I’m a Travel Writer Who Summers on the Amalfi Coast — Here’s Everything I’m Packing This Season

As a travel journalist who has lived a Mediterranean summer for the past decade, resort wear is the majority of my wardrobe — despite the fact that my full-time home is in Paris. As I count down the days until my first island getaway this season to Mallorca, followed by a whirlwind tour jetting to Crete for a friend’s 40th birthday, Monaco for the Grand Prix, and the Amalfi Coast at the height of the season, I’ve slowly been adding items to my shopping cart to complete my summer suitcase. 

While I love curating looks for trips to Greece and the South of France, I’ve always been a huge fan of the fashion in Italy’s Amalfi Coast, where effortlessly chic Mediterranean style is the dress code. The jet-set haven is in full swing in summer, with yachts anchored along the coast and a stylish set posting up for aperitivo at the perpetually cool Le Sirenuse in Positano. This is la dolce vita at its finest — villa-covered cliffsides, pastel-colored towns perched over the sea, glamorous islands as famous for sea caves as people-watching. As Steinbeck once wrote, “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.”

As I gear up for summer on the Amalfi Coast, here are 15 styles that embrace the coastal region’s Mediterranean spirit. Think rattan totes, espadrilles, breezy maxi dresses, and crochet galore. With this wardrobe, you’ll be fitting right in with the A-listers in no time.

Eicolorte Beach Sarong Skirt With Tassels

When I’m on the Amalfi Coast, my wardrobe is designed around the beach — tops that double as cover-ups, bags that can hold a Turkish towel, and skirts I can pull over a one-piece on a boat day. This fringed wrap cotton skirt from Zara is a dressed-up, more structured sarong that clasps and ties at the hip so it’ll stay perfectly in place. The natural taupe shade makes this skirt versatile enough to wear with a poppy coral bikini or neutral linen tops. I’m planning to pair it with strappy studded sandals and a black, off-the-shoulder crop top with tons of bangles stacked on either wrist. 

A similar version at Amazon that’s received more than 21,000 ratings, this sheer sarong is less formal but every bit as summer-ready for a day at the beach when worn over a bikini as a wrap skirt, dress, or used as a makeshift beach blanket.

Chouyatou Maxi Shirtdress

A shirtdress is one of the first pieces I pack for a trip to the coast since it’ll end up being my everyday go-to for strolling through town, lounging by the beach, or shopping. This breezy, striped maxi version at Amazon is a great pick for warm summer days since it’s lightweight and breathable. Plus, you can roll up the sleeves, leave a few buttons open, and wrap it at the waist with a leather belt you just bought in town. “This was perfect and just what I was looking for — I wore it with a fedora and some gladiator sandals and it was comfy and cute!” raved one shopper. Another added: “I bought this for a beach bachelorette trip to wear with my baby bump and it’s perfect! It’s very comfortable, lightweight, and flattering — definitely recommend.”

Bembien Rattan Isla Basket Tote Bag

Leave structured leather bags and designer names at home. Sure, the Amalfi Coast may be a jetset hideaway, but the look here is decidedly less flash and more carefree — and this extends to bags. One pick that’ll take you from day to night, from the beach to lunch or sightseeing, is this wide-weave rattan basket tote. Roomy enough to hold sunscreen, a journal or book, a small towel, and sandals in case you need a change of footwear, this versatile style is all you need this summer. As for your essentials, store them in a colorful little zipped pouch or satchel that you can throw inside the tote to ensure nothing gets separated.

Laovanln Tapered Linen Trousers

If you only pack one pair of pants for your trip, these tapered linen trousers should be it. Think “The Talented Mr. Ripley” vibes — slouchy sweaters and button-ups paired with neutral trousers and comfy white low-top sneakers. Ankle-cropped, pull-on linen trousers are a summer version of capri pants and will quickly become part of your travel wardrobe in place of leggings this season. “There’s plenty of room in the waist and thighs, creating a flattering silhouette,” wrote one shopper. “I think these will be my spring and summer go-to trousers.”

Butaby 90s Square Sunglasses

Thanks to designers like Céline, the ‘90s square-shaped sunglasses have had a major comeback and replaced summer styles like cat-eyes and aviators. The designer version is way out of my budget, so I opted for a version from CHIMI, but these retro shades at Amazon are a fantastic option that looks the part at a fraction of the price. As one shopper said: “The quality of these sunglasses is WAY better than expected. They come wrapped nicely and well-protected…the plastic doesn’t seem thin or fragile — for being so cheap, they are pretty nice.”

Another shopper wrote: “After losing my expensive sunglasses at the bottom of an 8-foot pool, I was looking for an inexpensive but not cheap-looking replacement pair. And I got two for an excellent price!” The duo of lightweight, UV-protected shades comes in a mix of color combos, so you can switch up your look throughout the trip or have an extra set in case one gets lost or falls overboard.

Mango Crochet Top

A crochet tank is a classic summer staple — and one that is easy to layer with. This top from Mango has more structure than the ’70s-style backless knits, so you can wear it under a denim jacket or linen blazer in the evenings or keep it casual over a bikini top at a beach club during the day. The elastic finish is a nice touch so it doesn’t ride up, and the square neckline is flattering and easy to pair with a strapless bodysuit or bandeau. Whether you’re in Amalfi or Ravello, you’ll notice this essential piece continuing to pop up around town.

Keds The Mini Slip-Ons

Speaking of “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” Keds-style sneakers and slip-ons were a footwear favorite in the film, probably because they’re a practical pick for summer on a coastline where you’ll be shopping on crooked cobbled streets, trekking to rocky beaches, and wine-tasting at farms huddled along the hillside. For a sneaker that’s the opposite of bulky, these Keds Mini Slip-On shoes feature a round-toe silhouette inspired by ballet slippers. Flexible and lightweight, these comfortable, cushioned sneakers will be your go-to this summer everywhere from the plane to Positano’s Path of the Gods, if you don’t have space for hiking shoes.

Sézane Yanelle Dress

Boho-chic crochet and knits are the backbone of a summer wardrobe, and while most of us don’t have Missoni in our budget, you can snag a lookalike from French favorite Sézane. This sleeveless, calf-grazing dress features a similar patterned knit to the Italian designer. The round necklace and button-fastened open back are subtle, flattering details that allow this piece to seamlessly shift from day to night. Throw a shawl or leather jacket and a pair of wedges and you’re ready for an evening out!

Mango Crochet Sweater

You may wonder, “A sweater in summer? Why waste the precious luggage space?” Well, fellow readers, you’ll be thanking me when you have this crochet coverage over a bathing suit while sailing the coast or over a slip dress or slinky tank on a breezy evening. I’ve found these light, barely-there sweaters to be a lifesaver in summer when you want something to cover your shoulders that isn’t a jacket or shawl. In the daytime while sightseeing, wear it over a bandeau with linen or denim shorts or stuff it in your tote for the boat.

Cole Haan Cloudfeel Espadrille II

The Catalan slip-on has come a long way over the centuries from its humble start as peasant footwear. You’ll find this combination sneaker-sandal-slide everywhere from market stalls to designer shops, where it’s emblazoned with labels like Prada and Chanel. Find a middle ground with a pair like these from Cole Haan, which have the slightest bit of a wedged heel (a mere quarter-inch) to give you height, plus cushioned foam soles that are guaranteed to tackle the Amalfi Coast’s variety of terrain. Even better, they look pulled together enough to wear with flowy skirts and dresses for lunch or dinner.

Amazon Essentials Strappy Leather Sandals

Capri set the standard when it comes to handmade Italian leather sandals, and while it’s definitely an experience to have a shoe custom-fit to your foot, you can sport a style just as comfortable for much less at Amazon. With more than 11,000 ratings, these best-selling flat sandals are crafted from high-quality faux leather and suede and have been dip-dyed with natural burnishing so they look as authentic as the real deal. “I am currently eight months pregnant with super swollen feet and these sandals are super comfortable and wide feet-friendly,” shared one shopper. Another wrote: “They have a little padding that makes for a comfortable walk. The ankle strap is perfect for support — you can just slip them on!” 

As a Florida girl who lives in sandals whenever the weather is over 65 degrees, I know how challenging it can be to find a pair that won’t cause instant blisters or quickly get destroyed on cobblestoned streets. This stylish option is the ideal solution for summer in the Amalfi Coast — and your friends will never believe these faux leather beauties were on sale at Amazon! 

Farm Rio Maia Print Button-up Shirt

Ever since coming across Emporio Sirenuse from the iconic Le Sirenuse Hotel in Positano, I’ve been hooked. The lifestyle brand embodies the feel of the Amalfi Coast with looks that are equal parts elegant and effortless. While the Mediterranean prints are out of my price range, I’ve substituted them with similar styles from brands like Farm Rio. This ‘60s-inspired, linen-blend button-down is practically made for an Italian holiday. Wear it open over a one-piece bathing suit, tuck it into a pair of matching shorts or linen trousers, or pair it with a pleated midi skirt and gold-adorned sandals for an ensemble that’ll have you ready for dinner at one of the chicer restaurants in the region, like La Sponda.

Vitamin A The Getaway Linen Cover-up Shorts

Ever since going to Bali last year and purchasing a pair of linen shorts, I’ve been surprised I’ve gone so long (and traveled to so many places) without them. As someone who likes to limit my wardrobe to a carry-on and ensure each piece plays multiple roles, these cover-up shorts from Vitamin A are definitely a winner. Intended to be worn over swimwear, these lightweight linen shorts can be paired with a crop top or white linen button-down tied at the waist over a bikini top or bandeau. The belt loops are also a nice addition that makes these feel more dressed up. Wear them with a camel-colored leather belt with gold hardware and don a pair of matching strappy sandals and you’re ready for everything from a beach club to a day sailing out to the Li Galli islands.

One-Shoulder Ruffle Swimsuit

Swimwear is perhaps my main weakness when it comes to clothing. I tend to bring a half-dozen options — even if it’s just a weekend getaway (or the height of winter). But swimwear can also be viewed as a layer or undergarment (one-pieces are essentially bodysuits). When searching for the latest addition for this year’s suitcase, I came across a retro-inspired, one-shoulder ruffled version at Amazon, and I was instantly sold. The exact suit I’m bringing is no longer available, but this $38 style from Hilor is very similar — and comes in more than a dozen colors.

This summer, I’ll be wearing my one-piece as a bodysuit with high-waisted shorts and structured A-line skirts when I’m not by the beach. “This bathing suit is so cute and fits really well!” one reviewer wrote. “The one arm stays on well and I never felt like I needed to yank up the side without a strap. I highly recommend it!” Another confirmed: “I get a ton of compliments on this suit. It fits perfectly and is so comfortable.”

Free People All for Sun Maxi Dress

Whether I’m staying in a hotel hovering above the coast or a private villa, my loungewear tends to be the same: billowy, floor-length cotton or silky dresses that I can wear sans shoes around my room or with wedges and a blazer out to dinner. This version from Free People is one of the best I’ve come across — so don’t write it off due to the price just yet. 

Removable tie straps allow you to adjust or transform the look so it can be worn strapless, and thanks to a built-in shelf bra and pleating at the bust, it’ll stay fixed in place. And if you opt for elegant black, it’s an easy way to elevate an evening look, which is what I’ve done in the past while dining at Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890 on the Sorrento coast. “I am obsessed with this dress! It is shapeless and comfortable while still being so flattering — I will be wearing it all summer,” wrote one shopper. The shape makes it versatile for a variety of body types and heights, so if you’re on the shorter side like me, bunch it up and tie it on the side or cinch it with a double-wrap belt and it’s instantly tailored for your trip.

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