What to take to wear on a city break to Rome

[SummerIsNotOverYet]

I’m going to Rome at the end of August. I know it’s going to be hot and crowded but it’s the only time we can go as a family.

What to wear? Tips please.

We will be going out early to sightsee, mostly walking. Then lunch and a bit of shopping.

Early evening we want to go out for drinks 🍷 in a rooftop bar, then walk into one of the neighbourhoods and have dinner.

I just came back from a hiking holiday and look like I’ve just emerged from a cave. I’d like to go to Rome looking more polished 😝 and not like a rat bag.

What do people wear to go out at night in Rome to dinner?

When we went a few years ago. I wore nice floaty dresses and jumpsuits on an evening with comfy Birkenstocks!

Start with comfy shoes and work your way from there!

So for sightseeing something like Tevas (or Air & Grace if you want fancier) are good - adjustable, comfy, not too hot - pick a colour that will go with lots of outfits.

For evening I would find some flat (definitely flat!) leather sandals that look a bit more elegant than the daytime ones and aren’t going to rub if you walk to another district.

Dresses are dead easy for holiday evenings IME as you don’t have to worry about what goes with what. You can dress up a casual dress with jewellery and some nice sunglasses for evening. Remember to take a small handbag so you’re not lugging a rucksack in the evenings. Aim for mostly cotton if possible, viscose isn’t bad in the heat though and it creases less. Avoid polyester and acrylic or you’ll sweat (or I would anyway). H&M, La Redoute, John Lewis all let you filter by material which is really useful. Anthropologie, Cos, Monsoon and Free People tend to have lots of cotton stuff too. Oh and Nobodys Child.

In terms of style I tend to go a bit boho as I can’t pull off sleek 😆 but your call!!

Rome is pretty casual as I recall - there are some very dressed up women around the Trevi fountain etc but they are all Instagrammers 😆

Linen dresses, long and short, linen jumpsuits / co-ords. Gold sandals / birkenstocks and small gold bag for evenings.

Something light to cover shoulders when entering churches and wear long shorts, not short shorts.

I wouldn’t take heels. Roman women live in their trainers. The streets of Rome are quite grubby, I’d avoid sandals at risk of getting dirty feet!
Eating out isn’t massively dressy, I would say casual smart is fine.

@minipie why would an outfit need to be dressed up with sunglasses for the evening? When it is getting dark.

@SummerIsNotOverYet in Rome it's all about footwear with grip and good soles to manage the cobbles whatever time of day or night. Cool, loose clothes - if you wear dresses for sightseeing I recommend chub rub shorts even if not overweight.

Walking sandals , floaty dresses

Comfortable shoes.
Nothing too skimpy or clingy..... floaty linen looks right, and will keep you cool.
Comfortable shoes.
Shoulders covered in churches.
Decent bag, preferably worn across your body.
Oh, and comfortable shoes!

I would definitely wear anti charging shorts when wearing dresses as it is so hot this time of year.

Linen dresses not shorts
Comfortable sandals
Big hat
Simple jewellery

And by the way Rome in August is hotter than inferno so a daytime nap will be very necessary!!

Deodorant on the thighs is far less warm and effective

**why would an outfit need to be dressed up with sunglasses for the evening? When it is getting dark.

Well OP said early evening drinks at a rooftop bar. Then on to dinner

Ahhhh Rome is my favourite place on earth, OP you will have a fabulous time and probably want to go back. It gets under your skin ❤️

Some great advice here already especially regards start from comfy but smart footwear for cobbles and work your way up. Also agree a dress is fabulous … I recently got this one from Asda … cheap as chips but looked gorgeous on and would dress up easily with some jewellery and a nice bag in the evening. I love a long black dress!

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/black-seam-front-sleeveless-midi-dress/G008171801,default,pd.html?redirectFromInt=1&cmpid=ppc--geor-------_-dskwid-_dm&utm_campaign=pla:Fashion-All_Promotions-_Performance_Max&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18702777828&gbraid=0AAAAADt8WcngXqXqeR9iSSDX_Dn7WmbtY&gclid=CjwKCAjwy7HEBhBJEiwA5hQNokU4QaC1OWW-Vdr3ov8iRudiikllzqY3HCF-nltsgI40nkn1LbwD9hoCESsQAvD_BwE

Also … again as a pp has mentioned, please, please please be sure to cover shoulders/decolletage area in churches (I keep a thin pashmina type scarf in my bag for this).

Oh and while not a rooftop bar we had lovely aperativo here when last in Rome … it was a buffet and you just helped yourself to as much or as little as you want. You can basically have your tea for the price of a few cocktails 😁

https://salotto42.it/

I’m in Rome now! Agree with pp about needing something to cover up for churches (some places are stricter than others). Lots of floaty long white or black skirts plus a vest/tank/blouse here. A linen shirt in your bag makes a great cover up when needed too. Also lots of women are quite dressed up for sightseeing, most are in dresses or skirts, although some are in loose linen/cotton trousers plus a strappy top.