Dinner in Milan if pale & not good in heat

[WhatToWearMilan]

If you were very pale skinned, strawberry blonde & not good in heat generally but you had a dinner with a professional contact in Milan in July, what would you wear?

50yrs old 5ft 9" & size 12

I want to look as good as i can! There will possibly be some sightseeing and lunch / dinner / drinks

Re whether they have quirky looks, yes you do see these in the students/ art schooly areas but the predominant look, in the central areas is as has been discussed and yes, verging on the conservative, if not old-fashioned. But generally carried off with immaculate grooming.

I must say I was a bit surprised that one of the leading fashion cities in Europe would be so... particular. But I've never been and I know that business dress can have a code all of it's own so fair enough. But the op has now clarified that it's not a business meeting but a social one (albeit with someone in the same profession as her) so maybe she can afford to be a touch less conservative - unless of course this is her natural style?

Every major European city has "a look"! Sure, wherever you go there will be people wearing Uniqlo, Zara, H&M and other global brands but insiders will wear specific brands and styles. The British high street look doesn't travel particularly well abroad and if you want to fit it and be welcomed at destination as opposed to stand out and risk being a social outcast it might be better to shop elsewhere.

Social outcast? Jesus. Well if I’m going to be a social outcast so be it. How many of the shops on the high street are actually European brands ? Zara? Spanish etc. I don’t change my look when I’m travelling but I will temper it to fit in possibly. ( but a lovely English rose complexion / hair has a charm of its own and doesn’t need to obliterate it with fake tan etc). I see someone suggested some Rise & Fall silk dresses. I like a lightweight silk look a lot (but Im not a sweaty person and don’t suffer from sweat marks ) My favourite hot weather look was a silk jumpsuit from Cos which was loose but not shapeless. I have silk trousers from Rise & Fall in a chocolate brown and wore with a chocolate brown top silk t shirt. I really like that “ head to toe” colour look. I think the accessories will be as equally as important… particularly the bag. Hats are a bit of a pain to travel with but a life saver. I like a men’s Panama but of course it depends on what you decide for your main outfit.

Oh come off it. That really isn't true.

What will happen to you as a social outcast in a city you'll only visit a handful of times? Unless they actually throw stones at you, why would you care? So what if you don't pass for a local?? Why would anyone want to do this anyway?

I think you need to let your hair down and live a little.

You would get a terrible seat in a restaurant or refused entrance to a hotel lobby. Not fun.

Has that happened to you?

The only time I can think of when this happened to me was a ghastly restaurant in Rome where we and our son, who was maybe 12 at the time and a perfectly nice American group, also with children, were shoved into a basement despite the ground floor being almost empty.

I assumed it was because we had children rather than any of us failing to meet the sartotial heights of Roman high society. This was over 20 years ago, can't remember what I might have been wearing.

MN is obsessed with this idea that you have to look like a local, heaven forfend you look like a tourist. It's just nonsense.

It wouldn't be the end of the world though? Realistically no one is going to believe that I'm Italian regardless of what I wear. So as long as I look presentable and adhere to the dress code it's fine. I don't want to look like a local wherever I go. I want to look like me.

There’s definitely a huge Zara and H&M in Milan, so I’m pretty sure Italian’s shop there!

Milan is more conservative to Rome’s bold Versace styling. I would avoid linen and elasticated waists, and patterns. Plain conservative, well ironed cotton in a neutral colour will make you fit in better. Look smart and put together. I have a couple of dresses that fit this bill.

However, it’s probably unavoidable that you’ll look British. So I’d be tempted to lean into that and wear a striped, floral or brighter coloured dress, again in a light fabric. Cotton preferably. Fitted nicely, with shape, not a smock. Almost definitely a belted waist if it doesn’t shape that way without one. Some nice sandals, bag and accessories. Hair slicked back into a simple ponytail to stop frizz.

Something like this?

Never to me but it happened to a friend of mine only last week. Only when he was seen by staff (in a hotel) interacting with Italians to whom he had just been introduced was he seated at a good table.

You are never going to look like a local, sure - but you might think it good manners to try to fit in with local aesthetic and behavioural standards.

I think being polite is a pretty universal "dress code" - very little more needed.

And it's a bit odd to be saying that "abroad" are such places of homogenity.

Odd take. I don't think you're doing a very good job of selling Milan as a cosmopolitan city which embraces diversity if I'm honest.

See I think trying to fit in can make you look a bit silly. Which is why I might be tempted to avoid the Max Mara dress I suggested above and go for a lovely Rixo floral, wafty number instead. Embrace the difference?

Milan is smart though- so I’d still avoid linen culottes with elastic waists or front ties. I love the Fold outfit above, but it may be too hot?

Having been to the Wedding of two Italian friends one there and one here, both liked the clash of English and Italian styles.

Is Italy known for ‘ embracing diversity’?! Do they have to ?!

Goodness, i really didn't expect this post to generate such a lively debate!

In my normal life i dress mainly from

Ba&sh
COS
Maje
Me+em
Some Zara
Essentiel Antwerp

However the reason i asked is because i generally avoid the v hot months to travel as i am not great in the heat so while i have lovely clothes (to me!), they're not really geared for 30+ degrees

I am v excited to meet this (academic) colleague in person. We work in same area & have contact via email / zoom / whatsapp but this is first time to meet in person.

I know it is immaterial really what i wear but if i can avoid it i would like to try not to be a frazzled sweaty mess.

I am leaning towards a COS sculptural cocoon dress in navy, with a real panama hat i have - has a navy band & taupe suede sandals. I have v good jewellery so will wear that & hope for the best!

All big European cities I have been to tend to. That's the joy of being in a city isn't it? Why does everyone want to look the same?

OP that outfit you describe sounds perfect ! Enjoy your trip and meeting

Sound great OP.

I thought those links were slightly strange. These are perhaps more representative. And shorter!

https://youtube.com/shorts/rGeL10CJrPA?is=VEG63i4Q1LPsfyLt

https://youtube.com/shorts/2kLA0e6Hs4k?is=BpGli7TJsKORHHO5

No, but on the other hand I'm not sure why cities where tourist income forms a big part of their economy should go out of their way to be rude to tourists just because the tourists don't "look like locals" . (whatever the hell that even means)

Tbh I don't think these cities do but there is a trait on MN to be snobbish about "tourists" and a need to distinguish oneself as "almost a local" or "a traveler" and not a tourist.

It's also part of this weird MN thing that everywhere which isn't the UK, especially if it's in Europe, is better than the UK.

Goddammit - I haven't posted MY suggestions yet - & I have lots!! (As if anyone cares about my ideas - except me, as I am NOT going to Milan this summer but am vicariously planning outfits via you!!)

Can I still have my fun & post some links & images, even though you've already decided on your outfit???!!

(Which, btw, sounds perfect, especially if the dress is a lightweight fabric? Viscose or viscose mixes can also be fine in heat, not just the linen/cotton recommendations. It depends a lot on the weight & weave of the fabric too, as well as composition.)

Completely agree. I’m English and amazingly I’m not fat with fake tan and caterpillars eye brows or huge fake lips or whatever the stereotype is. I dress like me. I’m not interested in looking French or Italian. I’m off to Lisbon and I expect the Portuguese will immediately identify me as a tourist but I still want to pack a nice collection of clothes to wear. I’m thinking I might need a new Panama hat now after this thread. ( mine is battered )

@EleanorMc67 yes please! Do share as my plans are not set in stone. I'd love to hear your suggestions - thanks!