Help me look good for a surprise holiday in Rome

[RJnomore1]

Dh has booked for us to go in two weeks for my birthday. Such a lovely thing to do!

What do I need to do/wear to look good?

I'm size 14 and I feel old and bloated and saggy right now. I will eat well drink plenty water and work out like mad (need to do that anyway). I've got a hair appointment sorted.

Give me some other suggestions for beautification/ effortless style/ what clothes to take please!

I was in Rome in August several years ago and it was very very hot!
In terms of make up, keep it simple given the heat and wear a good sunscreen.
Clothes wise, I'd go for natural fibres in a loose/comfy fit: cotton knee length dresses, relaxed fit khakis, shorts, t-shirts, linen shirt etc... A pair of flat tan leather sandals are ideal for sightseeing and maybe some wedge espadrilles for evening. A good pair of sunglasses.

I think it's going to be about 37 degrees. I love the heat though and without the kids to complain it's too warm every five seconds too!

Not long back, I watch the natural elegance of the Italian women with envy.
I noticed this year a trend to sleeveless cotton or linen shirt dresses with big sunnies, across body bags and flat sandals.

Definitely comfy shoes, preferably more than new pair for different days. Comfort over style - linen and cotton for daytime, not shorts if you don't want to appear too touristy, loose dress and sandals for evening with loose shirt or wrap to cover after sun goes down.

I'd be tempted to save your cash for now and go shopping for new stuff - especially leather goods - when you're there

But yeah. Simple clothes, loose enough to let the air circulate, natural fibres. Hair up, sunglasses. La Roche-Posay do a good non-shiny sunscreen for faces.

Enjoy.

IME the much-lauded Italian sense of style is pretty elusive! Granted you see plenty of stylish people in Itsly, but I don't think it's necessarily the rule...after all, sunshine, a tan and sunglasses makes everyone look more glamorous! 😉

Comfy shoes are a priority - I'd probably take something like Birkenstocks Mayari or some Menorcan Avarcas.

Just read someone on another thread saying that dresses always look more stylish than separates in the heat, and I think that's generally true. If it's 37 degrees personally I'd want to be pretty covered up, as even Ultrasun SPF50 would probably leave me exposed at those temps. A Panama looks pretty cool on a certain type of woman although sadly doesn't do much for me. I think I'd be going for a floaty white peasant top and some linen chino shorts, a couple of loose swing knee-length dresses and a maxi dress or two, all gussied up with boho (ugh) jewellery and tan leather sandals. Have you had a look on Pinterest?

My head is too big for hats 😳

I'm thinking maxi dresses and a new pair of Skechers go walks for day with a big bag and sunnies then perhaps knee length with block heel sandals or espadrilles for evenings?

Do you like this for evenings? I'm quite dark hair and eyes and olive skinned.

We go every year - usually June, sometimes July. Just to agree it will be really really hot and to second need for comfortable sandals. You'll be doing lots of walking and the cobblestones are very hard.

I've found it suits me best to wear dresses all the time - cooler than separates. I have quite a few cotton jersey ones, mainly from Boden. Not in their 'fun' patterns, though. Plain colours are more elegant and citified.
Also I have one maxi for evenings.
I don't advise doing most of your shopping there because the chain stores are very similar to the ones we have here ( masses of Zara) and the designer labels ££££. Plus Euro exchange rate is poor.

I also don't advise block heels for evening because I don't think they'd cope well with the cobbles. A large bag is OK but make sure it's not too heavy if you're carrying it round all day - I always stick to cross body. And make sure bag is secure because lots of pick pocketing in busy places.
I'm not a fan of that red dress personally - don't think it looks very cool. But may look OK on a more olive skin I guess.

Another excellent SPF 50 I used this year and recommend is Bioderma.

Thanks poly. What would you recommend heel wise? I've never found them a problem anywhere else in Italy I have visited (I even did the Sicilian mountain villages in four inch stilettos but that was a few years ago I am out of practice now!)

Personally I!d stay with flats, with pretty ones for evening, but I don't like high heels anyway it sounds like you are made of sterner stuff! Just bear in mind you'll be walking in cobbles!

On!

I got this in the Jaeger sale, as my pp worn with cross body bag and Rieker flats was very cool and comfortable. Maybe something like this?

That Jaegar dress is lovely!

Linen or cotton - dresses if possible as these will be cooler and more stylish than shorts.

Sensible flats. Pretty sandals for evenings only.

Sunglasses.

I have limited none existant style, but large sunhats

I live in trousers - was getting close to 50C before I came to UK for the summer, as my thighs can't cope with dresses / skirts and heat. But if your happy, go for it.

Smaller bag.

Don't forget your shoulders and knees need to be covered in religious buildings. Factor that into your packing. Good luck

Body glide , it's a revelation green sand. I'm also a fan of wide legged patterned cotton trousers.

Thanks grace I had forgotten about that, will remember my throw for any shoulder issues.

Totally agree with dresses. Simple block colours- maybe pick just one or two key colours so you can accessorise simply (I'm a fan of black and corals at the moment); and a very light pashmina or shawl in black or other versatile colour for churches and evening.

I've worn wedges in Rome and found them tricky, and I'm currently still wearing heels at 38 weeks pregnant so if consider myself a pro. I'd go for simple, non-chunky, comfortable flat sandals for day, and something flat but with beading or in a soft gold for night.

Across the shoulder bag to match/complement sandals, a really good pair of sunglasses, and a nice small wood/block coloured old-school fan because I have never once regretted bringing one to a hot city!

Flat sandals all the way..I've been to Rome several times now, the first time I tried to wear heels in the evening to look chic and sophisticated but just ended up looking like a fashion victim with my heels caught in the cobbles. Unless you're planning to get a cab from your hotel to a restaurant or club I honestly wouldn't bother. A lovely dress with pretty flats will be much more practical and you'll be able to enjoy an evening stroll after your meal to find a bar, or even better ,choose a delicious gelato, rather than tiptoe over the cobbles which are everywhere!!!
...

I was in Rome a couple of months ago and it is AMAZING for shopping. Stay away from the main shopping drags where - as Polyhymnia says - there's nothing much between Zara and Prada, and head for little cobbled side-streets for tiny independent boutiques where you can find beautiful and unusual clothes and accessories at very reasonable prices. Monti is a particularly fruitful area, with a fabulous Sunday market with a mix of vintage and new.

Actually there are some nice little boutiques - though not spectacularly cheap - in Monticello and also in the Via del Governo Vecchio.

Monti, not Monticello!