What to wear in Italy - good web info

Suggestion: obsess much less about what to wear and more on how to act.

Frances---unfortunately you are going to run up against the "wear what is comfortable---you cannot fit in" mantra. But I agree with what you posted---it is true they will know you are a tourist, but they will notice and appreciate that you dress to respect local norms. We spend a lot of time in Italy and speak the language more than the typical tourist; dress well and feel it makes a difference in how we are received---especially in restaurants. Thanks for posting.

Somebody told me that David goes totally naked in Florence. Fortunately I didn't take their advice.

I should have added that I am a Senior Woman and I wear what is comfortable - don't wear any of this.... but I had seen a few posts of folks asking about what to wear.
I've been wearing the same light weight - easy to launder travel clothes for years. (In my carry-on bag) LOL

Personally I found the article to be pretentious. Especially the color thing! We should wear blah muted colors - how boring. Didja ever see a blond in muted colors? No - its because it makes them disappear! Just google current italian fashion and check out the images - not so bland. I don't wear make-up - who needs that hassle? I generally have purple highlights in my hair and my entire wardrobe is color coordinated to go with it!

I am not one who really cares to "fit in" anywhere if it means wearing something I am not comfortable in.

Bottom line - wear what is comfortable for you - don't be a slob and dress appropriately for what you are doing.

We have met up with a large, travel-passionate group of European friends several times (in Europe, including Italy) and they don't dress any differently than we do: jeans, tights, casual shirts, cargo and khaki-type pants, comfy walking shoes.... Color? Lots of it! So sorry, I have to go with the "wear what's familiar and comfortable" rule as long as it's clean and appropriate for the attraction/occasion, such as a church. We don't go to fancy restaurants or events (like the opera) where dress may matter more than not, however.

I have learned to throw a scarf or two in. Nothing transforms a plain T like one of those wound 'round the neck...as learned from my buddies across the Pond. :O)

Article seems out of date and not very helpful I imagine for most with legitimate questions.
It is definitely better to stick with comfort and what you are comfortable in and not try to fit in but realize some people want to.

Think of a busy city in the US like NYC, Boston, San Francisco in the summer, one can go downtown and spot the tourists very easily since they are not wearing work appropriate attire. If you want to be uncomfortable for your long days of walking city streets go ahead and dress as you would for work and chances are you will look more like a local.

Chances are you are not going to look like a local anyway and sure won't carrying around a backpack, taking a picture with your camera or holding a map/guidebook.

One piece of advise if you want to look like a local most anywhere, dress for the season more so than the weather. Even in places where the weather remains warm if it is late fall / winter /early spring and you are dressed for summer because it is warm enough for you to do so you will not look like a local.

I enjoy reading those kinds of articles, so thank you. I don't think people necessarily don't want to look like a tourist, hoping to fool everyone by looking like a local. They, and I, I just wanted to know what was considered more fashionable, or what would get odd stares. You can still "stand out" and fit in at the same time. These articles just give us some guidelines and parameters.
I do have to say I thought the Italian women wore heavier makeup than the U.S. In general...more pronounced, not gaudy. I liked it.

Stares because of my clean, very comfortable, nice but boring clothing? Nope. Am I a tourist? You bet. Have I been mistaken for someone that might speak the local language? Yes. If you want to look like a model like those in Milan or Paris, be my guest.

Look at the "Travel Fashion Girl" blog she has tips for every city and for times of the year. Plus reviews on gadgets, bags, and more. She is awesome!

To fit in at the Vatican or Assisi, perhaps one should wear a religious habit. The habit with a thick leather belt or rope could really hide the pasta pounds. The Franciscan habit would be best because Franciscans have no dietary or drinking restrictions that some of the stricter orders have. Have goblet - will travel.

I have zero idea why fashion strikes such a passionate nerve here but as someone who follows and enjoys this stuff, I'll say it's not a far off article. I'll preface this with saying as long as you aren't underdressed, no one cares what you are wearing. Underdressed for the occasion?, some might find it a bit off putting. I'm in the vein of not reducing someone else's special night out with my 'can't bother' dress sense. I honestly couldn't care less what the guy next to me at a fancy dinner is wearing but I know others do. A rare opera performance I spent a small fortune on? I'd probably appreciate someone giving a minor effort. After all, zip off pants probably occupy more room than a pair of slacks.

As a sidebar, I wear my nicest stuff to the European capitals. Why waste it on Atlanta?!?

Have I been mistaken for someone that might speak the local language?

Same here, Bruce. One time by a group of Americans or Canadians in Rome who stopped us on the street, and very slowly and very LOUDLY inquired where the ____ was. It was all we could do to keep a straight face and let them finish before letting them know that we had no idea; we're from Minnesota.

Note to first-timers: most Italians are not deaf! :O)

Funny story Kathy!

I don't know what the Italians thought of how we dressed, but we were stopped both in Florence and Siena by Americans and Canadians wanting directions. They started by asking if we spoke English.

On our December trip to Italy and our July trip to Germany I tried to observe what both the citizens and the tourists were wearing. I was a little surprised by what our Viking River Cruise shipmates chose to wear. The majority were tastefully dressed, but there were some who I thought dressed in a way that just screamed tourist. They had sloppy t-shirts, fanny packs, zip off legs pants and other abominations. To be honest, I don't dress like that when I'm home.

When we travel, we don't take jeans just because they add bulk and weight. I wear LL Bean wrinkle resistant slacks and tasteful shorts. I wear Columbia Bahama (fishing) shirts with shorts and LL Bean shirts with button collars with slacks. My wife wears age appropriate clothing, including modest slacks. In the summer she may wear a sleeveless top, but she always carries a jacket or something else to cover her arms in churches or nice (but not fancy) restaurants. When we were in Italy in December, I wore a nice leather jacket that fit right in with what our Italian friends were wearing.

It is possible to take clothes that are both comfortable and tasteful. I regard being neatly dressed as a sign of respect to my hosts. They'll know you're a tourist through signs other than your clothes. Don't count on your outfit as being camouflage. I don't think they'll much notice if you're appropriately dressed, but I'm sure they notice if you're inappropriately dressed. I know I did.