Don't Bring Flip-Flops. While in Italy it is important to steer away from these types of shoes, especially if you will be in a big city like, Florence or Milan visiting churches or museums all day.
Sandals for Italy
Everyday Sandals – I'm a huge fan of Birkenstocks. They're my go-to sandal for walking around in Italy. I usually get a 2-strap model like the Arizona, but I've tried and liked other Birkenstock sandals.
The Italian rules on attire are strict on shoes. It's not polite to go to a restaurant (especially in the evening) while wearing a pair of hiking boots. Please, try to dress appropriately! A cute pair of flat sandals will be enough if you don't want to wear heels.
Italians dress head to toe, and shoes are a dealbreaker.
Instead, opt for sleek ballerinas or pretty jeweled sandals to dress up your outfit; for more casual wear, bright white sneakers or strappy leather sandals (never flip flops or rubber clogs) are both stylish and comfortable enough to take on uneven pavement.
Don't Bring Flip-Flops.
While in Italy it is important to steer away from these types of shoes, especially if you will be in a big city like, Florence or Milan visiting churches or museums all day.
Do not believe people who tell you Italians do not wear sneakers: of course we do! In Italy, we do not wear sneakers in the office but we do wear them if we travel, if we are sightseeing and in any informal situation.
Basic Etiquette
It is important to dress neatly and respectfully. Cover your mouth when yawning or sneezing. Hats should be removed indoors. It is impolite to remove one's shoes in front of others.
Everyone has heard of petty theft and pickpocketing in the big Italian cities. It is important to protect your valuables while walking amongst large crowds. Many Italians wear fanny packs/ satchels everyday. You can easily store your phone, wallet, passport, and other small items while traveling around.
Dressing well is respectful and you'll want to try to blend in with the locals. Unless you're going to a very fancy restaurant, dark jeans or other slacks are acceptable. Women wear a lot of dresses as it starts to get warmer.
T-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes, sundresses and sandals are all appropriate for any of the Rome sights, including Vatican City and the Colosseum. You should be comfortable since so much of the best sight-seeing in Rome involves walking. Do not wear flip flops to walk around Rome - trust me!
It is generally considered acceptable to wear sandals in an Italian restaurant, as the dress code in such establishments is usually casual. However, it's always best to check the dress code of a specific restaurant before going, as some may have stricter guidelines for attire.
Sandals and jeans are also acceptable. Hats are customarily removed inside churches. Be sure to follow these simple tips on how to dress when you visit churches in Rome, Italy (and Vatican!) on our Rome in A Day Tour, Rome in 2 Days Tour, and Rome in 3 Days Tour.
The slim, strappy design of the Birkenstock Yara is ideal for Italy as they can be dressed up for the evening along with wearing them all during the day. They also come in a range of colours to suit any style and personality.
The Italian footwear sector is one of the pillars of the Fashion System. It has about 3,700 companies, over 72,000 employees and a trade balance that has always been active (5.4 billion euros in 2022). In 2022, the recovery towards pre-Covid activity levels continued after the post-pandemic restart in 2021.
Like many areas of Italy, Florence includes multiple cobblestone streets so it is advised to avoid high heels. Many of the main attractions are in walking distance from each other so be sure to put on a classy yet comfortable pair of shoes or sandals to wander the streets.
You don't really need to bring this from home, of course — Italy does have toilet paper! — but it's a smart thing for ladies, particularly, to throw in their purses before leaving the hotel in the morning.
It doesn't much matter what kind of bag you get – there are some with special slash-proof straps, for instance, or RFID-blocking material – though I'd recommend against something too big. Make sure it's large enough to carry the essentials, plus perhaps a small guidebook/map, and maybe a bottle of water.
The Italian concept of dining includes savoring one's food, so avoid eating while walking or taking public transportation. The only exception is gelato.
Don't wander around alone: Moving freely around someone else's home is considered rude and inappropriate. Accept something they offer: Leaving a house without having a coffee, a piece of cake, or even just a glass of water might disappoint your host.
Pile on the neutral colors
Meanwhile, the “no white after Labor Day” rule in Italy doesn't exist: Locals love winter white, especially for jeans and sweaters.
Also, apparently, some cathedrals will not let you enter wearing shorts. I am here to tell you, that this is incorrect. You can wear shorts in Italy and look perfectly normal. Here are a few examples of Italians we saw wearing shorts in Italy when it was in the mid-80s in September.
No noisy footwear
If you're heading to Capri anytime soon, you may wish to pack your slippers – the island has outlawed noisy footwear. Strutting your stuff in clogs could result in more than just a fine too; one couple was actually arrested for their 'excessively noisy flip-flops'. Become a Culture Tripper!