I Live in Rome, and This Is What Chic Italian Women of All Ages Are Wearing

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Taking notes from the signora.

It’s virtually impossible to walk around the cobblestone streets of Rome and not get inspired by the abundance of beauty around you. Whether it be within the ancient architecture or picturesque scenery, Italy truly offers a visual feast at every corner. The street style amongst the locals is no different; Italians are known for dressing up even just to go to the grocery store, always looking put together.

I’ve been particularly inspired lately by the incredibly chic older women I see out and about. From every occasion—running errands at the market, going for a “passeggiata” (stroll) in the park, or heading home from the office—the natural elegance of these women is truly second to none. As tempting as it is to get style inspo from social media, I find that immersing yourself in the real world is far more meaningful in terms of observing how other people dress, especially older generations.

Below, I’ve rounded up some timeless trends I plan to incorporate into my 2024 winter wardrobe inspired by the most stylish ladies of Roma.

Wrap Dresses

$50 at Amazon

• Zesica Long Sleeve Pleated Wrap Dress, $50

• Diane von Furstenberg Astrid Long Sleeve Wool & Cashmere Wrap Sweater Dress, $558

• Zara Wrap Front Knit Dress, $50

• Charles Henry Long Sleeve Faux Wrap Sweater Dress, $99

• Berydress Classic V-Neck Wrap Dress, $33

Nothing says classic quite like a wrap dress. They’re a staple in any season, but I’ve been seeing an influx of long-sleeved, sweater versions as Rome (finally) cools down in temperature much like this one from Nordstrom. Of course, no one does wrap dresses quite like DVF, and this wool cashmere blend one is no different. I really love the pleated skirt on this affordable find from Amazon, or how this style comes in 21 colorways. The round neckline on this pick from Zara is particularly elevated.

Charles Henry Long Sleeve Faux Wrap Sweater Dress

$99 at Nordstrom

Long Hemmed Skirts

$40 at zara.com

• Outoshe Satin Maxi Skirt, $36

• Exlura Polka Dot Pleated Skirt, $34

• Reformation Esti Knit Skirt, $168

• Skims Fits Everybody Long Skirt, $60

• Zara Satin Effect Midi Skirt, $40

On that same note of effortless sophistication, longer hemmed maxi and midi skirts have also proven to be fall and winter staples for the Italians. The versatility of these satin-like options from Zara and Amazon transcend seasons and are perfect to pair with a warm sweater in these colder months. I’ve never seen a cozier skirt than this aptly named Chianti-colored skirt from Reformation. The uncomplicated ease of this sleek option from Skims speaks for itself. Plus, this fun polka-dot skirt from Amazon proves that winter doesn’t have to be all solid colors and darker tones.

Reformation Esti Knit Skirt

$168 at thereformation.com

Wool Coats

$310 at J. Crew

• J. Crew Savoy Faux Fur Trim Topcoat in Italian Wool-Blend, $310 (Originally $398)

• Maeve Puff-Sleeve Double-Breasted Wool-Blend Long Coat, $228

• Bernardo Double Breasted Belted Coat, $150

• & Other Stories Belted Wool Wrap Coat, $349

• Steve Madden Trench Coat, $64

The ultimate layering piece you’ll find on any chic Italian woman during the colder seasons is undoubtedly a wool coat. As a culture that is particularly fond of the quality of their textiles, this wool-blend topcoat from J. Crew is the epitome of refined style. The plaid pattern of this double-breasted wool-blend coat from Anthropologie is sure to become a staple in your closet. I also love this affordable option from Steve Madden in a classic camel color. This belted wool wrap coat from & Other Stories is a cool-girl winter must have, and I swear I’ve seen exact versions of this Bernardo coat walking up and down one of Rome’s most stylish streets, via dei Condotti.

Bernardo Double Breasted Belted Coat

$150 at Nordstrom

Leather Bags

$83 at Nordstrom

• Zara Embossed Leather Maxi Bucket Bag, $299

• Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28, $295

• J. Crew Edie accordion bag in snake-embossed Italian leather, $248

• Madewell The Sculptural Buckle Leather Shoulder Bag, $83 (Originally $118)

• Coach Amelia Saddle Bag, $179

And what else does a signora need to put all of her belongings in? A leather bag, of course. If you were to sit at a sidewalk café on a sunny November morning in Rome, I’m willing to bet you’d see more than one version of this snake-embossed Italian leather bag from J. Crew. I absolutely love this simple black shoulder bag from Madewell, it oozes versatility. Coach offers this on-trend leather shoulder bag along with its namesake saddle bag which are both super stylish in their own right. For those constantly hauling their things across the city from one place to another, this oversized bucket bag from Zara is just what you need.

Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28

$295 at coach.com