Your idea of Rome may be this sunny, almost rustic, and definitely heated urban paradise full of history and heritage but that's not all that the city is. Truth be told, the Italian capital can get very cold during winter. And while it rarely snows here, you'd still freeze to death if you're not careful. Fortunately, Rome is also a fashion capital, which means it offers up styles and staples that will keep you looking good no matter what. Some of them will also warm you up, making them more than appropriate and definitely on-season to sport during this time.
Something Tailored To Keep You Warm
While
London has tailoring and France has haute couture, Italy has Alta Moda. And just like the former, Alta Moda is all about craftsmanship and quality clothing. Even designers like
Giorgio Armani and
Valentino are rooted in this fashionable art form. So it's no surprise that tailored suits and separates are all the rage in Rome, especially during winter. Since tailoring encloses one's body at such precision, it often warms people up in more ways than one. At times, if the materials are thick enough and the tailoring is just right, you wouldn't even need another layer to keep you warm!
Don't Forget The Collar
And what goes great with a tailored suit? A nice white shirt with, you guessed it, a collar. The stiffer the better! A collared piece will always work in Rome during winter for a lot of things. Firstly, buttoning it all the way up is another great way to warm you up, possibly even to the point where you won't need to wear a scarf. Secondly, as Rome is where the Vatican is, the chic Catholic look with a nice, sturdy white collar just seems so appropriate. It's as if you're paying homage to the solemn spirit in the city.
Coat Up
Of course, you should never forget a coat during winter, be it in Rome or in any other city! A statement coat will always be a stylish staple during this season, and Italians love them! Whether it's cold or just a little breezy outside, the most fashionable Romans will always sport a coat, be it a classic trench from
MaxMara, a cocoon-shaped piece from
Marni, or a sexy leather layer from
Versace. Weirdly enough, there's a sexiness to how Italians sport their coats during winter. They'd often cinch their waists with a belt or let an oversized coat overpower them, leaving a lot of mystery behind every impression.
Add A Little Texture
Be it smooth leather, soft cashmere, or even thick and plush fur, Romans never stray away from mixing textiles during winter. In fact, this season is the best for them. More often than not, heavy textures will warm up the body more than ordinary fabrics. Not to mention create further dimension to the whole look. A suede suit for
going to work, for instance, has a different punch to it than just the standard wool during spring and fall. And for going out, even a sequined mini-dress will feel hotter than a full-on silk evening gown.
Silk or Knitted Scarves
You've probably seen this in various
Rome-set movies: old ladies with silk scarves wrapped around their faces. An excruciatingly chic look that's almost
Fellini-esque in a way, it's a style many Italians, particularly the ones in Rome, often go for. And you don't need to have it in silk too! A wooly well-knitted scarf will evoke the same amount of mystery as a silky one. Either way, scarves are commonly necessary to keep you warm in the Italian capital during winter. Sure, you'll look a lot more enigmatic when you wrap one around you, especially if you pair it with sunglasses. But either way, the main point is to keep you cozy and comfy!
Pop Up The Color
There's always room for color, right? Italians love color as much as they embrace neutrals. From the cooky looks of
Moschino to the contrasting styles of
Prada, color has always been a strong point among
Italian designer brands. And don't think that they're just fit for summer style too! Color can look just as appropriate and fitting for a winter look too, be it in the form of a free-flowing red dress, a burgundy leather pencil skirt, a dark teal suit, and more! You can always either go out in a full-on color-blocked outfit, monochromatic head-to-toe, or just adding a single touch of bright hues in a neutral-toned look!
A Great Pair of Shoes
Finally, no fashionable Italian would go out, especially in a city like Rome, without a great pair of shoes! Italians are beloved for their well-crafted footwear, particularly the more formal ones for winter. Be it a nice leather pair, suede boots, or even lambskin slippers, the Italians are experts at making shoes. So it won't make sense if you go out during winter without a nice pair on. Both functional and fashionable, a really great pair is often the trademark for a quintessentially Italian look. In fact, some people would judge your look only based on your shoes, nothing else.
Spending wintertime in Rome means you have to up your style game a little more! This is a fashion capital, after all. You need to go for styles, looks, and staples that will both keep you warm and have you looking hot all season long!
Furthermore, you'd feel a lot warmer in winter when you go for a
luxury home in Rome.