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Summer is finally around the corner in Europe and the temperatures are already beach-ready so...all summer wardrobes are out and keen to be worn.
This week's newsletter is an update from my very popular What to wear in Europe in the summer dispatch, full of more photos from what me and other guests have worn on our trips for inspiration.
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What to wear in Europe in the summer
In a nutshell: You really can wear whatever you want in Europe. There are no requirements or rules and nobody will blink an eye if you decide to walk around in your pyjamas. I say that honestly.
But, if you want to blend in, dress like the locals OR you want tips to be comfy and also look nice, here is what I wear on all our steamy European trips to Amalfi, Croatia & Montenegro, Tuscany, Georgia, the Greek Islands and at home in Barcelona.
Below are some tips and photos from my and other guests' outfits on our European summer trips.
Tips for packing
- Light fabrics: Cotton, linen, silk, natural fibres, to fight heat / humidity.
- Consider the sun and whether you prefer to cover (long sleeves, fancy cover-ups) or put sunscreen on.
- The right shoes will save you: A pair of comfy shoes that you can walk on for hours on uneven surfaces is a must in Europe. Cobblestone streets, slippery tiles, lots of stairs and hot asphalt.
- Chunky accessories: We like to upgrade a simple outfit with accessories. I have more than 50 necklaces and earrings and always bring 3-4 on my trips. Foulards, hats, sunglasses, etc.
Anti-theft bag: The MOST important item in your European summer packing list is an anti-theft bag. Europe is very safe, but pickpockets are PROS and they prey on distracted tourists, and there is A LOT to be distracted by in Europe. This si the most commonly used bag on our tours. Every tour has at least a couple of guests using one of these bags. |
What I wear
- Long skirts: Classy, comfy and they won't blow away with the wind which is a particularly feisty in the Greek islands and Amalfi. I have silky, cotton and linen skirts.
- Kimonos: They are light and breezy and they cover my skin from the sun so I don't have to lather sunscreen which I find gross when I get sweaty. The only thing I don't like is that they need to be ironed π
- Cotton sleeveless tops: They are light and fresh and they don't look creased because they are tight so I can put them on straight from the suitcase.
- Light linen or silk shirts: They look pretty and are light and cool, plus they can upgrade any outfit and go from day to night, and they cover my shoulders from the sun.
- A pair of comfy Another sole golden shoes (pictured above): I have been wearing the extremely comfortable, pretty and light shoes from Another sole for the last 3 years and I wore them on every tour for the last 2 years, walking anything from 10-20k steps a day on cobblestones and asphalt. Because mine are gold, I can wear them with dresses and fancier outfits as well as with jeans and shorts. Everyone asks me about them when on tour. I love recommending them to everyone because they are fantastic.
- Colorful dresses: A great choice for summers in Europe. I have several light dresses with patterns, some of them are long sleeved so I don't have to put sunscreen on my cleavage or shoulders, others have spaghetti straps and I pair them with a very thin cardigan (see below). Some are long, some three-quarters and some short. I love that they occupy little space and are an entire outfit.
- Hawaianas or espadrilles: For the beach. As a Catalan, espadrilles and abarca sandals are the most common go-to summer casual shoe. It's typical to buy a pair at the beginning of the summer and wear them till they break. Flip flops also work.
- Flat leather sandals: I have this pair of nude sandals from Charles & Keith, they strap so my foot is in place and have cushion for walking. They are affordable and go with everything. I have bought the same model sandal every summer for the last 3. I wear them so much that my feet have the suntan mark from last year π.
- Hat: This is the most important item you can pack for a summer vacation in Europe. Wide-brim to cover you up.
- Short skirts: I have a variety of above the knee patterned skirts that I pair with solid color tops. I try to go for tube skirts because of the wind.
- Light jacket / cardigan: I have a few silk jackets and light cardigans that are useful in the evening and to cover from the sun.
- Shorts: Paired with a t-shirt or any top, they are a comfy, easy to throw on, wind-proof and a ready go-to outfit for more casual settings.
- Capri pants: Comfy and look good in the summer. Plus they cover my legs so....no need for sunscreen :)
What NOT to wear in Europe in the summer
In the spirit of blending in and practically, there are some things I avoid.
- Jeans, it is too hot, unless they are the thin summer version or you plan to wear them at night
- Flat shoes without support, they will be very tricky in most of the cobblestoned streets in Europe and provide no support for the long hours of walking
- Raincoats, unless you are in rainy places like Scotland or Ireland. They're too hot, take an umbrella
- Hiking clothes, it may be tempting to wear hiking boots or zip pants, but really, you'll be shouting "tourist". Again, if you feel comfy in that, go for it, but this is the surest way to stand out in the urban areas. These are fine if you plan to hike, of course.
And what about athleisure or sports clothes?
I say: Go for it! If you feel most comfy in sports clothes, just wear that.
More and more people wear yoga pants, and in the big cities, you will find people wearing everything (and enough tourists that it is hard to tell who is local and who isn't).
I have never met my friends wearing sports clothes. Locals may wear them to get bread or do their groceries, and to exercise, but that's essentially it.
The same applies to sneakers.
We wear sports sneakers designed for exercising at the gym only. We wear cute sneakers designed for casual wear outside the gym.
The difference between the two is where they are sold. If they are sold at a sports store, they are for the gym. If they are sold at a shoe store, they are for all-wear.
Alternatives to sneakers that we wear in Europe:
- βSuperga I've been wearing them since I was a teenager, make sure to break them in before the trip or they'll give you blisters
- βGeox makes extremely comfortable shoes that are made for walking. They're breathable and provide support.
- βBirkenstock popular as a casual / beachwear shoe
- βVictoria sneakers I wore them as a child and teenager and they have made a come back. Hand made in Spain since 1915, comfy and made for walking
- βToms: Quite comfy and easy to wash.
Updates from our tours
Below is the list of 2025 tours that are still available, though some have only 1 or 2. The rest are all sold out.
π = I will be on this tour; π· = A professional photographer accompanies this trip to take photos for you to share and keep
π βMADAGASCAR: βπ 6 to 17 Oct
ββ±οΈ BARCELONA & BEYOND (2026 dates available)β: π 28 Jun to 4 Jul β 1 SPOT LEFT
βπ ICELANDβ
- 28 Sep to 5 Oct
- π· 12 to 19 Oct β 2 SPOTS LEFT
βπ· π§ TUSCANYβ
- 31 Aug to 7 Sep β 1 SPOT LEFT
βπ AMALFI COASTβ: 15 to 19 Sep
βπͺ
OAXACA (2026 dates available)β
- π· 12 to 18 Oct
- 9 to 15 Nov
- 29 Dec, 2025 to 4 Jan, 2026
βπ¨πΊ CUBA (2026 dates available): 28 Dec to 5 Jan, 2026
βπ° SCOTLANDβ: π· 11 to 19 Oct (Halloween π) β 2 SPOTS LEFT
βπ· GEORGIA (2026 dates available)β: 20 β 28 Sep 2025
βπ¦ TANZANIA VALUE (2026 dates available)
- 13 to 23 Jun β 1 SPOTS LEFT
- 26 Sep to 6 Oct β 2 SPOTS LEFT
- 23 Dec to 2 Jan, 2026
βπ XMAS MARKETS IN CENTRAL EUROPEβ: 22 to 30 Nov only β 3 SPOTS LEFT
βπ¦ AUSTRALIAβ (2026 dates available): π 12 to 23 Oct β 2 SPOTS LEFT
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=> Did you know we can organize a trip for you and your friends or your family to any of the destinations above (mixed gender)? Reach out to discuss your needs.
See all the previous 110 newsletter travel tips here and don't forget to forward this email to a friend who may find it useful.
Have a wonderful weekend and talk to you next week !
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SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS CO-FOUNDERS
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