Best Clothing to wear in Italy during May

Well, I'd go for layers. I'd want a waterproof jacket with hood...having been caught in pouring rain in Florence one May, lol!

I'd have SS tee shirts, regular pants and maybe a pair of capris. I'd have a long-sleeved layer, probably mostly for the plane where I am always cold. I go either for a cardigan or a LS dri-fit quarter zip. I'd probably have a sunshirt or sunsleeves but I'm sensitive to the sun and try to stay protected.

I'm not a sandal wearer so I'd have on athletic shoes for all the walking you'll do.

I like a curated capsule where every shirt goes with every bottom so I can mix and match. I don't take anything that can only be worn with one other thing.

Where in Italy? It can make quite a difference.
Warm days, cool nights, generally. I check a 10-day forecast as I finalize my packing to check for irregularities, and for rain.

Yes, agree with previous poster about it depends on where in Italy you are going. I often use the Time and Date website (see below for example link of weather in Florence mid May of 2021) to look up past history of my timeframe.

In general, May brings fairly good weather especially in the later half. All of my previous vacations to Italy have been in May and only my last one, several years ago, was cool (high of low 60s) and a bit rainy but NOT a rain out.

https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/italy/firenze/historic?month=5&year=2021

In most cases the weather in Mid May is warm, with nice cool nights, but there is considerable variation depending on where you are (north or south, altitude level, etc.). There are also the odd years when May is much warmer than usual or colder and/or wetter than usual, so you need to check the weather forecast for the locations you visit just before you depart. Generally weather forecasts are reliable for a week to 10 days.

I think you have to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. One year we were in Rome the first week of June and it was freezing -- maybe not freezing -- but very chilly to the point that many outdoor seating areas were closed. The light jacket was not enough. The exact same time a year later was 90 and high humidity. One year we were in Florence late April, May 1st and it was chilly with short showers. You just have to plan on layers.

We were in Italy in May 2019. Rome was warm with nights where a sweater felt good. Florence was freezing. Well, chilly and windy. Even the locals complained that it seems more like November weather. Venice had mixed days, some with sun and others with rain. We're back to Italy this May and we're layering. If it seems like they're in for a cold spell, I'm throwing in a light down vest. I've got a rain shell with warm stuff underneath but also bringing sunscreen!

Dress for spring weather. I was there in March and never needed a jacket and I was in the north.

I'd have to agree - in May pack for spring weather and layers that way if it's warm you don't need the layers. I always bring a rain coat because even if it doesn't rain I have a jacket I can layer under for cool evenings.

Now I need to rethink everything. I was going to wear dresses, now I’m going to need to layer and bring warm things just in case. That’s hard with a carryon. I think I’ll just need to be prepared, then look at the forecast for that last minute decision.

Lulu - I mostly wear dresses and I bring a light merino wool sweater and a couple scarfs

Lulu - I’ll be there in May also. I am bringing one skirt, one pair of long pants, one pair of cropped pants and two pairs of cargo pants that zip off at the knee so they become shorts. I am also bringing a sweater, a hooded raincoat, 6 short sleeve tees and a long sleeve tee, a pair of walking shoes and a pair of sandals. I think this combination should cover all the bases.

I like dresses because they are easy to pack and I don’t have to mix and match. I was going to bring one lightweight one, now I’ll bring 2 to cyber my legs and a couple shorter ones. and a pair of pants. A lightweight sweater and jacket. Argh…I hate packing for in-between weather.

Layers work fine with dresses. I use light weight running/ athletic jackets that zip and come down over the hands as perfect layers. I bring 2- much lighter, more durable and easier to wash than a sweater or fleece. Slim fitting and easy under a rain coat.
4 long sleeve light weight shirts. 4 short sleeve t shirts. 3 pair of lighter pant, 1 pair of cropped pants, 1 wrap around skirt, one sleeveless dress and 1 pair of Black LEGGINGS. If it is chilly the leggings, go under the dress or skirt. If really cold under the pants. Everything is synthetic, not something that would usually appeal but travels well and can be washed on the fly. All the “ athletic leisure wear” stuff is great for traveling, and trust me no one would ever mistake me for a fitness freak!!!

All fits into an international roll on and a back pack along with 1 pair of sneakers,undies, 2 scarfs, toiletries. Electronics etc. my husband refuses to bring a second pair of shoes so I have been known to slip a few things into his bag on occasion!

I really love dressing up on vacation, so planning clothes for our upcoming trip has been very difficult. I am packing light — a roller carryon size soft sided case each (but we are checking them), and a travel back pack each. I have a small zipper tote as well, but intended more for carrying our purchases from the markets than for packing.

We will be in NYC, then in Paris the last week of April, then about two weeks in Italy. I chose three long pants in neutral colors, a short multi colored skirt, and then have two silk camisole tops, to layer under a couple silk blouses I’ve made (short flutter sleeve, incredibly lightweight and not bulky, and can be washed in the sink), 2 short sleeve tees as well as a couple button up long sleeve shirts for layering (and for visiting churches). I also have two dresses, chosen for weight, ease of washing, dress up or down quality and layering ability. Will bring one sweater and a very lightweight rain jacket and a blazer. Black tennies, and have a pair of ballet flats and heeled sandals for dinners.

I will wear the heaviest items on the plane. I’ve seriously pared down my makeup and toiletries as well as electronic gadgets. We did a winter trip to NYC that included a 2 week Caribbean cruise with the same luggage so I practiced packing light for that. For Europe I’m dropping at least 10 pounds off my bag from the last trip.

I will do a trial run packing to adjust weight if needed. I absolutely am committed to being able to easily manage the weight of my luggage, so will make the cuts as needed. I will continue to tell my husband that he does NOT need to pack a swimsuit. And I will have at least a couple items that I love wearing.

I love the street markets and I intend to buy a few things in Italy.

In really hot weather I love lightweight, crinkled-cotton tops. It's hard to find that sort of thing at a good price in the US--I've seen such tops priced at $89 retail, but they occasionally crop up at street markets in Europe. It's something I make a point of looking for. Garments made of such thin fabric won't last very long--a heavy cross-body bag will cause noticeably wear before the end of a long trip, but at 10-15 euros, I don't expect them to.

I was just looking at REI and there were some great deals on Ex-Officio light weight women's shirts with sun protection.

I'm with lulu. I love dresses. Layers are key. I have one short sleeve that looks cute with a long sleeve shirt underneath. Otherwise I layer with a sweater, blouse or jacket. I like capri or ankle length leggings when needed. When it heats up during the day, I can take them off and roll them and put in my purse. Or the reverse, add leggings in the evening.

I like the super lightweight pants from LLBean. They pack small, dry fast and when needed, I can wear with light weight leggings underneath.