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Wondering what to pack for Russia in the summer? Our Russian-born author shares her tips and tricks on dressing for both day and night!
What to Pack for Russia: Summer
Written By: Julia K.
If you made it to Moscow, Russia during summer, you’re in luck. Moscow offers a plethora of beautifully landscaped parks and festivals all over the city. If you want to know how to visit all those locations in style, continue reading!
Traveling to Russia in the winter? Read this post instead.
Packing List for Russia in the Summer
White Top | Blouse | Tank | Top | Shirt | Pant | Pants | Skirt | Dress | Dress | Jacket | Cardigan | Flats | Wedge | Bag | Hat
Summers in Moscow can get hot. It can range between 77-86°F (25-30°C) and sometimes be humid. Dressing appropriately, comfortably, and accordingly will save you a headache and make your stay more enjoyable.
Always check the weather forecast before your trip. Once you’ve researched the weather, you can focus on creating a travel capsule wardrobe, which should easily fit in a carryon suitcase with the help of packing cubes to compress your clothing.
Must-see attractions during summer include many parks, such as VDNH, Chistyye Prudy, Izmaylovo and Izmailovsky Park, and of course the famous antique and flea market called Vernisaj.
Start by reading these general tips on packing for summer travel:
- Capsule Wardrobe for Summer
- Top Summer Dresses Perfect for Europe
- Lightweight Jackets for Easy Layers
- Best Walking Shoes for Europe’s Cobblestone Streets
One can see a range of different styles in Moscow. After all, it’s a hub for many travelers, businesspeople, and locals. However, if you’d like to be perceived and treated in a particular way, then pay attention to the way you dress.
You may attract unwanted attention if you wear clothing that’s inappropriate to the local culture. Observe what people are wearing around you and these tips should help point you in the right direction before you arrive.
The following suggestions are based on the perspective of a local born in Moscow.
What to pack for Russia if you’re going to any of the parks:
Blouse | Shorts | Hat | Scarf | Watch | Sunglasses | Purse | Flats
- Flat sandals or flats
- Dressy shorts or a midi skirt (no shorter than one hand above the knee)
- A nice blouse
- A crossbody bag
- A hat and sunglasses
- Jewelry and a watch
If you’ll be staying out all day into the evening, wearing layers is key. Pack a shawl or a cardigan for romantic walks next to the Moscow River.
Pro tip: Take a mosquito repellent just in case and apply sun protection wherever you go.
Read this post to find out our stylish strategies on how to layer clothes!
What not to wear:
As a local, I wouldn’t recommend wearing flip flops, short shorts, mini skirts, bright makeup, or see-through clothes. It’s a good idea not to show cleavage, unless you have a layer underneath. Choose understated jewelry instead of flashier pieces.
What to pack for Russia if you’re going to a festival:
Dress | Hat | Umbrella | Crossbody | Earrings | Lipstick | Watch | Flats
- A nice day dress
- A pair of comfortable wedges
- A light purse
- A scarf for the evening
- Light jewelry
- Light makeup (bronzer, mascara, lip gloss, blush)
Find out the top ten wedges readers recommend!
Travel shoes:
If you’d like to explore Moscow, then comfortable shoes are a must!
The summer weather is pretty predictable. Based on that, you’ll need three pairs of shoes. One to explore the city, a pair to wear in your hotel room, and something for going out. Think: wedges, dressy flats with a thick sole, and flip-flops.
What are the most comfy shoes? These experts are giving you the inside scoop on their twenty-one top picks. Take a look!
What to pack for Russia if you’re going to enjoy dinner and a ferry ride along the Moscow River:
Top | Skirt | Jacket | Sunglasses | Wedge | Lipstick | Clutch | Earrings
- A midi skirt or cropped dressy pants
- A dressy blouse
- Comfortable but dressy shoes
- An evening clutch
- A jacket for any unexpected chill
Make sure your clothes are clean and neat, and that there are no flashy colors or over-the-top prints.
Summer is also a perfect opportunity to take a short trip to St. Petersburg, one of the most iconic cities in the world. It’s full of heritage, architecture, galleries, and art, even for the most discerning travelers and art lovers. You can get there by train or plane. Whichever is in your budget, pack with comfort and style in mind!
Whether you’re spending a summer abroad or finally taking that vacation you’ve been dreaming about for years, TFG has the ultimate long term packing list for your European adventures!
What to pack for Russia for a 3-day getaway to St. Petersburg:
Dress | Earrings | Clutch | Wedge | Cardigan | Tank | Pants | Flats | Purse | Blouse | Pants | Jacket | Scarf | Hat | Flats
- Day/night dress that’s easy to dress up or down with some jewelry
- Comfortable flats to explore the city in
- A change of clothes that covers your knees and shoulders
- A scarf and sweater for when the city becomes cooler during the evening
- A windbreaker
- Everyday jewelry
- A hat to protect yourself from the sun
- A small umbrella
These are the most cute and comfortable ballet flats for travel!
What not to wear:
Some museums and churches might refuse service or admission if shoulders and knees are uncovered. I also recommend avoiding jean cutoffs and tank tops, as they may get unwanted attention.
When entering any religious building modesty should be considered, these tips will help you learn how to pack!
Shopping tips:
Moscow has every single store you could think of! From global luxury brands to everyday wear, it caters to many budgets.
If you want to arrive during sale season, then arrive one to two months before the end of the season. You can pick up European-made goods cheaper than in North America. Good shopping malls include Afimall located in Moscow City (another must see) and Evropeiskii located at Kievsky train station.
What are your tips on what to pack for Russia in the summer? Share in the comments below!
For more ideas on what to pack for Russia and Europe, please read:
- Ten-Step Packing Guide for Europe
- What to Wear in Russia in Winter
- Best Shoes for Europe
- What to Wear in Moscow in the Winter
Suggested Travel Resources:
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Author Bio: Julia K is a travel blogger who believes in utilizing every item in her luggage 101%. When at home, she likes to explore what’s new in the world of travel fashion, food, and travel gadgets. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and her blog.
I’m traveling to Moscow in five days and was wondering if I should really not wear shorts. I’ve been to Nizhny Novgorod in the summer and Moscow in the winter so I have a few ideas about what to wear, but I thought that shorts wouldn’t be so bad.