Florence is one of our favorite cities in all of Italy! The food is amazing, the city is completely walkable, and there is so much to see and do. When planning for your first trip, the Florence Italy outfits you add to your packing list can definitely make your break the visit. Here’s the best Florence Italy summer outfits I actually wore and some inspo for your city adventure.
Summer Heat in the City
We knew it would be hot during August in Florence, but nothing could’ve prepared us for the true scale of that heat! Typically, we wouldn’t plan to go during the busy summer months. However, our friends from the U.S. were visiting, and we’d never miss an opportunity to meet up!
So what should you expect? Well, Florence in August is like being in a sauna as soon as you step outside. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to escape the hot temperatures in the city. We tried to plan the peak afternoon hours at museums, long lunches, and breaks in the shade with cold Aperol spritzes.
Aside from that, one of the best tips is to pick your Florence Italy outfits before you go. I highly recommend going with loose, super lightweight, and breathable clothing. Just think to yourself… can can I be outside in over 95 Fahrenheit (35 C) and feel okay dripping in sweat?
That’s not an exaggeration! I almost didn’t write this post because every photo from my visit looks like I have heat stroke.
Planning Your Florence Italy Vacation
🚩 Location, location! This is one of the most important tips for your visit to Florence. Having a hotel near the city center will save you a lot of steps and time.
For our last trip, we found an affordable place called Residenza Le Rondini. The only issue is it was a little further away from all the action than we would have liked. Check out Hotel degli Orafi, B&B San Remigio and Borgia di Firenze to be close to all the popular attractions.
🍝 Consider booking a cooking class during the afternoon like this pasta course or this one with pasta and Tiramisu! It’s such a fun experience, and you’ll have some great Tuscan recipes to bring home with you.
🇮🇹 One of our favorite memories in Italy was this epic Rome food tour. Here are some of the most popular food tours in Florence.
🌅 Check out more of the best things to do in Florence with tips from our own visit. You also won’t want to miss golden hour at Piazzale Michelangelo for an unforgettable sunset!
My Favorite Florence Italy Outfits
While I had random things on my Florence Italy packing list, this is generally what I wore for two days. We took the train from our summer hideaway in Lake Lugano and the small town of Albogasio-Oria.
Once we dropped our bags around 1pm, we went right out to meet up with friends, and stayed out until we went to bed that night. The next day, we got dressed in the morning and were out again until well past dinner.
If our hotel was more centrally located, I would have popped in to get changed into another one of my Florence summer outfits. Yet, we obviously wanted to make the most of our short time in the city.
All the Florence Italy Outfits I Wore
- Train Outfit (shorts, t-shirt, and sneakers)
- Day One Dress to Explore the City
- Pajamas at Night
- Day Two Summer Dress
- Same Pajamas as the First Night
- Left with Same Train Outfit I Arrived in
My Full Florence Italy Packing List
- 1 Pair of Shorts
- 1 T-shirt
- 1 Pajama Set
- 2 Dresses
- 1 Cross Body Purse (something like this)
- 1 Pair of Sunglasses
- Socks, Undies, and Bras
Really, my Florence Italy summer outfits and packing were super minimal. I did have a change of clothing for each night, but we just didn’t end up back at the hotel, so I never needed it.
Shoes With Your Florence Outfits
If you take anything away from this Florence outfit guide, let it be about the shoes! Know that you’ll be walking all day, up and down steps, and across uneven stones. I’d recommend leaving the high heels at home unless it’s just a short dinner trip from your hotel.
When traveling, I always opt for a comfortable white pair of street shoes. These are slightly cuter than sneakers in my mind, and white is neutral and go with my dresses.
This pair of shoes was my go to for years. Obviously, white can be a concern on city trips, but I’ve never stressed it. They wash very easily and hold up really well.
Although it can be tempting with your Florence Italy summer outfits, sandals aren’t a great choice either. You’ll need a pair of shoes that you can put on and walk over 20,000 steps in without thinking twice.
5 More Tips For Your Florence Italy Outfits
1. Use a sling purse to keep your valuables safe.
2. Keep in mind there is a strict dress code if you plan to visit the Duomo. Pack a small shawl (like this one) and a wrap to cover your knees if you have a dress or shorts on. We saw so many people being turned away for not following the rules!
3. I would avoid maxi dresses in the city. It’s honestly just too hot in the summer months. Also, any pants and heavy layers are a hard no.
4. Florence is a university city, which draws a younger crowd. This is one place you’ll find a much more casual and relaxed Italian style. Of course, it’s still Italy, and high fashion is everywhere. It won’t match the outfits you’ll see in Milan Italy though!
5. Even when the sun goes down, the air is still hot in the summer months. Loose, lightweight, and comfortable day to night Florence outfits are the way to go.
What Florence Italy Outfits to Skip
I touched on this already a little bit, but I can’t stress it enough! This Florence outfit inspo is based on cute comfort and exploring.
Most travelers only put two or three days here on their Italy itineraries. For us, that meant going out early in the morning, and making the most of every moment. Don’t worry! We had plenty of moments to rest our feet and enjoy a glass of wine and snacks!
Skip anything heavy and focus on light comfortable clothes. Bright colors are also nice for photos to match the stunning architecture. Here’s a more general Italy outfits guide for every season.
Continuing Your Italy Trip After Florence
Where to next in Italy? If you didn’t know, Florence is the perfect jump off to see more of Tuscany!
Plan to rent a car after Florence to spend a few days touring this amazing region of Italy. We always use this website to score the best deals and compare companies.
The city is fun, but you won’t want to miss out on all the beautiful small villages in the Tuscan countryside. Some of our absolute favorites are Montepulciano, Pienza, Cortona, and Pitigliano.
You can even hit another city if you have time to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Also, don’t forget your bathing suit if you’d like to soak in the Saturnia Hot Springs.
→ 10 Tuscany Italy Travel Tips For an Amazing Holiday
Have any questions on this article or want to share more of the best Florence Italy outfit inspo? Let us know in the comments!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
