Are you wondering what to wear in Milan in August? August is peak summer season in Milan and the tourists and temperatures have increased. So how do you dress for sightseeing in the city during this month? In this guide we will tell you how to dress practically and remain stylish in the fashion capital of Italy in the August heat.
How hot is Milan in August?
Although July is the hottest month in Milan, August is not far behind.
The average high in August in Milan is 84°F / 29°C) and the average low hovers around 65°F / 18°C. Therefore you really don’t have to worry about packing too many layers for visiting Milan in August.
It may be tempting to fill your capsule wardrobe for Milan in Summer with items that show more flesh. However this isn’t a local fashion trend. The Milanese are a stylish bunch but their outfits don’t tend to be overly revealing. You are better with loose flowing clothes made of natural fabric to fit in more with the locals.
However it is also worth noting that many of the local Milanese go on vacation during this month and many of the small local shops, not the chains, will shut for all or some of this period. Therefore it is worth noting that you will see a higher ratio of tourists in the city at this time.
Note: remember the temperature fluctuates greatly between months check out our monthly florentine guides:
Does it rain a lot in August in Milan?
Milan in August is actually quite dry with only an average of 5 days of rainy weather across the entire month. And when the rain does come it tends to be in showers rather than deluges.
Therefore you don’t need to be overly concerned with packing waterproof wear and umbrellas if traveling to the city August.
What to Wear in Milan in August
When looking at items to pack in August for Milan there are a couple of key considerations to take into account:
- Natural fabrics are more breathable than man made
- loose clothes are cooler than tight fitting ones.
Therefore we recommend packing clothes made of the following fabrics:
- Cotton
- Linen
- Silk
If you do decide to pack linen be sure to check out our guide on how to pack linen to prevent wrinkles.
What to wear in Milan in August for Women
So how doe this translate for women?
Longer length skirts and dresses
The first thing we always add to our Milan summer packing lists are skirts and dresses that are of the midi or maxi length.
We never put short skirts and dresses on the packing list. In fact these are on my what not to wear in Italy list. This is because it isn’t the local style and is not appropriate for days you plan on visiting churches in Milan which have a strict dress code.
Trousers
Linen trouser and loose cotton ones are another great pick for Milan as these are both stylish and cool. You could swap one pair of trousers out for shorts but note that the locals don’t tend to wear these in the city and you will not be able to wear them in churches.
Also we do not recommend packing jeans for Milan in Summer as denim is too heavyweight for the weather.
Blouse
A loose blouse works perfectly for Milan both for touring and for evenings. Pick one that can pair with both your trousers and skirts.
T Shirt
SHort sleeve t shirts are a perfect pick for Milan in Summer. Do feel free to also pack a tank top if you wish but don;t wear these into a church without a pashmina or cardigan to cover your shoulders. We also recommend plain t shirts over loud colors and those with graphics or slogans to be in more keeping with the locals.
Cardigan
Thick jumpers are not necessary for summer in Milan but a lightweight cardigan is a good pick for evenings and to pair with tank tops inside of churches.
PJs or Nightie
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are perfect especially as much of the accommodation in Milan does not have air conditioning. Therefore lightweight lounge and nightwear is an essential.
Sunglasses
The sun in bright in Milan whatever month you visit however they are an essential item on your Milan summer packing list.
Just be sure that whatever pair you select has good UV protection.
Sunhat
I always recommend taking a sun hat if you are visiting Milan in summer. Wide brimmed hats are very popular choices for summer in Milan and make for very cute instagram photos.
Swimwear (optional)
This is only necessary if you have a hotel with a pool or are going to a coastal part of Italy as part of your Italian vacation itinerary.
If neither of the above applies you can leave the swimwear at home for your city break.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. We will talk in a later section about the best shoes for Milan, however we recommend bringing sneaker socks with you to help reduce odour in your shoe after a long day sightseeing in the city
What to pack for Milan in August for Men
Men should follow the same guidance as woman when putting together their capsule wardrobe. Select loose pieces and natural fabrics where possible
For this reason we recommend packing the below items:
Chinos/Linen Trousers
Although packing linen trousers can be a challenge, they are a great choice for Milan in August. COtton trousers and lightweight chinos are other good picks.
However I would leave the jeans at home.
Shorts
Shorts are a great pick for men in the city however remember that you are not allowed to wear these cin churches as the modest dress code applies to men and women equally.
And if you are looking for the best type of shorts to wear we recommend a tailored slim fit pair. These are more in keeping to Milano fashion sensibilities. Cargo shorts are something you really will only se on tourist in Milan.
T Shirts and Shirts
Again I would bring more short sleeve T shirts for this time of year and stick to darker coloured tees to not look like a tourist.
Button down shirts, especially short sleeve ones are good for evenings in Milan as you will find many restaurants have a smart casual dress code. For more information on what to wear to Italy to dinner check out this post.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses with a good UV Protection are a Milan summer essential.
Swimwear (optional)
Dependent on the hotel amenities and the rest of your vacation itinerary.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Best Shoes for Milan in August
Sneakers
In my opinion, sneakers are the best shoe for any city break where you will be doing lots of walking. And you will be doing lots of this in Milan.
Just be sure to pick a lightweight pair that can cope with the hot weather and wear sneaker socks with them to reduce odour.
Note: Don’t worry about wearing sneakers in Italy. There seems to be some concern that you can’t wear sneakers in Italy but this is entirely false and you will always see sneakers on the street of any Italian city.
Sandals
Sandals are the other shoes I recommend packing for Milan in August. If you select teh right pair witha. good sole you should be able to wear them for sightseeing but they are better than sneakers for going out in Italy at night.
They are also good if you go for an evening drink and dinner.
What Else to Pack for Milan in August
- Travel Adaptor
- Power Pack / Battery recharger
- Insect Repellant
- Crossbody bag – one with plenty of zips that can put off pick pockets is best.
- Sunscreen – always needed in Italy.
- Aloe Vera / After sun – should the worst happen and you get burnt
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Toiletries
- camera – it is a beautiful city you will want to take lots of photographs in it.
FAQs about Summer Milan Packing List
What to wear to the Cathedral in Milan?
Milan Cathedral, like all churches in Italy, even tourist attraction ones have a dress code. It requires 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.
What do local people wear in Milan in August?
The locals in Milan know that they need to dress for the heat in August. This translates to lots of loose clothing in natural fabrics rather than skimpy clothes.
Have you been to Milan in August what did you wear? And if you have a question that we haven’t answered here drop us a comment below and we will do our best to get back to you as quickly as we can.