Help!!!! I usually travel to Eurpoe in the dead of winter to ski, or in August to the seaside. This will be my first time in Florence in October. What is the weather like, and has anyone been there recently to enlighten me on the new fashion trends?

Hi law,

Go to www.weather.com for weather.

Are you planning on buying your fashionable wardrobe *before* you go to Italy?

Get rid of the obviously NON-European shoes to start with if this is really a MAJOR, trip-busting issue for you.

Ira,

Thanks for the info!!!! I will shop when I am there, but what to pack is also a concern.....any details? Thanks

I am in Florence right now and the weather has been in the low to mid 80's during the day with a couple of cooler days in between. You will probably need a jacket at night if you want to eat al fresco.

With that being said, almost everything that is popular at home is popular here. Depending on age, women wear boots with exagerated toes, running shoes, stilletos.... One thing to keep in mind is that there are very few flat walking surfaces so wear what you feel comfortable in for footwear.

Jeans as well as nice pants, t shirts and sweaters.

Don't miss the tuesday market at Casine Park. This is a great place to pick up some inexpensive Italian looks.

I am also travelling to the Florence/Umbria region in October (next week to be of exact). I will be in Florence but also smaller towns in Umbria and do not want to take a lot of clothing so packing the right stuff would be nice.

Where is Casine Park?

Casine Park is on the West side of Ponte Vespucci on the side historic district side of the city. If you are at the Ponte Vecchio, go west 4 bridges.

Make sure to go early, it is as much fun to people watch here than to shop. Depending on which direction you enter the park you will either see produce or clothes or household goods. This is a place you can get a panini, a leather handbag and local honey all within a hundred yards. I think I came home with a few bruises after looking at the 10euro leather handbags yesterday. There is also a great place to buy pottery.