Yayyy! If you are reading this post, you’re definitely going to Rome. That’s so exciting.
You’re also probably looking for an answer to one or both of these questions:
- What to wear in Rome based on the month and weather?
- What style works the best in Rome?
Hello and welcome. I’m Alessia, the writer and founder behind Italy with an Italian.
That’s exactly what I am going to answer in this post, and the best part is that there’s enough outfit inspiration for everyone: women and men.
So, if you’re planning for both you and your partner, you can get all your answers in one place.
Table of Contents
Quick note before we begin: this post is divided by seasons, but under each section you’ll find weather, style, and outfit ideas for each month—because Rome’s weather changes a lot.
What To Wear In Rome In Spring
We are nearly one month into Spring when I am writing this, so that’s exactly where I am starting.
If you are visiting Rome this Spring, or maybe the next one and already planning it, here are some important things to keep in mind.
- Spring usually starts very early in Rome. It can already feel quiet warm at the beginning of March, especially if you are out and about sightseeing under the sun all day long. For this reason, I’ve decided to include March under Spring, instead of Winter.
- This is not a rainy season. This means, you don’t need to plan your outfits for that, just wear practical footwear and pack an umbrella, just in case. When it does rain, it usually last very shortly. So you might be inside a museum, or a shop, and not even notice it until you come out. And by that time, it might have already stopped.
- You don’t need any coats for this time of the year in Rome. I will give you practical outfit ideas to stay warm and also not get hot for when the weather hasn’t made its mind yet.
- You definitely don’t need to pack any boots either. However, you can do so in March, if that’s comfortable for you or part of your style. I would however suggest no boots from April.
- This is the season your dresses and linen can come out, but I will share exact tips about those in a minute.
Outfit ideas for March
You can start wearing lighter layers from March, especially if you are someone who doesn’t feel very cold, and gets hot easily.
For anyone else, these outfits can work, but you might need to layer a thermal underneath or wear a trench coat or light jacket on top.
Styling Notes:
You are going to see a lot of jeans and sneakers in this post. So if you are asking why is that?
Firstly, we are looking at casual chic outfit ideas for Rome. And that’s likely to be the way you want to dress when you are going on a trip and want to look good but also be comfortable.
Secondly, Rome has a cooler vibe than somewhere like Milan, so a cool casual chic style goes really well. And what’s cooler than jeans and sneakers that can look incredibly sophisticated if styled the right way? Not much, right!
So what do you wear in Rome in April?
You can wear the same outfits above with fewer and lighter layers, and no extra jackets. Your sweaters can be enough for when it gets chilly, and you can also pack a light jacket, and a few blazers.
This is what I mean:
Shop This Outfit:
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.
If you’d like more outfit ideas with sweaters and trench coats for women, look at these separate guides:
Chic Sweater Outfits Straight From Italy
What To Wear In Italy In March
For women who love wearing dresses on vacation, even dresses with sneakers and flats, this is the month when your Spring and Summer dresses can come out. You can layer them under trench coats, sweaters, blazers, and light cardigans.
Read this for more inspiration: Spring Dresses Italian Women Love
Shop This Outfit:
April is also the last chance to get the most out of your blazers. You can wear oversized cool suits with sneakers, or style a blazer with a pair of jeans and flats for women. The latter also holds for men, but sneakers are a great shoe to pair them with. See the outfits examples I have curated for you.
Shop This Look:
The same holds for denim jackets. There’s no point in bringing one in Rome in May. A light sweater, or a cardigan for women, might be a better option.
Speaking of denim, you can find more inspiration here: Men’s Jeans Outfits Italians Actually Wear.
What about May?
Speaking of May, you might be asking this: if we are already wearing tshirts under blazers and lighter jackets in April, what do we wear in May? Is it already Summer?
It kind of is.
May in Rome is your last chance to wear jeans.
It’s also the perfect month to let your shirts shine, for that classic Italian style you love so much. Don’t worry, though, you can pair them with jeans and sneakers or other comfortable shoes.
You can also start wearing tshirts, cotton and linen dresses. I have separate guides for these. You’ll find them linked at the end of this post.
If you have any ticker dresses you’d like to pack for Rome, it’s either now or never. You won’t be able to endure them in June.
These are the outfits that tick all the boxes for May in Rome.
Shop This Look:
Outfits For Rome In Summer (June to September)
Not many people search for what to wear in Rome in Summer – June, July and August. That’s either because less people visit during that time, which makes perfect sense. It’s just too hot.
But if you are among the few who do, what to wear is really simple. Just wear your favorite outfits for hot weather. Choose clothing pieces you find comfortable, and fabrics that feel good to you in Summer.
Keep it light, simple, but make some effort when styling your main clothing piece – likely one (if a dress) or two with accessories that are going to elevate it without adding bulk or any form of annoyance. Believe me, when it’s really hot, and you are trying to enjoy your time, the last thing you need is carrying a heavy bag, or wearing a hat that’s too tight. Every details matters!
Tips for women:
- Dresses are a great idea, for the evening too (if you do choose to change for dinner time). If you choose short dresses, just keep the length tasteful.
- You can also have fun styling lightweight maxi skirts.
- Consider fabrics like linen and cotton.
- Make sure to pack a hat or two that looks chic and covers you from the sun. I have burnt my scalp many times on vacation, and I can assure you it’s not pleasant.
- Shorts are a fantastic option, and you can dress them up. I am going to write a post all about outfits with shorts. For now, the best thing is to make sure the fit and length is just right, never too short!
Let’s see some outfit ideas.
If you’d like more ideas on what to wear in Rome at night during the Summer, read this next: The Best Summer Cotton Dresses & How To Style Them. I found the perfect Rome dress and you can shop it too!
Tips for men:
The same notes on shorts and linen holds for you too.
If you are fair or sensitive to the heat, you can wear a baseball cap to protect yourself from the sun. Have a look at this post for more ideas: Cap Outfits: Milan’s Coolest Looks (For Him & Her)
You can also opt for classic outfits with lighter fabric trousers and polo shirts or tshirts.
For shoes, if you prefer that option, you can wear sandals. Just make sure they are high quality, preferably leather, fit well, look good, and most importantly you prepare your feet beforehand.
Here’s what I mean:
Final Notes:
You should opt for lighter colors, especially during the day. This holds for men and women.
These outfits work from June to September, as once it gets hot in Rome it stays hot. The temperatures might differ by a few degrees from month to month. And sometimes the change happens from day to day. Obviously, the evenings are cooler but still hot enough to require no extra layers.
Having said that, you should pack a lightweight linen shirt or a cotton scarf to cover your shoulders if you happen to be under the sun, or somewhere where the AC is really cold. It’s also a good think to have when entering churches and certain religious museums.
For more outfit ideas (for the ladies), check out these guides:
What to wear in Italy in July
What to wear in Italy in August
What To Wear In Rome In October & Fall
October and November are one of the most searched when it comes to what to wear in Rome. I can’t figure out whether that’s because of the strange weather or whether many people love to visit Rome that time of the year. I think it’s a combination of both.
With that in mind, let me answer some common questions you likely have.
Does is rain a lot in Rome in Fall?
Yes it does. November, which is the rainiest month, can get over 100 milliliters of rain throughout the month. When we compare it to September and December, that falls to half on average in September and around 80 mm in December.
Is it cold in Rome in October?
Not at all. October in Rome feels like the end of Summer but with rain. And that usually continues for most of November too.
When does fall start in Rome?
Mid to end of November is when it starts feeling like fall in Rome, you start needing a jacket and more layers, but only light ones.
Do you need a coat in Fall in Rome?
You don’t need one until end of November/December. Before then, a light rainproof puffer jacket or a trench coat is fine. Plan your layers based on when you will be visiting and how cold you are as a person. You will need a ticker one or a warm coat in December and throughout Winter, only till February.
Is December cold in Rome?
It depends on what you consider cold. In general, Rome gets a mild December with average temperatures of around 10 °C (50 °F), so not bad compared to further North. Because that temperature is also similar for January and February, I will share the outfits for December in the Winter section.
Here’s a summary of how to dress in Fall in Rome:
October – dress like it’s end of Summer, but pack a waterproof jacket and shoes. You can take inspiration from all the outfits I have shared for Spring and Summer.
November – dress like the beginning of Fall but it’s still warm, and pack that waterproof jacket and shoes.
Mid November – plan more layers to keep warm, especially in the morning and at night, or when it’s a cloudy day.
December – This is when you will start dressing warmer with coat and boots, depending on your style. The same outfits that you will wear in December will work also for January and February.
Now, let’s look at the type of outfits that work for Rome when it starts getting chillier, that is around mid November. Keep in mind that these outfits will likely also work for December and January by simply adding a thermal or a sweater.
Shop This Outfit:
Rome Winter Outfits: How To Dress Warm
Winter in Rome doesn’t last long. As I mentioned earlier, March already feels like Spring. And the average temperature during day time in January and February is also 10 °C (50 °F), like in December.
This means that your January and February outfits for Rome are going to be similar to those you wore in December.
Of course, there might be days when it gets slightly colder, but don’t expect near zero temperatures.
So what do you wear?, you’re likely asking..
Let me show you a few outfit ideas for both women and men.
Shop This Look:
Winter in Rome Packing Tips:
- Pack your thermal vest and socks. If you’re someone who doesn’t stand cold temperatures, you might also want to pack warmer leggings to wear under jeans and lighter trousers. That’s a great idea if you plan to walk a lot.
- Wear waterproof shoes.
- Focus on layering – think thermal, shirt, and sweater with coat. So when you get inside you can remove the coat. If you get easily warm, plan fewer layers under your warm jacket.
- Don’t underdress but don’t dress too warm either. That’s how you catch a cold. When you are too warm and then go outside in the cold, and back inside in the warmth.
- Don’t forget your scarf, and a hat for the mornings and evenings, especially if you plan to visit the Christmas markets, or walk outside for a longer time. Those sensitive to the cold should also pack a pair of gloves.
Read My Rome Travel Guides
Packing and dressing well is always an important part of a trip, especially when you love fashion.
But food and sightseeing are equally a priority. After all, that’s the main reason for going. If you’d like some help with that, you can read my Rome Travel Guides.
You’ll find a mix of food and activity guides, from the best tiramisu in Rome to my review of our guided visit to the Vatican Museums.
And if you want more outfit ideas on what to wear in Rome during a specific month, just look for that month’s guide. I have a what to wear in Italy for every month, and Rome is always mentioned.
Finally, I’d like to welcome you inside my Italian newsletter – Buona Settimana. That way, when you come back from Rome you’ll get a weekly dose of la dolce vita every Sunday. Inside it, we chat about Italian food, fashion, travel, and life. Sign up through one of the boxes on this page.
Have a wonderful time in Rome. And Make sure to eat a lot of suppli, maritozzi, and cacio e pepe.
A presto,
Alessia
