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Published: 2/12/24
A Milan Packing List for November Travels
I spent a lot of time figuring out what to wear in Milan in November.
As exciting as it is to visit Italy’s second largest city in late November when crowds are low and the holiday season kicks off, it’s not the easiest time of year to pack for Milan. Throw in that Milan’s a renowned world fashion powerhouse and the pressure’s really on for your Milan outfits!
If you’re headed to Milan or another northern European destination in late autumn and confused about what to pack, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve done all your heavy mental lifting to figure out the perfect late autumn Milan packing list.
In this post, I cover what kind of weather to expect in Milan in November and how to dress for it, the best winter fashion staples for Milan in winter, what not to wear in Milan, and my best tips for styling yourself in Milan. I sum it all up with printable Milan packing list at the very end of this post.
What weather to expect in Milan in November
Not quite autumn, not quite winter, late November’s definitely an in between time weather-wise in Milan. It could be cold and rainy, or, as in our case, sunny and idyllic. We enjoyed cloudless skies and highs close to 60. But definitely don’t bank on our perfect late autumn weather for your November visit to Milan.
On average, Milan’s November temperatures range from highs in the mid 50s and lows from the low 40s to high 30s. As the month wears on, temps drop. By the end of November, Milan’s high temps are usually in the high 40s with lows right above freezing.
Novembers are typically very cloudy, with an average of just two hours of daily sunshine. It’s worth noting that there’s only about 9 hours of daylight in Milan in November. By the end of the month, the sun is setting before 4 p.m. About 12 days of each November in Milan are rainy, amounting to about 3.5 inches of rain.
Considerations for what to wear in Milan in November
- Since November temps can range from pleasantly autumnal to borderline frigid in Milan, layers are your friend!
- When you pack, take into consideration how much you’ll be walking in Milan. With our absolutely jam packed Milan itinerary, we averaged 10 miles each day. Make sure you have appropriate footwear and outerwear that can withstand pounding the pavement in rain or shine.
- Waterproof footwear is your friend.
- Prepare for inclement weather. Pack an umbrella and remember hats, mittens, and scarves for Milan’s chilly November evenings.
Winter Fashion Staples for Milan in November
I used a lot of lessons learned during my winter in London to style myself in Milan a way that felt natural and inconspicuous.
When a server in Como started speaking to me in rapid Italian, I knew I’d cracked the code on what to wear in northern Italy in November. As she watched confusion spread across my face, she stopped, switched to Englisn and said, “Oh, I couldn’t tell you didn’t speak Italian.”
Here’s what you definitely want to wear in Milan in November:
Heeled black boots
A staple in the European dress code, it seems like every man and woman in Milan owns a pair of ankle height black boots. Europeans do wear plenty of sneakers so don’t worry if you prefer those. However, from a packing standpoint, black boots are perfect because you can wear them for a full day of sightseeing and also dress them up for a fancy evening out.
Make sure to purchase a waterproof pair so they can be your go-to footwear for all of Milan’s late autumn weather.
Wool coat with buttons
Zippers apparently are not the done thing in Milan in November. It seemed like everyone we saw in Milan was wearing a wool coat with buttons. I’ve been rocking my Eddie Bauer pea coat since 2002 and it is truly the perfect coat for Milan November temperatures.
Cashmere Sweaters
Lightweight, warm, and always in style, cashmere sweaters are my go-to for November travels in northern Italy. They also don’t wrinkle in suitcases! I love you can layer both under and over them depending on the day’s weather.
Jeans
Yes, they wear jeans (and lots of them!) in Europe. If you can, opt for a darker wash and straight or relaxed fit.
Black Pants
A pair of relaxed fit black wool trousers is a great way to stay warm and fashionable during Milan’s Novembers. If it gets extra chilly during your November Milan trip, you can always throw on a pair of tights underneath them.
Quilted Vest
I packed a simple quilted vest on a whim and am so glad I did. It was such an easy way to add a pop of color and warmth to any outfit. I could also mix and match it with tops and dresses to create a variety of outfits.
Casual Knit Dress
A long sleeved, midlength dress is a great, versatile option for November sightseeing in Milan. It was casual (and comfortable) enough for 10 mile days of sightseeing and fancy enough for Milan’s higher end aperitivo spots.
Fancy outfit
If you scored tickets to La Scala Opera House during your Milan visit, don’t miss the opportunity to get fancy. My wool cocktail dress was both stylish and practical.
Other Essentials to Pack for Your Milan Trip
- Theftproof backpack
- Cashmere or wool scarf
- Tights
- Wool long sleeve shirt
- Wool short sleeve shirt
- Tank top
- Camisole
What not to wear in Milan
American tourists get a bad rap in Europe. We’re stereotyped as loud, inflexible, and really bad at foreign languages. I love the United States, but if I can dress in a way that doesn’t immediately attract negative attention in a foreign country, it definitely feels like a win.
If you’d prefer to merge into the general Milanese population, here are some clothing items to leave at home:
T-shirts and Sweatshirts
Europeans don’t share in Americans’ love affair with t-shirts and sweatshirts. I’m not going to come out and tell you not to wear them, but in Milan in November, these aren’t good options. They’re not very warm and they don’t wick moisture worth a darn.
Leggings
Just don’t wear leggings in Milan. Other leisure pants like joggers, or heaven forbid, sweatpants, are also no-gos. That said, if you are planning some active outdoor adventures outside of Milan, definitely pack a pair or two. Just don’t rock them during your days in the city.
Puffy nylon jacket
I’m sure plenty of Europeans own puffy jackets – but based on my observations in Milan, nothing pegs you as an American faster than a brightly colored nylon puffer jacket. They might keep you warm, but they just aren’t consistent with northern Italian style, especially when you’re exploring Milan. If you must bring one, make sure it’s a neutral color.
My best tips for styling yourself in Milan
Wear solid colors!
This isn’t so much about your appearance in Milan as it is about your photographs. In a couple decades, your photos will look so much less dated if you’re wearing solids rather than a currently trendy print.
Go for timeless styles
In the same vein, ditch the fast fashion du jour and go for tried-and-true clothing cuts. You probably have a pretty good idea of what flatters your body type: wear that in Milan!
Don’t worry about it
You’re in Milan – a leader in global fashion. Use that as your permission slip to wear whatever you want. Milan’s a massive metropolitan area and there’s really no such thing as a Milanese dress code. Focus on comfort and function above all else.
Buy used clothing
If you need to add a few staples to your wardrobe for your Milan trip, considering buying them secondhand. Since classic styles – in my opinion – work best for European winter travel, you might as well purchase from Thredup or your local thrift shop. It’s economical and environmentally friendly!
My Complete Milan Packing List
I essentially packed a capsule wardrobe for my trip to Milan. Since I planned to do a fair amount of shopping during my travels in Italy and Switzerland I wanted plenty of extra room in my suitcase.
By packing classic clothing pieces that I could mix and match, I was able to save a lot of space. If I hadn’t been bringing an entire panettone home with me, I probably could have used a carry-on sized suitcase.
That said, it would have been ideal to do a load of laundry at some point during our 8-day trip . . . especially after falling down a mountain in Switzerland. But with plenty of underwear and socks packed, I made it through just fine without access to a washing machine.
If you’re nervous about clothes getting dirty, I’d pack an extra pair of pants and a couple extra tops.
I created this printable Milan packing list which includes all the clothing I packed.
Conclusion: What To Wear and Pack For Milan in November
When you consider what to wear in Milan in November, prioritize classic styles that are functional, flattering, and versatile.
While you can definitely wear whatever you want in Milan in November, I recommend waterproof black boots, cashmere sweaters, wool coats, and a mix of jeans and black trousers. Don’t forget a warm button-up coat and accessories that will help you contend with Milan’s often cold and rainy November weather.
I hope you’ll use my Milan packing list to help relieve decision fatigue as you pack for your November trip to Milan.
