We are leaving for Italy at the end of August, and will be spending one month in Italy, France and Southern Spain. I keep reading that Europe is miserably hot in August- does that carry over to September? I'm just wondering if we should pack more shorts or more slacks. And what is hot? I live in Oklahoma, and we're used to 90-100 degree summers...when it's in the 70s and 80s, we often wear slacks. Thanks for your help!

Heather, you may be used to hot weather, but you are probably also used to air conditioning. 90-100 degrees feels a lot hotter when you live in a home with no airco, commute in a subway, tram or bus with no airco, and work in an office with no airco, as is common in Europe.
Nobody knows what September will be like. It could very well carry over, but OTOH, this summer has been unusual and it could suddenly come crashing to an end with a cold wave!
I suggest you bring capri-length pants, for both sexes. A lot of European men wear capri-length shorts. Bring them in lightweight and heavier fabrics and you should be covered no matter what the weather.

Hi Heather:

I'm from Oklahoma too (Norman) and will be in England, France, and Italy between Sept. 18 & Oct. 9. I'm kind of trying to "hedge" my bets by bringing (among other things) some capris, some light-to-medium weight khakis, and a slightly heavier pair of black slacks. I'm also bringing a few pairs of tights that I can layer under the lighter weight slacks if, like BTilke says, a cold snap comes along.

Happy travels!
Jennie

I live in Switzerland. This has been an unusually hot summer, but that could easily change in Sept. Capris are a good choice as no one wears shorts here except on the beach or at home in private. Tank tops are good and quite common here and are easily layered with a cardigan.

I was staying with a girlfriend who lives in Montreux last summer about this time. It was unseasonably hot. Both she and I wore shorts (just to put another perspective on the observation offered above).