What to Wear in Rome: Stylish & Comfortable Outfits

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Published: March 12, 2025 | Updated: March 26, 2026

If you’re mentally ready to experience Rome’s ancient sights and relax with an Aperol Spritz in hand but have no idea what to wear, I have you covered on what to wear in Rome Italy in this post.

Dressing for Rome can produce challenges like looking stylish in the blistering heat and packing the right shoes that can handle the tricky ancient cobblestone streets (I recommend these comfortable Dr. Scholl’s sneakers that go with every outfit).

Having visited Rome many times, I’ve learned a great deal about the must-haves to pack for a pleasant trip to the Eternal City—all while being comfortable, practical, and looking chic!

If you’re exploring more regions in Italy, I have even more tips on What to Wear in Italy By Season.

What to Wear in Rome

If I had to describe the style in Rome, I’d say it’s classic and comfortable. You won’t see the Italians wearing much athlesuire, sports shirts, and gym shoes. Instead, everything is a bit more tailored and stylish.

Not saying you can’t wear a t-shirt. I love these simple Amazon jersey t-shirts that are incredibly comfortable to wear and pair great with a linen or tailored pant. I wore the striped one on my last visit to Rome. Plus they are moisture wicking, perfect for a hot Roman day.

The color palette of Rome matched the natural architecture of the streets. Lots of neutral earthy colors blend perfectly with the ambience.

Of course, with any trip, wear what you feel the most comfortable in, but if you want to mimic the local style opt for the basics and leave the sports fan gear at home.

P.S. I have loads of outfit inspiration at the end of this post.

Linen & Lightweight Fabrics

If you’re headed to Rome in the summer, opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen. You’ll see linen shops all over Rome, and in my opinion, linen is the fabric of Italy.

Linen is perfect for summer because the heat is no joke. Linen is so breathable, making you feel cooler in the heat. Plus it dries quickly keeping you nice and dry.

I lived in linen dresses and shirts on my visit to Rome. A classic white linen shirt will do you wonders and will be so versatile on your trip.

And for 2025, I love wearing a linen vest & linen bottoms for a chic elevated look.

Need to shop for linen pieces? Here are my favorite places to pick up quality linen items:

• Quince: Can’t beat the prices & style options
• J. Crew: Quality and stylish pieces
• Amazon: Linking my favorite 100% linen pants.

Read Next: I rounded up the best white linen pants for summer

Casual Dresses

Another staple item to pack for Rome are casual dresses. Pack a few of them because they are so easy to throw on, and you don’t have to worry about mixing and matching your tops and bottoms.

This easygoing tie waist dress from Amazon is the perfect dress to wear day or night.

I also love a tie waist long sleeve utility dress that blends perfectly with sneakers.

Light Jacket

If you’re visiting in spring or fall, a light jacket is nice to add on for cooler nights. A leather style blends well with the Roman style.

During our visit in early May, a light jacket was nice to have for cooler evenings.

Remember Modesty

Covering your shoulders is required when visiting religious sites, so opt for items with a sleeves, or bring a lightweight sweater that you can style over your shoulders.

What’s the Deal with Shorts?

I remember on my first visit to Rome I packed all my jeans shorts and quickly realized no Italians were wearing them. In the U.S., jean shorts are a staple in our summer wardrobe, but in Italy, they are not as common.

Instead of jean shorts, opt for tailored trouser short. It’s a bit more elegant, and you’ll blend in just like a local.

What Shoes to Wear in Rome

Next, let’s go over what shoes to wear in Rome- because in my opinion, this is the most important item you’ll be packing on your trip.

You are about to do lots of walking on your visit. The major sights in Rome are pretty much all within walking distance from each other, so it’s more convenient to walk to them vs. taking public transport or a taxi.

Not to mention the streets in Rome are mostly cobblestone, which is slippery, uneven and can be very easy to trip on.

That being said, you’re going to want to bring comfortable shoes that can withstand lots of walking.

White Sneaker

A classic white sneaker is my favorite shoe to wear in Rome because they go with all your outfits, and can be appropriate for evening walking tours, and casual dinners.

My mom and I both wore the Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker, which was comfortable for our 15K+ steps a day touring Rome. We both wore them for our daily sightseeing and casual evenings; bonus, they take no time to break in.

If you prefer leather, the Quince 100% leather sneaker is a fantastic price and is super comfortable. They have a sleek, modern look that will go with all your outfits.

Otherwise, Dr. Scholl’s came out with a leather sneaker that has a streetwear style perfect for Rome.

I would avoid overly athletic style shoes. In Rome, I found that most tourists wore classic gym shoes, whereas the Italians opted for more simplistic, stylish sneakers. (which can also be just as comfortable as a gym shoe)

Sandals

In the summer months, you can definitely wear sandals, but make sure you can walk plenty of steps in them. I love my Birkenstock Big Buckle Arizona sandals (I even climbed a mountain in them) for a comfortable, casual, everyday shoe perfect for exploring Rome.

I also appreciate that Birkenstock’s sandals have a thicker sole. Remember, you’ll be walking around on hot cobblestone pavement, and at the end of the day your feet will get pretty dirty.

Leather Loafer

You could also opt for a leather loafer or mule for a tailored look- which can be appropriate for evening dressing

What Bag to Pack for Rome

When sightseeing, I always prefer to have my hands free, so I love wearing crossbody bags with a zipper closure for safety.

My mom loves this Amazon crossbody bag that she wore on our trip to Rome. It fit all her essentials, including her glasses.

Below are great options for bag styles for your next visit that will hold all your essentials.

What Not to Wear in Rome

To make packing easier, here are some things to avoid wearing when in Rome.

Showing too much skin, espically when visiting religious sites, is considered a no-no. Be sure to cover up your arms and avoid wearing super short shorts or skirts.

Bad footwear is going to make your trip miserable. Avoid flimsy flip flops, heels, or any shoe you can’t stand wearing for lots of walking.

Also, avoid too casual of clothing. While Rome is quite a casual city, it’s still stylish. You won’t see sweatpants, leggings, and athletic wear.

And while backpacks can be helpful to carry lots of items inside, they may not be as safe to wear. I saw so many people walking with their backpacks zipped open without them even knowing. Rome does have some pickpocketing to be aware of, and a backpack screams tourist. Opt for a crossbody bag instead.

Rome Outfit Ideas

Hope you found this post helpful on what to wear in Rome, especially for those hot summer months.

Remember, dressing for Rome is casual, but it’s best to wear lightweight, breathable fabrics to stay cool in the summer heat. Opt for those neutral colors and don’t be afraid of dressing your basics like these soft jersey t-shirts.