Dressing to "blend in" in Rome

Try this: a computer search for "Rome, Italy, webcams" and see what you come up with.

Also Google Street View! With the internet, world-wide cable TV, etc., everybody is starting to look remarkably the same to these eyes...Everybody wants to look like 'them', so the result is we all look alike ;-) But basically - tight jeans and tight T-shirts for men, the collar of men's polo/golf shirts flipped up (frat-boy style, ala 1984 - snort), and one of those flippin' ugly fuzzy (winter) scarves wrapped around and around your neck like you're walking 47 miles across frozen tundra. Even in July on the metro. BTW, Europeans are now the ones wearing American logos on their clothing...and all other international logos, too.
AND white sports shoes. AND jeans (EVERYWHERE!). AND shorts if it's hot. **I just went to Street View to look at locals and local commuters at a tram stop: ALL white shoes and faded jeans, and lots of spaghetti-strapped tops. The tourists were easy to pick out...they weren't carrying local shopping bags. (PM me if you don't know how to find Street View!!!)

True that blue jeans are now worn by almost everyone in Italy. But an older man might pair the jeans with a very stylish shirt and/or jacket. Shorts are worn in the cities only on the hottest days. You can wear them all the time in the resort towns (e.g. Sorrento, CT). Black is still very popular, but not very practical if you're going to be outside on a warm day. Logos are fine for your 15 year old. Try to "fare una bella figura" and whatever you wear, dress it up a notch. And Google Street view is a very good help. Be sure to notice when the photos were taken (in tiny letters along the bottom of the photo) to give you a context. And don't look at the photos around the main tourist sites. Go outside the city center to take a peek around. Happy travels (and good for you!)

Michael makes a good point about touristy places vs residential neighborhoods that I opted to not write about earlier. But IF you're going to be in the touristy places, then wearing touristy things will cause you to blend in...! Hmmm...;-) Frankly, unless you're dressing up like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, you're not going to 'stand out'. Trust me... I still heartily suggest Street View. Sorry; it's addictive ;-)

Judy, I totally get your concern. On my first trip to Rome I wanted to blend in as well. I knew as well not to worry about it as I would stand out regardless. But I didn't care, I wanted to feel good about how I dressed in Italy. And by good, I mean, stylish yet comfortable. I never felt out of place. Bright colors are in here in Cali and having European family members, I know bright isn't always wrong. Our Italian-born tour guide in Rome loved by bright yellow cardigan so much she told me she saw one in the stores recently and planned to run out and buy it right away. On the other hand, on our next trip to Italy I would let my husband pack more jeans as almost all the locals we encountered were in nice jeans with nice shirts. Everyone was dressed nicely, we didn't see people with their pants-on-the-ground or bare midriffs. IMHO dress modestly with a stylish flare and you will blend in.

You don't mention when your trip is, but if it's this summer, I'd be more concerned about dressing to beat the heat then to blend in. You'll feel better being a comfortable for sure tourist than being an uncomfortable maybe tourist. Just don't look like a slob and you'll blend in fine, even in shorts and sandals.

Don't worry about "blending in" (you can't) but keep the goal to look nice. That makes a difference. Capris are fine; or a knee-length skirt with cute Tee top is good for hot weather. And don't worry about your blonde daughter; lots of Italians are blonde too.

Dress for comfort, especially your shoes. You'll do more walking then you can imagine. I overdress with a sport coat in the evening but it's un-constructed and comfortable. I still wear jeans a lot and I'm over 50. Take fewer clothes then you think you'll need. If you need more it's a good excuse to shop. Everyone over thinks clothing and takes to much.

You may not be able to fool someone who works in the tourist industry, but you CAN blend in, especially when you are in the in-between areas where tourists aren't expected. Part of it is how you dress, but a large part is how you carry yourself. As for dress: both times I was in Italy it was early spring so I could get away with black slacks and black jacket with a scarf. (I know how some feel about them, but I love them. They are an easy way to change up an outfit and add a dash of color.) I didn't dress this was to try to fit in, it was just the easiest way to dress somewhat stylishly without having to carry a large wardrobe. I also carried a sort of courier type bag with the strap that goes across the body. Which leads to my second point. When I wasn't taking pictures - when I was getting from point A to point B and not actively ogling the sites - camera, maps, guide books, etc. were in the bag. I walked quickly and confidently, looking ahead just like I knew what I was doing:) I didn't do any of this to "fit in", I didn't think that was even possible since I'm blonde and, to my mind, very mid-western looking. I did it so as not to be an obvious target since I was alone both times. But here's the thing: I lost count of the times I was asked for directions by Italians (I guess people from other towns), French and Spanish speakers, etc. These weren't scammers trying to distract me; they were elderly people, nuns, families who asked nothing but directions. But yes, once I got into high tourist areas and went into a shop, the clerk would greet me in English. BTW, I noticed Burberry type scarves were popular with men middle-aged and up.

Hello Judy from my home town! The minute you look at a map, you are a dead give-away whether Norrth American, Italian or German. I see many Italian tourists (coming in from other parts of the country and just as lost as North Americans or Brits) here that I would peg as American if they didn't speak Italian to me. So, you are going to need a map, you are going to use a camera (I carry one in my purse every single day because i am always capturing some beautiful or amusing scene); just try not to carry them in your hands every single moment. Real Romans have their mobile phones permanently affixed and are in constant conversation with someone. :-) Act confidently, dress tastefully, be assertive but polite. Jeans are "in" even when it is hot; athletic shoes are common, as are ridculously high heels and equally ridiculous flat flat sandals. Bright colors are everywhere: cobalt blue, sunny yellow, emerald green, orange. Wear what you feel good in and what is comfortable especially for your feet. Jeans, khakis, skirts, sundresses: just beware of uncovered shoulders and knees in churches. For men, polos, button-downs and short-sleeved sportshirts are common. BTW, there are many blond Italians, both natural and chemically-enhanced.

Funny thing happened to us in Rome last summer. Although my wife and I are shorts and t-shirts people, when traveling in Italy we always wear nicer clothes (no shorts, nicer tops, etc), as our operative philosophy is that we never know where we will end up by the day's end and we want to be prepared for anything. Last year, we were approached on the street by other tourists who assumed, as we were not dressed like tourists, that we were locals, and were looking for directions!

Hi Judy,
It would seem to me that the way that you carry yourself is far more important to blending in than what you wear. My wife looks like a stunning european just about anywhere she goes. When we are in an unfamiliar town, she is a dead ringer for a tourist, since she is acting like one. However, when we're in cities/towns that we've been to many times, this familiarity gives her much more confidence, she carries herself as such, and before you know it people are asking her for directions.

We were in Rome in June. I agree totally with Penny on taking some scarves. I really learned to love scarves and shawls in Rome. During our trip, I picked up a few in the different cities as my souvenirs. They were great for dressing up my plain skirts and blouses. I could wear sleeveless blouses and throw the shawl on before going into a church. I took a backpack as my daybag, while practical, I felt like a tourist, so I bought a lovely, large tote bag (with wide straps to spread the load) and I quickly felt more at ease, more like a local. Once my mind was at ease I walked around with more confidence.

We follow the basic rules about blending in: no baseball caps, white sneakers, etc., but generally just try to wear darker or neutral colors. On our last trip to Italy we were mistaken for non-English speaking tourists a number of times. We feel that we have more interesting experiences when we try to blend in.

Judy, first of all, congrats on going! While I was there I noticed that Italians loved their jeans but they tended to dress them up a bit with a nice top. the older men especially wore a jacket over their shirt. a 15 year old can wear just about anything and still blend in. the tricky part will be the footwear. You want to be comfortable for all the walking you will do but stylish as well. Dont stress over it. Just put on a big pair of dark sunglasses and you'll look european!

WOW! Thanks everyone for your tremendous advice! I was overwhelmed by all of your great responses. You've all, more or less, concurred on these points: 1) style it up. 2) wear smart shoes. 3) ok for teen to wear her beloved "skinny" jeans. I'm going to go out and purchase my "Jackie O" sunglasses right now! Thanks to all of you, we're good to go! I'll let you know how we fare! Grazie!

Not only the women wear Jackie O sunglasses. Check out these guys in a photo I took in Rome a few years ago: Roman men This was at Mass at Santa Maria in Trastevere on Pentecost Sunday.

I returned from Italy June 23. Whew!!! It was hot! People wore whatever to beat the heat. Shorts, t- shirts, touristy looking cheap hats and sunglasses, etc.
I personally gave up my black rockports and donned my (partially white) sneakers while walking the streets of Rome. During the trip, I had to buy my teenaged daughter a new pair of shoes. We visited a Footlocker near the Vatican and she walked out of there wearing the brightest, loudest orange Nike's you've ever seen! A local girl her age on the subway said "Wow, nice shoes".

Just returned from Rome and I would say that it isn't how you dress that will identify you as an American tourist but what you're carrying. Backpack? camera? Right away you will be identified. Most of the Italians in Rome in the summer are working, so they are wearing work clothing. It was very hot when we were there last week and the city was overrun with tourists, by the way!

We just returned from Italy (Rome and Florence). There are SO many tourists that it doesn't matter what you wear. In fact I saw many an Italian wearing brightly colored clothing, exposed bra straps, and jeans. And it is very, very hot. Dress comfortably. If anything I noticed that most women of any age, at least in the summer, wear a lot of skirts and summer dresses to combat the heat. Young adults and teenagers wear anything and everything. Jeans, shorts, logos...

Ciao Judy, For the 60 year old male- Orange pants! Seriously! For some reason, we've noticed that Italian men have a thing about wearing orange pants. I'm considering buying a pair for myself on my forthcoming trip. Cordiali Saluti,
David

I'm thinking David may be talking about the reddish-orange jeans that are popular. Like these.

LOVE 'EM! The jeans are wonderful, but would, instead, take on a more "humorous aspect" when worn by my husband. He'll settle for a nice, unconstructed linen blazer and his shades....of course, there is no point in breaking it to him that Don Johnson and Miami Vice are no longer in style...but, hey, I have to pick my battles. Thanks for the tip, guys!
Judy

We just returned from Europe and every teen girl we saw was wearing skinny jeans, in a rainbow of colors. I can positively affirm this because one member of our clan is a 16 year old boy who noticed all of them. My younger son commented on the red jeanshe wants some now. The teens were generally indistinguishable from US teens. You couldn't tell where they were from until you heard them speak. Adults were wearing nice, stylish jeans, and lots of capris-women AND men. (My hubby says no way.) I saw no one local wearing black pants. Lots of women in white pants (not that they are practical for travelling!) Ladylike tops and blouses for women-no tshirts. The unstructured sport coat for men was everywhere, as was the polo shirt with the giant horse logo on it.
And the scarf. A must. Not old-fashioned silk squares, but light, airy, wrap around the neck sorts. I wouldn't take one. Just buy a few there!

Hi Judy, I am very certain I looked like a tourist. However, my son was asked a few times if he was Italian when he explored on his own. He was wearing a nice leather jacket he purchased at a shop in Florence. Also, I noticed that many men as well as women like to wear scarves. We were in Rome in May. Have fun!
Ruth

We just returned from Rome this week. It was HOT. Midwest humid hot, at 1 in the morning! I found that a pair of coolmax fabric/hiking pants in a light tan color and a nice top, maybe a polo for the guys and a stylish tank top for women/teens made us blend in completely. The pants I purchased for this trip came from REI, and were dressy-ish but made for the heat and I was glad for it. Think brands like Prana, Athleta for women, Title Nine, the dressier brands that REI carries. I loved my short sleeved, button down Columbia tops for Italy. The other great feature was that they had hidden zipper pockets on the thigh, so we didn't need money belts - just put ID, cash, 1-2 cards in the pocket, zip, and no need to carry a bag. Small camera went in a zip pouch on the belt, cell in another zip pocket. It was perfect! I had several instances where people would start speaking Italian to me...I understand enough where I could smile and nod or at least answer "Si."

I was just in Central Parkthe north end, near where I live. There are not many tourists up here, but we get them occasionally because of a few hostels nearby. Anyway, to my surprise, someone said "hello" to me. He was wearing the classic tourist uniform of shorts and a fanny pack. Once he started talking to his companions, I realized he was Italian! So much for our stereotypes of how to dress to blend in!

All three of my teenage boys are over 6'3 and they stuck out like a sore thumb. They often wore gym shorts, tshirts and high tops. They were ridiculed by Italian teenagers in Sorrento...thank goodness they didn't understand what was said. We'll be wearing nicer clothes...but will never be confused with italians...even though they are 2nd generations. Plus, nobody picks on a 6'6" 225 pound 18 year old!

Try this attire: http://www.flickr.com/photos/72365520@N04/8142681506/

I hope it's understood that Google Street View is not live Web cams. Some of the images are years old, and fashion, especially among young people, changes constantly, just as it does in the U.S. The trend to copy American street style is one of the reasons some people in some places don't like the U.S. - their own customs and style have been influenced and homogenized. This is very evident in parts of India. Just looked at the photo Roberto pointed to. An elderly woman dressed quite like that boarded the train I was on en route to Ostia Antica last winter. She sat near us. It made some people in our group uncomfortable (maybe thinking she was a gypsy), but I think she was only an elderly Italian grandmother perhaps going to visit her family. She smiled quite sweetly at us as we got off.

Judy, last year my fully adult blonde daughter and I linked arms playfully. We knew we were not making fun of Italian women, but enjoying the show of affection that they have. It seemed right away that someone spoke to us in Italian. This might be a rare chance to link arms with your daughter. Enjoy blending in!

This zombie thread is almost a year old. Presumably Judy has been to Italy by now.