We just got home from the most incredible trip to Italy. While this might not be your first thought when it comes to spring break family destinations, I cannot recommend it enough — we had a blast!
A few weeks before the trip, I put together this Italy packing list, but unfortunately, the weather shifted and I had to rethink what to wear during the trip. Now that we’re back, I thought it might be helpful to share the Italy outfits that I actually wore.
Today, I’m going to walk through Italy outfit ideas for a spring trip abroad. As always, I leaned into mixing and matching classic pieces and stuck to a cohesive color palette. There’s a little bit of everything, from dressy looks to casual outfits. I hope this post is helpful for anyone planning an upcoming trip to Italy!
A Few Tips for Planning Italy Outfits
Before diving into outfit ideas, I wanted to share a few general packing tips. These always help me narrow down suitcase clutter, stay comfortable during the trip, and ensure I have the perfect look for all of our vacation activities.
1. Try On Outfits Before Packing
While trying outfits on before a trip does take a bit more effort, it really helps narrow everything down and prevents overpacking. Think about the places you’ll be visiting and try on different looks for each spot until you find the perfect one.
If you have time, I even recommend jotting all of your planned Italy outfits down in your phone notes. I find this to be super helpful. I never want to be hemming and hawing over what to wear when I’m on vacation, as time is of the essence!
2. Check the Weather Before Departure
As I mentioned previously, I had to reassess my Italy outfits the week before our trip due to the weather. It ended up being a little colder than I had anticipated, so I switched gears and packed for the weather we had, not the weather I wanted.
Because of this, I stayed nice and comfortable throughout the whole trip. I cannot stress enough how important it is to always check the weather before packing because you just never know what you’re going to get!
3. Think Through Your Suitcase Logistics
When traveling as a family, suitcase logistics are always at the forefront of my mind, so I thought I’d share what we did on this trip. We checked three bags, and I had one carry-on roller with everything we’d need in case our luggage was lost. All in all, my checked suitcase, including toiletries, weighed 49 pounds.
Thankfully, we stayed at the same hotel at the end of our trip as we did at the beginning, so they were able to store all of our larger luggage while we ventured to other spots. We only packed one bag to take on our side quest to Venice, and it worked out so well!
Again, I think it’s always important to think through these logistics when planning vacation outfits, as you don’t want to overpack and be miserable lugging around bags. This is especially true if you have young children. Luckily, at this age, our boys can each definitely wheel a bag if needed.
4. Don’t Pack New Shoes
One of my biggest tips for selecting vacation outfits is to avoid packing new shoes. It never fails — if you leave home with a brand-new pair, you’ll likely end up with blisters and be reminded of it with every step! I highly recommend trying on any new footwear at home and “test-driving” it weeks in advance.
I also always pack these blister bandages, just in case. Thankfully, they weren’t needed once during this trip! I always bring my sneakers as well. This time around, I only wore them on travel days, but I’ve had to swap into them for comfort on a few other trips.
5. Watch Movies for Italy Outfit Inspiration
One of my favorite ways to find style inspiration before a trip is by watching movies, especially classics. It really puts me in the mood and mindset to dress for the occasion!
There are so many great films to help inspire Italy outfits. Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn is such a beautiful one to watch. Her bright blue midi skirt lives rent-free in my mind, along with her crisp button-downs and scarf.
Another favorite is The Talented Mr. Ripley. Marge’s style throughout the film, from her hair to her skirts, is true perfection! These movies will certainly put you in the mood to pack for your Italian holiday.
Classic Italy Outfits Worth Packing
Okay, now on to the fun part — Italy outfits to recreate! For this trip, I pulled a lot of old faithfuls from my closet, which I always think is a great idea. You can never go wrong with tried-and-true classics.
For the color palette, these looks all lean into navy and ice blue, with some brown tones intermixed. I’m happy to report that I wore almost everything I packed, with the exception of two dresses. If you have an upcoming trip, I hope these Italy outfit ideas spark some inspiration!
Satin Pants + Cardigan Sweater
For a day of touring Rome in a restored Fiat, I wore these La Ligne silk pants with a classic crewneck tee and cardigan sweater.
The pants were one of my favorite things I packed for the trip. I bought them last fall, and I’ve been so impressed with how well they travel. I’ve worn them to a nice dinner in Montana, sightseeing in Rome, and even on the plane ride home.
The cardigan that I wore for this Italy outfit has also been one of my most-worn pieces over the last few months. It has the prettiest button details. I added chic flats, a timeless bag, and classic earrings to complete the look.
Tunic Top + Ecru Jeans
When we were in Venice, we spent a day in Murano making Murano glass, which was such a fun experience. I wore this gorgeous dupioni tunic top with a favorite pair of ecru jeans. The details and color on this top are so beautiful.
I paired it with oversized sunglasses, my go-to simple drop earrings, and a trusty pair of gold sandals.
We had plenty of sun while we were visiting, but in Venice, when the wind hit, it was intense. I was so thankful I borrowed my sister’s Reformation coat — it was the MVP of the trip!
Midi Dress + Statement Coat
Speaking of dupioni silk, this midi dress was another favorite from my Italy outfits. Again, the color is stunning, and the fit is incredibly flattering. I layered this fun statement coat on top for a lovely dinner at Acqua Pazza. You can use code SARAH15 for a discount on this coat!
For a bag, I carried this neutral mini tote, which I adore. It’s chic, the perfect size, and the color matches everything. I opted for flats in the same neutral hue, green sunglasses, and chic statement earrings to pull it all together.
Ecru Peplum Jacket + Matching Pants
Chic, chic, chic — that’s the best way to describe this Italy outfit. Again, it’s composed of pieces that have been on heavy rotation for me lately. This ecru denim peplum jacket and matching pants make it so easy to feel elevated and put together.
I layered my go-to cashmere wrap for added warmth — it’s a piece I almost always travel with.
For this look, I kept the accessories classic and neutral and added this gorgeous belt as a final touch. It was the perfect outfit for touring Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice and enjoying a lunch at Harry’s.
Cashmere Sweater + Pants Set
My favorite wrap once again made an appearance for our travel day. For this look, I wore it layered over a cashmere sweater and pants set. This is one of my favorite travel looks, as it’s so incredibly comfy but equally as cute!
I threw on a trusty pair of sneakers, simple jewelry (I love this beautiful blue necklace), and a classic baseball cap, and I was all set to go.
Be sure to browse my post on comfortable airport outfits for even more travel day inspiration!
Ruffle-Trim Top + Ecru Pants
One of the boys’ favorite activities during our trip was attending Gladiator school, and I must say, I had a ton of fun myself! For this excursion, I wore this ruffle-trim top and these ecru pants, which you’ll notice I wore in multiple Italy outfits throughout the trip. I love that this top feels so classic, but with a fresh twist!
To elevate it even more, I added this gorgeous quilted coat. The design and details on this piece are even more stunning in person. This look took me straight from Gladiator school to dinner at La Taverna Urbana.
Tassel Top + Ecru Pants
I wore this blue tassel top with my statement coat to a sabering ceremony at the St. Regis Venice, and it was one of my favorite Italy outfits from the trip! The two pieces paired together perfectly, and they mix so well with tons of other styles, too!
Once again, I kept the accessories pretty neutral, minus a small pop of color in my earrings and green sunglasses. I was so impressed with these cream flats, along with the brown pair that I wore in other looks. They were both incredibly comfortable, which is a must for walking around Italy.
Floral Blouse + Ecru Pants
We really leaned into being tourists and spent a day exploring the Monti neighborhood in Rome (I even carried my camera around my neck, as we tourists do!). It was such a neat area to wander, with tons of dining and boutique shopping options.
For this activity, I once again wore my go-to ecru pants and classic accessories, and I added a feminine touch with this beautiful floral blouse. I can’t get over the pretty details on this top!
For my final layer, I opted for a classic trench coat. I’ve had this piece for over a year now, and it has come with me on multiple trips. It’s flattering, timeless, and keeps me warm and comfortable. You can use code STUCKER20 for 20% off.
Simple Tee + Navy Trousers
Last but not least, I’m rounding out my Italy outfits with an elevated casual look. These navy trousers are another style that I remixed throughout the trip. They’re made from a performance-blend fabric, so they feel great on and look polished, too! You can use code STUCKER20 for a discount.
I paired them with my favorite white tee for a morning stroll (I size up in this style). I always pack multiple white tees. They don’t take up much room, and I’m always so glad I have extras, especially when there are multiple travel or train days.
Italy Outfits for a Spring Trip
And there you have it — all of the Italy outfits I actually wore for our spring break trip! I had so much fun putting together these looks, and I also found so much inspiration in the style of the Italian women. I’ll definitely be playing around with recreating some of their looks now that I’m back home!
If you have an upcoming Italian getaway, or if you’re simply looking for classic and elevated spring outfit inspiration, I hope these ideas are helpful.
For additional style inspiration, be sure to check out these posts:
