Are you wondering what to wear in Tuscany in September? Although the Tuscan summer has officially ended in September you will still need summer clothes with you, particularly at the start of the month. In this guide we tell you everything to pack for Tuscany in September for men, women, to cope with the heat, look like a local and more.
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Weather in Tuscany in September
Although the temperatures at the start of the month in Tuscany 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.
Having said that September is one of my favorite months to visit Tuscany as both the crowds and heat have reduced from August. So how hot is Tuscany in September?
How hot is Tuscany in September?
The average high in Tuscany in September is 27°C/77F and has average lows of 15°C/59F. Meaning you can expect quite pleasant and mild temperatures with some hot days at the start of the month.
Therefore if is important to pack natural fabrics and clothes that can cope with relatively high temperatures. While also remembering you are going to needs some layers, particularly towards Late September.
And if your visit covers two months be sure to check out our other Tuscany packing list guides:
- What to wear to Tuscany in August
- What to wear in Tuscany in October
- What to wear in Pisa
- What to wear in Tuscany in Summer
Is it rainy in Tuscany in September?
September is much rainier than August but you shouldn’t worry too much about lots of rainy days. There are usually around 9 rainy days in Tuscany 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:
- What to wear in Italy in September
- What to wear in Rome in September
- What to wear to Florence in September
- What to wear to Milan in September
- What to wear to Venice In September
- What to wear to Pompeii
- What to wear in Naples
- What to wear to the Amalfi Coast
- What to wear in Puglia
- What to wear in Cinque Terre
- What to wear in Lake Como
- What to wear in Lake Garda
- What to wear in Positano
- What to wear to Sardinia
- What to wear to Sicily
- what to wear to Capri
How do local people dress in Tuscany in September?
If you want to be more in keeping with the locals you will need to know how locals dress in Tuscany both in cities such as Florence and Siena as well as in the beautiful Tuscan countryside..
Locals in Tuscany 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 the region that the Tuscans are a fashionable bunch.
Smart casual tends to be the most commonly seen attire in Tuscany among the locals especially when dining out. For more information on what to wear to dinner in Italy check out this post.
Dress Codes in Tuscany
The main considerations for September in Tuscany 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 Tuscany 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 restaurants in Tuscany 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
All Italian churches have dress codes including
- the Florence Duomo,
- the Leaning Tower of Pisa (part of the Pisa Cathedral complex) and
- the Cathedral in Siena.
If you are visiting these on your Tuscan itinerary you will need to make your outfit on that day covers your knees and shoulders and is modest.
What to wear in Tuscany in September
So now you know what to expect from the weather, what should you wear in Tuscany in September?
Best Shoes for Tuscany in September
Sneakers
Sneakers are a great shoe choice for Tuscany no matter the month.
They cope well with cobble stone streets, and uneven walkways which there are plenty of in Tuscany. And they are also comfortable shoes for touring the many museums and climbing the steps of famous bell towers in the region such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
My go to sneakers for Tuscany at this time of year are lightweight All Birds Tree Runners as they cope well with heat. but this is personal choice. Other good trainer brands for the terrains you will encounter in Tuscany include Hoka, FitFlop trainers and Sketchers.
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. One of my favorite brands for walking is the Teva sandal. They also transition well from day to night and I personally like to keep a smart casual dress code for restaurants in the region.
If you want some sandals with height we recommend wearing wedges as opposed to thin heels as there are lots of cobbles in Tuscany and thin heels are not safe.
What to wear in Tuscany in September for women
So what does a Tuscany Packing List for women look like? In our opinion you should have the below on your Tuscany Packing List for September:
Longer length skirts and dresses
Short skirts and dresses are on my what not to wear in Italy list. That is because they are not appropriate in churches such as the Duomo and the Cathedrals in the area.
For this reason midi and maxi length skirts and dresses are a better choice. 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.
Click here to shop maxi dresses for Italy.
Trousers
Trousers are a more versatile pick than shorts for the region 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.
However if your itinerary does not include many choices then feel free to add some shorts onto your packing list. Again we recommend picking shorts in a smarter style to be more in keeping with local styles.
Click here to shop trousers for Italy.
Blouses
Loose blouses are perfect for Tuscany in September as they work brilliantly for smarter dinners and for churches.
T Shirts
Although summer is ending, short sleeve t shirts should still be a staple of your Tuscan 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. Locals tend to stick to neutral colors and monochrome with pops of color which should be considered when putting together your packing list so you don’t look like a tourist.
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 any Italy 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. Otherwise you can leave these at home.
PJs or Nightie
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are essential for Tuscany in September as you will find that many Italian hotels lack air conditioning and the weather will still be hot.
Sunhat
As I said above Tuscany is hot and sunny even in September so you will want a sun hat for added sun protection.
Personally I would pick a more stylish style over a baseball cap as these are not commonly worn by locals. Click here for sunhat.
Sunglasses
The sun is bright even in September so you definitely need sunglasses.
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 Tuscany in September Packing List for Men
For men visiting Tuscany 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. However if you are traveling in late September then you could sneak a pair of jeans onto your packing list.
- Short Sleeve T Shirts – a staple for any Tuscany packing list. Again we recommend wearing plain colors in more muted tones to be more in keeping with local Italian style.
- 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. Again, smarter shorts are more in keeping with local styles. Personally I would recommend avoiding cargo shorts as these will mark you as a tourist.
- Linen Jacket / Blazer – 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 (optional depending on your itinerary and accommodation).
What to Pack for Tuscany in September (Non Clothing)
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Beach Bag (optional) – for only if you plan on doing a beach day trip.
- Crossbody Bag – anti theft type if you are planning to visit cities and tourist attractions which tend to attract pickpockets.
- Sun Screen – an essential in all of Italy at this time of year.
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun – no one wants to get burnt however it is better to have this with you just in case.
- Lipbalm with SPF – as I mentioned the sun is strong so on top of sunscreen we recommend packing lip balm with sun protection. Our favorite brand at the minute is sun bum.
- Insect Repellant
- Reusable Water Bottle – This will save you money and is better for the environment so be sure to pack one with you.
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Power pack / Battery Pack
- Travel Adapaters for electronics – Greece uses standard European outputs and plugs.
- Chub Rub – if you are worried about sweating and chaffing chub rub can be a life saver on hot days.
FAQs about our Tuscany September Packing list
Do you need a jacket in September in Tuscany?
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 Tuscany in September?
There are no reasons why you can’t wear jeans in September in Tuscany and not any dress codes that these would be against. However I find it too warm for jeans in early September in Tuscany.
However in late September it can feel like Fall, so jeans may be appropriate later in the month.
Should I pack swimwear for Tuscany in September?
Unless you are staying somewhere with a pool or plan on doing a day trip to the coast you can leave your swimwear at home.
Can you wear shorts in Tuscany in September?
Shorts are perhaps the least versatile option for visiting Tuscany in September, which is why we left them off our packing list. That is because you won’t be able to wear these in some places such as churches.
However if you are doing more walking and aren’t planning on visiting many churches then you can easily swap out some trousers in favour of shorts.
Have you been to Tuscany in September? What did you wear? We would love to hear in the comments.