The Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (2024)

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One of thebest ways to choose the right clothing for your trip to Italy is to research and find out how the locals dress. Rest assured, these stylish women will help answer all your questions about what to wear on your trip to Italy in Summer!

For additional tips for Italy, check out this Italy Packing List!

Written by Chantelle Mallin

To help you pack the best clothing for your summer vacation, we’ve sought out guidance from some of our favorite Italian fashion bloggers, taking outfit inspiration from their amazing style shots and outfits of the day.

Learn more about how to create a capsule wardrobe, which can easily fit in a carryon suitcase with the help of packing cubes!

The Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (1)

Dress |Sneakers |Stripe BagThe Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (2) | Sunglasses

Italy Inspiration: Style photograph courtesy of Erika Boldrin. Check out her stylish blog My Free Choice and Facebook Page

Italy is considered one of the major style countries of the world, fashion is important in the Italian culture and locals take pride in what they wear and how they accessorize.

Italians are famed for their sense of style, when packing for your trip to Italy in summer think effortless style, breezy neutrals and timeless tailoring. When in Rome in the summer, dress as the Romans do.

Summer is a great time for a trip to Italy, the season is filled with Italian festivals taking place across the country, from big cities to tiny villages you’ll often find outdoor music and entertainment performances in a main square or historic venue, it’s safe to say you’ll never bore of things to entertain you.

Read more about Roman style in What to Wear in Rome!

The Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (3)

Top |Bag|Sunglasses | Sneakers | TrousersThe Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (4)

Italy Inspiration:Style photograph courtesy ofGiulia Bruni. Check out her awesome blogThe Fashion MAMA’S and Facebook Page

The summer season is a great time to experiment with color, Italians are rarely seen in a basic pair of jeans or khakis and instead prefer to wear a kaleidoscope of colors, opt for a pastel pair of skinny jeans or sleek capris this summer to embrace the style and be totally on trend.

Be prepared, the weather in the summer can get HOT, it’s essential to protect your peepers from the strong suns glaze with a pair of stylish shades.

We all know the Italians love their labels, but any frame will do, the bigger and sleeker the better, a sleek wide brimmed hat or stylish trilby won’t go a miss either.

My favorite travel pants for women are also available in colors for a fun splash of Italian style!

The Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (5)

Dress|Shoes|Bag|Hat

Italy Inspiration:Style photograph courtesy ofFederica Romani. Check out her amazing blogVanilla & Soap and Facebook Page

Italians LOVE to accessorize make sure to pack lots of oversized costume jewelry, tribal and Aztec designs are perfect for S/S 14. A scarf or shawl is essential for a trip to Italy; travel wardrobes are usually condensed.

A scarf is great for adding a splash of color or print and changing up outfits being used as a headband, belt or accessory, they take up minimal precious luggage space too as an added bonus.

It is considered disrespectful and is often forbidden to enter a place of worship without being significantly covered; a scarf is great for storing in your bag to throw on if you plan on visiting the tourist areas on a trip to Italy.

Read this post about dressing stylishly and respectfully when you travel.

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Wedges |TeeThe Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (7)|SkirtThe Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (8) | Hat

Italy Inspiration:Style photograph courtesy ofLucia Del Pasqua. Check out her inspirational fashion blogThe Fashion Politan and Facebook Page

Italy is renowned for its high quality leather craftsmanship so it’s no surprise that Italian’s opt to wear high quality leather shoes, mainly heels.

If the thought of walking around the rustic cobbled streets in stilettos give you nightmare go for block wedges instead.

If flats are more your bag choose a pair of stylish leather strap sandals or a cute pair of ballerina flats, stay away from flip flop unless you plan on paying a visit to one of the country’s beautiful beaches.

Check out this post for stylish and comfortable wedges for Europe.

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Tank|Shorts|Sandals|Bag | Sunglasses

Italy Inspiration:Style photograph courtesy ofIrene Colzi. Check out her stylish blogIrene’s CLOSET and Facebook Page

Your guaranteed to give yourself away as a tourist walking around town with a bulky backpack or bum bag, instead choose a chic oversized leather handbag with a secure zip for safety.

If you fancy treating yourself, buy yourself a new handbag whilst traveling, you’re sure to find amazing designs and high quality creations in the treasure trove markets or high class boutiques of Italy.

Read about discreet anti-theft options to avoid carrying bulky money belts.

The Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (10)

Blazer|Wedges|Bag | Dress

Italy Inspiration:Style photograph courtesy ofAmanda Marzolini. Check out her awesome blogTHE FASHIONAMYand INSTAGRAM

When dressing for for your trip to Italy in summer loose and light clothing is key, skirts and dresses are great for a pretty feminine look while exploring the beautiful country.

Try a variation of lengths from mini (ish) to midi to maxi and play around with playful prints or pastel hues for a stand out look this spring summer; pair with neutral colored tank tops and camis to complete the look.

Remember to pack a light jacket or cardigan for your travels, a lot of restaurants and bars have al fresco dining/drinking so a cover up is great for if the evening temperature turns chilly.

The Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (11)

Bag|Skirt|T-shirt|Sneakers

Italy Inspiration:Style photograph courtesy ofBarbara Materi. Check out her stylish blogVOGUEBUSTER and Facebook Page

Traveling in Italy in the summer is generally a relaxing experience and truthfully you can wear what you want, however, you’ll fit in better and feel more at home adapting to some of the local style.

Take bits of inspiration and form an outfit you feel comfortable in. If you really want to make an effort to dress like a local keep an eye on Italian fashion magazines and the style blogs above to see what is in vogue and on trend.

Find out our top picks for cute and comfortable ballet flats for Europe.

The Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (12)

Skirt|Bag|Necklace|Heel | T-shirt

Italy Inspiration:Style photograph courtesy of Mariagrazia Ceraso. Check out her inspirational fashion blog Venus At Her Mirror and Facebook Page

The Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (13)
Sunglasses|Scarf|Sandal|Flat|Tote|Phrasebook

Hope this post helped clarify any misconceptions about what Italian women do and don’t wear.

Do you have any other tips on Italy fashion guide for summer travel? Please share in the comments!

For more tips, please read these Europe packing lists:

  • What to wear in London
  • What to wear in Berlin
  • What to wear in Amsterdam
  • What to wear in Madrid

Suggested travel resources:

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The Ultimate Fashion Guide for Your Trip to Italy in Summer (2024)

FAQs

What do people in Italy wear in the summer? ›

What to wear in Italy in the Summer
  • Lightweight dresses: Dresses in lightweight fabrics such as linen, cotton, and silk are popular choices for summer in Italy.
  • Shorts: Shorts are a popular choice for both men and women in the summer, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

What to wear in Italy in summer to not look like a tourist? ›

The best way to not look too touristy is to wear classic clothes (avoid jeans with holes) with lean lines and matching colors. You can always add accents of color with accessories and cross-body bags. Also, learn a few words in Italian, It goes a long way to use some of the niceties in another language.

What shoes to wear in Italy summer women's? ›

Sandals What to wear in Italy in summer when it comes to footwear? A pair of sandals is a must. This goes for both men and women so make note. Throw on an uber comfortable pair and you can walk on the beach or just stroll through the city. In fact, you could even pass it off with a semi-formal attire.

Can a woman wear shorts in Italy? ›

Shorts Yes, you can wear shorts in Italy! Again, summers in Italy are HOT. We saw men and women, young and old, tourists and locals wearing shorts. The heat in Italy almost required it. Of course, women can opt for a summer dress instead of shorts, too.

What does summer look like in Italy? ›

Italian summers are quite hot, especially in the Southern part of Italy. It is usually hot, humid, with lean patches of rain on other days.

What do ladies wear in Italy? ›

Italian women's wardrobes are based on a set of wardrobe essentials that are made with high quality materials and are timeless. Fast fashion that will only last a season is a big no-no. So, anything made with natural fibres such as silk, linen, cotton, merino wool or cashmere should be at the base of your wardrobe.

What to wear in Italy to not look American? ›

Avoid bright colors and opt for more neutral or muted tones. Italians generally dress up a bit more than casual tourists, so bring some stylish outfits. Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring, but leave the flip-flops for the beach.

What not to pack for Italy? ›

6 Things Not To Bring To Italy
  • 1) A new haircut. Rushing around before your trip shouldn't include a haircut. ...
  • 2) Running shoes/ sneakers. ...
  • 3) More baggage than you can carry. ...
  • 4) Too many gadgets. ...
  • 5) Travellers cheques. ...
  • 6) Dirty Bra Straps. ...
  • I would love to hear what you think about this list.

How do you dress classy in Italy? ›

Italian style is less about having a uniform and more about an in-the-know approach to fashion. Confidence is key. Consider well-fitting (not necessarily tailored), smart pieces such as a pencil skirt or a sleek knit dress, always freshly pressed and snag-free.

Can I wear sneakers in Italy? ›

It all depends on the setting and your outfit - here is our advice: Casual Outings: Comfort is paramount for day-to-day activities. Sneakers, loafers, or comfortable sandals pair well with jeans, summer dresses, or even shorts. Business Meetings: Classic pumps or heeled loafers exude professionalism.

How do you dress like a local in Italy? ›

If not, scan fashionable stores during your Italy trip for those you are missing.
  1. Fitted shirts.
  2. Fitted trousers.
  3. Luxury watches.
  4. Loafers and brogues.
  5. Tailored blazers.
  6. Dark denim jeans.
  7. Accessories like scarves, fedoras, and necklaces.

What to wear on a plane to Italy? ›

​The best clothing to wear on a plane is lightweight layers, comfortable shoes for airport walking, that aren't too tight in case your feet swell on the plane, and a bag that you can easily access under your seat during the flight.

Can I show my midriff in Italy? ›

The rules are to cover shoulders and knees (and midriff) but they are not enforced in every church as there is not a door keeper in every Italian church.

Is it okay to wear Athleisure in Italy? ›

Moving up to your clothing, athleisure wear is a no-go; leggings and sports T-shirts aren't really worn outside of the gym in Italy. Bright colors, letter jackets, football jerseys, cargo shorts, and camouflage should be left at home, along with your baseball cap. Backpacks are also a no for several reasons.

How do people typically dress in Italy? ›

Italians dress differently for different times of day, so pack clothes for both day and night and switch outfits when the sun sets. Day fits are usually more casual (casual shirts and blouses, sightseeing sneakers) while night fits are more formal (blazers, dresses).

What shoes do Italians wear in summer? ›

Summer: Italian women often lean towards breathable materials as temperatures rise. Espadrilles, open-toed sandals, and lightweight sneakers are favorites. Materials like canvas and light leather are prevalent. Remember, it's not just about style but also comfort.

Can you wear shorts in Italy in the summer? ›

In Italy, men can wear shorts, especially during the hot summer months, but it's important to consider the context. Shorts are generally acceptable for casual settings, like sightseeing or dining at informal eateries.

What do you wear at night in Italy in the summer? ›

Italy will be hot and it's best to pack lightweight fabrics, linens are great and flowy dresses. I always recommend some sort of jacket for the evenings. We will be on the lake where it will be cooler. A denim jacket is great for throwing over a dress at night.

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