Weather/What to Wear in Italy - end of March/Beginning of April

Jeans and leggings aren't too casual for Italy. Bring some options to dress up more, but especially for visiting churches the main concern is that your shoulders and knees are covered, not whether you are fancy enough.

I'm not sure exactly what the weather is like in the Bay Area - but also recognize that the weather in Milan may be a bit different than Rome and Sorrento. I would pull up a weather site - see what the average weather has been for the last few weeks and what it was like the last few years around March 26-April 9. It depends on your style of course, but I would bring one or two pairs of jeans, a pair of skinny black slacks, a dress/skirt or two (especially for the warmer weather you'll hopefully find in Rome and Sorrento), some tops and a jacket that will keep you warm enough, especially at night. You can wear or carry that jacket on the plane and trains, so you don't have to worry about it affecting your traveling light. And if you don't have a washer at all of your rentals, just handwash items in the sink - that will also make it easier to pack light if you're ready to was every few days. (Go Heels!)

If you live in the Bay Area, wear what you wear now in March. The daily temperatures in Rome are almost exactly the same as San Jose, CA any time of the year. The only difference that in the Bay Area, in summer, our temperatures cool down more because the cooling effect of the Pacific Ocean is much stronger than the warmer Mediterranean. In spring however there are no appreciable differences, except that in California rains less, while in Italy it may rain more and the rain is unpredictable when you go. A famous Italian saying is "Marzo pazzerello guarda il sole e prendi l'ombrello" (Crazy March, look at the sun and take an umbrella). Sorrento's weather, slightly more to the South and on the coast, is likely to be even milder. Florence and Tuscany, being in the interior generally has slightly more extreme temperatures. Think of Sacramento: hot in summer and cold and damp in winter, but generally mild in spring and fall. Consider also variations due to altitude if you visit mountains or high hills.
Milan and Venice, being in the north, tend to have colder temperatures in winter, but the rest of the year they aren't much different than Tuscany.
Italians like to wear smart casual, therefore jeans and leggings are fine. Just avoid what you would normally wear while working out at the gym (big running shoes, sweats, long basketball shorts, football shirts, etc.). Those would definitely make you stand out as an American (I think some Americans pack clothes directly from the gym hamper when they travel to Europe).

Pick up a couple of colorful scarves and wear a " good pair of comfortable shoes" as Rick would say but make sure they are stylish.(like a short ankle boot) as Italians size you up by your shoes for the most part and sometimes treat accordingly. You have multi choices of super inexpensive scarves at the street markets like San Lorenzo in Florence.

Be prepared for rain. I layer a lot. When it rains and I'm sightseeing, I don't care about being stylish. I wear high rubber boots(which I wear on the plane as they are bulky and heavy) and a raincoat. I take a fleece to wear under, if needed. The Italians are casual chic except in Milan where they are MAJORLY chic.

Thanks everyone! I actually live in New Orleans but the temps look like the Bay Area, so I threw that out there. Sounds like it's a good benchmark. I was thinking of wearing riding-style boots for each travel day (to save luggage space), sleek Nike running shoes, and good flip flops. Planning on several light-weight casual dresses as well (which I'll layer with the boots at night, with fun scarves and a jacket but can wear with the flip flops if I get fortunate with a sunny warm day in Sorrento).

Sound okay?

As long as your riding boots are comfy enough, those will be great. If it were me, I would skip the Nikes and trade them out for a shoe like Sperrys or something that look slightly nicer (and go with more outfits) but still provide enough support while walking around. That's completely up to you though! For the distance you'll probably be walking (especially in Rome) I also prefer sandals with straps versus flip-flops, but you may feel differently.

I would skip the flip flops as you'll be doing A LOT of walking, especially on cobble stones and flip flops are not very supportive. I would take the Nike's however. You'll be fine in jeans & leggings but layering will be key and I would take a few nicer tops so you can dress up a little if you need to. Definitely prepare for rain and be sure to take a rain-proof jacket and umbrella. I always take a light-weight sweater (not too bulky) that I can wear in the morning if it's cold and then throw it in my day bag if I get too warm during the day.

Grazie! You are the best.

I just sent you a PM! Weather is weather anywhere, and I was in Rome two years ago mid-April and it was blowing like stink and raining sideways! You just never know! Layer, and there ARE supportive slip on Nikes that are rubber/waterproof and when it's raining, wear them! I also brought light-weight silk undershirts which weigh NOTHING, but are very warm under anything, they had a little mock turtleneck, and looked cute under the other layers. Washable in the sink.

Again, weather is weather, and unpredictable. You're going to have such a great trip, and will have a great time no matter WHAT Mother Nature hands you. Last Fall, went in late Sept/early Oct and it was unseasonably HOT!! So, it will be what it will be!

You can also go to weatherchannel.com and look and see what the forecast is for ten days! I always do that, because I don't actually put things in the suitcase till the day before.