What a Designer Says Is "Deeply Inappropriate" to Pack for Your Italian Vacay

Italy routinely tops the list of most popular summer travel destinations. Year after year, tourists flock to the country from all corners of the globe to fill up on spaghetti, sea views, and la dolce vita. And if you're lucky enough to be planning an Italian vacation of your own, you've come to the right place. Although, anyone dreaming of booking a flight is more than welcome here too!

Milan-based brand La DoubleJ just opened a pop-up boutique in Taormina, located on the east coast of Sicily. To celebrate the launch, I tapped the founder J.J. Martin for her best Italy packing tips, and she absolutely delivered. "You want something to go from morning to day to night, so I tend to bring things that could be worn to the beach or out for cocktails," Martin says. "The Sundowner Dress, for example, could be worn by the pool but could also be a chic dinner dress. Maybe I am wearing it with flip-flops on the beach and then with jeweled sandals at night."

Scroll down to learn all her packing dos and don'ts for your next Italian vacation, including the one item she says is "deeply inappropriate" to wear. 

J.J. Martin's Packing Dos and Don'ts for Italy

1. Don't Pack High Heels

"Pack flats, flats, and more flats—literally," Martin tells Who What Wear. "No summer destination in Italy requires a high heel. Not only do they take up too much space in your luggage, but they are uncomfortable and deeply inappropriate for any chic resort town in Italy. You don't wear high heels to Il Pellicano or in Como. You wear very chic clothing and comfortable flats—but beautiful ones, obviously. That's why I love our woven raffia Ballerina Flats, Treccia Pool Slides, and Feather Slippers. Easy, elegant, and all super comfortable." 

2. Do Pack Lightweight Silk Pieces

"What's great about the light silks we do, from the Swing Dress to the Slip-Around Dress, is that they fold down into the size of a handkerchief," Martin says. "My boyfriend often times will be like, 'I can't believe how many outfits you packed into that tiny bag.' It's like an explosion—so many pieces can fit because they are so light, and they pack down. Your suitcase becomes like a magic goodie box." 

3. Do Pack Swimwear That Doubles as Outerwear

"I like pieces that can do double duty, like swimwear that works as ready-to-wear," Martin says. "For example, you can wear our long-sleeve Surf Suit swimming at the beach for full coverage, which I like, and then you wear it with the Big Skirt, and you have a really elegant outfit for the evening." 

4. Don't Be Afraid to Wear Prints From Head to Toe

"I am not a single-print kind of girl," Martin tells me, explaining that she loves wearing different prints from head to toe. However, she does have a favorite. "I would suggest our Palmetto hand-placed print because it's got that red, white, and blue palette that is so perfect for July 4th or Bastille Day," she says. "You really can't go wrong for the summer season with that because it feels so fresco and beach appropriate." 

5. Do Wear White Lace

"I really love all of our pieces crafted in white lace: the Swing Dress, the Oscar Skirt, the MuuMuu. They feel so romantic and airy," Martin says. "The lace has this unique antique feeling that fits with the extraordinary medieval architecture through so much of Sicily, but the silhouettes feel modern and easy enough for going from the beach to a chic dinner or to strolling and shopping."

6. Do Pack Matching Sets

"Dressing in matching tops and bottoms is so easy for beach towns because you don't have to think about what you are packing," Martin tells me. "I like our cotton La Scala Top and Pencil Skirt in white and blue intarsia waves, the Boxy Shirt with the Drawstring Pants in our Smartypants print, and our silk Foulard Top with the matching Palazzo Pants."

Next: I Just Got Back From Mallorca—Here's the One Outfit Formula I Wore Every Day