Wear high-quality shoes, preferably in leather. Most women in Italy wear high heeled, pointed-toe shoes - even when walking on cobblestone streets. Men typically wear loafers. Most Italians wouldn't be caught dead in sneakers and consider flip-flops to be beach attire.
Build your wardrobe around a few key pieces like a designer blazer, well-fitting linen pants and a silk blouse. Italians will save for 6 months to buy a designer clothing item rather than spend that money on a larger quantity of cheaper items.
Avoid clothing with logos, emblems, patches, embroidery and other distracting designs. Italians feel that large logos on clothing make people look like billboards.
Focus on well-tailored, minimalist outfits in neutral colors like black, white, beige and navy.
Steer clear of shorts, especially if you're a woman. Many Italians find shorts to be distasteful, and if you're visiting churches in Italy, you may find yourself unable to get in dressed as you are. Knee-length skirts are more appropriate.
Choose natural fabrics such as cotton, silk and linen rather than synthetics.
Look for accessories with understated elegance. Avoid loud scarves, large hoop earrings, and costume jewelry. Less is more - don't load yourself down with accessories.
