Wondering what to wear in Greece? The typical style in Greece is light, airy, and neutral, but don’t worry if that’s not specific enough: we’re here to help you plan every single one of your Greece outfits for your upcoming trip!
Delicious food, distinctive architecture, gorgeous beaches, and exceptional weather are what people come to Greece for, among many other sights. But because there’s so much to do, it can be overwhelming to pack for a trip to Greece.
Although there are no strict dress code rules in Greece, it is crucial to do your research as to what to wear and what not to wear. If you tend to stray away from their customs, the way you dress can be interpreted as offensive which can put locals off. Plus, thereare some rules if you’re visiting religious areas.
Regardless, you want to fit in and dress in a way that makes visiting Greece even more fun! And we’re here to help with afull guide covering every aspect of your vacation wardrobe.
In this article, we’ll give you all the important tips and styling techniques that you need to know when planning what to wear in Greece. We’ll share a bunch of outfits that you can wear for every season, too!
The Best Stores For Greek Fashion:
Here are some of my favorite places to shop for outfits for Greece.
Faithfull The Brand: This brand offers super cute European-style dresses great for a Greek island or the coastline. These are definitely Greek goddess vibes.
Reformation: More gorgeous flowy dresses and linen pieces.
Beginning Boutique: Great crochet and blue/white dresses for the Greek islands.
Boden: Great shift dresses and light, flowy tops for the hot summer.
Montce Swim: The most GORGEOUS swimwear if you want to feel like an ancient goddess.
11 Style Tips For Greece
If you’re just starting to plan your Greece outfits for your vacation, read on! Here are our top tips for packing.
1. Travel light
What does ‘traveling light’ mean when choosing Greece outfits? Well, it means only bringing clothes and shoes with lightweight material as it can be pretty warm in spring, summer, and fall. Winter is the only time that you will be needing heavy thermal clothing.
When choosing what to wear in Greece, opt for lots of lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen. In my opinion, linen is theperfect fabric to wear in Greece for both menand women.
Some of my favorite places to shop for linen pieces include:
2. Keep it casual
You will rarely see tourists or locals in Greece in smart or formal clothing. When packing for the trip, only bring casual clothing. One of the sample outfits you can wear is cropped pants or a skirt with a white shirt. Scroll through the Greece outfits towards the end of this post and you’ll get a feel for how to dress.
3. Wear sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen is not part of the outfit, per se. But I would just like to stress this out: please wear sunscreen! Starting from 10:00 in the morning to the afternoon, UV exposure can be extremely dangerous in Greece – the sun gets seriously hot. Being next to the water can also mean that you will easily get sunburned without protection. Click here to shop some awesome brands.
4. Wear sufficient coverage
Sufficient coverage is needed to a.) protect from the sun and b.) enter temples and monasteries.
If you’re joining a tour, keep in mind to wear the right clothing to avoid inevitable nuisances like having to wear a shawl to cover up before entering the venue. We recommend wearing lots of linen layers so that you’ll have coverage when you need it during the hot weather!
5. Bring a versatile jacket in the fall
A versatile jacket is important, especially during the fall season (and some weeks during the spring). While fall isn’t the worst time to visit Greece, weather fluctuations can turn your itineraries upside down very quickly. Always bring a lightweight versatile jacket like a windbreaker or a rain jacket to be on the safe side.
6. Add some jewelry
The Greeks are lovers of high-end jewelry. Because of the warm weather on non-winter days, locals tend to wear simple clothing which they style with jewelry. Doing so can transform any light, casual, and simple outfit. If you don’t have any jewelry to pack from home, you can buy some from the merchants as you arrive.
7. Bring a versatile bag that goes with any outfit
When packing light, it is common sense to bring a versatile bag that goes with any outfit. This avoids you from impulsively bringing your whole purse wardrobe on the trip.
A leather tote or a handbag with ample space for your essentials and souvenirs is the ideal choice. I recommend a crossbody bag that will fit the essentials and stay safe around your body. Neutrals seem to go well in Greece. I’m linking some of my favorites below!
8. Wear something tailored with jeans
I did mention that Greek people prefer to keep everything casual. But in more formal situations, opt for jeans with an elegant top (perhaps, a ruffled top or a buttondown). Keep it well-fitted to avoid looking sloppy. Pair this outfit with brown wrap heels and you’re ready for a night out!
9. Choose earthy and muted tones
Surprisingly, some colors look very strange when worn in Greece. Generally, bright, vibrant, and solid colors like dark green, bloody red, primary blue, and bright orange are to be avoided. If you want to stay on the safe side, choose earthy colors and muted colors/pastels. Earthy colors can be worn all year round while floral pastels are kept for spring and summer months.
10. Pack for the weather
When traveling, it is important to check the possible weather conditions in the months of your arrival June, July, August, and September are one of the warmest months in Greece. In January, February, November, and December, expect strong winds, cold breeze, and shifting rainfalls.
What NOT to wear
Although there are no tacit dress codes and rules in Greece, there are customs and traditions to follow. Locals may not call you out, but a trained eye can spot a tourist who never bothered to do some research before the trip. To be on the safe side, try to avoid the following.
Avoid flashy logos
In a collectivistic and traditionalist society like Greece, showing off your wealth through flashy logos can be impudent and displeasing. When dressing up for a Greek trip, only pack clothing with minimal to no trace of logos. This goes the same with handbags, purses, and shoes.
Avoid tank tops and crop tops in sacred places
Tank tops and crop tops are not entirely banned in the country as you can wear them anywhere but in temples, churches, and monasteries. Sleeveless clothing should also be avoided, though you can wear or bring a cover-up if you don’t have a dress with sleeves on hand.
Don’t dress sloppy
Though Greeks are known for their casual approach to fashion, dressing in a sloppy way is a different story. When showing up for day trips, lunches, and special occasions, one should not wear oversized shirts, baggy trousers, graphic t-shirts, and sandals without socks. Always look presentable.- lazy is different from being relaxed. But keep in mind thatflowy linen pieces is totally acceptable and actually encouraged!
What To Wear In Greece For Every Season
Planning out what to wear in Greece during a specific time of year? Here’s our season-specific guide!
What To Wear In Greece In The Spring
Temperature: Spring weather can range from warm to hot, with an average temperature between 19°C to the mid 20’s°C or 66-77°F.
The weather in Greece, especially in the non-winter months, is sunny and warm. In spring, the temperatures progress from the average temperature of 19°C to 25°C which gives you just the right amount of freedom to dress in minimal layers. Some days in spring can also be windy, so it’s best to pack a light versatile jacket, like a windbreaker, wherever you go.
When packing for a spring Greece trip, include basic/neutral colored tank tops, buttoned blouses, cropped trousers/jeans, long flowy skirts, linen dresses, light jackets, and cover-ups to make up for unexpected rain and strong winds. Floral pastels like lilac, baby pink, and muted green are also welcome during the first blooming season of the year.
To accessorize your outfit, play around with beads and straw-like materials. Since you will be wearing minimal layers, you can go a little “extra” with pieces of jewelry. For an undyed linen dress, I would most likely wear a turquoise and lapis lazuli beaded necklace that will fill up the empty space around my collar. For my purse, I would opt for natural-made options, like a rattan woven bag, to match my undyed linen dress.
For your footwear, opt for comfortable walking shoes. Heels look great in pictures, but they’ll knock you out as soon as you walk out the door. To make ends meet, you can wear walking shoes/sandals and bring a pair of heels in your tote bag for the pictures. That’s how it’s done without sacrificing comfort!
What To Wear In Greece In The Summer
Temperature: Greece is extremely hot during summer (especially in August). Temperatures can rise up to 40°C/104°F and do not stop there in the worst cases. During this time, locals tend to stay indoors to stray away from the heat.
During the summer, you can experience extremely hot temperatures. When the temperatures are up to 104°F, the best thing you can do is maximize all your summer clothes to the fullest.
Visiting the beach is also one of the best options you can prioritize in your itinerary. Touring churches and monasteries still operate during this time of the year, but the temperature will be no excuse to wear exposed clothing. So no matter what, do not attempt wearing a crop top, a tank top, or a pair of shorts when you’re planning to visit sacred places. In such cases, you will still be asked to wear a cover-up or a shawl.
If you’re touring the country’s most remarkable beaches, you can take advantage of your whole summer wardrobe. Pack up sun dresses, rompers, linen blouses, white shorts, mini skirts, shawls, tank tops, crop tops, and bikinis. Choose bright and summery colors to embody the vibrancy and brightness of the season. For your footwear, bring along a pair of sandals, flip-flops, and close-toed flats for off-the-beach plans. Always assume that you will be walking on cobblestoned streets, so bringing something sturdier than flip-flops (like walking sandals) is a must.
Generally, when choosing clothes for summer, remember to prioritize breathability, comfort, and coolness. If you can, try to avoid clothes made with heavy cotton or jackets made of wool. During cool evenings, you can wear a light cardigan over a co*cktail dress if you’re going out for a dinner date or a co*cktail party. If you’re going to a formal dinner to taste their remarkable and distinct cuisine, it’s best to dress up a bit. Opt for a co*cktail dress or a flowy maxi dress. You can wear your close-toed shoes for this occasion or stick with your flip-flops if you’re eating out somewhere more casual.
What To Wear In Greece In The Fall
Temperature: Fluctuating temperatures in the range of 18-23°C / 64-73°F. The possibility of rain is high during this period.
Autumn is rather a progressive and short transitional period which makes it pretty hard to tell the definite start of the season. In fact, the temperatures do not go down until November.
Rest assured, your trip will stay sunny and warm until November. During this transitional period, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is the unexpected fall of rain every now and then. With this in mind, it is always wise to bring extra jackets or rain ponchos to shade from the rain on a day trip. Getting most of your clothes wet can be bothersome as you will be needing to wash and dry them one by one.
A good basis for knowing what to wear in Greece during the fall is by referring to spring guidelines since the two have similar characteristics and weather patterns: chilly winds, unexpected rainfall, and occasional sunny days. When packing, always consider some variation. Pack sundresses you can wear as is, but also add layering pieces like a thermal top, a scarf, a cardigan, and a windbreaker jacket for emergencies. For footwear, you can wear walking sandals, clogs, and flip-flops. Just make sure to skip the flip-flops if you’re planning for a long walk or tour in the city as it can be painful to bear the cobbled stone streets with very minimal support.
I mentioned earlier that fall is just another name to call spring in Greece, particularly in terms of styling outfits. But with a trained eye, you’ll notice that most people revert to more neutral and earthy colors during this time of year instead of floral pastel colors. Black is also a go-to for locals and tourists with minimal tastes. The use of jewelry with black clothing is also evident in the early days of autumn. Generally, there’s no ‘safe side’ during Autumn. You have to prepare for both warm and chilly days. The month when you’re visiting should also be considered too, as the season is uncontrollably changeable.
What To Wear In Greece In The Winter
Temperature: Greek winters are cold and the possibility of snow is very high. Daylight hours are fewer as well. The average temperature is between 5-8°C / 41-46°F during the day and 3°C / 37°F during the night.
Unlike the subtleness of the fall season, winter in Greece can be evidently cold and the chance of snow is highly possible. Winter may not be the best time to visit for a short vacation, but if you have everything planned already, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the beauty of the city. After all, it is only during this time that tourist visits lay low and you can fully enjoy the views and the markets in the city when the bustle is cut down. Winter is also a great time to cultivate your creativity in layering and styling a la Greek.
For your clothes, you would want something both practical and stylish. Opt for thermal clothing, like a good quality long-sleeved shirt to wear underneath a maxi dress or a trench coat. Scarves, gloves, knitwear, and thermal socks are also very helpful for easing discomfort in cold weather. For your footwear, it’s best to avoid flip-flops and open-toed sandals, especially when the snow starts to show. Exposed feet can also be exposed to injuries or the cold. Choose ankle boots, close-toed shoes, and walking shoes to make the most of your sightseeing ventures.
Keep in mind that rubber clogs (e.g. Crocs) are technically considered flip-flops. They can be very uncomfortable for sightseeing on cobblestoned streets and be very vulnerable to the cold – even if you wear socks. These types of footwear, however, can be worn within the premises of the hotel or the hostel you’re staying in. They can also serve as your “recovery sandals” for walking and sightseeing, so bringing them on your day trips is also a good idea.
In general, winters in Greece are no different than winters in the west and dress codes rarely differ from each other. But if you want to pull off a winter outfit that makes you look like you’re on a vacation rather than just another winter day, look up how modest fashionistas curate their layers. You can also check out this modest fashion guide for inspiration. If you want to wear a sundress in winter, go for it! If there’s a will, there’s a way.
More Greece Outfits:
Still wondering what to wear in Greece? The best thing you can do is check out some of the cutest Greece outfits and pick up on the typically Greece vacation vibe. Browse through 50+ of our favorite Greece outfits below!
As someone deeply immersed in the world of travel, fashion, and cultural sensitivity, I bring forth a wealth of firsthand experience and knowledge to guide you through the intricacies of what to wear in Greece. Having extensively explored Greece, I understand the importance of respecting local customs and seamlessly blending in while maintaining personal style.
Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
1. Light and Airy Style in Greece:
- Greece's typical style is described as light, airy, and neutral.
- The emphasis is on comfortable, casual wear rather than formal attire.
2. Packing Essentials and Tips:
- Travel Light: Recommends bringing lightweight clothing for warm seasons and heavy thermal clothing for winter.
- Material Choice: Suggests opting for lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen, with linen being a preferred fabric for both men and women.
- Casual Dress Code: Emphasizes the prevalence of casual clothing and advises against bringing formal wear.
- Sun Protection: Stresses the importance of wearing sunscreen due to intense UV exposure in Greece.
3. Best Stores for Greek Fashion:
- Lists favorite stores offering European-style dresses, flowy pieces, and swimwear suitable for a Greek vacation.
4. Style Tips for Greece:
- Jewelry: Highlights the Greek love for high-end jewelry and suggests incorporating it into outfits.
- Versatile Bag: Recommends a versatile bag for practicality, especially when traveling light.
- Tailored Jeans Outfit: Advises wearing tailored jeans with an elegant top for more formal occasions.
- Earthy and Muted Tones: Recommends choosing earthy and muted tones over vibrant colors to blend in seamlessly.
5. Seasonal Outfit Guidelines:
- Spring: Suggests neutral-colored tank tops, blouses, cropped trousers, linen dresses, and light jackets. Recommends beads and straw-like materials for accessories.
- Summer: Emphasizes breathability, comfort, and coolness, with a focus on bright and summery colors. Provides a range of summer wardrobe options.
- Fall: Proposes layering pieces like thermal tops, scarves, cardigans, and windbreakers. Recommends neutral and earthy colors.
- Winter: Advocates for practical and stylish winter wear, including thermal clothing, scarves, gloves, and ankle boots.
6. What Not to Wear:
- Avoid Flashy Logos: In a collectivistic society, flashy logos may be seen as impudent.
- Respect Religious Places: Advises against wearing tank tops and crop tops in temples, churches, and monasteries.
- Dress Presentably: Encourages avoiding sloppy attire and oversized clothing, emphasizing the importance of looking presentable.
7. Additional Insights:
- Local Preferences: Provides insights into Greek fashion preferences and the importance of adapting to local customs.
In conclusion, by following these comprehensive guidelines, you can ensure not only a fashionable but also culturally respectful wardrobe for your memorable trip to Greece. The provided information covers all aspects, from material choices and seasonal considerations to specific style tips and local nuances.
