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From leather sandals to linen pants, these are the wardrobe staples you should be packing for Italy.
An American in Italy’s Favorite Summer Styles
- Breezy and lightweight: Senllen Women’s Linen Dress, $33 (originally $40)
- Better than cut-offs: Levi’s Middy Jort, $38 (originally $65)
- Skip the flip-flops: Jeffrey Campbell Vellum Slide Sandal, $60
- Looks designer: Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Box Belt Bag, $72
- 100-percent linen: Amazhiyu Pure Linen Pants, $45 (originally $56)
- Sleek silk scarf: Nuweerir Mulberry Silk Scarf, $18
Living in Italy as a travel writer, I actually appreciate the peak tourist season. There’s a feeling of excitement as tourists pile the streets—understandably, sometimes too many—enjoying the sights and new experiences. And how do I know they’re tourists versus locals? Well, my fellow explorers, sometimes it’s all in the way we dress. For example, the tourist melting in the heat wearing a fedora procured at a cheap souvenir shop near the train station is a dead giveaway of someone not from the area. Same with wearing plastic flip-flops outside of the beach.
From trading in that oversized sweatshirt for a polished linen blazer to the right kind of straw hat, here are some typical style mistakes I see tourists make here in Italy and some remedies that will make sure you look chic and have locals saying che bella!
Mistake: Wearing athleisure
Pack instead: Comfy linen clothes
Save 19%
I appreciate athleisure, but I admit, I always feel woefully underdressed in Italy, still wearing my workout fit post-Pilates. Outside of exercising, you won’t see much athleisure in Italy. Instead, I wear linen drawstring pants the way I’d wear sweatpants here. These breezy, lightweight pants are just as comfortable—and you’ll look much more polished.
Mistake: Wearing an oversized straw hat
Pack instead: An structured straw hat
I love a big, dramatic sun hat, but outside of being a fun photo opportunity, they’re cumbersome and obnoxious to walk around in, though I see many tourists committing to the schtick. Make sure you get your sun protection and look chic doing it with this bucket-shaped straw hat instead. I was at the pool yesterday and saw a woman with a similar style and a beautiful pair of sunglasses—it was such an eye-catching ensemble that I simply couldn’t look away.
Mistake: Packing a zip-up sweatshirt
Pack instead: A linen blazer
Save 17%
Instead of a zip-up sweatshirt that you put on if it’s a bit chilly, try a linen blazer that’s just as easy to throw on—but looks much more put together. Lightweight and versatile, this Kinghua one-button blazer easily fits into your suitcase. Give it a shower steam as you get ready to get any wrinkles out, and you’re good to go. Wear it with your linen trousers for a suiting effect or over a dress for a stylish layer.
Mistake: Using a sporty fanny pack
Pack instead: A stylish belt bag
Whether it’s in order to keep your valuables close to you or you prefer walking around hands-free, I completely understand the pull towards a fanny pack. Try a more sophisticated take on the classically sporty fanny pack, instead, like this handwoven belt box bag from Quince. It's just the right size to hold your daily necessities, and it’s stylish enough to wear from sightseeing to dinner.
Mistake: Dressing improperly for holy sites
Pack instead: Appropriate, lightweight clothing and a silk scarf
Senllen Women’s Linen DressSave 17% | Nuweerir Mulberry Silk Scarf |
It’s hot in Rome in the summer, and tourists are regularly turned away at a few sites, like St. Peter’s Basilica, for being improperly dressed. No matter how long you’ve waited in line, guards assess visitors at the security checkpoint, and those showing knees, shoulders, and cleavage are turned away. The trapeze-style cut of this loose, flowy linen maxi dress is perfect for those hot days in Rome and appropriate for a visit to the Vatican when worn with a silk scarf over your shoulders. When you’re finished and back outside in hot Roman streets, tie the accessory to your bag for a little pizzazz in the piazza.
Mistake: Wearing golf shirts or other performance material tops
Pack instead: A linen top
Visiting popular tourist locales like Rome in the summer months, you’ll find an onslaught of tourists in moisture-wicking golf shirts made of polyester blends. Skip these tops that typically look dressed down and don’t do much to keep you cool. Italians prefer natural breathable fabrics instead, like cotton and linen. This Quince European linen short-sleeved shirt has a boxy cropped style that makes it easy to pair with everything from shorts to maxi skirts.
Mistake: Wearing flip-flops
Pack instead: Leather sandals
Plastic flip-flops are reserved for the beach here, and an easy way to channel Italian elegance even at the seaside is to trade them in for a beautiful leather flat sandal. These bronze Jeffrey Campbell Vellum slides easily transition from poolside to a nice evening out and will work overtime in your suitcase. Choosing your go-to leather footwear at the start of the season is almost a summer ritual here, so invest in a pair you’ll want to wear over and over again.
Mistake: Wearing high heels
Pack instead: Block heels
I’m pretty petite, but I love the extra oomph that a great heel gives my stride. Whether paired with palazzo pants or a breezy skirt, heels dress up any outfit. In Italy, however, the block-heel is going to be your style savior. Skip the spikey stilettos and pack these Steve Madden raffia Mandy Ankle Strap Sandals for your trip instead. You’ll expertly and comfortably traverse the cobblestones without a post-trip visit to the cobbler to fix heels gnarled between stones.
Mistake: Only caring about sporting logos
Pack instead: Understated but elegant pieces
While you should get your VAT returns at the airport, there’s no need to visit dripping-in-logomania Italian brands. Focus instead on pieces that highlight beautiful craftsmanship, like an Italian leather bag. From the gold hardware to the beautiful leather that will age well, consider this Quince Italian leather box shoulder bag. Understated and timeless, this is an easy way to show your fine style discernment.
Mistake: Using overstuffed backpacks
Pack instead: An elegant leather tote or crossbody
Save 22%
I’m the mom of a toddler, so I understand the call of a big backpack stuffed to the seams with things we’ll need for the day. For a sleeker look, try a canvas tote instead that doesn’t look like you’re schlepping everything all day—even if you are. Plus, a sleeker tote easily translates from daytime sightseeing to a late afternoon aperitivo. This Lafayette148 New York Linen Hemp tote has been my go-to for years; I’ve used it for navigating train stations and airports, back-to-back meetings in Milan, and lakeside trips with the family. For a more budget-friendly alternative, this oversized linen tote has a similar look and size for under $30—and it includes an inside pocket for extra organization.
Mistake: Wearing jeans and denim cut-offs
Pack instead: Denim Bermuda shorts or culottes
Save 41%
Too often, I see tourists sweltering, even in the evening after the sun has gone down, in jeans. Don’t bother packing jeans. Instead, pack denim shorts, and not those denim cutoffs that are your beach favorites. These denim Bermuda shorts are more tailored than the denim cut-off alternative, so you don’t have to worry about looking too dressed down. Pair these with a slight kitten heel and a tank top for a modern look.
Mistake: Not protecting your luggage
Pack instead: Luggage locks and trackers
Sure Lock TSA Approved Luggage Locks | Apple AirTagSave 17% |
I recently met another person who had their luggage stolen on a long train ride in Italy—and they had a luggage lock on it. Someone sliced through it. They were also sitting in first class. So, no, you’re not overreacting if you want to add extra layers of security to your bags. It’s not too much to use a lock—like this one with a combination code—to secure your luggage onto the racks on the train. This lock is easy to carry around and gives you a little bit more peace of mind. Also, don’t forget to check your luggage between stops—especially during really busy stations.
In that same vein, place a luggage tracker, like an Apple AirTag, in your luggage for that added piece of mind, whether you’re waiting for your item on the conveyor belt at the airport or making sure it made it to your hotel.
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