Almost immediately after arriving in Rome, I began to notice where my wardrobe seemed to be startlingly lacking. Too much of this, too little of that… I definitely had some shopping to do! But wouldn’t it be great to have known exactly what I would need when I was at home packing? Whether you’ll be staying for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months, here are a few tips to make packing as painless as possible.

Our Top Packing Tips for Summer in Rome

#1 Pack Light!

I know packing a lot is tempting, but carrying a giant suitcase across Rome’s cobblestone streets or up a narrow flight of stairs is not fun. Try to pack the essentials – a pair of jeans, shorts, a few tops for the daytime, layers, and maybe something nice for a night out.

#2 Bring light clothes

One thing I completely overlooked when I packed was the fact that most places have a washer, but not a dryer! So, if you’ll be in Rome for a while pack lightweight fabrics and plan out your laundry days somewhat in advance. Even in the summer heat, your clothes will still take some time to dry!

#3 Bring appropriate clothes 

Summers in Rome are hot and many places don’t have air conditioning, but don’t leave all of your layers at home. Places like the Vatican and most churches require more modest dress. For both men and women it is a good rule of thumb to have your shoulders, knees and everything in between covered. In addition, a lot of museums have temperature controlled rooms to preserve art and artifacts so they can get a bit chilly too. So, if you’re trying to beat the heat with some bare skin, remember to bring something to cover up with.

#4 Discover the differences between American/Italian clothes

Before coming to Rome I was warned that Italians dress far nicer than Americans. I was told “no jeans”, “no shorts”, “no flip flops”, “no tank-tops” and funnily enough, both “no black” and “no bright colors”!  I here have found that the difference is not so severe – although it does definitely exist.

For men: It is almost immediately clear that Italian men dress nicer than American men, especially in the summer heat. Tailored pants or fitted skinny jeans are very common, usually paired with a button-down or a well-fitting, stylish tee shirt. I’ve seen very few baggy pants, cargo shorts, loose shirts or sandals.

For women: American and Italian trends are fairly similar – especially among the younger generation. The only significant difference I have spotted is that Italian women are rarely seen in what we Americans would consider casual clothes (e.g. gym shorts, baggy tee shirts, sweatpants). Despite what I was told, jeans and tank tops are very common and I’ve seen a lot of black and bright colors. Short shorts and flip flops however are not worn unless at the beach or by the pool.

#5 Stay comfortable

Above all else, be sure to bring clothes that you feel comfortable in! You won’t have as good of a time if you’re self-conscious of your clothing. As long as you choose comfortable clothing, your outfit choices will be a breeze. Remember, feel comfortable and you’ll look confident!