Now that I'm back I can tell you: What to wear in Rome to fit in
Jun 12th, 2006, 02:07 PM
#23
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Hey, I didn't say a WORD about anybody's body hair!
I will say, however, that the "almost shaved head" look is big in Italy. Lots of guys were buzzed down to the skin, or almost so. (Not skinheads, but balding guys who buzzed it off.) Quite attractive, actually.
I will say, however, that the "almost shaved head" look is big in Italy. Lots of guys were buzzed down to the skin, or almost so. (Not skinheads, but balding guys who buzzed it off.) Quite attractive, actually.
Jun 12th, 2006, 02:10 PM
#24
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They even wear those stilletto heels to amusement parks with their young children. When we went to Gardaland none of the women could even help three year olds get on and off the rides because of their lack of sensible shoes.
Jun 12th, 2006, 02:23 PM
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Monica, one of the most priceless moments of our trip was when we found a playground near our flat in Florence and these two little boys took my 10 year old's hand and "made" her play with them. It was so cute.
BUT, their mom was sitting at the side of the playground on a bench. She was VERY ticked when they didn't come to her to leave when called, because the playground was gravel, and she was wearing these very high heeled, pointy toed boots that didn't do well at all on gravel!
BUT, their mom was sitting at the side of the playground on a bench. She was VERY ticked when they didn't come to her to leave when called, because the playground was gravel, and she was wearing these very high heeled, pointy toed boots that didn't do well at all on gravel!
Jun 12th, 2006, 07:11 PM
#29
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I dream of dressing like a nun! This is a very funny observation, missypie. I laughed out loud.
I always tell DH that if anything happens to him, I would join a convent. Preferably, one in Rome. ;-)
I always tell DH that if anything happens to him, I would join a convent. Preferably, one in Rome. ;-)
Jun 13th, 2006, 07:43 AM
#30
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Having been to Rome many times I still haven't fully been able to get the Italian dress code down pact and fit in with the locals, but this year I thought I'd try something different, sort of as a fun experiment to see how many times I would be recognized as a tourist vs. as a local. I guess an advantage for me is that I have olive skin and dark hair, and am slender/fit, so physically I could pass for a Roman I just needed to switch the dress code a bit.
In previous trips when I wore capris, sandals, and tops from the Gap (I'm a V-neck shirt kind of gal), I would almost always be greeted with a hello and recognized as a foreigner/American.
This year I wore exclusively tight jeans (which wasn't fun in the heat!), closed shoes, more form-fitting tops, and accessories (definately sunglasses).
And I noticed that about half the time, I was greeted with "buon giorno" instead of hello, or salespeople would immediately starting speaking to me in Italian. Even though this was a fun little experiment, it did feel pretty good!
One thing I thought was interestiing was that Italian men wear lots of tan shoes - with black pants, blue pants, any kind of pants! Black shoes aren't as popular there it seems. Dressy sneakers like Pumas or tan loafers were the way to go. Fishing vests too over dress shirts.
Also, dress shirts moreso than t-shirts. I found this weird because all the stores would be selling these t-shirts with words scattered on them, very American (ie Abercrombie) type of clothing, yet I didn't see these clothes on the Italians...so who is buying that stuff?!
For women, American/British/Germans could be easily identified clothing wise by the spaghetti strap, tank-tops worn with peasant dresses and flip-flop sandals. Men with polo-shirts and khakis. Nothing wrong with this, just different.
Being tan is also very big over there, but that is why the women it seems are more wrinkled, even in their early thirties. This is one thing I didn't care for imitating.
Well now that I am back in NY it's nice to be able to wear whatever I want, but it's also nice to have learned some tips from the Romans as far as style, and to see getting dressed in the morning as more than just throwing something on - looking good feels good!
In previous trips when I wore capris, sandals, and tops from the Gap (I'm a V-neck shirt kind of gal), I would almost always be greeted with a hello and recognized as a foreigner/American.
This year I wore exclusively tight jeans (which wasn't fun in the heat!), closed shoes, more form-fitting tops, and accessories (definately sunglasses).
And I noticed that about half the time, I was greeted with "buon giorno" instead of hello, or salespeople would immediately starting speaking to me in Italian. Even though this was a fun little experiment, it did feel pretty good!
One thing I thought was interestiing was that Italian men wear lots of tan shoes - with black pants, blue pants, any kind of pants! Black shoes aren't as popular there it seems. Dressy sneakers like Pumas or tan loafers were the way to go. Fishing vests too over dress shirts.
Also, dress shirts moreso than t-shirts. I found this weird because all the stores would be selling these t-shirts with words scattered on them, very American (ie Abercrombie) type of clothing, yet I didn't see these clothes on the Italians...so who is buying that stuff?!
For women, American/British/Germans could be easily identified clothing wise by the spaghetti strap, tank-tops worn with peasant dresses and flip-flop sandals. Men with polo-shirts and khakis. Nothing wrong with this, just different.
Being tan is also very big over there, but that is why the women it seems are more wrinkled, even in their early thirties. This is one thing I didn't care for imitating.
Well now that I am back in NY it's nice to be able to wear whatever I want, but it's also nice to have learned some tips from the Romans as far as style, and to see getting dressed in the morning as more than just throwing something on - looking good feels good!
Jun 13th, 2006, 07:52 AM
#31
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Perhaps one reason you didn't see all those T shirts on those Italian men was because those men were probably on their way to and from work.
It is always interesting how quickly people "fit in" when they whip out their Euro or their credit card to pay for something.
It is always interesting how quickly people "fit in" when they whip out their Euro or their credit card to pay for something.
Jun 13th, 2006, 09:47 AM
#32
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So is it safe to say that as long as you're not an arrogant jerk tourist and treat people with respect, that it doesn't really matter what you're wearing...just be ready for funny stares (and live with them) if your dress-code isn't exactly what they're used to seeing?
I honestly don't really feel like changing the way I dress while on vacation, especially when I am trying to relax (relax to me = jeans & t-shirt, or nice button-down shirt).
I honestly don't really feel like changing the way I dress while on vacation, especially when I am trying to relax (relax to me = jeans & t-shirt, or nice button-down shirt).
Jun 13th, 2006, 02:59 PM
#34
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I also saw a lot of younger people in punk/goth type dress. In a very nice resort-restaurant in southern Le Marche the servers were a) mailes who wore formal outfits and b) young women wearing black pants that did not come up to the waist and skin-tight black shirts that did not come down to the waist. Weird haircuts in various colors, also. One kept tugging at her shirt in back because she was trying to cover the tatoo on her behind.
Vera
Vera
Jun 14th, 2006, 11:33 AM
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If you are on vacation just wear whatever you want - Italians have the fashion thing down way too well and it can't be imitated over the course of a trip. Bring back some nice pieces, you just can't find the type of clothes/shoes here in the States as you do in Europe.
