I just moved to Rome and here are the 5 summer trends Italians wear

I live in a central area of ​​Rome, located at the top of Quirinal Hill, very close to Piazza Barberini (and the famous Fellini Street). The good life). I just returned to Italy a few months ago for work after falling in love with this place during my first stay here, which started in summer 2022. I’m surrounded by tons of stylish restaurants and top-of-the-line bars. range in my area, bustling with a mix of tourists, diplomats and other professionals in Italy’s historic capital. If you head down the hill from Barberini, you’ll soon find yourself right in the heart of Rome, close to some of the most popular attractions like the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.

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

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

Comfortable striped pants

A common element of 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 wide-leg sailor-striped option from J. Crew. For a more casual and comfortable vibe, I’ve also seen classic linen versions similar to this pair from Amazon, or this light blue version of the trend from Edikted. Personally, I’m still on a Barbie kick from last summer, and these pink striped pants from Anthropologie are a total dream.

Playful jewelry

Rome is experiencing something of a renaissance with cool creative minds coming together to establish a new and innovative presence in a (very) old city. The city’s most stylish designers know one thing when it comes to putting together a look: accessories are key. All the cool girls on Instagram are wearing 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 flowers into a warm-weather look, so opt for this super fun ring from Kurt Geiger London or these woven flower hoop earrings from Free People.

Chic tops with bow

The Sally Liang-ification of the Italian fashion scene is in full effect. Bows appearing on almost everything have 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 top from Zara instantly became part of my summer wardrobe, and I love this linen tank top from Bdg Urban Outfitters with bow accents. Reformation always gives me sexy picnic vibes, and this floral print top is no different.

Stylish Mary Jane Apartments

In a city that requires a lot of walking, it is essential to have shoes that are both stylish and functional. I’ve seen so many ballerinas and Mary Janes gracing the cobbled streets lately, both perfect for the transition from spring to summer. This unique knit pair from Vivaia is super trendy and versatile. Mesh is absolutely everywhere these days, and this pair from Jeffrey Campbell is a great way to get in on the trend. For a super summer vacation vibe, these Spanish-made espadrilles from J. Crew are perfect. Add metallic elements with this ultra-cool silver option from Madewell, or this studded style from Steve Madden on sale on Amazon.

Effortless Pleated Skirts

There has been a subtle wave of preppiness among Italians recently, and pleated skirts have made a lasting impression. I’ve easily seen a dozen iterations that remind me of this sporty skirt from Abercrombie. Rome is fully buying into the tennis hype thanks to the recent influx of players into 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 stylish pleated midi skirt from Amazon or this chiffon midi skirt from Quince.