Italians tend to wear basic blue jeans a lot less often than their counterparts elsewhere. It's not that women are always in dresses, and men in suits; it's that when they do throw on trousers, they're rarely basic jeans or khakis. Instead, pants come in a rainbow of colors. And yes, that's true for women and men.
Skinny jeans or capri trousers are stylish spring options for women. But remember, Italians tend to go high-end even with their denim - so keep 'em rip-free! Men should typically avoid anything they might wear to the beach, gym, or football game, and instead opt for stylish loose linens or fitted chinos.
Are jeans appropriate to wear in Italy? While Europeans tend to dress up more than Americans, you still can wear jeans in Italy. However, avoid acid wash and extremely distressed denim and opt for medium-dark blues and blacks. Black skinny jeans always look chic in Europe!
Italians often wear jewelry and Italian women usually wear natural-looking makeup. Consider adding both of these to your outfit, but don't wear anything too obvious if safety is a concern. Remember that Italians value clothing with elegant fabrics and clean lines, so avoid the messy patterns on your scarf or handbag.
Italy doesn't call for a certain dress code, as you're free to wear whatever you please. With that being said, I'm sure that some trendsetters fear looking too 'touristy. ' If you want to blend in, there are a few aesthetics that you should know of.
Italians tend to wear basic blue jeans a lot less often than their counterparts elsewhere. It's not that women are always in dresses, and men in suits; it's that when they do throw on trousers, they're rarely basic jeans or khakis. Instead, pants come in a rainbow of colors. And yes, that's true for women and men.
Italians change their outfits depending on the time of day. Daytime is more casual, so people wear comfortable skirts, nice jeans, and tops, with sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes. People get dressier in the evenings and wear long dresses, skirts, or fitted trousers paired with a blazer.
You can wear shorts in Italy and look perfectly normal.
Here are a few examples of Italians we saw wearing shorts in Italy when it was in the mid-80s in September. We knew the temperature was expected to be in the mid-80s and 90s, but we also wanted to fit in with the local attire.
The best ones to pack are those that come with a rubber sole and cushioning for walking. If you prefer to keep your feet covered, closed-toe sandals light summer sneakers are also a good choice; however, make sure they are truly breathable as the temperatures in Italy can be scorching!
Pile on the neutral colors
Meanwhile, the “no white after Labor Day” rule in Italy doesn't exist: Locals love winter white, especially for jeans and sweaters.
Jeans are very common in Rome and worn by people of almost any age. While there is no real cut off, they are most common in very young people and people up to fifty years of age or so. People above this age usually opt for different materials, as they give a more refined, classy look.
Absolutely avoid the Hawaiian print, khaki shorts, flip-flops and baseball caps. You will immediately be recognized as a tourist and there might be a few eye-rolls along the way. Even if summer in Italy is scorching hot, it's not uncommon to find men dressed in button-down shirts and well-fitted trousers.
Can I wear leggings in Italy? Yes, you can. My cousins In Tuscany there wear them all the time. Italians are very fashionable, but they do wear things like jeans and Doc Martins.
While there isn't a “Rome dress code”, when visiting religious sites like the Vatican please plan for modest clothing. You should cover your shoulders and knees. However, if you're traveling in summer, you likely won't want to cover up in the heat. The easy solution: an airy dress that covers your knees.
Italian style is characterized by understated luxury and modernism, as well as glamour and sensuality. Fashion designers in Italy are not considered "artists" so much as skilled workers within an industrial system.
Many Italians wear fanny packs/ satchels everyday. You can easily store your phone, wallet, passport, and other small items while traveling around.
But if you just can't part with your shorts, save them as a beach cover up. Don't Bring Flip-Flops. Italians can spot an American from a mile away; because, well, they are wearing flip-flops. And yes, this is a real thing, Italian's just don't wear flip-flops.
You won't see a lot of Roman women wearing shorts in the city–at the beach yes, in Rome itself no–but so many tourists will be wearing shorts in Rome during the summer that if you absolutely want to bring a pair or two, you won't stick out like a sore thumb. Personally, I very rarely, if ever, wear shorts in Rome.
Personal Appearance
Men should wear fashionable, high-quality suits. Shirts may be colored or pin-striped, and they should be paired with a designer tie. Women dress in quiet, expensive elegance. Slacks are generally not worn by either sex.
Most churches and sacred sites require modest dress.
Sure, Italians break out the va-va-voom when it's time to hit the club. In daily life, however, most tend to cover up and you should, too.
There is no dress code when going to most restaurants but you might receive some funny looks if you show up in sweats. Dressing well is respectful and you'll want to try to blend in with the locals. Unless you're going to a very fancy restaurant, dark jeans or other slacks are acceptable.
The slim, strappy design of the Birkenstock Yara is ideal for Italy as they can be dressed up for the evening along with wearing them all during the day.
The basis of the female national costume is a pleated skirt (called "gonna"), a white embroidered shirt (camicia) and a corsage. The costume was complemented by a bright apron and a headscarf (fazzoletto). These are the main elements of a women's Italian costume, found in all regions of the country.