Dressing for italy

You are going to look like a tourist. It doesn't matter what you wear. :-)

Wear what is comfortable to you for the time of year you will be there (within reason). Check the weather while packing, it won't be a perfect forecast but should give you an idea of what the temperatures will be so you can select the right weight of items.

Ok let me rephrase the question. Is there anything I shouldn't wear?

Wear what you want. Nobody will care (or notice).

The only exception is if you plan to go into churches, you will want to wear "modest" clothing inside - no mini-skirts, tank-tops, etc. That's where the shorts/shoulders thing comes from. Outside of when you enter a church...worry about other things.

Is there anything I shouldn't wear?

Dark colors. It's going to be too hot for dark colors. You can't go wrong with dressing more "tailored" or put together (if that's what you meant).

I avoid clothes with sports team name and logos or other brand names. But then I do that at home too.

Watch some of RS recent TV shows covering Italy. You can find some here online and on You Tube or PBS. Look at the people in the background. They are wearing pretty much anything -- just like you would see at home. That is a good indication of what to wear. Only time they wear special clothes is for local festivals and other similar activities.

A lot of the "what to wear" articles you find seem to be put out there by people who want to sell you clothes.

Now that makes sense. Thank you very much!
I watched Rick's show last night on global politics and the USA's role in the world. Although I don't agree with some of his views, I enjoyed listening to him. Good talk.

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned in the shouldn’t wear section is flip-flops (unless you are on the beach). Good comfortable walking shoes can be stylish and save your feet when walking.

Have a great trip,
Sandy

It's true for the most part. Italians like to dress smart and tailored (fitted clothing.) They prefer muted/monochromatic tones with a splash of color at times. Black and brown colors are part of their staple wardrobe. Depends on the time of year too, I think.

Smart casual shoes, maybe some type of loafer, or nice athletics for men. Women wear boots, ankle boots or loafers or some other tailored, casual leather shoe.

The younger people - teens, 20's, for the most part, wear jeans, sneakers, t-shirts and athletics, but still, are form fitting. The younger girls might wear high heels or high top sneakers. I rarely see anything "baggy" on younger Italians. They don't let their underwear show or have their pants droop dragging the ground.

I've seen older people wear jeans, t-shirts and the like if they are working outdoors or at an outdoor market. Most restaurants/cafes, they wear a black or black/white uniform. Maybe a quick coffee bar or pizza place, the staff will wear jeans and such for obvious reasons. Some wear aprons over the clothes.

Thank you This is helpful

Hi abe,

A few added thoughts for comparison. I've been to Southern Italy in September, and it was still very hot. Some people wore light-colored clothing, walking shorts, short sleeves and sleeveless tops, summer-styled shoes while others wore darker clothing. Although black and brown may be a good part of a staple wardrobe, I think light, airy colors and materials would be good for Southern Italy. Another time, when I traveled farther North in October, I saw many wearing darker colors as I wrote above.

Take a bit of this and that and go from there. The brightly colored ceramics and deep, rich hues of homes prove Italians love color.

While in Southern Italy, staying at a lovely B&B, one of the owners wore walking shorts, sleeveless tops and casual slip on shoes. She ran the B&B as well as a couple of other businesses. Her sons wore nice jeans and tight-fitting t-shirts or nice button-down shirts worn outside the jeans. I also saw middle-aged men wear "jean" walking shorts with a snazzy sport shoe and a form-fitting shirt/t-shirt. Some American guys like to wear polo-style shirts - neat and don't have to worry so much about wrinkles or buttons.

An amusing experience: The owner's husband would serve us breakfast in his PJ's, slippers and a thin, flannel robe! lol. It was too hot for all that. But, he seemed comfortable and didn't care. "It was his home after all."

We've seen Italians of a range of ages in jeans (although not so much the grandmother types) wherever we've been in Italy so far and not just for working outside. They also wear colors (although tastefully) and athletic shoes, especially if having to walk long distances like a tourist does.

And as said above, you're going to look like a tourist whatever you wear so dress for traveling. Dark bottoms are often recommended because they hide a multitude of little mishaps: many of us wear our traveling clothes more than one or twice before washing. Nothing should go into the suitcase that can only be worn once, the wardrobe should be mix-and-match - all tops able to be worn with all bottoms - and unfussy, easy-care fabrics that do not need ironing. 'Tailored' is always a good look. :O)

Oh, and Italians wear shorts too.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/shorts-for-men-in-italy

I see threads like this and rarely comment, but I am bored, so here I go.

I appreciate the advice to "wear whatever you want" but in reality, since I do not know what you normally want to wear, that is loaded advice. Do you want to wear a bikini to the Opera? Based on advice here, sure (Female or Male), but I would advise otherwise. But maybe that is an extreme example.

My advice is rooted in several thoughts:

First and foremost is the need to pack light. I take a minimum set of clothing that for the most part mixes and matches, mostly neutral colors with one or two splashes of coordinated color.

These items need to work in multiple situations, from random wandering, to a nice dinner, to churches, to sitting on a Piazza.

In hot weather, many automatically turn to less clothing (shorts and tank tops) but many in hot areas choose loose fitting natural fibers that actually cover more but keep the sun off and help with perspiration without dehydration. This choice also happens to fit the advice above....very interesting.

The more specialization you choose, the less chance you will pack lightly. If you wear shorts, plus pants, (plus dresses or skirts, if that applies), then you will likely want sandals or other footwear that does not go with more formal dress (or maybe you rock the white shorts with black socks and dress shoes look) meaning you haul multiple pairs of shoes and add weight. Same with going too dressy, too unusual, too many different styles. Now if I will be spending significant time at the beach, then that is a different calculus, as is time hiking in the mountains, or other specific situations, then packing more may be justified.

Often the conversation focuses on "not looking like a tourist" I agree, you will be spotted as a "non-local" immediately, but even here in the US if you walk into a decent restaurant in outfits raging from a clown suit or "grubbies" to formal dress, or in between, you will be treated differently, nothing to do with nationality. Not fair I suppose, but reality.

My advice is certainly to express who you are and dress in a manner in which you are comfortable, but try hard to find the most efficient, least number of items that fit the most situations you will be in. Like it or not, middle of the road is probably more logical. I will go ultra light and sometimes supplement with a shirt or other purchased items as I travel based on the situation (Excessive rain or cold? Deal with it there.)

But bottom line, regardless of your dress, people will make a judgement or perception of you (you do the same every day), so safer options probably are advised, but remember that you have the second word through your actions and when you open your mouth, and that probably carries more weight in the equation.

I wear what I would wear at home based on the temperature.

you are not going to look like an italian...you will look like an american...wear comfortable shoes

We just returned from southern Italy, and it's linen everything: men's & wm's loose shirts & pants, loose strappy sundresses, nice shorts on everyone. It was HOT & humid: check the forecasts close to your departure. Nice sneakers & T-shirts/polo shirts abound, & gentle colors & prints - black & brown not so much, especially in heat. Take/buy a shoulder-covering scarf for churches & strong air conditioning. Above all, be kind to your feet.