What to Wear in Italy: Vacation Style Guide

What to Wear in Italy for a Perfect Vacation

In many ways, Milan rivals Paris for fashion capital of the world. With major houses like Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Valentino, designs originating in Italy make an impact all over the planet. Fashion is a big part of Italian culture with their tradition of "la bella figura", or dressing to make a good impression. Here fashion is part of everyday life, rather than just something reserved for the elite. Italy has a rich history in many aspects, but fashion has been culturally important since the 11th century when Italy was the top producer of textiles, clothing, shoes, and other luxury goods. 

Italian fashion reached its peak when the country was the birthplace of the Renaissance in the 14th century. During this period, which lasted until the 17th century, art, music, and scholarship all flourished and Italy was at its center. Powerful people, like the Medici family, were known to be some of the most fashionable people in all of Europe. Up to the present day, Italy maintains its position as an extremely important stakeholder in the fashion industry, especially when it comes to manufacturing. Brands from all over the world come to Italy to have their clothes and accessories made to the highest standards of quality. Italy is especially known for making luxury leather goods like shoes and handbags. 

Besides fashion, Italy is also known for inspiring landscapes, stunning architecture, and delicious cuisine, making it a top tourist destination. With stunning ancient cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice, Italy is a must-see for fashionistas, history lovers, and foodies alike. If you’re planning a trip to this southern European gem, packing some fabulous looks should definitely be a top priority. We’ve compiled a list of ideas for what to wear in Italy to give you some inspiration! 

If there’s one look we definitively associate with Italy, it’s the classic floral embroidered dress. Italian fashion is known for its unwavering dedication to highly detailed, handmade couture. This is often seen in details like embroidery or beading. While you might not be able to afford a piece from one of the top fashion houses, you can still draw inspiration from their designs. Luckily, it’s possible to find affordable versions of most high end looks. Embroidery is on target to be a top trend this season, so keep an eye on your favorite brands. If a floral embroidered dress isn’t practical for your itinerary, try a blouse or trousers with some embroidered floral motifs to keep the same vibe. Roses are especially popular in Italy.

Lace is another quintessential staple of Italian fashion. Lace used to be an adornment reserved for nobility, but luckily today everyone’s welcome to wear this beautiful fabric. When visiting Italy’s many art museums, you’ll see portraits depicting historical figures wearing a variety of different lace garments. We recommend adding a long sleeve lace dress or fitted top to your travel wardrobe. These pieces are elegant, but also acceptable as casual streetwear in this country.

It’s important to keep in mind that Italians tend toward being dressy, so if you want to fit in stay away from graphic tee shirts, tank tops, short shorts, and mini skirts. A nice blouse and dark, tailored jeans are always in style. Since Italy is such a stylish country, a visit is the perfect opportunity to be a little more fabulous in your day to day dressing. If you’ll be visiting churches on your trip, it’s respectful and often required to dress conservatively. Bring along a shawl or lightweight cardigan that can fit easily into a bag, this way you’ll be prepared for any situation where you need to cover up.

 If you’re visiting in the summer, Italy tends to be quite warm and sunny. Because of this, you’ll want to opt for natural fibers, like cotton, silk, and linen, to beat the heat. Make sure you also bring appropriate accessories like sunglasses, a sun hat, and a light silk scarf. If you’re headed to Italy in winter, the temperatures are generally mild so you don’t have to bring your heaviest parkas or snow boots. No matter what the season, Italian weather can vary greatly from day to day, so it’s best to bring lots of light layers. Of course, Italy is a great shopping destination, so you may want to pack lightly and save extra room for new wardrobe additions. When deciding what to wear in Italy, footwear is also very important. Many of the streets are ancient cobblestone, which means they’re uneven and can be a nightmare to walk on without proper shoes. Stay away from high heels or flimsy sandals. Wedges, sturdy flats, low heeled boots, and dressy sneakers are all good options. 

Once you have the practical basics down, you can have fun putting together cute outfits for your trip. Italian fashion is known for its bright, lively, and fun prints. From florals, to birds, to fruits, Italians aren’t afraid of bold colors and motifs. A long sleeved, collared dress in an eye catching print is a great option that will look amazing in all your souvenir photos. If you tend to wear neutrals and basics, adding a silk scarf in a bold print is a great way to add a little Italian flare to your look. 

Hopefully this guide has given you some ideas for packing for your Italian getaway, or inspired you to a plan a vacation to this beautiful country. With ancient history, breathtaking art, stunning fashion, and delicious food, Italian culture has something to offer everyone. Enjoy strutting your stuff in fabulous fashion on the streets of Rome, Venice, or Milan!

If you are planning to visit Europe for New Year's Eve, you should definitely consider going to Italy! Before you pack your bags, take a look at some European New Year's Eve Outfits we picked just for you!