What to wear in Positano on the Amalfi Coast?
What to Wear in Positano?
What you want, of course, as long as it is comfortable and appropriate for the season.
Last time in Positano I enjoyed wearing a long black maxi dress. Opposed to the unofficial light colors of “Moda Positano.”
Trends in Positano:
There are some small changes in what is sold and worn in Positano every season. But the essential Positano style remains more or less the same:
Long, flowy skirts, preferably tiered. Often made of lightweight, almost transparent, and thin cotton fabrics.
Maxi dresses, sets, and overalls in crochet knits. With dominant colors of whites, beiges, and sand hues.
Fishnet-like beach covers, sarongs, and lacey-looking summer pants, mostly in white or black.
For Picture Taking?
You will see many people walking around in very colorful and extravagant dresses.
Most of this outfits come from the popular shop “Antica Sartoria.”
These dresses can be a lot of fun to wear on our vacation. But you might find it challenging to incorporate them into your wardrobe once back home.
The Antica Sartoria dresses are generally very affordable. Are even cheap when on discount. So they can be perfect for a lighthearted, Mediterranean-style photoshoot. (Keep in mind, you get what you pay for in terms of quality.)
A more “sophisticated” option for the perfect Amalfi Vibe photoshoot:
The classic lemon patterned dress.
A white linen or cotton dress with classic lemon prints.
Ideal for leaning on an iconic Fiat 500 on the roads of Positano. Or posing on a red Vespa scooter.
Bonus points if the dress features 1950s-style tailoring. Or if it’s an actual vintage piece from the era.
But You propably don’t need to bring it with you.
As you’ll find plenty of versions of the lemon dress in loco. Outfits with Lemon prints are sold across the Amalfi Coast. In Sorrento, you can even score some great deals!
My favorite dress for photo shooting in Positano:
During last Easter, on the Amalfi Coast we went to Positano for taking some pictures. I chose my striped linen maxi dress for the occasion.
As Easter was in early spring, this dress was perfect. It’s a bit more structured, with a lining inside. (So wouldn’t be ideal for hot summer days).
The horizontal contrasted stripes give this dress a nautical vibe. Great for seaside shots.
I also loved the more flowy and twirly tailoring of the skirt part. Which looks great in videos.
It’s a second-hand Anthropologie dress (from the brand Maeve). And was super easy to pair with a lightweight jean jacket in the springtime.
For the Evenings?
A lot of these very summery pieces are worn in the evenings in Positano as well. Of course, the line waiting to enter the trendy Franco’s bar is full of people in evening dresses. But it’s not a rule, as plenty are wearing more summery but still dressy pieces.
The bias-cut silk midi and maxi dresses seem to be the “uniform” of the evenings in Capri. In Positano’s nightlife fashion are less dominants.
So, if you want to pack light, in my opinion, you can bring something like a floral-patterned maxi dress. This would be versatile enough for great pictures and sightseeing during the day. And easily transit for the evening with an elegant handbag and accessories. At least in Positano…
In Capri, there’s definitely more ‘dress-up’ going on. (Source: countless hours of people-watching from the bars of La Piazzetta!)
In some of the more upscale restaurants in Positano, there is an expected dress code. For men, long pants and linen shirt would be the best choice for dinner.
How Much Is Too Much?
Or should I say, what isn’t enough? Oh yes here we are, at the the controversial topic of what is too revealing. And what’s considered as appropriate wear.
Beachwear is only for the beach in South-Italy.
And by beach, I mean strictly the shore.
If you think it’s ok to wear a skirt with only your bikini top, when going in a supermarket near the beach, across the main street? You will probably meet with a few disapproving looks from the locals. (Speaking from experience. I totally did this during my first year in Italy, in a seaside resort town of Cilento. Now I understand and respect the local customs. )
A good rule of thumb:
If your feet aren’t in the sand or pebbles of the shore, you’re probably better off wearing more than just a swimsuit! (Expect if you are in the water of course)
The other exceptions to this rule are the so-called “lidos”. Those wooden beach bars and restaurants right on the shore. It’s fine to swing by for a soda or an ice cream in your swimwear. If you’re planning to sit down for lunch or an aperitif you can even throw on a beach cover or sarong.
Wearing only bikini tops can even get you fined in some places, like in the city center of Capri.
Last year, while walking across the Piazzetta, we saw a municipal police officer approach two girls. She sayed authoritatively, “In the center, only with shirts,” to one of the girls. Who was wearing something like a bikini top. I don’t remember if it was an actual swimsuit or just a very tiny triangle-shaped crop top. They were lucky to receive only a warning and not get fined.
So, keep this in mind if you want to avoid any unpleasant situations!
Did you know?
The forever battle between conservative locals and tourists is probably what gave birth to the famous “Moda Positano”.
In the 50s, after a day at the beach, tourists loved to wear as little as possible. Even when strolling through the city. Many locals wanted to “encourage” them to cover up a bit more and dress more “appropriately.”
This is how the fishnet-like crocheted beach covers became popular in Positano.
You can read more about this here (in Italian). It is very interesting.
What to Wear When Visiting Churches
This often comes up in Facebook groups—should you or shouldn’t you visit a church in your short summer dresses?
According to Christian tradition, knees and shoulders should always be covered when entering in churches. (Yes, this applies to both men and women.)
In the Facebook discussions, often mentioned that in many places, the rule is not enforced. Even if no one checks, it’s still respectful to follow this tradition.
Keep a scarf or shawl with you to cover your shoulders. And if you love wearing shorts during your vacation, you can wrap a larger scarf around your waist.
Linen
Linen is one of those materials you either love or hate. I started to love it a lot, especially because I have sensitive skin. These days, most of my wardrobe is made up of linen and silk pieces.
Yes, linen will crease and loosen when worn. I travel with a hand steamer because most of my “Amalfi Coast wardrobe” is made of linen. It’s small enough to fit in carry-on luggage.
The touch and feel of linen also depend on how it’s woven. If you’re not a fan of heavier, canvas-like linen dresses, opt for lighter knits or “washed linen” fabrics.
Utility Pieces in 100% Linen
I love my linen t-shirts—they’re actually knitted, lightweight shirts. As for linen pants, I prefer jogger styles with a drawstring at the waist and elastic at the ankles. This details help to keep their shape throughout the day. (More or less…)
