Don't Wear Shorts. Although summer in Italy can be rather hot, you'll rarely see Italian women wearing shorts. The best way to fit in would be to stay away from revealing too much skin, but still look stylish at the same time- try a flowy skirt instead.
Avoid shoes made of light-colored suede, shoes with smooth/slippery soles, shoes you haven't worn in, sandals that are close to the ground with no front lip, shoes that you will only wear once on the trip. My Go-To Shoes for Italy Travel are sneakers from New Balance and sandals from Birkenstock.
In Italy, we do not wear sneakers in the office but we do wear them if we travel, if we are sightseeing and in any informal situation. Do not go for a less comfortable shoe out of this misconception, sneakers are perfect for Italy (see below for tips on stylish ones).
With lightweight fabrics like thin cotton, breathable model, or linen, a long dress with a spaghetti strap or t-shirt sleeve will keep you cooler than a pair of jean shorts and a polyester blouse. Dresses are also a great option for going from day to night without having to go back to your hotel room.
Choose fabrics appropriate for the weather. (See suggested spring Italy packing list below.) Look for bright and light colors during this finicky season; when it's sunny, it's very warm. Jeans are a good choice or skirts in light fabrics.
Even if summer in Italy is scorching hot, it's not uncommon to find men dressed in button-down shirts and well-fitted trousers. What is this? This doesn't mean that you won't be able to wear denim in summer in Italy. I am Italian and I wear denim all the time!
I looked at several websites and the overall consensus was that wearing shorts would make you stand out as a tourist because Italians do not wear shorts unless it is in the middle of the summer or they are going swimming. Also, apparently, some cathedrals will not let you enter wearing shorts.
To dress in Italy, opt for clothes with clean lines that fit you well, like button-down shirts for men and capri pants for women. Additionally, choose classy shoes such as boots or ballet flats, since Italians generally frown on wearing things like flip flops in public.
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.
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.
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.
Many Italians wear fanny packs/ satchels everyday. You can easily store your phone, wallet, passport, and other small items while traveling around. I recommend men to purchase a fanny pack or satchel as it provides more security than simply keeping your wallet in your pocket.
Dresses and maxi skirts are my favorite types of clothes for Italy in July. As well as fashionable (they are very popular with locals too!), they are safe to wear in churches and can work well for both day and evening occasions.
Layers are key: As with any flights, layers are particularly important on long flights. It's impossible to tell if the AC will be stalled while you sit on the runway, so start with a simple cotton shirt, and be sure to bring a more stylish cardigan or sweater to layer on top.
There is no formal dress code in Italy, but it is considered respectful to dress well for dinner. Italians are fashion-conscious and make an effort to look smart when going out for a meal. It's worth packing decent shoes, a dress for ladies and a jacket for men traveling to Italy.
Breakfast in Italy: what to expect
Homemade breakfast in Italy is usually a straightforward affair. Traditional breakfast drinks in Italian households are coffee, tea and cocoa milk for the kids and the main breakfast foods are bread with butter and jam, biscuits and cereals.
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.