Latest fashions in Italy
 

Hi,

Just curious if anyone can tell me what is the latest "in" thing as far as fashion is concerned in Italy. I was reading some of the posts on slowtrav and it seems that boots tucked in your jeans was very hot for the Fall/Winter just as it was here in the New York area. My husband and I will be going in May and I would like to at least try to be somewhat stylish eventhough I know I will look like a tourist anyway.

Do Italians wear open-toe shoes in Spring? I like to bring some skirts but hate pantyhose!

fashion in Italy is about the same as NYC. I saw cowboy boots with pants tucked in and left out. Alot of eyelet, big belts, fancy skirts, cropped flared pants, cropped jackets, open toed sandels, pumps in the the stores already for Spring.

You probably want to look like a stylish tourist? great. Why not buy some clothes there?

Fashions in much of Italy and not all that different than in New York. If you look good, clothing wise, in NYC, you will be fine. Yes, some people wear jeans tucked into boots there, as they do here. Yes, some Italian women wear sandals. Much of being au courant depends on where in Italy you will be traveling. I would quit worrying if I were you. Surely leave the pantyhose at home in May.

Pantyhose? Haven't worn those in years!!!

In any major city in Italy you'll see every fashion imaginable. Pashmina type shawls are popular (in the evening) all over Europe. They're great because they pack flat and are much more stylish than taking a jacket or heavy sweater. If you're really good, you can fashion them into about 17 different configurations, much like French women do with scarves. (I have no ability to do either).

Italian women can wear high high heels and navigate over cobblestone streets; this must take years of practice! I had two pairs of not-so-high sandals (one with "kitten heels") and about the time I was feeling like a local, and rather smug, I got my heel caught between two cobblestones!

I was in Italy in Sept/Oct and saw lots of women wearing flip flops as well!

Regards,

Melodie

My dear, buy a copy of Vogue, it has catwalk shows from Prada, Gucci, D&G, Armani, Versace, et al - Italian fashion houses, quintessentially Italian styles. Simple.

It's funny, but those fancy skirts with big belts (and come to think of it, the cowboy boot revival too) were all over the streets of NYC last season, so I have a feeling they will be "over" already this year here in the big Apple. But sounds like it's still the thing in Rome. Buying a copy of Italian Vogue (if you can) to study the looks is a great suggestion, as is using some of your time while there to shop Italian style. By all means, leave those pantyhose at home and enjoy!

I just came back from Italy,and I can tell you that the colors this spring are Green-all hues and Orange,especially deep tangerine.I also saw a lot of structured hip-length jackets with belts.

My best friend, Christina, is an editor at French Vogue. She tells me that lace or clothing stenciled with a lace pattern is very "in" right now, especially white clothing with black stenciling. Empire waistes are also the rage. Of course, espadrilles and open-toed wedgies are all over the place.

Now that Oleg Cassini has died, look for pillbox hats next season as a homage.

Hi Polly!!!
The New york Times Style section had a piece on the lace fashions.

I am so glad the NY Times agrees with me, Mimi!

Jackie O sends licks and kisses.

So glad I could leave the pantyhose at home!!! What a relief!! And glad I could also bring the jeans. I noticed eyelet and lace is very popular here for Spring as well. Green was in for fall but haven't seen much of it for Spring. Glad to hear I could wear open toe in May especially if I want to wear a skirt at night to go for dinner or if its too hot to wear pants during the day. I'm still searching for a pair of comfy shoes to wear to walk around in during the day. Thought of some black slip-on athletic shoes since I do want comfort during the day.

Great advice and excellent ideas! I will search for a shawl and I do have a somewhat cropped jeans jacket I might bring. I'm by no means a fashion plate but like to somewhat try to fit in the crowd and maybe get some things while there to bring home. Sounds very similar to whats "in" here. I may have to do some shopping once in Italy but...shhhhhhhh...please don't tell my husband, won't want to scare him. :)

I strongly believe the best fashion approach is to wear what you feel and look great in at home, from your own normal wardrobe, that is appropriate for the season where you are traveling.

The european women i know personally go bare-legged with skirts, never wear pantyhose.

Just returned from 10 days in Rome, walking all day and night all 10 days. Before I left I ordered a pair of black Merrell zipper top shoes through Garnet Hill, they were amazing..I have never had such wonderful shoes on my feet. Absolutly amazing, my feet were never sore or tired.
As for fashion color in Rome, black, black and black. And everyone has a long scarf around their neck. Nice jeans are fine, saw a lot of jeans with cute short jackets.
You will love Italy, no matter what you have on!

pantyhose are soooo passe...paris hilton is responsible!!!
.I saw a 40 year old woman in shorts and a tee in church ...not very fashionable ones either..she looked like she was dressed for gardening..
tell me is there a link for the stenciled black on white lace look stuff?

I'll have to try on a pair of those Merrels. I've tried something similar and they were quite comfortable. We will be doing tons of walking. I've heard so much about Italian women loving scarfs and they seem to be all over here too.

Hypatia - did you try a store like Anthropologie for the black on white stenciled look stuff? Not sure if that is your style but they might have something. I know I've seen it but cannot remember where. When I come across any other stores with it I will let you know.

Oh, and thank you Paris Hilton even though I don't have the greatest legs in town. :)

Back recently from Italy. I saw alot of peep toe shoes from flats to kitten heels to wedges. Also earthtones mixed with pale pink especislly chocholate brown. capris and bermuda shorts of every kind and lots and lots of wrap shirts. Metallic is still pretty big.

For headwear: http://www.adamspr.com/Arboretum/MHT2002/SharonJudy.jpg

If you want shoes that are comfortable for all day walking, which I did for more than eight hours daily a few times in Rome in September, try Patricia Munro, definitely available at Nordstrom. Less "sneakery" (if that's a word) than Merrells but seemed just as comfy to me. I wore them out at night, too. A teacher recommended them to me originally so I figured if she can stand all day in them they had to be good. Have fun!

I was in Italy last Sept. Don't worry about bringing scarves - there are stores- relatively inexpensive-everywhere that sell them. In Rome, near the Via Condatti, you can find anything you need in all price ranges. I wore my white Puma tennis shoes and a pair of black low-heeled boots (that I bought there) the entire time we were there. Also, bring some sort of over shirt/sweater. The churches/cathedrals etc. are chilly and the nights may be a bit breezy. Remember, you can always buy what you need - they have just about everything...

Just returned from 10 days in Rome, and window-shopped near Piazza di Spagna.. White frayed eyelet jackets are in.for spring.lots of white with black.. Also at Max & Co. (Max Mara's lower end, more trendy shop) earth tones for the spring, and of course lots of scarves, and dangling earrings. Shop in Italy and save money. I bought 3 tee shirts for 90 Euros at Max & Co. here are the colors they offered, white black, military green and pale pink...this should be a hint as to the color pallette for Spring. Buon Viaggio!

artebelle-
don't you just love max& co. I bought a fantastic pair of wedged espadrille's and some bermuda shorts there at their store in florence. any one going should check it out they have very reasonable clothes. Is there one in the states?

I know there's one in Orlando at an outlet mall--but could not for the life of me tell you which one. Premium outlets? The one with the Saks outlet I think.

I see that this post hasn't been used in a while, but hopefully someone will see it. I am going to Italy the middle of Sept. I have just recently bought a ton of brown (which I'm told is the new black). Hopefully I won't be out of place.
Also, someone told me that Italian women don't wear sneakers. So, I'm leaving mine at home. Thought I'd buy a pair of really comfortable somewhat dressy, flat boots that I could wear with either my pants, jeans and skirts. I'm afraid to wear my boots with higher heels, as everyone states the cobblestone is awful to walk on. Plus, I'm not as young as I used to be......
Anyone have suggestions for that time of year?
BB

Stuart Weitzman's web site has his new fall collection on it and lots of boot options. Of the ones he's showing, I like the Steadydate (waterproof, Goretex), Conan, Wrapumup, Booter, and Undercover styles. Several come with coordinated bags. They can be a little pricey, but these should give you some ideas to work with.
http://www.stuartweitzman.com/store/...partment_id=71

Buy Naot shoes for Italian cobblestones. Come in all shapes/styles,cheaper to buy them In Italy, but easier to buy before you go so ready to walk when you get there. I have two hip replacements, and they are so awesome, I even climbed the Eiffel tower!!

Any comments on the "brown"? I remember going to Paris about 6 years ago, and I have this really fabulous "fushia" leather coat that I wore..... Dumb....... I stood out like a sore thumb...... Won't make that mistake again.......

bblount, I can feel for you. I made up my mind (mostly after reading the endless "how do I fit in?" posts on this board) that I didn't CARE about fitting in in Italy, as long as I was dressed nicely. I bought a very cool aqua messenger - I think it was even made in Italy. However, the minute I started using it in Italy I realized what it reminded me of - a diaper bag!!! There IS something to be said for tan or black.

missypie,
I see that you spend a lot of time on these posts. And it looks like you travel alot. How cool. Tell me about it, if you don't mind.

I would suggest thinking about another pair of shoes instead of boots that you can wear with your outfits. You say you are going to Italy in mid-Sep. It can still be very warm. Just be prepared with a backup plan if you see the weather in the 80s.

I was wondering about that. But I also don't want to take alot of foot wear. Trying to keep the luggage to one 22 inch and my overnighter......

Yeah, and boots are pretty heavy and bulky to pack if you don't wear them on the plane. And, I would think, not very comfortable for long flights.

The problem is when you pack for travel, assuming you're trying to pack lightly, some fashion just doesn't work. You need comfortable walking shoes. More shoes are heavy. You need clothes that don't wrinkle or stain easily and that wash and dry easily. That's the knock on jeans; they're hard to get dry in continental dryers -- if they have a dryer. (Lots of rentals don't.)

I was last in Rome in early October and the highs were in the low 80's. Plus the hotel had turned off its air-conditioning because it was October. I would have cooked in jeans tucked into boots.

Mimar,
Thanks for the advise. I plan on taking alot of skirts because they are light weight and don't take up a lot of room. I'll have to rethink the boot issue. Just thought that comfortable walking shoes (I have awful problems with my feet), will look really dorky with skirts. And, unfortunately, I am a bit vain...

Didi-Jakes is correct-as I often say, you can never go wrong in Italy and Paris with black, black and more black, black pants/jeans, blue jeans with black top, cropped jackets, and pretty skirts-just stick with the basic colors; black, white, creme, and brown (brown VERY in) generally no prints, no hot colors-you just don't see them-and you'll do just fine.

Take the boots and "wear" them on the plane. Some airlines supply sock-type things to really wear during the flight; if yours doesn't, take a pair of dark stretchy socks or knit slippers.

But have an alternative for warm weather. Flat ballerina slippers would look good with skirts, and they would take up almost no room in your bag. Make sure to buy comfortable ones far enough in advance to get used to them.

bblount- My advice is don't be too skimpy with footwear. You can always wear a skirt an extra time or two (I never pack "alot" of any one type of item) but if something goes wrong with your shoes, you're screwed. And from a fashion point of view an extra pair of shoes (sandals, boots) gets you much more bang for the buck than the same top in a different color (for example).

BB- p.s. I'd take the sneakers.

Girlspytravel...
Glad you said "Brown very in"...... No one had yet said anything about brown after I stated that brown is the new black. I was worried. Now I'll take my new brown things as well as black.... Most of my things are light weight and don't wrinke. And I don't have a problem wearing things more than once. Actually, my husband is going to be the problem. He just can't seem to pack light...... I'm working on him, though.........

I endorse the focus on footwear rather than more clothes -- especially if you have problem feet.

What I really liked wearing a few weeks ago when I was there was a Pucci scarf I bought there--it brightened up all the black clothing considerably and had that greaet Italian design.

If it were I, instead of boots I'd pack good closed-toe walking shoes (I use Paul Green, but other brands that work well have been written about here), 1-2 sandals (I pack SAS and an upgraded Teva), and one pair for dinner out etc. (either solid ballet flat or strappy wedge). All but the closed toe walking shoes go fine with the skirts. I observed absolutely no panty hose on anyone when I was there in June.

For clothes, I'm in the black clothes camp; true it's not flattering for everyone but you can put color or lighter tones near your face in a top, cami, or scarf. Or go with other neutrals (brown, navy) with a few brighter accents.

I've done well with black pants (1 cas. 1 dressier), 1 beige/khaki color slacks, 1-2 skirts (1 black, 1 reversable), tops that go with all, and a black cashmere cardigan. I bring a lightweight rain jacket with hood that folds up quite small for rain/chill. Anyway this is sounding more like what to wear vs. what's hot in Italy but I'd suggest being cautious with boots/jeans etc. even if they're in.

I see a lot of great shoes at the naot.com website, kam1. Can you tell me something about the widths of European sizes? I wear NN, so I'm not sure that the conversion chart is for me. Thanks, J.

I will be going to Venice and the Le Marche region of Italy in late Sept. early Oct. 2006. Question: I know "black" is the color to take but I recently purchased a long, very tasteful, animal print skirt (or is tasteful and animal print an oxymoron)? Anyway, my question is, will I look totally out of place wearing it in Italy? Accessories would all be black.

Thanks.