Clothes for October

I'm going to Florence at the end of October. I was in Rome several years a go the same time (last week October) Bring a long sleeve shirt for cooler days/nights. You don't need to ONLY pack long sleeve shirts, but one/two is plenty. I always bring a sweater, but wear that on the plane (it gets cold on over night flights) so no space taken up in my carry on. A rain jacket is what you need, not just a jacket- especially if you are bringing a sweater. You can wear capri pants, I've been wearing my favorite jeans, and when it's warmer, I just roll the bottom up once and I'm comfortable. I have started to pack a maxi skirt OR a regular length skirt. It's so nice to change into something a bit nicer when going out for dinner at night...or it can be worn during the day for sightseeing. As every woman will tell you, bring a scarf or two. You can dress up your clothing, and it will add warmth on a cooler day. It's so normal in Europe to wear one!

Although it might be still warm, it won't be scorching hot. Italians won't wear shorts in October, even if temp are unseasonably warmer than normal. Long sleeve shirts are therefore likely to be more appropriate than short sleeves (pack more of the former and fewer of the latter). Skirts and dresses are always appropriate. Italians will be wearing fall earth colors, rather than colorful summery colors in October (regardless of temperatures). Nights and mornings will be cool enough for a sweater or jacket and rain is likely at least some days, therefore bring a portable umbrella (or a light rain jacket). No need for anything heavy, unless by North you mean the Alpine areas. In big cities, temperatures might drop to the 50's at night and may be in the 70's during the day.

I usually visit in late Sept/Oct, including the last 2 years. What works great for me is the combination of a nice short or long sleeve tee, with a long sleeve shirt over it. It gives me the flexibility, since the temp swings during the day can be pretty marked. Also, every time I've been in Italy in mid to late Oct, the weather did turn notably colder, usually quickly. I also bring along silk long underwear, which weighs nothing and helps. (I don't do cold well) Finally, the combination of a lightweight fleece zip up with a rainproof shell is remarkably warm, and I wore it even when it wasn't raining. I wouldn't wear capris in that weather, but it depends on your preferences.

Was in Rome, Florence and Siena Oct. 12-24, 2011, and wore capris the entire time. Wore 3/4 length sleeves every day and had a couple of black knit CHICO's cardigans that I wore particularly in the mornings and evenings. Also packed a waterproof Columbia rain jacket that I did wear one day when we woke up to a torrential rain that even flooded some of the subway stations and the colosseum. Went to Florence for a weekend and did a daytrip to Siena where it was cooler than Rome so wished I had packed a pair of jeans. We got a kick out of the Italians as some of them were wearing parkas!

Weather in Europe is changeable. I was in Italy once in October, Milan, Venice, Florence, CT, from the 3rd to the 15th. I wore sandals every day and was happy for the AC in Florence and in Milan, and the fan in Venice (no AC). You can go the the trip planner section of Weather Underground (wunderground.com) and see highs and lows by day for 10 years back.

Thanks. We are landing in Milan,heading to Verona/Venice/Florence/Cinque Terre/Sienna/Rome. I really appreciate all the responses. 21 Days in Italy! I can not wait.

We have travelled to Germany, Austria and then into Italy during Sept. - Oct. We packed clothes to be layered. One pair of long pants, which I wore on the plane, I get cold on overnight flights, light rain jacket and lightweight fleece pullover. A couple pairs of capris and 5-6 Tops, short and long sleeved and about 2 blouses/shirts to wear over tops. Germany/Austria were cooler but when we left the last town in Austria we found a DSL and for about 35 euro we shipped our warmer clothing home and lightened our load. DSL supplied the boxes. Enjoy your trip.