Women's packing list for Tuscany in October?

I don't focus on the list so much as I look at my schedule and see where I can do laundry--say you start off in Florence at a hotel, then move to an apartment in Siena with a washer (just random examples). So, I plan on what I need to get me from point A, departure, to the first laundry stop, point B. Then I just repeat for the rest of the trip. I find it easier to wrap my mind around planning those chunks versus being overwhelmed by needing a month's worth of clothing.
In October, it will start out warm but end cool so you will need layers.
If you have any particular activities planned like a fancy dinner or hiking, please share that for perfectly tailored (pun intended) tips.

Thanks! Yes, we will have be able to do laundry, so that's a plus. And we don't plan on doing anything that requires dressing up or specialized clothing of any sort, though we'll be walking a lot.

I really like the 32 degree brand micro-thin tops to layer, if needed, and they don’t take any room. I have two long sleeve scoop neck ones in jewel tones, and I’ve used them as a solo top with a nice necklace or scarf for day or evening. Those layered with a black cardigan and raincoat are my foundational basics for Fall travel.

Just a few ideas from someone who travels carry-on only most of the time:
I like to bring two or three lightweight long sleeve button up tops that have a button to convert to 3/4 sleeves so that I can wear them for a variety of temperatures. I just noticed that Eddie Bauer has a 60% off clearance today with the code August60 and ordered another one (Women's Departure 2.0 Long-Sleeve Shirt) today for my upcoming trip next month to Germany, France & Belgium.

Another space saver is to pack creams & gels into contact lens cases. I did that for my foundation, BB cream, cream blush, petroleum jelly, etc. and found that I could easily get by with that small amount for two weeks or longer.

I usually wear my heaviest shoes and jacket on the plane and limit myself to one or possibly two other lightweight pairs of shoes. I don't bring a hair dryer as every hotel I've stayed in supplies one, but sometimes will pack either a dual-voltage curling iron or straightener.

I did the RS Best of Italy last October which included time in the Tuscany as well as other areas in Italy. Here is a link to my Trip Report with a section on my capsule wardrobe. My bag weighed 16.1# when I walked out of the house and was able to carry on with the Osprey Ozone and a Baggallini tote for under the seat.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/best-of-italy-sept-30-october-16-2022

I am not very heat tolerant so I wore the capris a lot whether they look fashionable or not, lol. I always travel with a waterproof rain jacket and yes, used it on days in Tuscany as well as Cinque Terre. In the TR I discuss the sunshirt I took which worked our really well.

Are you staying in hotels? They will have hair dryers in the rooms. Make sure your curling iron is dual voltage, if not, plan to buy one when you get there so you have the correct 220/240 wattage.

I have been to Tuscany in October and we had fabulous weather, but like you stated it can change so for that reason I like layers. I get anxiety with any heavy or confining clothes (think turtle neck) so it's tank tops layered with a long sleeve top (tee-shirt material) with a loose fitting cargo type jacket and a cozy lightweight scarf. I like to wear jeans, but with spandex so they wear like jeans and pack like lightweight pants. I really like shopping at Old Navy, Banana Republic or Gap, just basic comfortable clothing in neutrals that can mix and match. I also take all my hair tools, full make-up and minimalist jewelry.
I always pack a pair of booties (The shoes are separated while packing with a heel in the corner and the shoe stuffed) in case of rain and night time warm feet, and a pair of sandals (these are the 2 basic, I also bring 3 others).
I travel with carry on only and a large tote that fits under my front seat. I have traveled this way for 21 days in Europe.

We were in Italy last October, and what I ended up missing was clothes for warmer weather, as it was fairly hot. Make sure to plan what you would want if the entire time is warm as there was no summer clothes in the stores! There were lots of sweaters. but I had enough of those!
I only took a carry-on and did take my straightener, but not a hairdryer, i think most places had one. I took a good pair of running shoes and a pair of low heeled more dressy shoes, but that I can walk a fair distance in. I wished I had maybe brought a light pair of sandals or flats occasionally.
I packed thin merino wool sweaters as they are warm but take up little space, two collared shirts, one cream, one black. two pairs of pants, ( black and grey?) and then at the last moment I had thrown in a thin floral skirt that I wore a lot! I had a longer but lightweight black rain jacket that was dressy enough for a restaurant. I can't remember what else, but that was probably the essentials.

Passport
Credit cards
ATM cards
Euros left from previous trip
Smartphone (also with saved names of best clothing and shoe shops in Florence and Tuscany)

That’s my wife’s packing list before she leaves. But somehow we come back with 3 or 4 full suitcases, one or two of which require to pay the airline the extra bag fee. My bank account gets lighter however.

Pack for a week, not a month. 4-5 shirts, make one or two or those long sleeves. One pair of closed toe shoes that you can walk in, with a good grippy sole (not smooth leather, or plan on slipping on cobblestones) and one pair of sandals for warmer days, and in the hotels. Skip any footwear that is "dressy" i.e. no heels over 1'.

Rain jacket, fleece jacket for layering on a colder day or at night. One pair of shorts, or one skirt if you wear skirts, and one pair of long pants. 3-4 pairs of underwear and 1-2 bras ( so you can wash and have something dry to wear)

Plan to wear, or carry on the rain jacket and fleece jacket instead of packing them, leaving you more room in the suitcase. My rain jacket is a Marmot brand, folds up to almost nothing and worked great on our last rainy hike in Scotland, as well as in the cities.

Use packing cubes to organize !

Leave your nice jewelry at home, wear a simple wedding band. One or two pairs of earrings so you don't get tired of wearing the same pair every day. Maybe one necklace if you wear them. A scarf comes in handy for cooler days, or to "dress up" going out to dinner if that's your thing.

Plan on buying cosmetics/ skin lotions there if you run out using your travel sizes. I've been packing laundry sheets instead of liquid laundry soaps for washing in hotel sinks..you can find a variety on Amazon.

This is how I pack, plus we usually are doing a hiking or biking trip, so I have to add gear for that, just touring around cities, you can get away with much less.

Check the temperatures as you get closer (the 10 ten forecasts) - you can get an idea if they will be having a heat wave like last year or a cold front.
We usually spend October in Tuscany and layering your clothes will get you through. You might start the day with light jacket or sweater (I take a couple long sleeve cotton cardigans that I wear over T-shirts - 3/4 sleeves). By midday my cardigan is usually in my day bag.
But near the end of the month, it can get colder - one year I had to buy a jacket at a local market. Now, I always travel with a thin Uniqlo puffer jacket that rolls up. And a sweater and scarf/shawl.
Enjoy your time in Tuscany - October is very special with the grapes being harvested.

At Intimissimi in Italy you can buy what they call "light cashmere". They are very warm and light and they take up no room in a suitcase at all. They're a great first layer and when it's very cold in the winter I sleep in mine.
I've never seen them in stores in United States but you can get them online here.

I am currently wrestling over one or two long sleeve shirts. Alternatively, I have golf, long sleeve sun shirts. And that I wear from 60° weather to 85° weather. I will make the final cut this weekend but I am limiting myself to 4 to 5 shirts and five bottoms. Everything will mix and match but the other principle as far as sweaters and jackkets is that I can surely find something along the way if I need it…. And probably even if I don’t! I, my bottom list is 2 Coolibar light wide style pants that can be tied up to the ankle or Capri length, one pair of Bermuda golf shorts, one rainresistantCapri, and the super stretchy jeans I will fly in. Oh, and one dress. Everything washes in the sink and dries in a few hours which I assume will be 24 hours when I am in Italy rather than Texas where it’s 106 to 109° right now. Ugh.!

Search using the words, quick drying and moisture wicking. I wear everything new once or twice and hand wash to be sure it’s what I want.. I just wish that there were fewer signs of potential, thunderstorms and rain throughout it late during September but oh well, I have a fabulous fold into a pocket raincoat to keep me dry :-)

It’s tough, but once you figure it out, it’s totally worth it. Good luck.

What quick dry shirts do you all recommend? Are are they so lightweight that they wouldn't be warm?