A Guide On How To Dress For Your Summer Italian Getaway

Forbes

6 days ago

Step through the doors of Il Gattopardo in Mayfair, and you're instantly transported to the sun-drenched terraces of Italy. The restaurant's sophisticated interior, crafted in collaboration with Dion & Arles, weaves together classical Italian design with mid-century modern elegance. Think warm terracotta walls, vintage ceramics, and soft lighting that evokes golden hour on the Mediterranean coast. As the maître d' approaches your table, presenting a carefully curated menu divided into Aperitivo, Negronis, and Dopo Cena sections, you can almost feel the sea breeze from the Amalfi coast with each sip of their signature Il Gattopardo negroni.
The restaurant's new "Il Pranzo" brunch menu captures the heart of Italian family dining which is reminiscent of your nonna's Sunday gatherings where food is meant to be shared and savored. Weekend specials like tartare di tonno, cavolo riccio, and arancini arrive as antipasti before the main events. Don't forget to end your meal with their beloved tiramisu. This taste of Italian summer elegance naturally inspires wanderlust for the actual coastlines of Italy. But to truly embrace this lifestyle, whether dining at an Italian establishment or planning your next Mediterranean escape, you need to dress the part. Here's how to capture that effortless Italian elegance through thoughtful styling choices.
Fabrics And Colors Are Key to Achieving Italian Chic
Stylist Marion Perles emphasizes that authentic Italian summer style begins with the right fabrics. "Linen, cotton poplin, silk, lace, and crochet are essential," she notes. These breathable materials not only keep you comfortable in Italy's warm climate but also create the flowing, effortless silhouettes that define Italian elegance.
Summer Away, a South Asian brand created by Meghna Goyal with the modern traveler in mind, perfectly embodies this philosophy. The brand's collection features flowing maxi dresses, relaxed co-ord sets, and lightweight separates that layer beautifully and are all crafted from 100% natural fabrics. "You can style our pieces with simple sandals and a sun hat for daytime, or elevate them with strappy heels and statement earrings for evening," Goyal tells Forbes. The versatility makes each piece perfect for the modern woman planning her European summer or wine country weekend.
To truly stand out against Italy's stunning scenery, Perles recommends a bold color palette: vibrant yellows that mirror Tuscan sunflowers, warm whites like Carrara marble, cobalt blue reminiscent of the Mediterranean, rich terracotta, classic black, and bright red. These colors create striking contrasts against Italy's natural beauty while maintaining that sophisticated Italian aesthetic.
Co-ord sets from Amyrah's Avenue exemplify this approach perfectly. The luxury e-commerce platform, whose name means "princess" in Arabic, curates Pakistani designer collections that reflect elegance and empowerment. Co-founder Zara Hirani explains their focus on versatile, sustainable pieces ideal for resort wear: "Printed kaftans work as beach cover-ups, while silk co-ord sets transition seamlessly from day brunch to night parties." The floral prints and vibrant colors are a no-brainer when it comes to Italian summer fashion.
Planning a dreamy Italian wedding? Designer Katarina Protsack's debut bridal piece, the Jardin Scarf Dress in pearl white, perfectly captures romantic Mediterranean elegance. This stunning silhouette from her Raha collection features eco-friendly silk with a removable scarf and a dramatically curved back, lined in luxurious cupro-viscose satin. Effortlessly transition from your glamorous civil ceremony to an intimate sunset dinner by the sea. This sustainable yet sophisticated dress embodies the perfect blend of conscious fashion and timeless bridal beauty for the modern bride. The label also includes a number of other vacation-friendly options including halter tops, sarongs and miniskirts.
How Men Can Master The Effortless Italian Cool
Men's Italian summer style follows a more nuanced approach to color. "For men, we typically use a warmer neutral palette such as off-white, cream, navy, and soft earthy tones like rust, sage, and sky blue," Perles advises. The key to authentic Italian men's style lies in fabric selection. Perles recommends linen for its breathability and relaxed elegance, soft chambray for versatility, seersucker for its classic summer appeal, and high-quality cotton for comfort and durability.
Kenny Flowers' terry cloth cabana shorts need to be part of your partner's suitcase. Crafted from 100% fine Pima cotton, they are designed for the man who wants to zip around on a Vespa and look effortlessly cool by the villa pool while capturing that quintessential Italian summer lifestyle. For men, however, the biggest thing is tailoring; tailored shorts will keep you cool and classy, and deconstructed jackets might add more of a casual flair to your vacation.
Add Accessories To Finish Your Italian Style
In the age of Instagram and vacation documentation, accessories become the defining details that elevate your Italian aesthetic from tourist to sophisticate. "When thinking of la dolce vita, cat-eye sunglasses and statement bags or hats immediately come to mind," notes Perles.
The Dolce Frame from Heidi Merrik captures this perfectly. This unisex design, inspired by California surf culture, offers a softened cat-eye that feels feminine, sculptural, and effortlessly wearable. It brings quiet boldness to everyday dressing: elegant without being overly dramatic, much like the Italians themselves.
When you're not wearing those iconic frames, slip them into something equally chic like the Amari Shoulder Bag in Pistachio from Melia Bianco. This dreamy green adds an unexpected pop that still plays neutral, creating the perfect backdrop for that quintessential Italian moment: bag in one hand, gelato in the other. Personalize it further with playful charms such as cherry red, strawberry pink, or pineapple yellow, for that extra touch of personality that Italians do so well.
All that cobblestone exploring demands shoes that marry fashion with function. For men, loafers or espadrilles provide the perfect balance of sophistication and comfort. Women have plenty options beyond the obvious slingback heel (though that's perfect for rooftop Aperol spritzes). Consider platform sandals like the Townes Midform, featuring signature LUVSEAT™ arch support and full-grain leather straps that naturally form to your foot while elevating any look. For versatility, VIVAIA's flats offer three interchangeable shoelace styles, letting you switch between Italian chic, cottagecore, or date-night sweet in seconds. With sneaker-level EVA cushioning and a travel-ready foldable design, they keep you comfortable from morning espresso to midnight passeggiata.
Don't Forget Gold Jewelry To Complete Your Italian Vision
If you've watched The White Lotus, you know that statement jewelry defines Italian summer style. Gold-toned pieces add luxurious warmth to any look. Julia Vaughn understands this instinctively: "When I think of a summer in Italy, I immediately envision easy, breezy, barely there attire styled with a bold statement cuff or earring." Her pieces carry an Etruscan air reminiscent of 80's French couture jewelry, with rich colors and sculptural silhouettes that sparkle perfectly against Italy's golden light.
For something truly unique during your stay, consider Maalicious Jewelry by Poonam Thimmaiah that is designed to be "Unapologetically Bold. Unforgettably You." Created in New York and handmade by women artisans across India, each piece serves as a modern heirloom rooted in tradition. Using traditional Indian art forms and 24k gold plating, pieces like the evil eye necklace or alligator choker become instant conversation starters while you are waiting for your drink at a rooftop in Sicily.
Fragrance ties together every element of your ensemble, and research shows that 90% of women feel more confident when wearing scent. Dolce & Gabbana's iconic Light Blue Eau de Toilette and Light Blue Pour Homme capture this perfectly. Imagined as an idyllic journey through summer in Capri, these legendary fragrances serve as a portal to a cinematic Italian world where every sense is awakened. Whether you're savoring an afternoon at Il Gattopardo or planning your actual Italian adventure, these styling choices will help you embody the timeless elegance and joy of Italian living, where every moment feels like a celebration of beauty and the art of living well.