How to Dress in Italy during Fall

The Italian peninsula attracts several types of travelers: those seeking historical locations, religious revelations, and Eno-gastronomic gratification have trampled the well-worn paths of the great boot. But although the experiences of each individual visitor may be worlds apart, they do share a common factor: most of the trip is spent outside. Or at least feeling like you’re outside. At times, even if one is sheltered, the building is most likely hundreds of years old, and American commodities such as insulation, heat, and air conditioning are not guaranteed. Therefore, dress is key in avoiding any uncomfortable climate situations. We already know how to dress to avoid the tourist glare from locals during summer, but how does one prepare for the ever-changing autumn natural elements without bringing an entire wardrobe? If you are wondering how to dress in Italy during fall, read below for quick pointers on packing efficiently and effectively for your fall trip to any part of Italy.

Vestirsi a Cipolla

Dress Like an Onion: The widely-spread Italian suggestion to “dress like an onion” is the perfect rule of thumb to follow when dressing for Italy’s fall. Think layers: easy ones to peel off when it is too hot and to reapply when the weather turns chilly. Women will want to pack camisoles and short-sleeved shirts to wear under long-sleeved shirts and light sweaters. Men should think of wearing an undershirt in addition to a long-sleeved outer layer.

Jackets and Scarves, a Chance to Shine

There is a secret that no Italian will ever tell you: with the right, stylish jacket, you don’t have to worry about what is underneath. This means bring those comfortable “touristy” shirts and wear them with pride…underneath a stylish light- or medium-weight jacket. Complete the ensemble with a scarf, which not only serves the purpose of accenting your classy outer layer, but can also increase your warmth or cool you down by simply wrapping it tighter or removing it.

Get Caught in the Rain

Rain is an unavoidable reality of Italian autumns, but it doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on your sites to see for the day. Bring rain gear: a light-medium rain jacket is worth the luggage space and shoes that can stand up to the wet weather, such as fashionable boots (which also make a great souvenir), are a must. –This means leave those flip flops at home! They don’t agree well with the slippery cobblestones of Italian roads.–Instead of packing an umbrella, it is best to buy one in Italy at a reputable store, ensuring its quality, before the rain hits. However, if you are caught, you can always resort to the street vendors and their colorful, 2-Euro umbrellas that might shield you for the day or break within an hour.

Know the Facts

Temperatures range from low 70’s to low 40’s during the fall. Here are the average high and low temperatures in Fahrenheit for major cities in Italy during the months of October, November, and December, according to ilmeteo.it:

Location	October	November	December
Southern Italy (Palermo)	74/60˚F23/16˚C	66/56˚F19/13˚C	61/50˚ F16/10˚ C
Mid-Italy (Florence)	70/50˚F21/10˚C	59/43˚F15/6˚C	50/36˚F10/2˚C
Northern Italy (Milan)	65/46˚F18/8˚C	50/39˚F10/4˚C	41/30˚F5/-1˚C

Were our how to dress in Italy during fall tips useful? Do you have any pearls of wisdom or interesting experiences with Italy’s fall weather? Leave a comment and tell us about them!