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.
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.
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.
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.
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 a Condé Nast Traveler editor 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.
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.
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, Traveler editors 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 our favorite bathing suits to wear this season.
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.
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.
