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What to wear in Florence in September

What to wear in Florence in September

Are you wondering what to wear in Florence in September?  Although summer has ended by the end of September you will still need summer clothes, particularly at the start of the month. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Florence in September for men, women, to cope with the heat, look like a local and more. 

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Weather in Florence in September

Although the temperatures at the start of the month in Florence still feels like Summer, as you move into late September the temperatures start to feel more like Autumn/Fall which can make it a bit more challenging to pack for.

How hot is Florence in September?

Florence Street full of people in September
What to wear in Florence in September

The average high in Florence in September is 27°C/77F and has average lows of 15°C/59F.

Therefore if is important to pack natural fabrics and clothes that can cope with relatively high temperatures.

And if your visit covers two months be sure to check out our other Florence packing list guides:

Is it rainy in Florence in September?

September is much rainier than August but not too rainy. There are usually around 9 rainy days in Florence in September and totals around 76mm of rain in the month.

Note: if you are traveling to other cities and regions in Italy be sure to check out our other monthly guides:

How do local people dress in Florence in September?

If you want to be more in keeping with the locals you will need to know how locals dress in Florence. 

Locals in Florence tend to still be in their summer wardrobe in September, slowly transitioning to add more layers towards the end of September. 

And you will find that their Summer clothes are stylish opting more for maxi dresses and flowing skirts over short shorts particularly in the city

It is worth noting that you are unlikely to find locals wearing short skirts and short shorts as this isn’t something you often find in Italian wardrobes.

And you will find that no matter what month you visit Florence that the local Florentines are a fashionable bunch.

Smart casual tends to be the most commonly seen attire in Florence among the locals especially when dining out in Florence. For more information on what to wear to dinner in Italy check out this post.

Dress Codes in Florence

The main considerations for September in Florence are dressing for heat alongside dress codes in churches and restaurants. This translates into your packing list in the following ways:

Natural Fabrics

Natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and silks are more breathable and reduce sweat which are perfect for Florence in September.

If you do decide to pack linen be sure to check out our guide on how to pack linen to prevent wrinkles.

Restaurant Dress Code

Not many dress codes in Florence have strict and enforced dress codes. However you will find that locals do tend to dress in a smart casual fashion for dinner.

Church Dress Code

Your Dress Code for Churches in Italy Questions Answered - Duomo Dress Code
Your Dress Code for Churches in Italy Questions Answered – Duomo Dress Code

All Italian churches have dress codes including the Florence Duomo. If you are visiting these on your Florence itinerary you will need to make your outfit on that day covers your knees and shoulders and is modest.

What to wear in Florence in September

So now you know what to expect from the weather, what should you wear in Florence in September?

Best Shoes for Florence in September

Sneakers

Sneakers are a great shoe choice for Florence no matter the month because it truly is a city that is best seen on foot.

They cope well with cobbles, and uneven streets and are good for touring the museums in Florence. My go to sneakers for Florence in Summer are lightweight Allbirds but this is personal choice.

Just remember to wear them with sneaker socks as this will reduce swear and odor in your shoe.

Sandals

If you are worried about walking in sneakers in the heat you could select some walking sandals but just be sure that they are good for walking. And we definitely choose to wear sandals for dinner where there is a smart casual dress code.

If you want some sandals with height we recommend wearing wedges as opposed to thin heels as there are lots of cobbles in Florence and thin heels are not safe.

What to wear in Florence in September for women

Woman in pink and purple dress with Florence duomo in distance in September
What to wear in Florence in September

So what does a Florence Packing List for women look like? In our opinion you should have the below on your Florence Packing List:

Longer length skirts and dresses

Short skirts and dresses are on my what not to wear in Florence list. That is because they are not appropriate in churches such as the Duomo which definitely should be on your Florence Itinerary.

Midi and maxi length skirts and dresses are a better choice for Florence as they are good for day to night transitions and are good for visiting churches.

Just be sure that whatever skirts you pack don’t reveal your knee and remember to check for any slits that may make your outfit less modest for visiting Italian churches.

Trousers

Trousers are a more versatile pick Than shorts for Florence as they adhere to most dress codes.

I would advise picking loose trousers to keep cool and sticking to fabrics such as linen and cotton and leaving the jeans at home in September, particularly at the start of the month.

But if you do decide to pack linen check out our guide on how to pack linen to prevent creases.

Blouses

Loose blouses are perfect for Florence in September as they work brilliantly for smarter dinners and for churches.

They are also the perfect choice for visiting the duomo and churches where modest attire is required.

Click here to shop blouses

T Shirts

Although summer is ending, short sleeve t shirts should still be a staple of your Florence packing list.

To help you not look like a tourist I would recommend sticking to plain t shirts instead of those that have a graphic or text or are in loud colors.

Towards the end of the month you may want to add one long sleeve t shirt into the rotation.

Layers

This is particularly important if you are visiting towards the end of September. We recommend packing at least one cardigan or sweater for evenings and cooler days as the weather turns more autumnal.

Pashmina

A pashmina should be on your Florence packing list no matter the month you are visiting.

Pashminas can act as a scarf or extra layer on cooler nights and can help make your outfit more modest for visits to churches in Italy.

Swimwear and beach cover (optional)

Only required if you plan to do a day trip to the coast or are staying at a hotel with a pool

PJs or Nightie

Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are essential for Florence in September as you will find that many Italian hotels lack air conditioning.

Sunhat

As I said above Florence is hot and sunny in September so you will want a sun hat for sun protection.

Baseball caps are not a common sight on locals so I would opt for a smarter style hat to help you not look like a tourist in Florence.

Sunglasses

The sun is bright in Florence even in September so you definitely need sunglasses for Florence in September.

Underwear and Socks

Goes without saying.

Top Tip: We recommend packing sneaker socks and some odour eaters if you have room in your case just in case your feet do get sweaty when wearing sneakers to sightsee around the city.

What to Wear in Florence in September Packing List for Men

For men visiting Florence in September we recommend adding the following items to your packing list:

  • Trousers – we recommend selecting natural fabrics such as cottons and linen. Again leave the jeans at home for if you are visiting at the beginning of the month in favour of chinos.
  • Short Sleeve T Shirts – a staple for any Florence packing list.
  • Shirts – long sleeves are better for dining al fresco at night.
  • Shorts – just be sure not to wear them on days you plan on visiting churches.
  • Linen Jacket – A jacket is a great pick for dining in Italian restaurants. A t the start of September it is still too warm for blazers therefore a linen jacket is a better pick.
  • Layers – For the end of September you will want some light layers such as sweaters or cardigans with you as the weather starts to cool.
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Sneakers
  • Smarter Pair of Shoes for dinner
  • Pjs
  • Underwear
  • Swimwear

What to Pack for Florence in September (Non Clothing)

Uffizi Palace in Florence
Uffizi Gallery Florence Dress Code
  • Reusable Water Bottle – as the weather is still hot it is important to stay hydrated. And a water bottle is better for the environment.
  • Sun Screen
  • Aloe Vera / Aftersun
  • Camera
  • Charging Equipment
  • Battery Pack
  • Travel Adaptor for electronics
  • Crossbody Bag – anti theft type.

FAQs about Florence September Packing list

Do you need a jacket in September in Florence? 

In Early September you won’t need a jacket weather wise. However in late September you may want a jacket for evenings and for when dining al fresco. 

Can you wear jeans in Florence in September?

There are no reasons why you can’t wear jeans in September in Florence and not any dress codes that these would be against. However I find it too warm for jeans in early September in Florence. 

However in late September it can feel like Fall, so jeans may be appropriate later in the month. 

Should I pack swimwear for Florence in September?

Unless you are staying somewhere with a pool you can leave your swimwear at home. .

What to wear to the Duomo in Florence?

Woman standing outside Duomo Florence
Duomo Dress Code Florence

ossibly the biggest tourist attraction in Florence is the Duomo, which is the place that attracts most visitors.

It is also the place in Florence that has the strictest dress code as an Italian church.

The dress code at Italian churches tends require a modest attire which includes:

  • keeping your shoulders covered at all times inside the church
  • keeping your knees covered. 

This dress code applies to both men and women.

Can you wear shorts in Florence in September?

Shorts are perhaps the least versatile option for visiting Florence in September, which is why we left them off our pacing list. That is because you won’t be able to wear these in some places such as churches.

Have you been to Florence in September? What did you wear? We would love to hear in the comments.