Italy is well-known as a country of art, history, and culinary delights. It’s also a global fashion capital where style and quality are woven into the literal and metaphorical fabric of everyday life. Let’s dive into an overview of what to wear in Italy (and what to avoid), taking into account the weather, seasons, and unique vibes of different areas.
As a European travel expert who specializes in creating custom-designed itineraries, one of my favorite parts about being in Europe is noticing all the simple ways that Europeans value and incorporate beauty into everyday life. One of those ways is definitely through their personal style. It’s an unfussy, easy sophistication that’s also extremely practical.
Knowing a bit about Italy’s iconic styles will not only help you blend in, it will also help you know what to pack for the most comfort and ease. That way, whether you’re visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, the picturesque Amalfi Coast, or anywhere else in the country, you’ll be sure to have all the essentials on hand and avoid overpacking. I think you’ll also come to love the effortless chic of Italian style!
What to wear in Italy: wardrobe essentials
Let’s start with the foundation of nearly every Italian wardrobe.
- Neutral Tones: Italians are renowned for their timeless and sophisticated style, favoring neutral colors such as black, white, beige, gray, olive green, and navy. Many Italians embrace the capsule wardrobe — a minimalist collection of clothes that can be mixed and matched and dressed up or down. This means they have fewer items, usually of high quality, and tons of options and possible outfits. As it turns out, this is great for packing, too!
- Comfortable Footwear: Part of Italy’s allure lies in its cobblestone streets and enchanting alleyways, and almost all cities are very walkable. This means comfortable yet stylish footwear is a must. Opt for loafers, comfortable sneakers, or elegant flats suitable for extended walks. Heels are fine for a dinner out, but they are not practical and in some cases can be dangerous for your ankles on the uneven ground.
- Quality Fabrics: Like Europeans in general, Italians value quality over quantity. So if you’re looking for a starting place for what to wear in Italy, choose well-crafted garments in breathable fabrics like wool, linen, cotton, and silk to stay comfortable in varying temperatures. These fabrics are also the easiest to travel with.
- Classic Accessories: Elevate your look with classic accessories like a leather belt, stylish sunglasses, or a timeless watch. These details add a touch of sophistication to your ensemble — and if you’re a person who likes brighter colors, scarves or shawls can add a splash while doing double duty to keep you warm.
- Versatile Outerwear: Depending on the season, a light jacket or a stylish coat can serve both form and function — keeping you warm and dry when you need it, but easy to shed and keep in your bag when you don’t. Unlike in the US, where our cold-weather outerwear trends distinctly towards the sporty and the puffy, Italians usually reserve sportswear for actual sports. On cool evenings or winter days, they go for sweaters, blazers, and wool coats when the temperatures drop. It’s worth it here to invest in a versatile piece of outerwear that you can pair with several outfits.
Cassie’s Tip: Are you looking for a no-nonsense guide to making sure you have everything you need for your upcoming Italy trip? Check out my Italy Packing List post, with a downloadable PDF checklist!
What to avoid wearing in Italy
If you’re looking to streamline your packing list and not stand out as an obvious tourist, here are a few things to avoid:
- Running shoes: Unless they’re actually exercising, Italians don’t wear thick-soled running shoes everywhere the way we do in the US. Instead, they opt for stylish, comfortable sneakers that work as well on trails as on city streets.
- Sportswear in general: Sweatpants, sweatshirts, loud t-shirts, yoga pants — these are all great in the gym, on the mat, or at home, but you won’t see them on Italians as everyday wear.
- Flip-flops or thong sandals: Again, context is everything in Italy. Flip-flops are for the beach, but people don’t wear them out and about. They’re not practical for all-day walking, and they signal that you are a tourist. Opt for nice, comfy sandals, stylish sneakers, ballet flats, or leather shoes/boots.
- Backpacks and fanny packs: I know it can be tough as a tourist, especially if you’re traveling with kids — but a comfortable cross-body bag will serve your needs well. It will also be kinder to your back and shoulders, be more efficient, and make you less vulnerable to pickpockets since everything is accessible in the front. You’ll see both men and women using them all over the place.
- Distressed jeans: Jeans, in general, are just fine, but Italians tend to wear darker denim and pair straight- or boot-cut jeans with nice shirts, sweaters, or jackets. Ripped and acid-washed jeans are considered low-quality, and you will definitely stand out.
Cassie’s Tip: Be aware of dress codes. The US tends to be very casual, even in what used to be considered more formal places like upscale restaurants and workplaces. As fun and free as Italian culture is, they place a lot of value on respecting sacred spaces. For men and women, clothing that is short, tight, or revealing is fine for clubbing, but it’s considered inappropriate for churches and chapels. That means no short shorts or skirts, no skin-tight leggings, no strapless tops, and no bare midriffs, knees, or shoulders. In some places, you’ll be denied entrance if your outfit is too revealing or sloppy.
The same goes for restaurants and some other public places — for example, men don’t generally wear shorts out in the evenings, and open-toed sandals with socks are considered a big fashion no-no in many places. If you have a nice dinner planned, it doesn’t hurt just to double-check if the place has a dress code (and I can help you with this during planning, of course!).
Seasonal and regional considerations for what to wear in Italy
Though even winter temperatures are fairly mild in Italy, there’s definitely a big difference between what you’ll need in July and what you’ll need in January. Here are some tips for what to wear in Italy in various seasons.
Spring
Spring in Italy is a time of blooming flowers, pleasant temps, and a palpable renewed energy. You’ll want outfits that are light, breathable, and easy to layer.
If you like dresses or skirts, you’ll see flowy fabrics with floral prints and pastels everywhere. If you prefer pants, fitted dark jeans or trousers with a tailored collared shirt and a pair of chic loafers or flats are great.
For extra warmth (the mornings and nights get cool), bring a cardigan, trench coat, or stylish jacket.
Summer
Italian summers can get very sultry, especially in inland areas like Rome and Florence — blazing sun, soaring temps, and high humidity. You’re going to want breezy, breathable fabrics like linen and cotton. Strappy sandals or canvas sneakers can work well with pants or skirts. Don’t forget hats (you’ll see sophisticated wide-brimmed hats on women) and sunglasses for a pop of glamor that also helps protect you from the sun.
Shorts are fine for walking around during the day as long as they’re long enough and not too casual (though, again, if they’re above the knee, you might not be able to enter some chapels). And remember that for evening outings, men tend to change into slacks.
Cassie’s Tip: If you plan to spend time on the Amalfi Coast (and I recommend you do!), remember that while the days can be hot, coastal areas can tend to feel cooler in the evenings with the air coming in off the water. You’ll want to maximize your light layers by the sea to plan for those hot days (don’t be afraid to rock your new swimsuit at the beach!) and cool nights. Italians love al fresco dining, too — another activity I highly recommend — and having a sweater or shawl can be a lifesaver on breezy evenings. A summer visit to the Amalfi Coast is a wonderful opportunity to channel your inner 1950s beach-y fabulousness!
Fall
Fall in Italy brings a crispness to the air, and the cities are bright with the colors of changing leaves. It’s a great time to marry warmth and style.
Inland days will often be bright, with chilly mornings and evenings and sun-warmed and very pleasant afternoons. Layers are the key to comfort here — thin wool base layers, sweaters, jackets, gloves, and scarves all can make it easy to warm up or cool down as the temps change.
Mountainous areas in the north will be cooler for sure, so plan accordingly, and don’t forget sunscreen at those higher elevations. And coastal areas after early October will start to get cloudier and more rainy.
Related Post: Rome in the Fall
Winter
Depending on where you’re visiting, winter weather can tend towards bright and bracing to soggy and wonderfully moody. As in autumn, you’ll want moisture-wicking layers, and probably warmer socks, boots, and a coat. A fitted wool coat is a versatile addition to any Italian-inspired wardrobe: it can be casual with jeans but can also work well with dressier outfits.
Coastal areas, including Amalfi and Venice, can get rainy and sometimes a bit windy — but if you’re dressed for it, there’s no reason at all to avoid these lovely places, and I think winter visits have a unique charm all their own. In Venice in the winter, for example, quiet morning gondola rides can be extra cozy with the blankets that gondoliers provide as you relax and take in the Holiday decorations.
Choosing what to wear in Italy for a fabulous and comfy trip
Ultimately, of course, what you choose to wear in Italy is totally up to you. I find it’s more enjoyable and comfortable to take a “when in Rome” approach to travel.
There’s probably no way to totally blend in — after all, you’ll be taking photos and navigating metro maps and trying out some wobbly Italian — and that’s fine, because it’s all part of the adventure. But it really does make a difference for ease of getting around if your wardrobe doesn’t announce your tourist status and if it’s well-suited for the terrain and temperatures.
With a custom-designed itinerary, I can help you not only plan what to see and do, but also what to pack for maximum enjoyment. And who knows? You might like the Italian approach to style so much that you bring some of it back home with you!
Cassie Tetro
Itinerary Designer
& Certified Travel Expert
(Paris, London & Rome)
WHO AM I?
I’m Cassie Tetro, an Itinerary Designer and Certified Travel Expert for Paris, London, and Rome — my three favorite cities!
I help independent travelers like you save time and eliminate confusion with customized point-to-point itineraries crafted to your interests, preferences, travel pace, and style.
I take care of every aspect of your trip before you walk out your front door — tickets, reservations, tours, maps, transportation — so you can relax, soak in the magic, and enjoy a frustration-free vacation with a travel plan that’s as unique as you are.
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