Spring Dresses Italian Women Love (And How They Style Them)

If you can’t wait to start wearing spring dresses, you’re not alone.

Italian women love them too. I’ve seen so many beautiful spring outfits in Milan featuring dresses, and some clear favorites stand out when it comes to styles, lengths, and silhouettes.

But what caught my eye most is how Italian women style their dresses once spring arrives. There’s one approach they come back to again and again, and in this post I’m sharing plenty of outfit ideas to help you get inspired and recreate the look yourself.

If you’re curious, take a few minutes to read on and find your favorite spring dress looks.

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Spring Dresses: Styles, Colors & Styling Tips From Milan

Other than black — which we know is a staple color in every woman’s wardrobe, regardless of season — there isn’t one particular shade that clearly dominates. Different women opt for different colors, mostly solid, with a few prints here and there, especially florals.

That said, there’s a fairly equal love for bright, colorful dresses and darker, more classic tones. Italian women aren’t afraid of color, and many incorporate it even when wearing neutral dresses — often through accessories.

Later in this post, I’ll show you how to take a dark-colored dress and instantly give it a fresh spring feel simply by choosing the right accessories.

When it comes to styles and silhouettes, however, a few clear favorites stand out:

• Shift dresses
  
• A-line midi dresses
  
• Shirt dresses (both midi and maxi)
  
• Skater-style dresses
  
• Sheath dresses
  

Polka dots and silky lightweight dresses are also especially popular.

Footwear choices vary from woman to woman. Many opt for closed-toe heeled shoes, while others wear heeled sandals — particularly from May onward. Flats are very common too, especially pointed styles and slingbacks. Loafers, flat espadrilles, a few boots, and even flat sandals also make an appearance.

Since spring weather in Italy can still feel fresh and chilly, most women layer their dresses with an outerwear piece, while others choose long-sleeve styles. That said, there’s one layering piece that clearly stands out as the favorite way to wear dresses in spring in Italy.

It’s a blazer.

Let’s take a look at all the outfit ideas I’ve curated for you.

Spring Dresses Outfit Ideas From Milan

Shift Dresses 

We are starting from the one outfit formula that every Italian woman seems to love and wear in Spring – a dress and blazer.

You’ll soon see that this outfit formula can be recreated with different types of dress styles and lengths. They all seem to work, perhaps because the colors are paired so nicely and the footwear choice is also spot on.

Let’s look at all the outfit ideas featuring shift dresses, mostly with blazers.

The younger ladies seem to love wearing short shift style dresses layered under an oversized blazer and flats.

This first look features a roll neck, a denim dress and a houndstooth blazer. I really love the color palette and the silhouette it creates, especially paired with matching denim colored flats. I think it suits the woman’s petite body so well.

Another similar look I saw had a navy blue shift dress and a matching oversized blazer, paired with tan loafers and a tan designer leather bag. This look felt especially old money, and is one you could wear to the office, if you don’t mind wearing shorter dresses. I think on a petite body like this one, it looks tasteful and classic.

Speaking of the office, here’s a great outfit I spotted an older woman wearing. She was probably in her 50’s. However, this look can work at any age. The important thing is that you pick individual pieces you love and suit you best.

She is wearing what looks like a short sleeve shift dress and she has paired it with a classic beige blazer and very feminine heeled shoes.

Here’s one more look with a shift dress. The woman is wearing a sleeveless black shift dress with a statement chain necklace, black heeled loafers, and she is holding an orange blazer in her hands.

Shirt Dresses & A Line Dresses

We can’t speak about Italian-style dresses and not include shirt dresses and A line silhouettes. I know so many of you love them too. They are classic, practical, and can be styled in so many ways. The best part is that they are suitable for different ages and body shapes. These are the looks I spotted featuring them.

The first one is very classic, the kind of outfit you can wear to the office, but also on a weekend when you want to look feminine and put together. I think the trench coat gives it a modern edge while also keeping it elegant and classy. The heels add even more femininity, but you could easily opt for pointed flats and still achieve a very similar look.

Don’t be afraid to layer your shirt dresses under a blazer, and even wear flats with it. This woman does it very well. I love the color palette and the choice of accessories too. I think the oversized blazer works especially well to dress down the outfit; that creamy yellow color helps too.

And here’s another similar look, worn by a woman in her 50s, but this time the shirt dress is maxi and floral. The woman has picked the perfect shade of blue for her blazer, and she is wearing navy blue loafers too. The red bag is just the pop of color that outfit needs, and it’s a very popular signature detail among stylish Italian women. We’ve seen a red bag in the previous outfit too.

Of course, once the weather gets warmer, shirt dresses are perfectly worn on their own, with just a purse. Here’s a perfect example. You could easily wear this dress with a blazer by picking one of the colors in the print. I would personally pick that mustard yellow or that poppy red, but the color choice depends on the woman who is wearing it.

Colorful shirt dresses are also perfect for Spring. Look at this pink one with long sleeves. The woman has paired it with elegant pointed flats and a matching shoulder bag.

Once you know your color palette, you can pink the perfect color for you. And this is very important especially when it comes to wearing dresses. Because you are wearing a dress from neck to toe, or at least to knee, you want it to be a color that brings out your best features and makes you look glowing rather than dull.

Speaking of colorful dresses, if you love shirt dresses and polka dots, don’t be afraid to mix the two. Look at this green polka dots shirt dress in what looks like a silky fabric. The woman has paired it with minimal black heels and a shoulder bag, and has nailed the style to maintain that beautiful retro vibe.

If bright or even pastel colors are not your thing, have a look at the next three shirt dresses. They are all neutrals.

Let’s start with this golden beige silk maxi shirt dress. The woman is wearing the dress with designer espadrilles and a structured brown bag.

Next, is a white maxi shirt dress being worn with a black belt and a light blue linen blazer. She paired it with beige strappy heeled sandals and a black bag. 

One of my favorite looks is this stunning olive green shirt dress. I love how full the skirt is and the length is perfect. Don’t get me started on those leopard print pointed sling backs with the low heel and and the black cap-toe detail. The bag is also stunning in a crocodile green leather.

Here’s another very classy shirt dress, which has a similar silhouette to the previous one but shorter sleeves. This one is navy blue and the woman is pairing it with dark teal pointed crocodile leather flats and a lighter teal designer purse with a pretty floral twilly. 

Finally, I’d like to show you that look I hinted at at the beginning of this post. This is perfect if you love wearing black or dark-colored Spring dresses but want to inject a little bit of color. You can simply add a matching colored belt and purse, or belt and shoes. In this case, the woman has chosen an electric blue. I would personally go with a red or a creamy yellow, or even a burgundy.

More Spring Dresses Italian Women Love 

If you are planning to travel this Spring and would love to wear more dresses, here’s a great wear to style them; it blends comfort and style beautifully.

An A line dress is paired with a statement belt, a simple pearl necklace, and a pair of minimal flat white trainers. The woman is wearing a matching tote. While this outfit is being worn by a woman in her 50s, maybe older, it can work on any age, as long as you pick the dress color and accessories that speak to you and your personality, that flatter your body shape, and suit your colors.

Here’s an outfit idea featuring a black dress but with a more modern edgy style.

Again, I am showing you an A line black dress. This one is slightly longer and has a thicker fabric that holds its shape better and creases less. The woman has layered it under a sleeveless boxy style leather waistcoat. She has paired it with a shoulder tan bag and beige flats.

Do you love wearing classic pieces but want them to have a slight modern edge? Then, you’re likely to love this look. The dress has a very classic style, it’s A line, with a pale yellow and green round shapes print. The interesting part is that the woman has paired it with an oversized boxy style white button up shirt, almost as if it was a jacket. The accessories are kept minimal.

Another look that blends classic and modern is this one. The  woman is wearing a long white sheath dress with a black long blazer and elevated loafer style shoes. She is holding a black pochette bag under her arms. I love that style of bag.

If you want more layering ideas for dresses, have a look at this one. It features a very light and airy fabric with a classic polka dot black and white print, and it’s being worn with a cropped black collarless jacket. The classic Chanel ballerina shoes and the small red purse add the perfect finishing touches.

If you love wearing those popular silky style dresses, the ones that sort of look like night dresses, here’s a tasteful way to do it that you likely haven’t seen everywhere. Is it just me who thinks that everyone seems to be wearing them with a tshirt, a blazer, and trainers?

This look is much more unique and put together while being comfortable and very chic.

The cream shirt style jacket paired with the cream mary jane shoes go perfectly with that shade of blush pink midi style silk dress. And the black cross body bag is a great idea when you are going shopping or travelling.

Another look that’s perfect when travelling is this black floral skater dress paired with the over the shoulder sweater and shoulder purse. The woman is wearing black loafers, but you could also wear white trainers. You can also go for a slightly shorter dress, as that will make it look more casual.

The final dress I want to share is the most unique one. I have left it for the end on purpose. It’s the perfect nudge for me and you to try something different this Spring, whether it’s a new dress color on your color palette, a new silhouette or print.

If these looks inspired you, and you fell in love with a few dresses, have a look at the selection of dresses I have curated for you. They include the most classic styles and colors, with a few wild cards and unique pieces that your wardrobe might actually need. You are likely to find something for every budget, size, and body shape.

More Dresses Inspiration From Italy

Do you love wearing dresses all year long?

If so, here are more outfit ideas with dresses for different seasons:

11 Iconic Dolce Vita Dresses

The Best Winter Dresses To Stay Warm & Chic

If you still haven’t figured out yours, don’t forget to read my Simple Color Analysis Guide. It walks you through the process in just four steps.

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