Your husband will thank you for your decision. We were in Italy in late September, and a windbreaker/sweater was just fine.

seaurchin,

Ermenegildo Zegna
Cashmere Sport Coat
Price $1,680.00 !!!!!!

Are you joking?

But it looks great doesn' it?

Comfortable clothes and shoes.

Isn't there a higher standard for both men and women in Italy than in the US? We are both pretty casual, my husband much more so than me, but I DO want to look like we are paying attention to the local culture and dress up a bit if appropriate. Has anyone traveled to Italy and felt under-dressed?

I guess it's just a matter of personal style. Here's part of a post from the US board today -

And, then there's the Italian I ran into walking around Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone dressed completely in red leather - red leather pants, leather boots, red leather jacket - no shirt, of course, and he had gold chains and sunglasses, naturally. His girlfriend was in high heels. Not what I would have chosen to go hiking in, but I'm sure they would have looked fantastic in Milan.

JandaO,
I agree with you. Buying a sport coat in Italy, is probably not within my budget.... We are just going to Italy for a wonderful sightseeing (and wine tasting)trip. Probably won't buy much of anything in the way of clothing...
Although I might splurge on a cashmere scarf. Any suggestions where to get one that won't break my budget? Again, we will be in Venice, Florence and Rome..... Probably won't be looking for clothes in Tuscany......

I have been to Italy 3 times and only needed a jacket at one restaurant and that was known before we ever left the states. Our friends who go to Italy every year gave us big lectures about dressing nicer and "no one wears jeans" and simply put, the Italians will do both but you will always look American no matter what you where.

I have never had lesser service due to not having a jacket or even wearing jeans. Your attitude, your attempts at conversation and your smile will determine how you are judged, not your clothes.

My advice is that if you are traveling in summer and are pressed by weight or space forget about the jacket. On my last 2 trips I brought a jacket and never took it out of the bag.

The best advice has already been said in this forum. Dress like you would at home. If you don't usually where a sports coat except at work then heck...you are not at work, you are on vacation!

The advice in the last post is absolutely correct no matter what the would be fashion experts say. I have never been refused service because I was wearing jeans or even--heaven forbid!--the much maligned white sneakers.

Now, if you behave badly, you might get lousy service--but, then, you'd probably deserve it.

A pair of trousers would be appropriate. Underwear (american style) is only ok at the beach, as long as nobody sees the difference between your swim suit and your underpants. Other than that why would anybody care what you wear? You think you're that important that anybody would notice or care? ;-)

gfeibleman said it all. I've been in Italy the last 4 summers and never saw anyone wearing a sports jacket in JUly and August (except Italian businessmen wearing their suits)

Be comfortable, your on vacation. And bottom line, really, no one cares what you are wearing. Be cool, comfortable, and enjoy yourself. And yes Italians do wear jeans and sneakers now, but you will never duplicate their look, you will always look like a tourist. Which is what you are. Leave the jacket at home

Budman. You mean "needless markups"? LOL! My cousin lives in Rome and her Roman DH never wear jackets in the summer. He does waer long pants however....no shorts.