Female dress in the winter???

Layers. I personally find natural fibres the most comfortable and easiest to wear although they can crush where as the synthetics don't tend to. Italian women in the larger centres like Rome are pretty fashion concious, and if boots are the rage then every one will be wearing boots. I wouldn't worry too much about your wardrobe as long as you have some nice warm things.

Whatever you would wear in the US in winter. Layer dressing certainly. And a beautiful pashmina, a squishy hat and gloves for the extremities.

It depends where you will be too. If you are in Northern Italy you will need warmer clothing than if you are in central or southern Italy.
My advice is you can't go wrong with a nice black coat and lots of layers underneath.

I have traveled quite a bit in winter and in fact prefer it due to the lower hotel costs, lack of crowds, etc. In addition, you get a better feel of European life without all those hordes of tourists!!!

I have a microfiber raincoat with a zip out liner and detachable hood that I find indispensible. Mine is sort of a dark taupe color but you co uld go the black route too. What I like about this is that a coat covers a multitude of evils...like wrinkles in your trousers(as they say in the UK) etc. Mine is mid-calf and you should be able to find one at the Burlington Coat Factory et al (perhaps not now but maybe on sale now?. I paid about $99.

Because of the coat, I find I need to bring very lttle else. Depending on how long you are there,
2 pr. of black wool trousers(or synthetic if you insist but not as warm), some turtlenecks, a bunch of scarfs and perhaps a shawl if you going somewhere nice in the evening (I did this for the Royal Ballet in London). (contd)

(contd) You might also add a silk (very thin, lightweight and non-scratchy) thermal undershirt. They weigh nothing, wash overnight and are very cozy if it is really cold. That said, I have rarely worn it in Paris or London which typically are not as cold as the NE US in winter. (buy cheaper from Sierra Trading Post on line).
For shoes, I always wear clogs!!!!!!!!!!!! I can walk all day and night with these. Black of course and black tights or trouser socks. The reason for all the black is that it works and is quite dressy if you want to go somewhere nice in the evening or tea at the Ritz in London, etc.!!!!
Despite it being winter I never bring a robe as I find hotel rooms are warm enough(and they are too bulky).
Scarfs are the key and they weigh nothing. You will find that European women are quite skillful in the art of wearing scarfs and there are so many lovely ones in Italy. Remember the temps. may not be very low but it can be very damp which goes right through you

And don't forget to take gloves and headwear... I like turtlenecks a lot. If your legs tend to get cold, take some sort of longjohns...a vest...

Tracey, I went to Italy in mid-December. It was very cold but there was never rain. I traveled very light for 10 days. I took several pairs of pants, knit shirts, a black sweater, a knit dress, a fleece vest, and a skirt that went with everything. I wore a coat, brought gloves, scarf, but forgot my hat so I bought a knit one and ended up buying Shearling Mittens to go over my gloves. I wore a good pair of walking shoes and brought maryjanes for dress. If you go later, I suspect you will want boots.

Who knows if styles will change by next winter. However, it's likely that if you want to be "in style", wear dark colors primarily. Young women (anywhere from 13-40) tend to wear tight dark jeans rather than really loose fitting pants. Also, scarves (especially silk scarves) that are pretty and colorful "complete" the outfit. If you don't care about any of that, realize that it's colder than you think it will be. For some reason, I thought it was going to be warmer. It wasn't.

"Northern Italy you will need warmer clothing than if you are in central or southern Italy"

no no no!!! southern Italy can get COLD...ok...not as cold as the north...but...the BIG difference is that in the North they have HEAT. It is not uncommon for homes, shops, restaurants (and even some hotels I know of!)in Southern Italy (especially in non-touristy locations) to have NO central heat. They get by with fireplaces and portable electric (or propane) heaters. I have eaten dinner in a nice restaurant wearing my scarf :-) and it is common to be seated right next to the fire or the one radiator if you are lucky to be the only customer!

Lots of layers...not becasaue it is so cold (maybe gets down to freezing at night in places in the South), but becasue you don't really warm up since things are not heated (when there is heat) to the same temps. as we are used to in the US. I also find that, when I travel, I need more layers becasue I tend to be outside all day!

Wear what you would wear at home...if all your clothes could fit in only one dresser drawer.

Since you don't have a full closet and dresser to choose from, bring clothes that can transition from comfortable weather to cold weather.

That means layers with lots of light weight mix and match clothing items. One packable rain/wind shell, two pairs of shoes, and only a few pairs of underwear and socks (because you will handwash them every evening in your room). Three bottoms, six tops, and two light sweaters can create 24 different looks.

I know you will be bored with your clothes by the time you come home but you will also be glad you didn't lug around a ton of extra stuff.