I spent over a month contemplating what to wear in Italy in March. The travel itinerary would lead me through the northern region, to places with the average temperature of 60-degrees Fahrenheit and light rain, so packing would be no simple task (is it ever?).
I definitely didn’t get the packing thing exactly right the first time around, but there were a lot of lessons learned that I can share with you, so you don’t make the same mistakes as me.
How to Dress in Italy: What to Wear to Italy in March & What Not to Pack in Spring
Just like many destinations, travel fashion in Italy really does depend on the area you are in. The bigger the city the more trendy, and the smaller the town the more laid back. There is no rule that you have to dress as the Italians do, but if you don’t want to stand out as a tourist there are a few simple tips to follow.
Weather in Italy in March
Of course the weather depends on the exact location in Italy, but in general in March the weather in northern Italy ranges from 35-55°F and gets slightly warmer the more south you go. Due to the chilly weather, March is still the shoulder season, but this may make it the perfect time to visit (it was for me!). Anytime you can get to Italy when there is less traffic on the streets and at the attractions it makes for a better experience.
Keep in mind that many Italians dress for the season, not the weather. It doesn’t matter if the sun is out, if it is October they will be wearing their Fall clothes. Even on the sunny afternoons, I saw people bundled in their coats and scarves. I had brought a few sleeveless blouses for going out to dinner, though quickly found that even though the restaurants were warm, no one really wore anything that could be considered summer-time clothing.
What to Wear in Italy in March
- All types of Boots. Though I am a big fan of knee-high boots, most locals these days are wearing ankle or mid-calf boots. Here are some of my favorite travel boots.
- Thick Peacoat. Something that can be worn with a dress or a pair of jeans.
- Small messenger and cross-body bags. Nordstroms has a great variety of bags in all different shapes and sizes.
- Dark skinny jeans. Either dark blue or dark gray were the most popular.
- Cool, European-style tennis/walking shoes. See some examples here.
- Low-top Converse.
- Scarves.
- Dark, muted colors. When in doubt, black or gray are always safe choices. Very few people will be wearing anything too bright or fluorescent.
What NOT to Wear in Italy in March
- White tennis shoes. Unless they are Converse!
- Classic Fanny packs. Instead opt for a trendy leather one.
- Bright colors.
- Printed Souvenir T-shirts. Stay away from wearing any “I Love XYZ” t-shirts.
- Baseball hats.
- Sports/Camping Backpacks.
- Light colored jeans or white pants.
Things I Should Not Have Packed (But Did)
- High heels. It takes skill to walk the cobbled streets of Italy without tripping, a skill that I do not have. Plus, you will be walking a lot!
- Bright Red Jacket.
Things I Should Have Packed for Italy, But Didn’t
- More scarves. It would have been nice to have a couple different colors to accessorize with.
- A simple knit hat.
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘cheapest month’ to find the lowest fares for your destination (I use this all the time!).
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with Discover Cars for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
*Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
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Thanks for the great tips! I’ve been trying to research what to wear as my husband and I will be traveling to Venice for several days at the end of March. It’s kind of daunting trying to figure out what to take when all we will each have is a suitcase that is carry-on size. Any tips for absolute basics?
Hi Annette,
I will be in Italy March 16-26. Just curious if you think knee high suede wedge boots would be ok?
Also I was thinking of my frye low harness boot.
I’m also bringing knee high riding boots & wedge sneakers.
Thanks,
Loree
Hello Loree,
I was back to Italy a few weeks ago and all types of boots were popular, especially ankle boots. I saw a few converse style tennis shoes too. My first trip I brought a wedged boot and it worked out fine. Though, keep in mind that there is typically A LOT of walking that needs to be done in Italy and many of the streets a cobbled. So, most importantly, wear something comfortable.
Usually on my winter/spring trips I bring two types of shoes, a flat boot that can be dressed up or down and a tennis shoe. I typically would only bring a heeled shoe if I was doing something really fancy. Also, keep in mind that Italy has great shopping :)
Have fun!
Thanks for the great tips Annette! I'm going to France and Italy in March and wasn't sure if boots were fashionable. I don't want to look like a tourist, so I'm glad everything you have suggested is pretty much what I was hoping.
The last time I was in Europe (Spain & Londong), after this trip, ankle boots were all the rage!! I had brought comfy knee high boots, which were fine, but I bought me some ankle boots as soon as I got home :) Have fun!!!