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Headed to Monte Carlo in Monaco? Take a look at these clothes and accessories for the glamorous French Riviera style! Find out what to wear in Monte Carlo!
What to Wear in Monte Carlo
Written By: Maggie Fogg
If you haven’t been to Monte Carlo yet – you must!
Monte Carlo is the epitome of glitz and glamour commonly associated with the French Riviera. It’s also the capital of Monaco — the small independent city-state on France’s Mediterranean coastline.
Here are few more guides to help you when packing for Europe:
- The Ultimate Packing Guide for Europe
- Backpacking Packing List for Europe
- How to Choose the Best Shoes for Europe
- Best Suitcases for Traveling Europe
When you think of what to pack for a trip to the stylish city, big hats, over-sized sunglasses, and high-end fashions come to mind – but are these items really practical? These are our best suggestions on what to wear in Monte Carlo.
Glitz & Glamour
Since famous American screen siren Grace Kelly married Price Rainier in 1956 and she became Princess Grace of Monaco, the country has captured Americans’ curiosity as a chic playground of the rich and famous.
With stunning beaches, yacht-lined harbors, and the world-renowned Grand Prix motor race held annually in late May, Monte Carlo is a popular vacation destination full of high-end restaurants, upscale casinos, and beautiful, ritzy hotels.
However, Monte Carlo can also be a relaxing and enjoyable destination for the average traveler to kick back.
The Climate
Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, Monaco borders France and shares the western portion of the Mediterranean Sea with Italy, Spain, and Tunisia.
Monte Carlo enjoys its warmest months in July and August with an average temperature of 75°F / 24°C. It averages 14 hours of sunshine a day and only one day of rain per month.
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
In the winter months of January and February, you’ll see lows of 46°F / 8°C and an average of 5 days of rain per month.
These tips will help you pack for winter travel:
- Capsule Wardrobe for Winter
- How to Pack for Cold Weather
- How to Stay Warm in Cold Weather (without the bulk)
- The Best Travel Shoes for Winter
I was there in the springtime; in April. The weather was sunny and beautiful with an average temperature of around 59°F / 15°C.
Here’s our general tips on packing for spring travel:
- How to Pack for Trips with Mixed Weather
- How to Layer a Summer Dress for Spring
- How to Pack for Europe in Spring
- Best Shoes for Traveling in Spring and Fall
Always research the weather before your trip. Once you’ve checked the weather forecast, 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.
Tourist Highlights
Packing for Monte Carlo requires a balance of luxe-feeling statement pieces combined with items that travel well, can mix and match, and allow you to tour around comfortably while you check out the sites.
Must-do activities typically range from glitzy nights visiting world-class restaurants and the renowned Monte Carlo Grand Casino to sun-filled days spent lounging on yachts or soaking up rays while relaxing on at Larvotto Beach.
You can also expect to spend a fair amount of time walking around while visiting local tourist attractions like the Prince’s Palace and its Exotic Gardens, the Oceanographic Museum, and the popular Le Louis XV restaurant.
Here are 25 ways to mix and match outfits using just 8 essentials!
Swimsuit | Jeggings | Hat | Sunglasses | Flip Flops | Dress | Suitcase | Earrings | Bodycon Dress | Clutch
Style in Monte Carlo
To look the part, think about channeling your inner Bond Girl. You want to pack chic, classic, and sexy statement items, but you don’t necessarily need to invest in ones that are expensive.
Definitely don’t sacrifice comfort across all of the items in your suitcase. You’ll do plenty of walking in Monte Carlo, so opt for packing stylish yet pavement-friendly shoes.
These are the best shoes for Europe’s cobblestone streets!
Hat | Sunglasses | Swimsuit
Waterfront
Bring glamour to the beach or boat by packing an oversized sun hat like this one.
A stylish pair of sunglasses that you can rock from seaside to early evening champagne sipping will go a long way. These sunglasses by Kendall + Kylie and would look great in the Mediterranean sunshine.
Pack classic swimsuit styles inspired by old world glamour, like this one by Solid & Striped, as well as pretty coverups that you can wear for a quick lunch along the waterfront. If you’re going to be out on the water, that’s the perfect time to rock a candy-colored head scarf like you’ve seen in vintage films.
Here are the best swimwear trends of the season!
Visiting Attractions
For exploring tourist attractions like the Oceanographic Museum (which was formerly directed by famous marine scientist Jacques Cousteau) or The Prince’s Palace (former home of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace) opt for comfortable clothing conducive to weather changes and lots of walking.
Pretty, breezy dresses are a good bet, as are comfortable yet chic footwear like metallic sandals or wedges.
We love these metallic sandals from TKEES. They also have many neutrals like black, brown, tan and bone. Sticking with a color similar to your skin tone will help you legs appear longer.
A fresh pair of white jeans would also be an incredibly versatile piece to add to your packing list.
Here are more comfortable walking sandals that are stylish, too!
Fine Dining & Casino Hopping
Adding a few glittery accessories to your bag will pay off if you intend on visiting some of the beautiful and historic establishments around Monte Carlo. The crown jewel of these is the Monte Carlo Casino, which first opened its doors in 1863.
Slinky dresses and delicate sandals with a moderate heel are pretty ways to show up in style. We love this sparkly cocktail dress from Miss Selfridge.
Need an LBD? Look no further. Check out this convertible wrap dress you can actually wear everywhere!
A classic LBD goes a long way and is a versatile option that you can change up with a variety of accessories like dangly earrings and different evening bags or wraps. This is particularly valuable if you are travelling throughout Europe for a few weeks.
Keep in mind that there’s not an extremely strict dress code for women at the casino. However, dressing to the nines is part of the Monte Carlo experience.
An excellent option to avoid purchasing a high-end dress is to rent one or a few from a designer dress rental service such as this THURLEY dress from Glam Corner which retails for over $800 USD, but rents for approximately $150. Some fantastic dress rental companies to research include Drexcode, Rent The Runway, Chic by Choice, or Hire the Catwalk.
Rented dresses are relatively easy to travel with, as they always come with their own garment bag and you’re not responsible for cleaning.
Depending on where you’re traveling and where your particular service ships, you can have your rental dress sent directly to your hotel or secure them in advance of your departure.
Read these tips on how to avoid a boring all-black wardrobe when you travel!
Finally, if you’ve ever wanted to indulge in a luxe-looking suitcase, Monte Carlo is the trip to treat yourself. We love this vintage-feeling hard-shell case.
Find out what the travel experts recommend for the best carry-on suitcases for traveling Europe!
What are your tips on what to wear in Monte Carlo? Share in the comments!
For more packing tips, please visit these Europe Packing Lists:
- 10-Step Packing Guide for Europe
- What to Wear in Nice, France
- What to Pack for France: Paris to the Riviera
- What to Wear to the Cannes Film Festival
Suggested travel resources:
- Lonely Planet Europe on a shoestring
- Lonely Planet France (Country Guide)
- Travel Shoes for Europe
- The Best Carry-on Suitcases for Europe
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Author Bio: Maggie Fogg is a full-time traveler and writer. She left Toronto with a one-way ticket to Spain and has been making her way around the globe ever since. Currently, you can find her dancing and hiking her way around South America. Follow Maggie on Instagram.
Thank you! Great help. If you update how can I get on your list?
Hi Jerilyn, so pleased you enjoyed the article and found it helpful. Let me look into this for you. 🙂