Pants in the summer?

Kim - last several trips to Europe during the summer (including Italy last year) - I have brought both skirts and capris, never long pants, never jeans. I take more than Rick (and others) suggest but it all fits into a carryon size bag. Summer travel means mostly July & August - though we were in Italy in June and it was 100 during the day. I find skirts to be the coolest way to go but a pair of light summer capris also works well when we are visiting ruins and may be climbing a bit. Good luck and have a great trip!

I wear my 7/8 length pants on the flights (I'm always cold on planes) and pack capris and skirts. I'd find it easier to dress up a skirt in summer than pack an extra pair of dressy pants.

Kim, What activities are you planning? Most packing lists, including Rick's, are designed for a sightseeing type of itinerary. I bike or hike almost every day in Europe, so I need different clothing. If none of your planned activities require pants, you might want to leave them out.

Kim, I have been to France many times in the summer, and it's usaully hot.So last August when I took my friend to Paris for her first time I adivised her to pack "capris, skirts and sundresses", " since they are cooler"

Thank goodness we wore long pants on the plane!!( planes are cold!!) since it rained and was cool the entire 9 days,, in AUGUST!!!! We wore our capris and pants over and over and over!!! We each had one long sleeve t shirt and one sweater, plus a light windbreaker, we had to buy some more long sleeved shirts.

TAKE AT LEAST ONE PAIR of pants,, LOL , Weather is so weird. Italy you should count on being hot, and until last year , I would have said Paris in August would always be hot, but now I know.. LOL

Kim, I sunburn easily so I have always taken long pants even on summer trips. I have a pair of very lightweight cotton khakis [almost shirt-weight] that I got from Lands End 10 years ago, and a pair of crinkly polyester-blend black pants; I've worn them both in some pretty toasty weather in France and Austria. Skirts would be cooler but I have chafing issues, and I've just never gotten around to buying capris for travel. As someone else has posted, you can never tell about the weather, so better to leave yourself the option of long pants just in case. Have a great trip!

All I ever take to Europe is 3 pair of full-length pants. I have always been comfortable and never felt out of place. Shorts are not an option for me and skirts are impractical in my opinion. Black pants go with everything and can be dressed up or down. Cotton-blend that doesn't wrinkle and cleans up easily! Best way to go in comfort for me.

I was in Berlin in July and was very, very happy to have pants. A week later it was broiling, but I think that once you're north of the Alps it's good to have some pants. There are some nice light-weight pants available these days. I really liked what I got from Tilley.

Pam

We were in Europe in 2006 when it was scorching hot. One of the days was very cold in Brughes and I so wished that I had long pants and a long sleeve top. Three of the days in England were rainy (though most were extremely hot), but those three days I felt quite cold. This time around I am going to travel in long pants (airplane was too darn cold for my capris), and use it for mass at St. Peters and wherever else I can. I don't care for skirts and do not use shorts in Europe. I would take at least one pair of long pants.

I'm hearing from some of us here that it's cold on planes??

Yeah, the back of the "Air" bus, especially. But I seldom have that problem with all the rushing around...

Kim, you will appreciate the pants: take at least one pair. Or better yet, wear them onboard. That way they don't need to be packed. Long pants will provide you with more protection in an emergency be it onboard or elsewhere.

As for skirts, you can always wear a split slip or lightweight bike shorts under to help prevent chaffing.
I pretty much stick to capri's or pants b/c wearing skirts somehow seems to get me unwanted attention from strange and often undesirable Men...Travelling alone I pretty much avoid skirts...with the exception of one very loose and lightweight A line skirt I wear with my swim suit as a coverup.

I never wear skirts when I travel because they make me feel uncomfortable when I have to "run" around. I walk a lot and spend a lot of time outside when I travel.
However you can pack a pair of capris, zipper pants, or cargos with roll-up option. I love the last ones. You can wear them in many situations.

I've been reading catalogs and discovered that there are two lengths of "short" pants. Cropped pants end a few inches above the ankle and capris end at mid-calf. Either would look ok with sandals and would be lighter than full-length pants. Another advantage of buying these short pants is that you won't have to hem them as I need to when I buy regular length pants. I wear ful-length pants on the plane, but like to have something lighter for warm weather.

I am a skirt person. I would pack some long skirts which can be rolled up in a ball in yor bag - I recently bought crinkly skirts at somewhere called Hippie Shop (they also have a website). On my recent trip to France I brought one pair of jeans and three skirts - the skirts take no room in your bag and you can wear a skirt doing anything - from hiking to a nice dinner. For footwear I packed a pair of nice loafers and boots which I could wear with the skirts or jeans. If you are concerned about being cold pack a pair of tights. Personally, I could never ever wear pants in t he summer - the idea makes me sweat just thinking about it!

Wow, I am surprised at the amount of people who don't like skirts. I love them for the heat, and I always bring at least two. You can mix and match them just like pants, and they are cooler in the heat( I think) I don't quite know what people mean by chafing, I haven't ever had that??

One thing I do know is each time I go back , I pack lighter and lighter, soon, I will be going with a purse and a toothbrush,,,LOL ,but I must bring my hairdryer, hotels don't always have them, and some hotels that do they are so weak and useless.
So, me, my toothbrush, and my hairdryer for sure!

I guess if you walk and walk and walk in a skirt your thighs rub together and they chafe. Still, the thought of wearing pants in the heat gives me the heebee jeebees - I never ever wear pants in the summer.

When I wear a long skirt I wear a split slip so there is no shaffing. Even with the split slip it is still cooler than pants.

Yes, I never really understand all the "how to protect against chafing talk" that goes along with skirt wearing tips. The skirts I wear are the below the knee, very light summer cotton skirts that have, fortunately, been very in-style these past few years. You can wear walking sandals with them and not look totally off. My daughter wears slightly shorter skirts (at the knee) and flip-flops - no one is talking miniskirts. And the best thing about skirts is the wonderful breezy feeling you can get so putting shorts on underneath would be horrible!

One of my favorite skirts (CP Shades brand) is long enough that I can tuck my feet underneath when I'm on the plane. I personally prefer to sit for long periods in a skirt than in a pair of pants.

I have a problem with chaffing also. I am heavy set and my inner thighs will literally blister if I do not have some sort of cloth there to protect them.

I also love skirts. Pants do not look good on my rotunderous frame. Skirts hide a lot of extra bumps.:D

I either wear a split slip or a light-weight pair of shorts underneath. Actually, the shorts work good for me when traveling. If I have to take my skirt off for any reason, at least I have something decent on underneath.

In regards to chafing skin. Body Glide is a roll on type of skin protectant that athletes use to prevent chafing. I used it last year on a 60 mile walk, no blisters, no chafing. It can be found at any sports store or online. works great.

Tricia thats a helpful tip,, I 'd never heard of that product, seems cooler then wearing shorts underneath.
Chafing has never been a problem to me,, but I do wear a longer skirt, just below knee, not a mini skirt , and I mostly wear them as I think they are cooler then pants. I do love sundresses even better, but skirts are more practical as you can mix and match with tops .

If you plan to visit churches in Italy, you must wear a skirt or long pants. Shorts are not typically allowed.

Another tip to help with chafing issue (or to prevent blisters on feet): put solid or soft-solid antiperspirant (not deodorant) on those areas.