15 Italian Fashion Spring Clothes Staples

In my mid-twenties, I worked on a hotel food and beverage opening, and the word sprezzatura would consistently come up in meetings, referring to Italians’ casual, effortless elegance. Only upon later moving to Italy did I realize, there’s actually a great deal of effort made. Sure, Italians look darn elegant and effortless sipping a spritz, but that cigar ring clinking the glass is purposefully chosen and those sunglasses (likely bought at the local ottica) weren’t just a quick find at a gas station. With beautifully chosen, well-tailored pieces — like a linen three-piece suit — you too can exude sprezzatura with your travel outfits this spring.

To help you build an Italian-inspired spring wardrobe to show off on your trips, I rounded up 15 of the best styles I’ve spotted where I live in Northern Italy. Bergamo, the small city I live in, is a wealthy, sophisticated city with a New England-like style that skews preppy. (For instance, my prep school Ralph Lauren baseball cap is a coveted style piece here!) In nearby Milan, you have a cornucopia of styles influenced by international fashion, making for a beautiful mix that has inspired many of my classic “Italian” looks. Ahead, shop my favorite spring looks I’m spotting around Italy this season — including timeless styles you’ll wear for years to come.

The Drop Sydney Short Sleeve Cropped T-shirt

The French have their navy Breton stripes, but how about a little Venetian-inspired stripes? A classic black and white bold Venetian gondolier style is the Italian answer to the chic French look, and this boxy fit from Amazon adds a casual cool edge to the ensemble. The drop shoulder is perfect for a rolled-up sleeve and tucked into high-waisted jeans or black wide-leg pants. 

Gap Low Rise Extra Baggy Jean

Denim is an Italian fashion staple, and it isn’t hard to find high-quality denim available at all price points — from the more affordable OVS to luxury labels like Brunello Cuccinelli. White denim is the perfect spring transition bottom, whether layered with a coat or a lightweight sweater. In Bergamo, where fashion skews a little more country club and preppy, people are already wearing white wide-leg denim pants paired with navy blazers to enjoy a spritz in the sun. Gap’s low-rise wide-leg jeans are a high-quality find at a reasonable price point; plus, the weight of the denim allows these pants to maintain their shape and look crisp like “fashion” denim should.

Everlane The Modern Trench Coat

Spring weather requires a light jacket for layering, much like this Everlane Trench Coat. The A-line style blends into a tailored Italian wardrobe; it’ll be the perfect travel coat because it goes with so many outfits. With its lightweight design, this coat is made for sunny spring days zipping between cafes and galleries in Milan’s Brera design district. The belted tie lets you adjust it to achieve your desired look, and the long length makes it work well even for chillier days.

H&M Mini Skirt

A striking mini skirt is a hallmark of Italian style, for women in their 20s to their 70s. Legendary Italian fashion journalist Anna dello Russo is almost synonymous with a bold mini. When I studied abroad in Milan, one of my first big purchases was a vintage Pucci mini skirt — that I still wear to this day. This H&M suede mini skirt will pair with a denim top or an oversized blue striped button-down and an Italian cashmere crewneck to add a bit of Milanese tailoring into the style.

Quince European Linen Strapless Top

With early aughts fashion back in style, the Milanese have (of course!) found a way to make the look more refined. Pack this Quince linen strapless top; it’s the perfect transition piece from spring to summer. The structural shape gives it a modern style, while the linen material will keep you comfortable. Pair with jeans and statement jewelry for an evening look inspired by an elegant Milanese “it” girl out for an aperitivo.

Flabeus OE Mary Jane Flat

Speaking of gondolier style: warmer weather means sockless shoe looks are back in style, and here in the North, the Venetian slipper — friulanes — are the way to go. Often seen in rich jewel tones and textures, I’ve noticed that they’re an Italian shoe style staple. If you can’t make it to Pied á Terre behind the Rialto bridge in Venice, these shoes will make you look the part, at least. They blend the classic Italian style with a Mary Jane for a feminine alternative — and the cobalt blue is sure to make a statement. Handmade in Spain, the brand Flableus combines the comfort, timelessness, and style of two beloved European shoe traditions — the Spanish espadrille and the Venetian friulane — that will become your ultimate holiday footwear. 

Madewell Relaxed Blazer in Pinstripe Linen Blend

Fine tailoring and suiting are hallmarks of Italian style and a linen suit on holiday is almost synonymous with la dolce vita. So, it’s no surprise that one of the most elegant looks I see regularly in Milan is a woman in a sleek suit and white sneakers: the blazer is usually a little oversized but tailored. This Madewell pinstripe linen blend blazer has a relaxed double-breasted fit looks just as good paired over a T-shirt and jeans as the matching pair of bottoms (more on that below). The lightness of the linen transitions perfectly from spring to summer.

Madewell Cutaway Vest in Pinstripe Linen Blend

Pair the previous Madewell relaxed blazer with the matching vest for a layered look that’s a sartorial nod to the classic menswear three-piece suit. But, should you not want to wear the blazer, the vest is versatile enough on its own; pair it with jeans or trousers for a sophisticated, polished look. A higher neckline and four-button closure make it a stand-alone piece without needing a shirt underneath. And, the below-the-hip length makes it tuckable into any pair of pants. Or, pair it with the below matching pants for an unexpected elegant look to a springtime aperitivo.

Madewell Superwide-leg Trouser in Pinstripe Linen Blend

Completing the three-piece suit, these Madewell superwide-leg trousers introduce a modern twist to the Italian look. Taking style tips from my Italian husband, linen pants become my go-to in the spring and summer, replacing jeans on many occasions. Availabile in standard, petite, and tall sizes, these pants ensure a tailored look despite the super wide leg. I’ve seen women in Bergamo and Milan heading to the office in similar looks paired with a bright pair of running style shoes like these yellow Adidas Originals’ ‘SL72. 

Vince Camuto Liann Suede Hobo Bag

The Western look is still popular here, and the suede hobo bag is popping up in the accessories of Italian designers like Tod’s, Casadei, and MaxMara. This Vince Camuto suede fringed hobo bag has a magnetic strap closure that makes it suitable for an all-day travel purse. Plenty roomy, it can fit all of your essentials and looks just as great with a pair of jeans as it does with a floral maxi dress. With just the right amount of fringe for the boho or Western aesthetic, it’s still simple enough to keep it polished, especially in black.

Ralph Lauren Cotton Chino Baseball Cap

With the major resurgence of preppy collegiate Americana and brands like Ralph Lauren growing in popularity here in Italy, I’ve seen so many stylish women on the streets of Milan and Bergamo styling the classic Ralph Lauren baseball cap with an oversized trench or polished utility jacket. Classic colors like navy blue and bright red seem to reign supreme. Easy to pack, I always have a baseball cap in my carry-on — goodbye dry airplane hair! 

Asos Design Symphony Bow Slingback Mid-block Heels

A statement block heel is a popular option here in Northern Italy, adding a little lift that’s at the same time bicycle- and cobblestone street-friendly. These Asos slingbacks make just enough of a statement peaking out of baggy jeans. They are the statement shoes that instantly elevate a T-shirt and jeans, or they can add more femme to a midi skirt and sweater — much like the style of an elegant Milanese lady.

Madewell The Kline Blazer

Rich chocolate brown suede trench coats and oversized blazers are dominating Milan’s style scene. This Madewell suede blazer that’s slightly oversized with one button is a high quality, well-made investment piece that instantly elevates any outfit. A customer favorite, Madewell fans find the Kline suede blazer worth its high price point with its supple leather and tailored fit. Pair with a silk printed pencil skirt (like this floral option from Milanese brand La Double J) for a rich, refined look that hits just the right tones of maximalism.

Ray-Ban Wayfarer 54mm Folding Sunglasses

A cool pair of sunglasses is synonymous with la dolce vita. Crafted in Italy, Ray-Ban made a big splash with a Milan Fashion Week party this year. If you want a pair of Ray-Bans to last a lifetime, the iconic wayfarer shape will never go out of style. The perfect sunglasses for a spring day boating on Lake Como, it’s a shape that suits almost everyone’s face. I’ve become a convert to the folding style in the last few years as they’re easy to keep in my travel bag.

Yvonne Koné Crossbody Bag

With soft pastel colors trending for the spring — especially sage greens — I’m seeing it incorporated in iconic handbags like this Chloé bracelet bag or this Yvonne Koné structural crossbody bag. Handmade in Italy in supple leather, the bag’s adjustable strap allows for it to be a crossbody or shoulder bag. It fits both a wallet and a large phone without being bulky, and it easily transitions into an evening look.

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