Packing for Fall trip to Italy

I am packing for Italy right now. We have been there in the fall several times.
A rain jacket that serves as a windbreaker.
A light cardigan sweater.
I have never given any thought about different shoes for rain. Shoes dry overnight even if in a torrential downpour.

Shoes dry overnight even if in a torrential downpour...

Well, not all shoes. If you really get them wet (like, step in a puddle) some sneakers/running shoes will soak up water and remain a miserable, moist, swampy environment for days on end. Been there, done that.

Pro Top: Blow (hair) dryers found in most hotel rooms will (eventually) dry out even the wettest shoes. It might take a surprisingly long time, though (don't ask me how I know this...).

I'd take a waterPROOF rain jacket which will work as a windbreaker too. It should be roomy enough that you can wear it over your sweater.

I'd take 1 sweater that goes with all your tops and bottoms.

I don't have waterproof shoes but I do take 2 pr so I've got a dry pair if the main pair gets soaked. I have walked around Milan in torrential rain in mid-October but my shoes dried overnight. If yours get wet, pull the insole out as well as using the blow dryer as suggested.

How far south are you going to be? I'm pretty hot-natured and I might have to take one pr of capris if I were going to Rome or south of there this time of year. I did not need them when I was in Northern Italy in mid-Oct a few years ago but I'd have a plan for them and then pack or not based on the weather forecast a few days out from departure.

Practical experience. You like in Seattle.

Just for those reasons our main shoes are waterproof. All of what you have suggested is good. Lots of light layers of clothing work best. If it has change of being cool to cold we add a pair of wool gloves, and a stocking cap. I like a long sleeve, poly t-shirt, perhaps a regular long sleeve shirt, then a light weight merino wool sweater, then a light weight downfill vest and a hip length wind breaker with folding hood. If headed into more winter like we change light weight to medium weight on vest and sweater. But that should handle a wide range of temps. Will all so used silk underwear under a water resistant pants.

I come up with a general "want to take" pile, but I modify once I am close enough to get a reasonable 10-day forecast.
At certain times of year and in certain places, I would want water resistant shoes--they sure made a trip to Ireland more enjoyable!
In addition to appropriate outerwear, it is nice to have a scarf.

What Valadelphia said -- you can (and should) tweak your wardrobe based on current weather forecasts up until the time you walk out the door. And during your trip, if unexpected changes make rainboots or sundresses advisable. Lots of fun stores in Italy!! With multiple light layers you can pile it all on, or take excess off.

I'm going there about the same time as you. Wunderground says average temperatures vary between 45 and 68 in Rome, Florence, Venice between Oct 19 and Nov 4, and average October rainfall is 3 inches. So I'm planning on a light down jacket for cool mornings and evenings, a nylon vest for daytime and transit, my usual Rockport suede shoes plus Birkenstock sandals for inside, a wool watch cap and a baseball cap. All subject to actual forecasts closer to departure. Hopefully the pre-departure forecast will tell me enough about rain potential to decide between my hooded Gore-tex parka, for expected rain, and a light plastic fold-up poncho, for insurance. This is based on general travel experience and the best info I can get now about weather to expect on this trip.

Layering is definitely the name of the game, anywhere and anytime. And if you're worried about wet shoes that won't dry out, bring extra socks.

I'm going to recommend that you take some waterproof shoes that are comfortable as your daily walkers as well. I've been near Rome in early November and experienced heavy rain and hail. I wear these Ahnus. The brand is now owned by Teva. This link takes you to both high-topped and low versions. You can buy these shoes from the usual online vendors as well as from Teva.

I wear these Sockwell Circulator socks with any walking shoes. The fiber content (34% Merino Wool, 34% Bamboo Rayon, 28% Stretch Nylon, 4% Spandex) stays warm and dry inside the shoes. The support helps with long days on my feet. This is another style that I have. The graduated compression of these two types linked are the best for me, and I do like the colors.

Do your feet get hot easily? I wore waterproof shoes on an early spring trip once, and my feet were miserable from being too hot. Since then, I were non waterproof shoes. I have been caught in downpours and have had to dry my shoes out over the room heater. I think traveling with 2 pairs of shoes is recommended.

Pack a pair of very light silk long underwear that can go under the tightest jeans or pants, and act as an extra layer if needed while you sleep.
A longer than hip length waterproof jacket, WITH a hood.
Umbrellas are just a pain while touring about.
I also always take some of those cheap expandable tiny gloves from the Dollar Store, just to keep my hands warm if it's windy or rainy/cold.
They take up little room.
For layering warmth; a light fleece jacket to go under your waterproof jacket if need be.
Maybe a hat that is both a sunhat and a rainhat; I don't wear hats, but I know they are out there.

Thanks for all of the helpful information.

Spent time packing a suitcase today. It ended up at around 9.5-10" deep.

Delta's carry on limit is 9" . With just mild compression it regains the 9" depth.

Not sure how the airlines measure or critique these dimensions?

Not sure how the airlines measure or critique these dimensions?

Pretty much every airline has a "sizer box" of some sort at the gate. It may be discreetly hidden or right in your face. Gate staff will be eyeballing you and your bags (whether you notice or not). Sometimes - but not always - they will challenge those who appear to have a bag that exceeds their limits. When that happens, you are directed to the sizer box. If you can get your bag in, away you go. If you can't...you usually have to check it (and pay).

Exactly how strict they are is a total crapshoot. No way to know if they will scrutinize every bag carefully, or pay no attention whatsoever even to the most flagrant violations.

That's how they roll.

If you need some compression to get your bag skinnier consider getting a colorful luggage strap. I use one anyway to help me ID my bag and to cover the zipper pulls.

We are using two 22 x 14 x 9 carry on bags that we will be placing in the overhead compartment.

Do the bags lie flat on their backs, or are the placed vertically on the sides in the overhead compartment?

We need to pack some additional fluids in our 3-1-1 bags and thinking it may be a good idea to pack them so that the lids are
facing up. Thanks.

I would not worry about the direction of the liquid bags but instead focus on the liquids being in leak proof containers!

dgrieco: If you are packing liquids, put a bit of Saran Wrap over the neck of the bottle or container, then screw the lid down.
I also put each bottle in its own thin sandwich bag for extra safety, having had things leak over the years.
Excited for you going on your trip!
I've just had to cancel mine to Italy for this Fall, but Italy will still be there next year!

In the overhead bins, if you can put your suitcase in wheels out toward the aisle/handle toward the inside of the bin then turn it on it's side that will allow more stuff to fit in the bin.

I'm concerned about how you phrased the part about additional liquids. Each person is allowed a one quart ziplock filled with containers that are no more than 3oz each. However many you can fit in and still close the ziplock is what you can take. If you have liquid medicines you can take those in a separate ziplock.

If you check a suitcase you can have as many liquids in there as you want.

Quick follow up after our first trip to Italy. We agree with the advice of bringing layers, a windbreaker, and an umbrella. Glad we both brought waterproof shoes, as well! The fall can bring rain and walking around all day with soaking wet feet would not have been fun. Nice that most of our Airbnb apartments supplied umbrellas for their guests,

Fall in Italy is not that cold, so don't over pack.
And to blend in like the locals just wear a scarf, best to buy them in Italy since they sell great looking scarves everywhere.
Im in Florence right now... December 2 and I haven't even needed to zip up my winter jacket, its been in the 50's.