Our anniversary trip to Lake Como and the Italian coast was a dream! From the serene elegance of Lake Como, to the sun-soaked cliffs of Positano, and the glamour of Portofino, each destination offers its own unique atmosphere—but all share a common style ethos: relaxed luxury.

Here is what I wore in Lake Como, Positano and Portofino. I’m working on a detailed packing list for each destination we’ve visited in Italy in one post but until then you can see what I wore in Lake Como, Positano and Portofino in this post and what I wore in Rome, Florence and Venice here.

Lake Como

Lake Como is polished, romantic, and has an understated elegance. Think quiet luxury meets resort wear.  We stayed at Passalaqua.  I can’t wait to share more about this amazing hotel in my travel guide.

Daytime

The Perfect Black Maxi Dress / Tan Sandals / Celine Embroidered Handbag 

This is what I wore on our flight and for arriving in both Lake Como and Portofino.  I felt perfectly put together and elegant for checking in and going straight to lunch. More about this great dress here.

Boat Day on Lake Como: Pinstriped Mini Dress with Embroidered Lace Detail / Ankle Wrap Sandals / Celine Handbag / Celine Sunglasses

I love this sweet shirt dress so much.  The fabric is light but holds it’s shape and the lace detail is so special.  I’ve worn it several times since we’ve been home including today!  I wore this on our boat day when we toured beautiful villa, the village of Bellagio and had lunch at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo.

Navy Stylest Swimsuit / Stylest Lace Sarong / Metallic Sandals / Canvas Tote 

This is the most flattering swimsuit and you all agree!  It’s been a best selling reader favorite since I first shared it in March in Punta Mita.

Mini Skirt / White Tank / Tan Sandals / Celine Handbag 

This simple top and printed skirt were great for a day to visit a local village.  I also have the matching top to this skirt to wear as a set.  I’ll be buying more of these great summer pieces!

Dinner

Vine Printed Cotton Poplin Midi Dress / Similar Transparent Sandals / Dior Handbag 

The pretty floral vine print on this light polished cotton dress looks like embroidery.  It was perfect for our romantic dinner al fresco on a cool evening.

Similar Ivory Midi Dress with Green Floral Print / Transparent Sandals / Bottega Handbag 

One of my favorite dresses, it was on of the first I packed.  I wore this when we went to have drinks at Villa d’Este with friends.  I’ve linked a similar one here.

Retro Print Mini Dress / Tan Sandals / Dior Handbag

You’ve seen this fun Pucci-eque print dress before.  It’s an easy way to look dressed up without a lot of fuss.  I wore this to dinner at Harry’s Bar in Cernobbio about 5 minutes from Passalaqua.

Cobalt Blue Midi Dress / Gold Strappy Sandals / Dior Handbag 

Another perennial favorite, the cobalt Newport dress.  It’s a great dress for travel and at home.  I first wore it in South Africa and now in Italy.  I feel confident and polished in this dress which is why I reach for it often!

Positano

The Amalfi Coast is bright, colorful, and glamorously laid-back. Think coastal chic with bold prints, easy breezy dresses, and playful accessories.  We stayed at Il San Pietro with a view facing Positano.  This hotel is AMAZING!

Daytime

White Havana Mini Dress / Dway Sandals

Traveled in this favorite white dress.

Embroidered Shirt Dress / Dway Sandals 

I adore this embroidered chambray dress.  I didn’t get a great travel photo of it so put this on in here, too.

Stylest Square Neck Swimsuit / Stylest Sarong / Metallic Sandals / Canvas Tote 

Another great Stylest Swimsuit!

Ribbed Mini Dress in Green / Tan Sandals

I wore this for breakfast a few times and for relaxing around the hotel.

Printed Mini Shirt Dress / Celine Sunglasses

The dress I wore for our anniversary lunch was perfect for a boat day to Capri and shopping!

Cornflower Blue Shift Dress / Similar Jeweled Sandals / Dior Handbag 

Loved this simple silk shift for dinner with my new custom sandals from Capri.

Strapless Embroidered Midi Dress / Espadrilles / Miss Dior handbag 

A pretty embroidered dress for dinner at Il San Pietro.

Striped One Shoulder Biased Cut Midi Dress / Transparent Sandals 

This dress was stepping out for me but everyone LOVED it.  It was the top seller for June…more of those tomorrow!

Linen Camilla Printed Maxi Dress with Criss Cross Straps / Dior Handbag 

One of the most summer beautiful dresses I own.  The print, the colors and the beading on the top make it super special.

Portofino

Portofino is small but impossibly stylish. The coastal glamour is more refined and classic than Positano — think stripes, whites, and nautical touches.

Daytime

Cotton Minidress in Red / Tan Sandals / Celine Embroidered Handbag 

LOVE this fun red dress.  It just says summer in Italy to me.

Cornflower Blue and Navy Crochet Mini Dress/ Tan Sandals / Canvas Tote 

This cute dress is great as a cover up as well.

Pomegranate Mini Skirt / Pomegranate Cropped Top / Ankle Wrap Sandals / Dior Handbag 

Here is the skirt from above as a set!

Cotton Minidress in Red / Tan Sandals / Similar Straw Tote

Dinner

Strapless Bustier Pleated Skirt Maxi Dress / Dior Handbag 

The dress from our 30th anniversary dinner was actually the first thing I packed. I love everything about it…the softly pleated top, the accordion pleated skirt and the color.

Green Eyelet Mini Dress with Beaded Straps / Similar Jeweled Sandals / Dior Handbag

I’m loving green as you can tell right now.  I also love eyelet for summer and the beaded straps make this a fun and special dress.

Striped One Shoulder Biased Cut Midi Dress / Transparent Sandals / Bottega Handbag

So nice I wore it twice!  Dinner at Da V in Portofino.

Linen Camilla Printed Maxi Dress with Criss Cross Straps / Dior Handbag 

And this one as well!

I hope sharing what I wore and how I styled it is helpful for you in planning a trip to any of these destinations in Italy or any other coastal vacation. I’ll be sharing the travel guides over the next few weeks.

You can find more festive inspiration and other style options from the posts below!

• What to Wear For 4th of July
• Packing List for Summer in Italy
• AWL Travel Favorites
• The Best Clean Self Tanners
• Best Places to Buy Swimsuits Online
• Best Straw Bags and Totes to Add to Your Collection
• Travel Guides for Rome in Four Days, Florence in Four Days and Venice in Three Days
• My Favorite Travel Outfits
• How to Pack in a Carry-On for a Week
• 5 Tips for Organized Travel
• All My Packing Lists!
• All My Travel Guides!

xo,

Alicia

SHOP WHAT TO WEAR IN ITALY!