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 (15)

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

FAQs

What outfit should I wear for Italy in summer? ›

If, like me, you're comfortable doing tourism days in a light, summer dress, then go for it and include a few different options. Feel free to wear white sneakers with that dress or add a light jacket or wrap for evening. If you'll be visiting southern Italy or spending time by the water, include a flowy, maxi dress.

What to wear in Italy in July 2024? ›

Summer (June to August)
  • Light and airy clothing, such as shorts, sundresses and tank tops.
  • Swimsuits for beach trips or time spent around the hotel pool.
  • Sandals or comfortable walking shoes for hot weather.
  • Sunscreen, sunhat, and sunglasses for sun protection.
  • A compact travel towel for beach days.
Aug 23, 2023

Is it OK to wear jeans in Italy? ›

Jeans appear very popular among Italian men (aged 30 to 60) for casually dressy wear with a colored cotton dress shirt, open at the collar, blazer, and nice leather loafers, often with no socks. Don't listen to other posters about what to wear, jeans are widely worn through out Italy.

What should a woman 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.

Can you wear sneakers in Italy? ›

Italians dress head to toe, and shoes are a dealbreaker.

Instead, opt for sleek ballerinas or pretty jeweled sandals to dress up your outfit; for more casual wear, bright white sneakers or strappy leather sandals (never flip flops or rubber clogs) are both stylish and comfortable enough to take on uneven pavement.

Can a woman wear shorts in Italy? ›

Although summer in Italy can be rather hot, you'll rarely see Italian women wearing shorts. The best way to fit in would be to stay away from revealing too much skin, but still look stylish at the same time- try a flowy skirt instead. But if you just can't part with your shorts, save them as a beach cover up.

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

Dress the Part:

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 do you wear to dinner in Italy? ›

There is no dress code when going to most restaurants but you might receive some funny looks if you show up in sweats. Dressing well is respectful and you'll want to try to blend in with the locals. Unless you're going to a very fancy restaurant, dark jeans or other slacks are acceptable.

Is it OK to wear black in Italy? ›

Back to Black

Italians prefer more neutral colors. Bright, vibrant colors are seen as flashy and over the top. They also wear a lot of pastels in the summer months. I'll be packing a lot of black, white, and olive green items.

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.

What kind of shoes do you wear in Italy? ›

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. Autumn: This season calls for boots, from ankle-length to knee-high.

Can you wear white in Italy? ›

Pile on the neutral colors

Meanwhile, the “no white after Labor Day” rule in Italy doesn't exist: Locals love winter white, especially for jeans and sweaters.

What shoes to wear in Italy summer? ›

What to wear in Italy in summer when it comes to footwear? Generally speaking I tell people to choose between a cool pair of walking shoes or a pair of sneakers. Now if you are headed out on treks then you could also replace them with a pair of hiking shoes because they are rather versatile.

What is a typical Italian breakfast in Italy? ›

Knowing What to Order: A typical Italian breakfast usually consists of a coffee and a pastry. The coffee could be a cappuccino, espresso, or caffè latte, and the pastry could be a cornetto (an Italian croissant), biscotti, or a slice of a simple cake.

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.

How should tourists 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).

How do Italians stay cool in the summer? ›

During the day, Italians typically close their windows and shutters to keep out the hot sun. In the evening, they open the windows and doors to let in cool air. This is particularly effective in coastal areas where there is a sea breeze.

Can I wear shorts to Italy? ›

Shorts are generally acceptable for casual settings, like sightseeing or dining at informal eateries. However, for more formal occasions, religious sites, museums or upscale restaurants, longer trousers are preferred to align with the local dress code and show respect for Italian fashion sensibilities.

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