Whether you’re new to Italian style or have been reading my blog for a while, today, I’d like to quickly put things in perspective, to help you take the first step with dressing more Italian.
I am all about getting inspired, especially when it comes to fashion, but there comes a point when we need to put what inspire us into practice.
If you feel overwhelmed and that’s stopping you from starting, this read will make your next steps super clear.
I am sharing 10 easy Italian style swaps you can make to instantly elevate your outfits. And the best part is that you can start with just one!
Table of Contents
1. Swap Your Leggings Or Skinny Trousers For Tailored Pants
This immediately changes your outfit to look more tailored, because of the tailored pants. And that holds even if you’re still pairing it with a tshirt and a pair of sneakers. Let me show you.
Tailored Style is such an important aspect of dressing like an Italian.
Read this to learn more: Tailored Style Explained: The Italian Way To Dress Chic
Can you see the difference?
Let me start by saying that the tshirt is a really bad one. It’s too thin, slightly see through, those rolled sleeves are doing nothing, and the way it fits is really bad. Tucking it in fully would be better in outfit two, but we need to change it completely.
Having said that, outfit two is already better, even if it could be improved so much more.
Now, let’s address those blocks you might have against making this swap.
- That trousers is not right for everyday wear.
Who says what’s right or wrong? If you think it’s wrong because it’s slightly dressier than what you’re used to, or what everyone else is wearing, that’s precisely the point. Things need to change in order for you to dress better. If this is the kind of outfit you save or stop to stare at on Pinterest, stop telling yourself it’s not for you. It can be if you want it to.
I assure you that these pants are much more comfortable than the skinny ones. You can barely feel them when you sit down, or lift your knees up. And they also hold more room around your tummy.
Cigarette and wide leg pants are my personal favorite. Here are 3 great options:
PS: This post includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have or would personally buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
2. Wear a Structured Tshirt, Not a Slouchy One
We just saw an outfit that has so much potential, if only we swapped that ugly frumpy paper thin tshirt. And that’s exactly what we are going to do as it happens to be the perfect example for this next swap.
If you are someone who loves a cool casual style, there’s nothing wrong with buying and wearing tshirts. Many Italians do it, especially the cool Milanese. But we need to set a few rules:
- Thick opaque fabrics (as opposed to very thin ones that crease so easily)
- Avoid graphics and texts, it’s best to go with a solid color.
- It needs to fit well. The best fit is slightly oversized, not body con or clingy, but not too large.
- The sleeves should not be cap sleeves, but full on sleeves. It’s important you choose a tshirt with the right length of sleeves that’s proportional to your body. Petite should go with slightly shorter ones, and taller with slightly longer ones.
- The neckline should crew neck that sits at the perfect spot, not too high that looks like a mock neck, and not too low that looks like it’s gone slouchy.
- Please, tuck it in. That alone makes a world of difference.
Here’s what I mean.
Shop a white structured t-shirt to add a tailored element to your casual outfits:
3. Swap Your Bag For A More Elevated Everyday Style
Let’s continue with elevating that initial outfit. There’s one swap that would truly make it feel so much well thought and chic, even if has that cooler style.
I am talking about that bag.
The bag is not awful, but it doesn’t go with the outfit, and it’s also not fitting within the cool girl vibe.
This is exactly the next swap I’d like to recommend to you.
You don’t need to have 10 bags. One for everyday wear can be just as fine, as long as you choose the right one. That’s exactly the same thing when I travel. I usually only take one bag, and it goes with all my outfits.
These are the things to consider when picking the right bag for you:
- What’s your style? Do you dress classic chic or modern cool (which can still be chic but with a different feel)?
- Do you need a lot of room?
- How do you prefer wearing it? Think shoulder bag, vs handheld, or both options. Try to avoid a backpack.
- What’s your usual color palette with your everyday outfits? Do you wear cooler or warmer colors: browns, oranges, greens as opposed to black, blues, greys. There are many more colors to factor in, but I think you get it.
- What fabric do you prefer? Are you ok with wearing leather? Does it need to be easily wipeable?
I think the black bag goes perfectly here. It’s cooler toned like the grey and contrast beautifully against the white. It’s also large enough to fit a few files, a notebook, and a laptop.
Here are 3 similar options, one is from Amazon.
4. Swap Your Sneakers For Loafers
This outfit is already looking so much nicer. And if colored trainers are your thing, you can keep it as is.
However, if you’d like to swap them for something more Italian, and elevate your outfit from college to casual office appropriate, I suggest you make this fourth swap.
Black loafers go best in this case.
Let’s see how that changes the outfit.
The black loafers match with the bag beautifully, and we all know that’s a very Italian thing to do, especially with the shoes and accessories. However, you could also go grey, or introduce a pop of color, although for this outfit, I think black works the best.
Having said that, I like the outfit with the sneakers more. It has more personality and it balances the casual and tailored look perfectly. But if you need to elevate it for work, loafers can help you do that. That shows that not every Italian swap is necessarily a good one for your style.
Three Great Loafer Options For Every Budget
5. Elevate Your Jeans From Distressed To Classic
Let’s take a new outfit example and slowly swap the elements. We’re starting with the jeans.
I have said it so many times, and I am going to say it again, Italians wear jeans too. But they like them to feel tailored and not too casual.
If you love wearing jeans, you can easily upgrade all of your jeans outfits by simply swapping the jeans. Start with your favorite, most worn style, and if that feels like a great swap, you can slowly make your way to the other ones.
These are the rules for choosing jeans that look more Italian:
- avoid distressed jeans, a slightly faded wash is fine, but avoid tears and cuts, very contrasting washes, very evident acid washes;
- opt for simpler more natural shades – dark blue, mid blue, light blue, as opposed to green, red or pink;
- choose a well fitted jeans, preferably either straight line or wide leg;
- crop your straight leg jeans at the ankle;
- opt for high wasted jeans;
- avoid any bulky or additional pockets and embellishments.
By classic I don’t mean boring. However, you need to treat your jeans as a staple piece, and that’s why it’s important it has a more classic or at least neutral style. That way it can lend itself to be dressed for different occasions and even different styles, dressed up and down, dressed old money or cool girl.
Let’s see the transformation by simply swapping the jeans.
If you ignore the rest, and focus on just the lower part of the outfit, do you agree the outfit immediately feels more chic?
You could totally still keep the rest the same and make the outfit a little more considered. Having said that, we will swap that sweatshirt next.
Shop These Italian Style Jeans
6. Replace Your Sweatshirts with Finer Knits
If there’s one thing that has no place in an Italian woman’s wardrobe it’s definitely a sweatshirt, especially one with a hood.
You can still be cozy in merino sweaters, cashmere knits, and even elevated zipped casual jackets.
With this swap in mind, let’s see how we can take that jeans outfit and make it look a little more Italian.
If you want to make this really feel Italian, style your knit with a button up, in one of these two ways:
My readers are loving this cashmere crewneck. It’s a great all year round option, especially for layering. And it comes in so many colors!
7. Elevate Your Outerwear
Let’s say it’s getting chiller, and you want to wear one of the last two outfits above. What do you wear?
Are you tempted to wear a very casual puffer jacket or a parka, or try a double denim look?
If you’re ready to set those aside for very casual moments (think washing the car in the cold, or dog walks), here are three Italian style swaps:
- a blazer – it’s ok to choose a more relaxed fit, if you plan to wear it more with jeans than as part of a suit.
- a trench or mac coat
- a wool coat – if you think a coat is too formal, go for slightly oversized, as that looks more modern.
Here’s how that outfit would look with your usual option vs those other more tailored swaps.
There’s nothing wrong with this look, especially for school. In fact, we’ve already elevated the jeans and sweater. But if you want to take it from college style to classy Italian woman, here’s how to do it.
Keep in mind that this could look more cool Milan girl style, by simply swapping the tweed blazer for a black oversized one, and the brown loafers for black or cool sneakers. Shop this blazer here:
Here’s the same outfit styled with a classic mac coat.
If you want a Milanese cool aesthetic, try a cream oversized mac coat with contrast black shoes and bag. Here’s a good quality streetwear option.
Choose the Right Pair of Boots
The final swap I’d like to share goes perfectly with the last outfit we’ve looked at. On a rainy day, or as the weather gets colder, you will want to grab a pair of boots. That’s completely fine, but the boots you wear can make or break that outfit.
Think about it.
What do your current most worn boots look like?
Are they wellies, or slouchy ankle boots?
If you want a versatile pair of boots that looks expensive (but it doesn’t have to be), very Italian, chic, and can be dressed down and up, consider the Chelsea style or the more classic Italian leather boots that have a very minimalist aesthetic.
The next decision you need to make is whether to invest in a black or a brown pair. And that depends on the color palette you wear, and the color of your favorite bag. Yes, the intent is to match them, because that creates that very polished Italian look. Of course, you can still wear that bag with your sneakers.
Can you see how swapping your boots alone elevates the outfit instantly? Stop wearing shapeless boots, and invest in a classic pair, like a Chelsea style.
Below, is another variation of this outfit with the same pieces, just a different outerwear piece, and styled differently.
PS: This post includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have or would personally buy.
More Italian Style Tips
I could go on and on with the swaps. In fact, my list included at least two more. However, I have decided these are enough to get you started. I don’t want to overwhelm you.
Remember, pick the swaps – even just one, that makes the most sense for you, and it’s also easier to start with.
That little win will make you want to keep going.
If you need more tips, or want to ask me a direct question, or show me an outfit, come join my Italian newsletter, hit reply and ask away!
You can join Buona Settimana through one of the boxes on this page. I hope to see you in your inbox.
If you enjoyed this read, here are two more I suggest to help you dress better.
Simplified Color Analysis For Clothes + Steps To Do Yours
It’s incredible how much the right colors can make or break your outfit. In this guide, I show you how I did my own color analysis at home so you can do yours.
Italian Women Style: 20 Pieces To Dress Like An Italian Woman
This is the next step if you are set on building a very Italian and chic wardrobe.
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A presto,
Alessia
