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Original poster

What to wear in Rome

35 replies

Chickenlicken15 · 13/03/2023 18:41

Hi my husband and I are going to Rome for a couple of days next week and I can’t decide what the weather is likely to be ! I had hoped it would be warm enough for bare legs trainers, summer dress and jacket during the day but now I am not so sure ! I appreciate that it will colder in the evening - main thing for me is comfy feet and I don’t really have any comfy shoes other than trainers or knee high boots ! Any thoughts ?

OP posts:
BillLius · 13/03/2023 18:48

A toga.

Original poster
Chickenlicken15 · 13/03/2023 18:51

🤪 not quite the look I was going for !!

OP posts:
doodlyfiddly · 13/03/2023 19:09

Wear your trainers or something equally comfortable. I would also avoid heels as lots of cobbles. We walked for miles & miles, there is so much to see!
I can't comment on clothes, as we were there in last June's heatwave so I wore summer dresses. But I think it's supposed to be about 15c which will make walking much more pleasant! Have a lovely time.

Nothingbuttheglory · 13/03/2023 19:14

You could have a look at one of the Romans-in-Rome IG accounts - lots of flat boots/ trainers, trousers/jeans, slightly oversize wool coat type ensembles.

Iamblossom · 13/03/2023 19:20

I went to Rome in April a few years ago and it was insanely hot, was totally unprepared.

I would take some shirts JIC, but you should be OK with jeans, trainers, short sleeved shirts and cardis, light sweaters, a blazer?

Iamblossom · 13/03/2023 19:20

*shorts

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 13/03/2023 19:21

I had hoped it would be warm enough for bare legs trainers, summer dress and jacket during the day

Nope - unless you are very lucky. At this time of year, temperatures are similar to the south of the UK, albeit a bit less wet. You need a raincoat, layers and leather trainers.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 13/03/2023 19:27

Iamblossom · 13/03/2023 19:20

I went to Rome in April a few years ago and it was insanely hot, was totally unprepared.

I would take some shirts JIC, but you should be OK with jeans, trainers, short sleeved shirts and cardis, light sweaters, a blazer?

Good grief, no. The average March temperature is 11 degrees. And, with lots of open spaces, the wind-chill factor can make it feel colder.

Like the UK, you can sometimes get freak hot spells but they are unusual. The poor OP is likely to freeze in a light sweater.

Original poster
Chickenlicken15 · 13/03/2023 19:36

Thanks everyone time for a rethink then will take my trusty boots ! Are leggings under a midi dress a complete and utter fashion crime ??

OP posts:
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 13/03/2023 19:58

Chickenlicken15 · 13/03/2023 19:36

Thanks everyone time for a rethink then will take my trusty boots ! Are leggings under a midi dress a complete and utter fashion crime ??

Are they hidden/almost hidden by the boots? Ok if they are; really frumpy if not - sorry.
(and, yes, everyone should wear what they feel comfortable in, but the OP is specifically asking for how to fit in in Rome)

Rome isn't as ferociously fashion-forward as some capitals. It's uncool to look as if you are trying too hard (unlike Milan), but it's also quite a business-like city and you don't want to look scruffy. If you have a smartish looking trench coat, or similar, personally I would go with that, with a gilet underneath for warmth, some dark trousers or smart jeans.

They used not to wear trainers in the evening in restaurants etc, but I went last year for the first time since Covid and I noticed that this has changed and smart trainers are OK anywhere other than super-posh places.

AnnaMagnani · 13/03/2023 20:06

It will be cold - I went to Florence at the end of April last year and it was chilly. All the Florentines were in puffer jackets and scarves.

In Rome tourism is huge so there is a big emphasis on comfy shoes and comfort in general. Even pre-Covid I got dressed up a few times and wished I'd never bothered, trainers and jeans were fine.

The only smart people we saw were travelling by taxi or at weddings (which as we went to a lot of churches we saw a lot of)

Pearfacebananapoop · 13/03/2023 20:13

My parents went last week it was 14 degrees so not bad! I have been in Feb/March and it was lovely. Should be ok as long as stays dry!

Original poster
Chickenlicken15 · 13/03/2023 20:19

Thank you everyone I appreciate all the advice

OP posts:
Keepupandout · 13/03/2023 20:25

Was t-shirt and trousers weather this afternoon, then light jumper + jacket in the evening. Bring sunglasses, comfy but stylish trainers, trousers/jeans and layers on top. Can be v warm on sunny days (nearly 20), might rain, cool at night and early morning. It's a changeable season, so be prepared for whatever!

Whataretheodds · 13/03/2023 20:28

It will be cold - I went to Florence at the end of April last year and it was chilly. All the Florentines were in puffer jackets and scarves.

I went to Rome at the end of April last year and it was warm! But end of March is a different story.

OP, lightweight layers and comfy shoes.

ThePoshUns · 13/03/2023 20:29

I've got a few friends who were out there on the weekend and they were all in short sleeves in their photos.

So1invictus · 13/03/2023 20:30

Jeans, trainers, puffa jacket.
I'm in Puglia and it was 14 degrees today- classed as unseasonably warm. The central heating is still on in all public buildings and will be for at least another month.

thesonicoscillator · 13/03/2023 21:17

I'm in Milan, so very far from Rome, but yesterday here was 17°c & sunny ( came home with a sunburnt nose) I went into the centre of the city, I wore black jeans, chelsea boots, a wool jumper, cotton scarf and an oversized wool coat. Heating was on in all shops, most people still in winter clothes. Younger folk were in wide legged jeans that are cut off and frayed at the bottom with Converse or Nike Air Force. Plenty of people in puffer jackets & oversized Teddy coats too. Saw two tourists in shorts, sanalds and vest tops, they really stood out! Jeans & trainers are fine. It just feels cold to us still, especially after such long hot summers, but I guess coming from the UK it'll feel quite mild, but not enough for bare leg. Nights are cold too.

Helpwhatwouldyoudonext · 13/03/2023 21:36

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow
I'm in Rome ATM, today was 21 C sunny, yesterday was warmer. Evening cooler.
Layers, layers and trainers.
Rest of week 17-20 C.

Yellowdays · 13/03/2023 22:35

I was there first week November and it was T shirt weather, but cooler in the evening.

Corcomroe · 13/03/2023 22:38

I was there the weekend before last and it was showery but warm at 17/18 degrees — I was slightly too warm in stuff I’d been wearing at home, but we had drinks outdoors before dinner, which was very nice.

Periwinkletoes · 13/03/2023 22:54

I was there 2 weeks ago for the Ireland match. I was too warm in my padded jacket and was fine in a sweatshirt during the day. Smart trenchcoat type coat would have been ideal. Trainers for walking about and smart flats if you're going somewhere posh in the evening but be aware the cobbled streets can be quite slippy so make sure the soles have a bit of grip.

copperplated · 14/03/2023 06:28

There's a mild spell at the moment, but that could change by the time you arrive.
Comfy shoes and layers will be fine.
Younger Italians don't pay as much attention as older adults to following the social dress codes but bare legs will really make you stand out.
If you wish to minimise standing out, then remember that most Italians are still on "winter colour code". This means that anything pastel/ white/ cream etc. will make you stick out.

Original poster
Chickenlicken15 · 14/03/2023 07:07

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply - layers it is then

OP posts:
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 14/03/2023 09:09

Helpwhatwouldyoudonext · 13/03/2023 21:36

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow
I'm in Rome ATM, today was 21 C sunny, yesterday was warmer. Evening cooler.
Layers, layers and trainers.
Rest of week 17-20 C.

OK, re-read my post.

I talk about the average temperature. That is different from the highest possible temperature.
I acknowledge that there are sometimes unusually warm spells.

It's lovely that you are having a warm spell. We had an unusually warm spell in November, in the UK, didn't we? It got up to 19 degrees. Would you advise a foreign tourist visiting the UK in November to expect it to be 19 degrees?