Picture this: I'm on a beautiful boat, speeding across picturesque Lake Como with the wind in my hair, mountains in the background and multi-million dollar mansions dotting the shoreline. This was me recently – an Italy travel dream come true. The Hotel Royal Victoria, a picturesque resort in Varenna, was my first stop. Then my group and I hopped (by boat, of course!) to the other side of Lake Como and stayed at the Grand Victoria Hotel in Menaggio. Both are beautiful, both are ultra chic, and both are the perfect backdrops for a million photos.
With only a carry-on, I had the daunting task of packing appropriately for the weather (which ranged from warm, summery to rainy and overcast) and packing appropriately for Instagram. In retrospect, there are some things I wish I'd left at home (sorry, miniskirts) and some things I wish I'd tossed in my bag at the last minute (a linen blazer that saved me countless times and a two-piece set that doubled my wardrobe). Here are 15 items I'm glad I packed.
Samantha Leal
oversized striped shirt
Cilicityron Button-down Shirt
Amazon
This slightly oversized striped shirt quickly became one of my favorite things I packed: as a transition piece for the colder months of the trip, under a sweater as an extra layer, over a tank top as a lightweight “jacket,” and over my bathing suit when I went to the spa (so I didn't have to worry about wet hair). It really worked! The one I bought is from Storets, but you can also get this great button-down from popular brand Siliteelon on Amazon for $26.
Relaxed linen pants
Bloggerlove Wide Leg Linen Pants
Amazon
Linen pants are great for any destination, but they'll come in handy on Lake Como. Not only do they make comfortable bottoms for long flights, but their versatility means you can dress them up or down as needed, especially when the weather's colder than expected. If you're spending the day by the water, the lightweight, loose-fitting material also doubles as a swimsuit cover-up that can be worn around town with the right top and shoes.
Multi-purpose slide
Olukai Rai Slide
Olukai
From the pool to the spa to the boat to dinner, these slide sandals were a godsend. They're super comfortable with a lightly molded footbed, cushioned support, and traction, and they're super stylish too. The black matches everything I pack, and the tortoiseshell buckle adds a little extra flair (without clashing). They're also water resistant, dry quickly, and pack up compactly to fit in your carry-on.
Sophisticated two-piece set
PrettyGarden Two-Piece Sleeveless Vest & Shorts Set
Amazon
On this trip, I realized that a suit vest makes the ultimate blouse. I wore my black vest countless times (yes, countless times). I paired it with a black satin skirt (more on that later), with jeans, and even under a black blazer. The vest really helped elevate a look with very little effort and allowed for a multitude of styles in one piece. Even the women walking around the Bellagio and Menaggio were noticing this trend.
The vest I wear all the time is actually a pair of pants I bought at Target (unfortunately they're no longer selling them), but this summery two-piece set on Amazon gives off an effortless Italian elegance—plus it comes with matching shorts that you can wear with the vest or on their own for extra versatility.
Casual Mini Dress
Everlane linen shirt dress
Everlane
My favorite, the Darling wrap dress, perfectly walks the line between casual and dressy and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. The collared neckline and buttons give it a classy vibe, and the tie waist accentuates my curves. I can wear it all buttoned up with a sweater and boots or sneakers for an al fresco lunch, or cinched it up and heels for an evening look. If long sleeves aren't your thing in the summer, add Everlane's linen shirt dress to your cart. Its airy length and loose fit are perfect for you, and it's available in five colors.
Supportive flats
Rossie's Espadrilles
Rothy's
To my surprise, while walking around Lake Como, I saw a lot of people wearing low-heeled brown and black boots, a must-have for the somewhat hilly, stony terrain. I'm glad I brought my trusty Timberland Chelsea boots. Now that the weather's warming up, I'll feel more stable in these sleek Keen shoes or a grippy trail running sneaker like the Hoka Speedgoat 5 (which also looks like a casual sneaker so you can wear them around town).
But when you're walking around town and want to wear fashionable shoes, a supportive flat like Rothy's espadrilles is your best choice. They have a coveted European look and a cushioned footbed with arch support, making them comfortable for all-day walking.
Trendy Swimwear
Blooming Jelly Self-Tie High Waist Bikini Set
Amazon
Italians take beachwear seriously, so I knew I had to step up my swimwear on this trip. I was inspired by a friend who posted a photo of herself wearing this gorgeous bikini set, which was the perfect choice for Lake Como swimwear. It's classy, ​​sexy, and super comfortable. In fact, I even wore the same swimsuit under a vest one day, letting the flowers pop out, and everyone loved it. If you're looking for something with a little more coverage but still that Italian villa vibe, check out this monochrome Blooming Jelly bikini set.
A black silk (or satin) skirt
Zeagoo satin maxi skirt
Amazon
This satin skirt rolls up like a dream into a compression cube, takes up absolutely no space, and became a chic base layer for my outfit. I wore it with a black vest and a cream tube top, pulled up as (almost) a tube dress (I ended up choosing a different dress, but would have worn it the next night if I'd stayed longer). I loved how it paired well with almost every top I brought and was dressy enough for dinner, yet easy enough to wear to a breakfast buffet.
Stylish crossbody bag
Kurojui Crescent Shoulder Bag
Amazon
You can't go wrong with a small black bag. I like that mine can be tucked into an inside corner of your carry-on or hooked onto the bottom of your personal items without too much impact and you can just straighten it out after landing. Also, with a cheaper bag you don't have to worry as much about anything happening to the outside. This bag can go from day to night, so you really only need to bring one bag, which is exactly what I did. You won't stand out among the locals (which is a very good thing).
Breathable linen blazer
Open edit linen blend blazer
Nordstrom
I always pack a jacket of some kind (denim or leather), but on this trip I wanted something that combined the weight of a jean jacket with the cool (and versatility) of a leather jacket, which is where a sleek linen blazer comes in. While I brought a black blazer in a tweed-like fabric on this trip, this version is much more breathable and will likely be easier to incorporate into your summer wardrobe.
It's perfect for layering on those chillier days, or over a dress to wear to dinner in the evening. The length is ideal to drape it over your shoulders or throw it over a vest or lacy tank. I wore a similar blazer on the boat over a black vest with a scarf around my neck, and it was the perfect way to ward off the chill from the water and still look polished.
Easy two-piece set
Jessica Short Sleeve Pleated Skirt Two Piece Set
Amazon
The compliments on this Amazon set alone made it worth the purchase, but I really loved that I could wear this as a “dress” or as a skirt set (with the top pulled up a little more towards my belly to reveal a bit of skin), or I could wear each piece entirely as separate pieces. It was like having multiple outfits in one. The cool blue shade was a nice pop of color in my sea of ​​neutrals, and the stretchy material meant I was comfortable and ready to throw on for my next pasta dish or spritz. I also had my eye on this elegant short-sleeve maxi-skirt set from Amazon, but may need to add it to my closet for the rest of my summer travels.
Floral evening dress
MakeMeChic Floral Square Neck Maxi Dress
Amazon
Everyone, and I mean everyone, was wearing a floral maxi dress for their close-up at Lake Como, and I was no exception. This form-fitting style was the perfect evening dress for a tasting menu dinner with wine and plenty of delicious food (if you're in Varenna, be sure to check out Visteria for amazing views and the best food I've had at Lake Como). I loved the stretch. I was photographing a chic Italian woman outside my hotel and she told me she loved my dress and had something similar, which I consider a win. Those who prefer a flowing silhouette over a form-fitting style will want to pick up the MakeMeChic Floral Square-neck Maxi Dress, which has a similar look with a smocked bust, self-tie straps, and a choice of flattering patterns.
Spacious for personal items
Calpak Luka Expandable Laptop Tote
Kalpak
Would I have carried it all the time? No. But when I flew to Milan and drove to Lake Como, this expandable tote was hands-down the best thing I brought. It was more chic than a regular backpack, but still practical, held a lot, and was cushioned enough for the winding road to the lake. The expandable base meant I didn't have to struggle when changing hotels, and the top pocket kept my passport and wallet within easy reach.
Sunglasses for every day
Anine Bing Otis Sunglasses
Annie Bing
I wore these Anine Bing sunglasses almost every day. They are the perfect pair to wear with casual outfits, dinner attire, and everything in between. With a slight Wayfarer shape and slim profile, they make a statement without being too flashy. I love that they add just the right amount of sophistication to my outfits, as well as being super practical (you can't go to Lake Como without a pair).
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