Locals like to dine out with style and elegance so you may want to consider bringing some slightly dressier shoes if that suits your style. When deciding what to wear when traveling to Italy, avoid heels because they'll leave you feeling uncomfortable.
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. Do not go for a less comfortable shoe out of this misconception, sneakers are perfect for Italy (see below for tips on stylish ones).
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.
The two main types of shoes I recommend bringing to Italy include a walking shoe (can be either a casual sneaker or an athletic shoe) and another shoe – a pair of sandals (if you're visiting in the summer) or a warm, weatherproof shoe (if you're visiting in the winter).
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.
Don't Bring Flip-Flops.
A better way to “keep it classy” would be to wear a strappy, or classier pair of sandals that won't make you feel out-of-place in those sacred sanctuaries.
Sneakers are fine also in Italy, but again, maybe not in a fancy restaurant.
Another very popular Birkenstock style is the Arizona. Birkenstock Arizona sandals are open-toed, rather than with a thong toe, so they are easily worn with socks. That sounds like a fashion disaster, but they are very practical and worn by people of all ages in Italy and elsewhere.
Italians wear them, but not out to dinner. Walking around during the day is no problem. Enjoy yourself & don't worry about it. I'm sure you've seen tourists here in the states visiting from other countries.
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.
To dress in Italy, opt for clothes with clean lines that fit you well, like button-down shirts for men and capri pants for women. Additionally, choose classy shoes such as boots or ballet flats, since Italians generally frown on wearing things like flip flops in public.
What you want to actually avoid in Rome are sport runners or those types of sneakers that are made for the gym rather than for walking (you know the type: high sole, fluorescent colors etc). The sneakers you want to wear in Rome are fashion ones, such as new balance or vans style.
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.
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.
We have recently imported big international brands so do not be surprised if, while strolling around big and small Italian towns, you see hordes of teenagers wearing Dr. Marten's floral boots, Hunter rainy boots, and the comfy, cozy but ugly looking UGGs and so forth.
You can wear shorts in Italy and look perfectly normal.
I went ahead and packed three pairs of pants and three pairs of shorts. I am so glad I decided to pack some shorts!
Shoes and Walking Needs
Roman women somehow manage in spike-heeled boots, but they're experts: to make sure you can get around easily, wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes. In summer, many people wear sport sandals -- not the most beautiful of shoes, but very practical for doing lots of walking when it's hot.
Look for bright and light colors during this finicky season; when it's sunny, it's very warm. Jeans are a good choice or skirts in light fabrics. Match your bottoms with a quality tee or pretty blouse, and don't forget a sweater and light jacket for layering on cold days and evenings.
Skinny jeans or capri trousers are stylish spring options for women. But remember, Italians tend to go high-end even with their denim - so keep 'em rip-free! Men should typically avoid anything they might wear to the beach, gym, or football game, and instead opt for stylish loose linens or fitted chinos.
For guys, a nice pair of jeans or slacks with a good shirt will suffice. Ladies can never go wrong with a little black (or other coloured) dress. But a smart pair of trousers and nice top are also perfectly acceptable.
The new rule fines anyone wearing flimsy footwear up to $2,800. The popular national park, set along the gorgeous seaside cliffs in northern Italy, sees nearly three million visitors every year. But all too often, officials say, tourists are ill-equipped as they traverse the Italian trails.
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.
Keep Your Shirt On
Not only is it offensive to locals to have visitors wandering the streets in varying states of undress, it is also against many local ordinances and you can get fined. A good rule of thumb is to take a look around and see how the locals are dressed.