What to Wear in Lake Como
For the woman on the water's edge
What to wear in Lake Como, from Bellagio arrivals to boat days and waterfront
Bellagio at golden hour. A boat gliding toward Varenna. Dinner by the water while the lights come on across the lake. Here is what to pack so you are the woman they remember.
Lake Como rewards color. The setting is all soft stone, deep green gardens, and blue water, and a vibrant print stands out beautifully against it. Pack pieces that move — kaftans, easy dresses, a scarf that doubles as a wrap on the water. Bring one look that turns heads at dinner.
The Earlene Ruffle
The Earlene Ruffle print was made for the woman who arrives unhurried, stays a little longer, and is remembered by the whole room. It carries the same energy Lake Como has always had. Lake Como rewards a woman who dresses like she has been coming for years. Sandals for the walk, a kaftan that moves in the breeze, a scarf for the boat. Nothing fussy. Everything intentional. Wear the Earlene Ruffle Goddess Kaftan over your swimsuit for a day on the lake, then again with sandals for dinner in Bellagio. One suitcase, many entrances.
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Bellagio
Your first hours set the tone. You step off the ferry or out of the car into Bellagio, with its steep little streets, flower boxes, and lake opening up behind every corner. A goddess kaftan is made for exactly this — it reads polished, never wrinkles into a mess in your suitcase, and moves with you up and down those stairs.
Shop it: Goddess Kaftans
Our pick: Sandra Goddess Kaftan. Easy to travel in,
To Varenna
A day on the water is the Lake Como everyone dreams about. You cross from Bellagio to Varenna, drift past lakeside villas, and step off at little docks for a coffee or a swim. Go for an easy dress or a kaftan you can pull on over a swimsuit, and bring a scarf as your wrap when the wind picks up.
Shop it: Kaftans
Villa Gardens
Lake Como is famous for its gardens, and Villa del Balbianello is the crown of them — terraced paths, old trees, statues, views that stop you in your tracks. A flowing kaftan or a shirt dress is perfect here. It keeps you cool as you climb and gives the camera something to love.
Shop it: Best Sellers
Our pick: Riviera Shirt Dress. Made for garden paths
Lakeside, Slow
Long, slow lunches by the water are the heart of a Lake Como trip. A print dress or a bright kaftan is the move — color and easy shape, comfortable enough to sit and linger, pretty enough that the table beside you keeps glancing over.
Shop it: Dresses
Our pick: Senegalese Goddess Kaftan. Color that
Dinner by the Water
This is the night you dress for. Dinner by the water as the sun drops behind the mountains and the lake turns gold, then silver, then dark. Reach for your most beautiful piece — a dramatic kaftan or a dress with movement, in a print that catches the light.
Shop it: Goddess Kaftans
Our pick: Sandra Goddess Kaftan. Easy to travel in,
“Lake Como rewards color against soft stone, deep green, and blue water.”
Why Sai Sankoh for Lake Como
Your Lake Como Packing List
Easy Lake Como Formulas
“I got stopped by at least 20 people commenting how stunning the outfit was. It was a show stopper for sure. I felt like all eyes were on me.”
Lake Como is one of those places that asks you to show up as your most beautiful self. The setting does half the work. Your job is to walk in feeling like you. I design for the woman who wants to be seen — not to blend into the scenery, but to stand out inside it and be remembered long after the trip ends. Pack color. Pack confidence. Let them ask you where it is from. — Sai
Frequently Asked
What should I actually pack for Lake Como?
Two or three kaftans, one easy day dress, one show-stopping piece for dinner, a scarf, walkable flats, and one pair of heels. Color travels well against the lake, so pack prints you love.
Is Lake Como dressy or casual?
Both, depending on the moment. Days are relaxed — boats, gardens, long lunches. Dinners lean glamorous.
What do I wear on a boat day?
An easy dress or a kaftan you can pull on over a swimsuit, plus a scarf for wind and sun.
What should I wear to the villas and gardens?
A flowing kaftan or a shirt dress with flat, walkable sandals. Villa del Balbianello and the garden paths mean stairs and standing.
What do I wear to dinner in Lake Como?
Your most beautiful piece. A dramatic kaftan or a dress with movement in a bold print.
Are kaftans a good choice for Lake Como?
Yes. Kaftans pack light, resist wrinkles, keep you cool, and look polished from arrival to dinner.
What colors work best in Lake Como?
Bright, vibrant prints. The stone, water, and greenery are soft and neutral, so bold color makes you stand out.
When is the best time to visit Lake Como?
Late spring through early fall brings the warm, sunny days made for boats, gardens, and lakeside dinners.
Your Lake Como Wardrobe Starts Here
The Earlene Ruffle print is waiting.
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