I Just Moved to Rome, and These Are the 5 Summer Trends Italians Are Wearing

I live in a central neighborhood in Rome positioned atop the Quirinal Hill, quite close to Piazza Barberini (and the famous street from Fellini’s La Dolce Vita). I just moved back to Italy a few months ago for work after falling in love with this place during my first stint here, which began in the summer of 2022. I’m surrounded by tons of elegant restaurants and upscale bars in my zone, bustling with a mix of tourists, diplomats, and other professionals in Italy’s historic capital. If you walk straight down the hill from Barberini, you’ll soon find yourself in the very heart of Rome near some of the most popular attractions like the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. 

One of my favorite things to do is sit outside a café with a cappuccino (before noon, of course) and people-watch, a habit I share with many locals. As someone with an eye for trends, naturally I’ve picked up on the style habits of the Romans. I notice the classic uniforms for men (impeccably tailored, timeless suits) and women (effortlessly chic dresses), but there’s more underneath the surface. Italians are experts in taking their basic, everyday attire to the next level by putting a bold twist on the essentials in their wardrobe.

Below, I rounded up the top five summer 2024 style trends Italians have already embraced, including chic bow tops and stylish Mary Jane flats:

Comfy Striped Pants

One common element in Italian fashion across the board is the incorporation of patterns and prints into their looks. This season, I’ve spotted more stripes than expected like these terracotta-hued Brixton cotton-twill pants or this sailor-striped wide-leg option from J. Crew. For a more laid-back comfy vibe, I’ve also seen classic linen versions similar to this pair from Amazon, or this light blue take on the trend from Edikted. I’m personally still on a Barbie kick from last summer, and these pink striped pants from Anthropologie are a total dream.

Playful Jewelry

Rome is experiencing a bit of a renaissance with cool creative minds flocking together to establish a new and innovative presence in a city that is (very) old. The most stylish creatives in the city know one thing about pulling together a look: accessories are everything. All of the cool Instagram girls are donning whimsical jewelry like these enamel tube hoop earrings from Shymi. Colorful pieces like this bracelet set from Roxanne Assoulin or this necklace from Madewell are also huge right now. There’s always an excuse to incorporate florals into a warm-weather look, so opt for this super fun ring from Kurt Geiger London or these woven flower hoops from Free People.

Chic Bow Tops

The Sally Liang-ification of the Italian fashion scene is in full effect. Bows popping up on just about everything has been a trend for a while now, but lately, I’ve noticed an influx of them as an intricate detail on tops, like this super chic red linen top from J. Crew. This structured tank from Zara is immediately becoming a part of my summer wardrobe, and I love this linen tank from Bdg Urban Outfitters that’s accented with bows. Reformation always gives me sexy picnic vibes, and this floral printed top is no different.

Stylish Mary Jane Flats

As a city that requires a lot of walking, having stylish yet functional footwear is crucial. I’ve been seeing so many ballet flats and Mary Janes grace the cobblestone streets lately, both of which are perfect for transitioning from spring to summer. This unique, knit pair from Vivaia is super trendy and versatile. Mesh is absolutely everywhere lately, and this pair from Jeffrey Campbell is a great way to partake in the trend. For a super summery, vacation vibe, these made-in-Spain espadrilles from J. Crew are perfect. Add some metallic elements with this uber-cool silver option from Madewell, or this studded Steve Madden style on sale at Amazon. 

Effortless Pleated Skirts

There’s been a subtle wave of preppiness spilling out amongst the Italians recently, and pleated skirts have made a lasting impression. I’ve seen easily a dozen iterations that remind me of this sporty skirt from Abercrombie. Rome is fully embracing the tennis hype thanks to the recent influx of players to the city for the Italian Open, and I’ve been dying to get my hands on a proper tennis skirt like this one from J. Crew. If minis aren’t your thing, opt for this elegant-looking pleated midi skirt from Amazon or this chiffon midi from Quince.