The rugged Amalfi Coast is an iconic destination for a reason. It’s the embodiment of la dolce vita, and what to pack for a trip to the Amalfi Coast is something that should be considered with the utmost care. With many of the world’s best hotels claiming the most dramatic views over the prettiest of pastel towns crowding onto the cliff edge above some of the largest yachts, you’d be forgiven for forgetting you’re not an extra in The Talented Mr Ripley. The allure of the Amalfi’s restaurants and hotels attracts the top of the A-list celebrities every year, from George and Amal Clooney to the Kardashians.
The Amalfi Coast is made up of many famous towns, including the picturesque Positano, lush Sorrento, princely Ravello and ceramic mecca Vietri Sur Mar, which stretches along a green, insta-worthy (and villa-lined) 50km coastal road. I would recommend hiring a car to explore the area, and even drive the hour to Pompeii in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. You can also make like the celebs and charter a yacht – although I’m sure a small boat would do – to drop you off at the most delicious hotspots. At least that’s what the Beckhams do, and if it’s good enough for them…
Capri is within reach, and further across the bay of Naples is the volcanic Ischia, famous for its mineral-rich springs. The San Montano spa is the perfect place for a refresh.
Once you’ve decided where to anchor yourself, with rooms and flights booked, it’s time to focus on what to pack. Or perhaps, like me, you plan the outfits first. The Amalfi really is the place to lean into Italian fashion – think season two of The White Lotus combined with Dua Lipa’s honeymoon and a smack of Dolce & Gabbana. Here you’ll want sun-kissed colours, jaw-dropping accessories worn with swimsuits and playful kaftans for lunch at sea and striking monochrome maxi dresses for dinner in the lemon groves.
Below, my guide of what to pack for the Amalfi Coast and where to wear it. Grazie? Prego.
What to wear for lunch with a view
The cliffy nature of the Amalfi Coast means that many of the area’s restaurants come with a side of breathtaking views. There’s the Belvedere Terrace at Caruso, a Belmond Hotel, at the very top of Ravello. Or at the bottom of Marina del Cantone, La Scoglio da Tommaso stretches out into the sea. The celebrated 62-room Santa Caterina, a tentpole of the Amalfi’s most luxurious hotels, is home to the glamorous Michelin-starred Glicine with gorgeous white terraces.
In Positano, La Tagliato is a more laidback affair, perfect for a light cotton dress or jumpsuit and the chicest of simple accessories for that stepped-off-a-yacht look – just remember to put your napkin on. This summer, be sure to be noticed by the fashion set by wearing Harry Styles’s stylist, Harry Lambert’s, first collection with Pandora. It’s pearl charms but not as you know them; one is a squid, another a puffa fish, and my personal favourite: three peas in a pod.
