DH and I are heading for CT, Elba and Tuscany the first 3 weeks of October. I am wondering if one selects more colorful clothing or just go with basics like black-tan and white with a bit of red thrown in? What kind of weather does one find near the water in Oct? While in Paris in early May, I wore my longjohns due to the dampness and sharp wind. Just need a little help from someone who has been there-What can we expect? DH and I are getting excited as this will be our first trip to Italy on our own. Just finished our itinerary this morning.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions and input.

Not sure where you're from - assume it's a very hot climate. I don;t know what to begin to reco to someone who brings (or wears) long johns in Paris in May.

(We had a niece from FL visit us and she kept asking us to turn up the heat - she was freezing and started putting on sweaters anytime it went below 75. Naturally we couldn't - our heat is set at daytime temp of 68 - 55 at night).

Usually October near water is damp which will make the temps seem colder than they are. If you wore long johns last May in Paris then you should pack similar cold weather clothing. I always travel with basic colors, usually black, and bring some colorful scarves and a couple of tops in other colors. If it rains the more colorful clothes make me feel more cheerful.

If you wore the longjohns under your clothes, your fashion sense might be just fine.

Go with the basics that you're comfortable in and if you throw in a nice color to break up the black/tan/white, that'll be perfect. When in doubt, wear classics.

Long johns in Paris in May?

You'll need fleece, fur, and parkas in Italy in October. Color irrelevant.

Yes, I did wear my longjohns UNDER slacks etc. I am from Colorado and have very few problems with the dry cold.
I am still giggling at all of your responses and know that you have had a good laugh, too.
Adrienne and LSky-thank you for your suggestions. I was thinking along those lines but,in Az. FL. and Ca. they wear lighter clothing all the time-so, I was not sure about the Italian coast.
Thanks again.

We are also travelling to Italy mid October and plan on bringing my silk underwear, just incase we run into a cold snap. We are from Chicago.

We froze one summer in Paris (mid July). We arrived Amsterdam and the high was mid 40's with lows in the 30's. Paris was a bit warmer, but not much. My sister said she wished she had brought gloves and a fleece jacket.

It was cold when I was in Tuscany mid-September 2008. All the Italians had on coats. Towards the end of the month it started to warm back up a bit.

FYI - Ask where you are staying if the heat will be on in October.

Why mock the person so much becaue they use long underwear in May. I could have done that at times in Paris, if it is the kind I have. I have several different weights of it for skiing and other activities, and the silk set I have (Cuddleduds or something) is fairly lightweight and thin but warm. If you were the kind of person who travels very light and only had very thin pants because you were thinking warm/summer, I could see how you could use those in May in Paris. Heck, I've been there in August when I could have useed them, frankly, only I went to the stores and bought some cheap sweaters and pants instead. I was in Paris one September when I went and bough "undershirts" because I was so cold and my clothes were more summerish than winterish (really they were some rayon/model tanks that were for sale in the lingerie dept and I layered them under some long-sleeve cotton tees).

I've been to Tuscany in October - and while daytime temps were fine (70 degrees), the night time temps were a different story (40's). I wished that I'd brought a few warm sweaters and I realized the importance of bringing clothing that could be layered.

I always travel with the "basic-black-plus" wardrobe and Italy was no exception. We were there in early November and I remember it raining frequently, so might suggest a light weight rain jacket. I always have a very lightweight fleece (from LL Bean)that will layer under the rain jacket to make for pretty substantial warmth if needed. We wore sweaters with Pashminas wrapped around for style and warmth in the evenings. I think layers are your best solution. And do take comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets.

<i>We wore sweaters with Pashminas wrapped around for style and warmth in the evenings. I think layers are your best solution.</i>

This option always works well for me too.

Thank you all. We are travelling light and my silks are very light weight. I will take your suggerstions and throw in a light sweater for layering. Being a bit older and the days will be shorter-we will probably not be out at night. Of course, late afternoon may be chillier. Will check on the heat for the hotel. If none-maybe extra blankets!!
I plan to wear a pair of trail shoes and a very comfortable pair of PW Minors (both must accoommodate my full orthodics.
We always take wind breakers-wherever we go.
While in Paris I lived in several items. Luckily, they fit under my jacket. I may have looked pg. but was warm and that was all that counted!!

<i>If none-maybe extra blankets!!</i>

You're not considering packing extra blankets, are you? That would be an awful waste of your packing space. Sleeping in the silks and a pair of socks should do the trick even if there is no heat what-so-ever. Its not Canada in winter! It might be "cool" at night, <u>not freezing.</u> Can't imagine where you would stay that they wouldn't give you an extra blanket.

No TC, I do not plan to pack blankets!!Wearing my silks will suffice. I sincerely hope that it will not be freezing!!