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Italy

What to Wear to Italy

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Italy

Italy is a place filled with wonderful cuisine and all the romance you can handle. The country is filled with so much to do you will find it hard to see everything you want the first time there. To get the most out of your trip to Italy you will want to try to dress like the locals. Why? When you blend in you tend to be treated a bit better as nobody likes an ‘annoying tourist.’

Some foreign countries are very strict when it comes to fashion and while Italy is a bit more lenient that most you still have to go about your ‘local look’ in a specific way. Here are some tips to keep you looking more like a local and less like a tourist when going to Italy:

•    Going for casual: Clothing seems to be on the pricey side in Italy and for that reason many who live there only have a limited number of outfits. They supplement this lack of clothing by mixing and matching what they do have to be sure that they are always wearing a fresh look. This is important to keep in mind because an Italian’s idea of casual and an American’s idea of casual are apples and oranges. If you go to Italy and wear your typical jeans, t-shirt, and Red Sox cap you will pegged as a tourist in no time at all. Instead, go for a nice pair of slacks and a lightweight, long sleeved button down shirt.
•    Shorts: Shorts are almost taboo in Italy. If you do see men wearing a pair they will come down to at least their knees. You will never see women wearing shorts unless you are at the beach. If possible just avoid the shorts, but if you feel you must absolutely wear a pair then let the local rules preside.
•    Shoes: One of the most beautiful sights in Italy is the cobble stone streets. As pretty as they are though, they can wreak havoc on your feet. You will want to have a very comfortable pair of shoes with you that have a rather thick sole to help absorb the abuse your feet will get. As far as all the American favorites like mules, flip-flops, cowboy boots, and sneakers, leave them at home because they will do you little good in Italy. A good thing to do is buy your Italian walking shoes a couple of weeks before your trip so you have time to get them broken in. Wear them everywhere you go for the days leading up to your trip as this will ensure the utmost comfort once you do start walking all over the cobblestone of Italy.
•    Wearing cameras: Avoid wearing your cameras around your neck. With technology as good as it is today you can find many small cameras that will take great pictures and fit either in your pocket or your purse. Nothing screams ‘I am a tourist’ like cameras around the neck.

Remember, nobody likes the loud and obnoxious tourist so keep it low key while visiting Italy and do your best to blend in with the locals.

Italy 1

What to Wear on Vacation in Italy

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Italy 1

Italy is a place that is filled with culture and history and a trip to this great country will have you coming back with memories that you won’t soon forget. But Italy is more than just great food and great romance it is a place where you need to look as though you are a local. The rules for dressing in Italy are not as strict as other foreign countries but if you want to ‘blend’ in then you do have to follow some rules.

Knowing what to wear and when in Italy can mean the difference in being labeled as ‘a tourist’ or blending in and coming off almost as though you are a local. Here is what you will need to know:

•    Casual wear: When you are in Italy and you want to dress casual you need to keep in mind that the Italians definition of casual and Americans definition of casual are as different as night and day. If you dress in your normal casual manner and throw on a jogging suit that is complimented by bright white sneakers you will be diagnosed as a tourist in about two seconds flat. In Italy there is a lack of closet space for many and clothing tends to be on the expensive side. For those reasons, many Italians buy only a handful of clothing from high end retailers and mix and match what they have. There clothing is usually clothing that can be worn at any time of the year and their ‘casual’ look is more like an American formal look. Not that you should walk around in a tuxedo, but slacks go a long way as do nice button down shirts.

•    Shorts: This is a somewhat touchy subject in Italy. Some Italian men can be spotted in shorts but their shorts will always come down to their knees at least and most Italian women won’t wear shorts unless they are at the beach. If possible avoid the shorts, but if you feel you must wear them at least follow the local customs.

•    Shoes: The historic cobblestone streets in Italy are definitely not easy on the feet. If you plan on doing any type of walking around you better have a pair of shoes that have a thick bottom but not so thick that you lose the feel of the ground. Be sure that your shoes offer great ankle support so you don’t turn your ankle as that can lead to a nasty sprain. As far as those sneakers, flip flops, mules, and other cozy American style shoes are concerned, go ahead and leave those behind. If possible try to get your shoes before you take your trip to Italy so that you have ample time to break them in. Even if you have the right kind of shoes for Italy a pair that is not broken in will lead to many blisters and much discomfort.

When all else fails, see how the locals dress and spend some of your money at a local shop and mimic the local fashion as best you can. While Italy always promises a great time, your trip will be even more enjoyable if you do your best to blend in.