How to dress in Italy

Italians are known for their sense of style and although this isn’t obvious everywhere, us foreigners can stand out for our more casual dress sense. You don’t have to fill your suitcase with designer labels to enjoy your holiday, just follow some advice from our Italy-based experts….

GOING OUT

If you are planning on going to the theatre or opera, you’ll want to dress up. Absolutely no jeans or trainers, but be careful of wearing stiletto heels if you have to walk as many city centers are cobbled. In Rome, the cobbles are poorly maintained and it’s easy to catch your heel in the holes or twist your ankle when the cobble moves.

As well as dressing for the occasion, theatre-goers dress to be seen, so don’t be surprised to find people openly looking you up and down, even when you think you’ve made an effort. Sometimes it’s not possible to overdress in Italy!

Tourist restaurants and pizzerie won’t mind if you dress down, as long as you tip well, but you’ll notice that Italians tend to be more formal when going out for dinner, because of course, you never know who’s watching. And while you may not mind judgemental looks from the locals, it’s best to keep your shorts and flip-flops for the beach and not risk being asked to leave.

Wearing socks and sandals together will instantly identify you as a tourist

WALKING

Many people don’t realise just how much walking you will be doing here, and it is often unavoidable. Museums like the Vatican and the Uffizi date back to the Renaissance and weren’t designed with modern tourism in mind. Most historic cities have extensive one-way systems to deal with the number of cars passing through the narrow streets, or are closed to everyone but residents, meaning you have to park outside and walk to reach the center. And of course, cars aren’t even an option in Venice. Central Italy is home to some of the country’s most popular towns, such as Montepulciano, Assisi, San Gimignano and Siena, all of which are built on hills and require visitors to walk up and down to visit them. In short, prepare to be walking 5-15km a day so, needless to say, you’re going to need some good footwear to stay on your feet all day and avoid blisters. And no matter how comfortable it may be, you’ll never see an Italian in socks and sandals!

For anyone going to Cinque Terre this summer, remember that flip flops and sandals are now banned on the trails due to the time and money it is costing the rescue services to assist visitors who get stuck because of inappropriate footwear. The fines for ignoring this rule can be up to €2500, far more than investing in a good pair of hiking boots or sandals!

COVER UP

Summer in Italy is hot, from the morning to the evening. As so much of the country’s cultural heritage is outside, make sure you bring sunhats, sunglasses and suncream. Anyone with delicate skin should consider a light shirt, even on the hottest days as some sites, like Pompeii, have nowhere to escape from the sun.

Florence is famous for its stifling summer heat, and Rome can be almost as bad, so a fan can be an absolute lifesaver. You can opt for an electric one that mists and fans at the same time, or embrace your inner-Italian and have one that matches each outfit in your suitcase.

If you are here in the cooler months, layers are the best idea. For many of us foreigners, Italian winters are generally quite mild (though the locals will be dressed for Arctic exploration from October to April regardless of the weather) and a light, waterproof jacket will be sufficient in the spring and autumn.

BE RESPECTFUL

Churches have a dress code for both men and women

Finally, Italy is a Catholic country and its churches house some of its most magnificent works of art. When visiting churches, be sure to have your shoulders and knees covered. Most of the big churches, including St. Peter’s, will prevent anyone who doesn’t meet the dress code from entering. Keep a scarf or jacket in your bag to avoid being asked to leave.