What to wear in Rome?

[KingChanter]

Going on first holiday abroad in 20 years this September (back end of month) to Rome for anniversary with DH.

Excited, however both DH and I are outdoorsy, walking, hiking types and our wardrobes reflect this - I hear Rome is lots more 'fancy' and we will need to dress nicely (not cargo pants/shorts, etc)

Any idea what sort of clothes I (and DH) should take? To make it worse DH has booked what seems like fairly swanky hotel and I fear we're going to rock up there looking like Shrek and Fiona...

Help! 😬

Sight seeing you will see loads of tourists looking like tourists so don't worry about the cargo shorts if that is what is most comfortable for you in the heat.

Remember to cover knees and shoulders (male and female) when in religious sites such as the Vatican and the Pantheon. Take a big lightweight scarf if you like to wear strappy tops.

You probably want something a bit smarter for evening meals I wore a dress and flat sandals. DH wore a polo shirt and chinos type trousers.

The Italians do look amazing at all times even when it is sweltering but don't feel you need to go all out for a typical tourist trip, just try not to be disrespectfully scruffy. No cut off or ripped denim, no men in vests, no swimwear other than at the beach or pool. Ensure you are modest in places of worship.

The exception would be if you are going to an event or fancy restaurant when you might want to check the dress code.

I've only been to Rome for the day as part of a Mediterranean cruise. My observations were.

1, Rome is absolutely stunning but on a hot day it feels like the surface of the sun so bear that in mind.

2, Roman women (and men) have a kind of effortless style .out people can oy hope to aspire to. So don't try to match them.

3, lots of streets are cobblestones or quite uneven and there's so much to explore so flat sandals or plimsolls/trainers are probably your best bet.

4, the weather can be very changeable so a waterproof or umbrella is a good idea.

5, take a water bottle, there are water fountaina around the city that you can refill from.

6, Think about how to keep your valuables secure, it's a really busy place and puck pocketers are rife.

Sure, there are high end restaurants and bars in Rome like any other city that you need to dress up for but for general sight seeing you dont need to

Do you find merino comfortable? I have a long black merino skirt that travels really well - no creasing, takes up almost no space, rarely needs washing, dries fast if necessary. If you can pack a basic merino dress or skirt that goes past your knees, plus a simple light cardigan, they will cover you for pretty much every eventuality without adding weight/bulk/fuss to your luggage

A toga?

Grrrrr.......posted too soon.

Basically for sight seeing wear your normal comfy walking shoes, the streets around the old town are of the old cobbled uneven variety. September will be pleasantly warm rather then baking hot like in July and August so you can still dress 'light' in the daytime with maybe a wrap or light jacket in the evening. Most restaurants are pretty laid back unless you are going really high end, most guys will be wearing jeans/chinos and a nice shirt, women will be in jeans/boots or simple dress.

Top Tip: If you are are outdoorsy, walking, hiking types catch the local hopper train from Central Termini to Santa Maria Delle Mole Station which is right on the via Appia Way and you can have an awesome 10kmish walk on the original roman road all the way back to the city centre and enjoy a glass of wine

Oooh thanks for the thread OP. I'm going in September with my auntie. I never wear shorts (I look like Lofty from It Ain't Half Hot Mum) so was planning maybe cropped leggings / capri type pants with tops during the day and probably light dresses for in the evenings. Apart from the night we're going to see Three Tenors at St Paul's Within The Walls then I'm going swanky ☺️.

Just don't wear shorts if you're planning to visit the Vatican or really any religious establishment. Have something to cover bare shoulders too or just don't have bare shoulders.
Ultimately, it's a Catholic country and the most visited places are steeped in religion.
Have a lovely time!😊

Take a hat.
Comfy shoes assuming you'll be walking to all the sites.

Yes to covering shoulders to knees in any church.
Carry a water bottle each to fill up at the many free water fountains.
Aim for smart casual if you want to feel dressed up but all you really need to worry about is keeping cool and comfortable.

Take the most comfortable shoes you have and if that's hiking boots than that's it. You need it, you will do a lot of walking.

We dressed for comfort and for DH that meant hiking trousers. He also found the ones useful, where you can zip of the legs as he pulled them back on when we visited churches.

I had a thin scarf in my backpack in case I needed to cover my hair. but I. don't think I used it. I saw several female tourists using them to cover their shoulders when their wore sleeveless tops.

Have a couple of smarter outfits for dinners though. I think it's impossible to dress the italian way, I have two italian female colleagues and honestly wonder how they look effortless stylish even if they wear H&M clothing. It must. be in their genes.

Take suncream and a hat, I burned badly on the Via Appica early May so September must also have still a quite strong sun.

I went to Rome in September and it's still hot there!
Not everyone there is swanky.
Lots of Americans there when I went and they live a cargo short.
I'd go for knee length linen dress for daytime, white jeans , smart casual or just wear what you are comfortable in. Don't worry what everyone else is wearing

Rome is definitely not fancy!

Agree with pps that you'll need shoes you can walk in because of the cobbles.

Churches etc won't expect you to cover your knees but they will your shoulders. Most will give you a thin shawl thingy if you forget. Unless your shorts are teeny tiny arse skimming ones you won't be stopped entry. I was almost the only person NOT in shorts inside both St Peter's and the Pantheon.

Italian women tourists wear jeans and trainers like the rest of the world when schlepping round monuments.

There was a news report on Italian telly last night from St Peter's Square and apart from the reporter, every single person moving around the square was in shorts and skimpy tops.

Nobody has to cover their hair unless they are meeting the Pope himself and even that's being relaxed these days.

Thank you so much everyone 👍

We visited Rome a few years ago and brought a few quick-drying summer dresses that I could easily rinse out and hang up to dry ( we were in an Airbnb so had space). I felt comfortable visiting churches, etc. dressed that way and they were cool in the heat. Definitely bring a hat and comfy sandals-I also bought some nice sandals there.

Just come back from Rome - anything goes! It’s insanely hot so cool clothes. We wore trousers for the Vatican and were super annoyed to see loads of people in shorts!