Taking advantage of the last weekend this year when parking is easy in Rome - we drove to Ara Pacis, parked along the Lungotevere, had some of the best ice cream in town and saw an exhibition of Russian Avant garde art (think avant garde 100 years ago - Malevich etc).
City clogged with tourists. Usually the Tridente area is full of very sharply dressed people but today I saw more sensible shoes than I care to think about and the most horrific pair of bootcuts ever. Italian women are style conservatives and I saw also a lot of flares and bootcuts done right - floor length is the key. Many also wore boyfriend jeans. Skinnies are definitely not worn by the majority here. Saw also a woman wearing a cobalt top, white skirt and cobalt toenails - everything very understated and therefore superstylish.
We brought the cold weather and rain with us from the north: today's max temp was a positively freezing and drizzly 24 C. I have seen weak signals that sweatpants (think light gray marl) are making a major comeback - am dreaming of them just to envelope my legs in something warm and cozy.
Maisie dirt is white in Rome and the weather is quite dry - pale beige and pale gray are excellent boot colors here and leather soles doable. Not so sure how well pale suede works up north.
Hopefully words of wisdom! And yes I agree - two or three pairs of something you don't feel 100% happy with is often a poorer investment than something you will really love. Happy you have survived the move.
Popcornia my job is not supercreative or arty - hence I couldn't wear Marsha's exquisite things. I have a favorite red blazer over a black shift dress. In more casual settings I wear it over a navy tee or silk blouse and indigo jeans. Red color suits me, makes me stand out and gets people's attention, but also gives me some warmth. I tried on the Davina but it's too curvy on me. In fact, I do not feel powerful in dresses (they make me feel like a wedding guest or the wife - not the person in charge). I love structured, tailored jackets (have several pseudo Chanels and will eventually get an authentic one). But everyone has different preferences and body shape requirements: wear something that you feel confident and comfortable in. I feel powerful in red and black - navy and gray feel more submissive, and brown is not a good work color unless you want to channel your inner social worker. Oh and I use pinkish and coral and camel shades when I want to appear non-threatening and approachable.
Sarnie stay strong against mindless clutter 
Fritzi love you head-to-toe COS look, and great that so many of you found the new thread!