What to Wear in Italy in Summer
An honest guide to Italian summer dressing from someone who lives here, linen, ballerinas, raffia bags, and the things locals never wear.
I live in Milan, and Italian summer dressing is not what it looks like in the movies. It's hotter, more considered, and a lot less flowy.
THE FOUNDATION
Linen or cotton, always. A linen shirt you can tuck into a skirt or wear open over a bikini, an oversized button down that works for coffee in the morning and a terrace in the evening. A wrap mini skirt, white linen pants, a matching set in a neutral that doesn't need anything else. That's most of my wardrobe from June through September. Colors: white, black, and a blue that sits somewhere between faded and coastal.
When the occasion gets more elevated, I reach for a silk satin top or silk charmeuse pants. They read expensive and work harder than linen when the setting calls for it. A midi corset dress or a sleeveless peplum top for when I want to look like I actually planned the outfit. And when I'm somewhere near water, a polka dot set or a bikini under the oversized shirt until I decide what I'm doing with the day.
THE SHOES
I never thought I'd be a ballet flat person. I was wrong. Leather Mary Jane flats specifically, there's something about them that makes the whole outfit look more intentional. For evenings, a low heel.
THE ACCESSORIES
In Milan, accessories are the point. Oval polarized sunglasses that are actually good, stackable rings and a bangle bracelet, pearl studs or disc drop earrings depending on the mood. A shell beaded necklace for the beach. A tortoise shell headband when I want the outfit to feel put together without trying too hard.
A baseball cap also, which I did not predict, but it makes a simple outfit read cooler and I can't explain it better than that.
THE BAGS
A shoulder bag in raffia for weekends away. A mini structured bag for city evenings. A crossbody for everything in between. The handwoven leather tote when I need to actually carry things.
EDIT 1
— Linen Shirt
— Wrap Mini Skirt
— Matching Set
— Disc Drop Earrings
— Oval Polarized Sunglasses
— Stackable Rings
— Camren Mini Bag
EDIT 2
— Bikini Set
— Polka Dot Set
— A-Line Summer Dress
— Leather Mary Jane Flats
— Pearl Stud Earrings
— Shoulder Bag
— Retro Oval Sunglasses
EDIT 3
— Linen Maxi Skirt
— Silk Satin Top
— Silk Charmeuse Pants
— Low Heels
— Clutch Purse
— Bangle Bracelet
— Aviator Sunglasses
The outfit that makes the most sense to me right now: a white skirt, ballet flats, a linen top, sunglasses, a raffia hat. Simple, but not careless.
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