What to Wear to Italy in March (and What Not to Pack)

November 6, 2024

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I spent over a month contemplating what to wear in Italy in March. The travel itinerary would lead me through the northern region, to places with the average temperature of 60-degrees Fahrenheit and light rain, so packing would be no simple task (is it ever?).

I definitely didn’t get the packing thing exactly right the first time around, but there were a lot of lessons learned that I can share with you, so you don’t make the same mistakes as me.

How to Dress in Italy: What to Wear to Italy in March & What Not to Pack in Spring

Just like many destinations, travel fashion in Italy really does depend on the area you are in. The bigger the city the more trendy, and the smaller the town the more laid back. There is no rule that you have to dress as the Italians do, but if you don’t want to stand out as a tourist there are a few simple tips to follow.

What to Wear to Italy in March (And What Not to Pack)

Weather in Italy in March

Of course the weather depends on the exact location in Italy, but in general in March the weather in northern Italy ranges from 35-55°F and gets slightly warmer the more south you go. Due to the chilly weather, March is still the shoulder season, but this may make it the perfect time to visit (it was for me!). Anytime you can get to Italy when there is less traffic on the streets and at the attractions it makes for a better experience.

Keep in mind that many Italians dress for the season, not the weather. It doesn’t matter if the sun is out, if it is October they will be wearing their Fall clothes. Even on the sunny afternoons, I saw people bundled in their coats and scarves. I had brought a few sleeveless blouses for going out to dinner, though quickly found that even though the restaurants were warm, no one really wore anything that could be considered summer-time clothing.

What to Wear in Italy in March

All types of Boots. Though I am a big fan of knee-high boots, most locals these days are wearing ankle or mid-calf boots. Here are some of my favorite travel boots.
Thick Peacoat. Something that can be worn with a dress or a pair of jeans.
Small messenger and cross-body bags. Nordstroms has a great variety of bags in all different shapes and sizes.
Dark skinny jeans. Either dark blue or dark gray were the most popular.
Cool, European-style tennis/walking shoes. See some examples here.
Low-top Converse.
Scarves.
Dark, muted colors. When in doubt, black or gray are always safe choices. Very few people will be wearing anything too bright or fluorescent.

What NOT to Wear in Italy in March

White tennis shoes. Unless they are Converse!
Classic Fanny packs. Instead opt for a trendy leather one.
Bright colors.
Printed Souvenir T-shirts. Stay away from wearing any “I Love XYZ” t-shirts.
Baseball hats.
Sports/Camping Backpacks.
Light colored jeans or white pants.

Things I Should Not Have Packed (But Did)

High heels. It takes skill to walk the cobbled streets of Italy without tripping, a skill that I do not have. Plus, you will be walking a lot!
Bright Red Jacket.