Greek Island Style Guide: What To Wear In Santorini

Santorini enthrals visitors every summer with its luscious blend of volcanic geology, shimmery white Cycladic houses and dramatic natural landscapes. Fashion-wise, standing out amongst the beautiful nature and multitude of visitors is key, as is a versatile style to ensure that you stay cool climbing the steep hills to the island’s beautiful churches, checking out the cultural scene or exploring Santorini’s renowned beaches.

What to wear in Santorini

Grecian style is all about the minimalist-maximalist mix. Pair simple tops with chunky jewellery. Combine straight-legged denim with flamboyant sandals, and complement crisp white shirts with huge straw hats. To nail Santorini style, add these essential items to your luggage.
A day-to-night maxi dress
With so much to see and do on Santorini, having a dress that covers all bases is an essential addition to your wardrobe. If you’re a trend follower, embrace bold colour blocking with yellows, oranges and pinks. Diane Von Furstenberg’s maxi dress is a dream example, combining patterns and colours for the ultimate striking effect.

Statement hat
French designer Jacquemus’s ‘La Bomba’ tribute to his mother may have drawn inspiration from Marseilles, but the results are perfect for the Greek islands – specifically his oversized straw hats, which ensure that you’ll stay shaded all day long and will look great against the striking scenery of Santorini’s red beach. If such oversized shapes are a little too daring, the towns of Oia and Fira provide copious opportunities to pick up more restrained, local versions.

Transitional sandals
Whether you’re exploring the island’s famous cave houses or hiking up to check out the scenic churches, functional yet fashion-forward sandals are a vital investment. If you’re buying before you fly, Chloé’s simple scalloped designs in leather effortlessly evoke holiday vibes. Alternatively, for a Greek investment, Ancient Greek Sandals is a sure bet to feel at home wherever you walk (or fly, if you choose their playful designs that come in bright colours with Hermes wings).

Ancient Greek Sandals exclusive for Matches Fashion

Where to shop on Santorini

Ilias Lalaounis

Museum, Shopping Mall, Store

Santorini is home to many jewellery makers, and it’s well worth waiting until you arrive to find your holiday pieces. For a luxury investment, head to Poniros, the eponymous jewellery brand of designer Dimitris Poniros. Statement necklaces, earrings and bracelets are an easy way to update your look too, and jewellery designer Ilias Lalaounis, a historic Greek brand with an impressive museum dedicated to his designs in Athens, is another great option for Byzantine-inspired pieces and traditional Greek designs.

Soho-Soho Santorini

Shop

To get your designer fix, head to Soho-Soho on Santorini where you can find international designers such as Rick Owens, Versace, Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo. The slickly curated store offers industrial interiors and striking sea views. It’s the ultimate Greek island shopping experience.

Fashionable places to go on Santorini

Santorini Arts Factory

Art Gallery, Museum, Music Venue, Theatre

Santorini Arts Factory is a former tomato canning factory that has been converted into an arts and cultural centre. The space showcases creatives from Greece, and throughout the year, it hosts music, dance and theatre events. Visit their website for the full programme.

Atlantis Books

Bookstore, Shop, Store

Founded by a group of friends almost 10 years ago, Atlantis Books is a Santorini institution that combines a fantastic selection of books with a friendly atmosphere and a romantic backstory. Stop by on your visit to pick up new reading material and chat with the friendly staff about everything and anything.

The multi-coloured beaches

Aside from the swimming, Santorini’s striking black, red and white beaches are dream backdrops to show off your outfits. The Red Beach near Akrotiri village is one of the island’s most popular, while the black sand beaches of Perissa and Kamari also draw plenty of visitors.

Who to follow for Santorini style inspiration

Jessica Mercedes Kirschner
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Simone Stabinskaite
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About the author

India Doyle

A contributor to titles including Vogue, the Guardian, KEIN, Rollacoaster, Wonderland and Twin magazine, India Doyle joined Culture Trip to help launch their fashion section for the EMEA region, where she focussed on giving emerging designers across the globe a platform to reach international audiences. Now based between London and Greece, she is one of Culture Trip's Greek contributors and covers cultural life in Athens.