It’s nearly impossible to watch Mamma Mia without getting the itch to book a summer trip to Greece. Each time I rewatch it—which has been about a dozen times—I’m reminded why Greece is at the top of my travel bucket list. Most of the film took place on the picturesque island of Skopelos, Greece, where you’ll find incredible beaches, terra-cotta rooftops, and plenty of sun. If you’re lucky enough to have a trip to this beautiful Mediterranean country on your calendar, you’ll want to start thinking about your packing list. To help provide you with some inspiration for what to wear in Greece, we turned to the women of Mamma Mia. We especially looked to the film’s stars, Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried—who play mother and daughter pair Donna and Sophie—for what dresses, swimsuits, and slip-ons to pack, and incorporated in some of our own travel must-haves. Below, a list of vacation outfits to wear in Greece, inspired by the iconic women of Mamma Mia.
- Essential tops
- Pants, skirts, and shorts
- Midi and maxi dresses
- Jumpsuits and overalls
- Walking sandals and slip-ons
- Totes and crossbody bags
- Bathing suits
- Cover-ups
- Beach hats
Essential tops
A few lightweight blouses and tank tops are a must for a trip to Greece. Wardrobe staples like this cargo shirt from Zara and linen button-down from Everlane are versatile and can be easily dressed up or down. This patterned top from Steve Madden is similar to Sophie’s white beachy top in the movie’s opening scene, and is light enough to wear on especially sunny days while still looking put together.
Zara Poplin Cargo shirt
Everlane The Linen Relaxed shirt
Steve Madden Gabriela top
Abercrombie Essential Rib Tuckable Scoopneck tank
Pants, skirts, and shorts
Midi skirts and linen pants are perfect additions to your Greece packing list. I’m especially eyeing this pale yellow maxi skirt from Madewell—it can be worn with a comfortable pair of walking sandals during the day and dressed up with a heel for dinner at night. On any beach trip, you’ll also want to pack your favorite pair of shorts. Mid-length options like these from Everlane will help avoid any unwanted chafing—they give that classic denim look without the uncomfortable feeling of a tight pair of shorts.
Abercrombie Premium Linen midi skirt
Madewell 100% Linen maxi skirt
Everlane The Linen Pull-On Barrel Pant
Abercrombie Premium Linen Tailored short
Everlane The A-Line denim short
Madewell The Perfect Vintage mid-length jean short
Midi and maxi dresses
One thing’s for sure: sundresses are essential for summer months in Europe. Our favorite women from the beloved film gave us plenty of dresses to obsess over. We found copycat boho-chic options from Anthropologie, Lulus, and Petal & Pup. Throw any of these vacation-ready dresses on with a pair of walking sandals and you’re ready for a dramatic dancing scene on the island.
Anthropologie Maeve drop-waist dress
Lulus La Vita Bella puff sleeve maxi dress
Lulus Those Summer Days maxi dress
Lulus Botanical Bliss flutter sleeve maxi dress
Abercrombie Ruffle Strap Smocked midi dress
Petal & Pup Alaia wrap shirt two-piece set
Jumpsuits and overalls
Our Mamma Mia–inspired list wouldn’t be complete without our take on Donna’s classic overalls. This pair from Show Me Your Mumu is so stylish and pairs well over a simple white T-shirt. For a more practical take on the look, Everlane’s linen jumpsuit is lightweight and such an easy outfit to throw on when you want something cute yet comfortable.
Show Me Your Mumu San Fran Overalls
Everlane The Linen Picnic jumpsuit
Walking sandals and slip-ons
Comfortable walking shoes are a year-round vacation essential. We pulled together a few different options ideal for a day exploring Greece—stylish yet comfy sandals, a reliable pair of white sneakers, and aCondé Nast Travelereditor favorite, Sabahs. A pair of walking sandals like these from Birkenstock and Everlane pair well with a maxi dress or denim shorts and won’t kill your feet after a full day of shopping (flip-flops aren’t going to cut it on these cobblestone streets). Movie fans might remember the scene where Donna and her friends sing “Dancing Queen”—she wears a pair of simple sneakers that look similar to the Allbirds Plant Pacers. This pair of shoes won’t take up a ton of room in your suitcase and can serve as your one go-to pair of sneakers for the week.
Everlane The Day Twist sandal
Birkenstock Arizona Birko-Flor
Sabah
Totes and crossbody bags
To find versatile and chic bags perfect for travelers, we turned to a few of our favorite brands, including Cuyana, Everlane, and Madewell. A crossbody bag is ideal for a day of sightseeing, shopping for souvenirs, or heading to lunch. I’m eyeing this caramel-colored crossbody bag from Madewell and Cuyana’s new Double Moon saddle bag. You’ll also want to pack a versatile tote bag. One of our new favorites is the Cuyana Easy Zipper tote, but for something a little more casual, the Hat Attack Traveler beach bag fits the bill. Both have plenty of room for essentials like SPF, a water bottle, Kindle, portable charger, and more. If you’re traveling light for the day and only need the essentials (like your phone, credit card, and room key), opt for Everlane’s mini sling bag.
Madewell The Sydney Crossbody Bag
Cuyana Double Moon Saddle bag
Hat Attack Traveler bag
Cuyana Classic Easy Zipper tote
The Cactus Leather Mini Sling Bag
Bathing suits
One of the most iconic scenes of the movie is when Sophie and her fiancée Sky sing “Lay All Your Love On Me” on the beach. Sophie’s blue and white printed one-piece inspired some of our swimsuit recommendations—like these options from Solid and Striped and Summersalt. If you prefer a two-piece set,Travelereditors are big fans of swimwear from Left on Friday. This brightly-colored set is ultra high-waisted and doesn’t dig into your skin. Have a look through more of ourfavorite bathing suits to wear this season.
Solid and Striped The Anne-Marie
Solid and Striped The Spencer
Summersalt The Seascape Sweetheart one piece
Left on Friday Sunday top and Hi Hi bottom
Cover-ups
Whether you’re lounging by the beach or headed to lunch, you’ll want a breathable cover-up to throw on. There are plenty of packable styles to choose from—skirts, dresses, and sarongs, to name a few. A basic button-up is a must—it’s versatile and easy to rewear with so many outfits that are already on your Greece packing list. For extra sun protection, consider a set with pants, like the one below from Aerie.
Andie Swim The Crete skirt
Solid and Striped The Kimberly dress
Andie Swim The Corvo button-up
Zara Extra Long Poplin shirt
Aerie Pool-to-Party cover-up
Aerie High Waisted Pool-to-Party short
Aerie High Waisted Pool-to-Party pant
Beach hats
To round out our list of must-haves, don't forget to pack a sun hat. Not only does it look chic, it keeps your head and most of your face protected on hot days. A straw hat or bucket hat are both lightweight options and these two are easy to pack in your carry-on.
Greenpacha Fiji hat
Girlfriend Collective 50/50 bucket hat
Still planning your trip? Check out more of our Greece travel recommendations:
When it comes to Greece, it's not just about the picturesque landscapes but also the cultural essence that resonates through its attire and lifestyle. From the iconic film "Mamma Mia," set against the stunning backdrop of Skopelos, Greece, the fashion showcased, from boho-chic dresses to comfortable walking sandals, captures the essence of Mediterranean charm.
Let's break down the key elements highlighted in the article:
Essential Tops:
Lightweight blouses and tank tops are vital. Pieces like Zara's Poplin Cargo shirt or Everlane's Linen Relaxed shirt offer versatility in dressing up or down. Steve Madden's Gabriela top mirrors the beachy style of Sophie in the movie's opening scene.
Pants, Skirts, and Shorts:
Midi skirts and linen pants are recommended, such as Abercrombie's Premium Linen midi skirt or Everlane's Linen Pull-On Barrel Pant. Additionally, comfortable shorts like Abercrombie's Premium Linen Tailored shorts or Everlane's A-Line denim shorts are perfect for beach trips.
Midi and Maxi Dresses:
Sundresses are a must for European summer months. Options from Anthropologie, Lulus, and Petal & Pup reflect the boho-chic style seen in the film, offering a breezy yet fashionable look.
Jumpsuits and Overalls:
Emulating Donna's classic overalls, options like Show Me Your Mumu's San Fran Overalls or Everlane's Linen Picnic jumpsuit offer a stylish yet comfortable ensemble.
Walking Sandals and Slip-ons:
Comfortable footwear is crucial for exploring Greece's cobblestone streets. Birkenstock's Arizona Birko-Flor sandals or Everlane's Day Twist sandals complement various outfits, while Allbirds Plant Pacers offer a versatile sneaker option.
Totes and Crossbody Bags:
Versatile and chic bags from Madewell, Cuyana, and Everlane, like Madewell's Sydney Crossbody Bag or Cuyana's Double Moon Saddle bag, provide functionality while traveling. Tote options like Cuyana's Easy Zipper tote or the Hat Attack Traveler bag offer ample space for essentials.
Bathing Suits:
Iconic scenes from "Mamma Mia" inspire swimsuit choices. Options like Solid and Striped's Anne-Marie or Summersalt's Seascape Sweetheart one-piece, as well as Left on Friday's Sunday top and Hi Hi bottom set, offer both style and comfort.
Cover-ups:
Breathable cover-ups like Andie Swim's Crete skirt or Solid and Striped's Kimberly dress are perfect for beach outings. Aerie's Pool-to-Party cover-up set, including pants for added sun protection, is a practical choice.
Beach Hats:
To protect against the Mediterranean sun, hats like Greenpacha's Fiji hat or Girlfriend Collective's 50/50 bucket hat offer both style and functionality.
Each item selected in this list reflects the carefree yet stylish essence of the Mediterranean, drawing inspiration from the iconic women of "Mamma Mia" to create a wardrobe suitable for a dreamy Greek getaway.