wardrobes at home and then 3x as many tops" :-$ !!!!! can't let hubby see THIS post for sure!...hmmm password protect computer...burn printed post....must--never--let--him--read her post..puts future clothes shopping in dire jeopardy..:-d

ttt

It depends on your tolerance for heat - but in Italy in May (from Venice through Amalfi Coast) I always dress for summer. Nothing all dark (I may have navy pants but will pair with a light top) or really heavy - I have one light jacket, 1 cotton sweater and a light shawl or something for evening. I usually wear short sleeves - don;t need many long.

As far as shoes are concerned I stick with flats or close to - two pairs for walking (but cute shoes - like skechers mary janes or similar - not big fat white sneakers) and one cutesy pair of flats/sandals for evening (I've never figured out how to negotiate cobblestones in any kind of heels as the Italians do - bravo if you can).

I don't do jeans since they're too heavy, thick and can;t be washed - but stick to thinner cotton, linen or silk for evening. I stick to all pants - then I don;t have to deal with the whole pantyhose thing - but the ones for dinner are distinctly elegant - not cotton capris.

I have read that the average temp for May is 70 degrees and 77 for June. I live in Florida and these are nicer not necessarily summer temps. I was in Italy in Sept once and it was more along the lines of Florida weather, warm-hot.

How is the actual weather in late may early june? Average temps don't tend to tell the true temps. I tend to be on the cold side but don't want to over pack as I have to pack for a 23 month old and my husband. Thanks.

Dewdrops; you will only know for sure by checking the forecast a few days before you leave. I've been in Florence in May when it was extremely warm; over 30 celsius during the day.

Hi Daisy

I've been to the places you mention in both early May and late May/June and, of course, experienced all kinds of weather! Earlier in May we ran into more rain and some downright cool nights in Tuscany. On the later trip I never even unfolded the lightweight rain jacket I brought. So, try to cover your bases and if you need a sweater or an umbrella etc, buy a cute Italian one!

Agree with the jean jacket. Can dress it up a bit, too, with a scarf or a chunky pin.

As others advised, stick to dark colors for your pants/skirts and add some color with your long and short sleeve T's. I'd take a pair of capris; on this last trip, I alternated between a black pair and an olivey-green pair, both lightweight, that I could wash out easily. Wore them sightseeing, out to dinner and on dayhikes, too.

I am a jeans person and always take a pair -- if you are concerned about how you look, definitely take your best-fitting ones!

I like to wear a nice-looking "hoody" (zip-up sweatshirt) on the plane for comfort and just to have a cosy layer for cool weather.

You have lots of good shoe advice here. I agree with skipping the heels. I have done well with shoes by Merill (I know that's spelled wrong), Ecco and Clarks. I'd be happy to take tennis shoes but they never give me enough support. Love the cute Puma styles, but they really don't fit me well.

I took two pairs of sandals and one pair of walking/day hiking shoes on the last trip -- 3 pairs seems like a lot (it was a month trip) but I usually switched shoes before we went out at night and I was the only one of 5 of us who had no problems with blisters or sore feet.