Clothing Tips for a Semester in Florence

I think you can wear whatever you like. I would suggest taking only a few items and planning to do some shopping - thrift store type - once you arrive and see what other kids are wearing.

January is a big sale month, if you will be there then. If you are going there for school, college fashion is fairly universal.

Last winter I saw lots of puffy coats, jeans, sweaters of all kinds. Buy your gloves, scarves and boots there, but take something well broken in as well.

Voting with Emily and Zoe here: wear what you'd wear at home and don't worry about blending in. Students all over Europe look very much the same as they do here in the States, that I've seen, anyway. Google up some pix and you'll see what I mean? Here are just a few examples:

http://www.mgmpr.co.uk/italian-students-learn-about-sustainable-living-during-trip-to-armagh/

(These are Italian students meeting with a famous writer)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKCDfN0ss4s/Ta4HRu46aWI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/axDrYFvG-p0/s1600/SCRITTORI+E+REGISTI+004.jpg

(not a winter photo but you get the idea)
https://www.dreamstime.com/editorial-photography-students-maria-novella-square-florence-italy-art-drawing-piazza-santa-tuscany-image47839022

American students (U of Wisconsin) in a Florence study-abroad program)

http://images.studyabroad.wisc.edu/programpictures/417/01BenRangel_Spring2014_GroupDuomo.jpg

If you are going to Italy to study fashion, that might make a wee difference in how you might dress but otherwise what you already have should be fine.

Bring that yellow raincoat, if you love it! :O)
Editing to add: the only must-have accessory? Scarves. Wrap a scarf around your neck and you'll look instantly more European!

And learn to knot the scarf fashionably, just look at other women.

There's an H& M in Florence where you'll see lots of young people. Two odd my nieces have recently done study abroad sin Florence. They dressed just like they did in the states. I've been here 5 months in Italy and the young people dress like they do where I live in US.

I hope you will wear your yellow raincoat and you won't be the only bright spot. In Italian shop windows, I've specifically noticed racks of coats that were equally divided between navy, gray, brown, and then 25% for all brighter options like orange, red, and cobalt.

My son spent September through May in Florence while in college, and was surprised by the cold in December and January. But he was coming from a California college.

i agree with the others that you should plan on doing some shopping there, at the January sales, rather than try to anticipate your needs and buy winter clothes here.