It’s Fashion Week in Milan, which means there is a stylish Italian woman walking through the cobblestone streets right now. We thought this was the perfect time to share Italian style inspiration with you, so you can dress like the dolce vita living, red wine drinking, eating spaghetti but never gaining weight Italian woman of your dreams this fall.
There are three guidelines for Italian style. The first? Dress like the grown-up woman you are. That means it’s time to embrace styles that highlight your femininity, like pencil skirts and blazers that nip in at the waist. High-waisted trousers are great too, with a shirt tucked in to show off your waist.
We love this Diane von Furstenburg pencil skirt, which is the right shape but also has statement-making leopard print. If you’re into something a little plainer, J.Crew’s skirt in black is the perfect foundational piece for your wardrobe. When it comes to trousers, we love this Tibi pair in navy. The detail around the ankle makes it easy to show off whatever stunning shoes you’re rocking that day, which leads us to our next Italian rule of style.
Rule number two: put your money where it matters, which means leather investment pieces that will last you for years. Often for Italian women, that translates into one really gorgeous purse or the perfect shoe by the Italian designers you know and love.
This season, we’re obsessed with Bottega Veneta’s new collection of woven leather. This chocolate-brown tote will be stylish for years to come. Prada’s always a safe bet, but these ankle booties with a lug-sole detail feel especially perfect. Plus, the heel is comfortable! You don’t have to drop designer money to get serious style, though. Everlane’s slouchy Boss Bag is just as much of a showstopper.
And the third rule? Stay warm in style. That means long, elegant wool coats that will keep you looking polished no matter the temp. And when you take the coat off, layer with cashmere sweaters that are stylish but still affordable. Consider a scarf the cherry on top of your outfit.
Vince’s double-breasted camel coat is timeless, and big enough that you can fit as many layers as you want underneath. Fast-fashion favorite Mango has several coats on the more affordable side, but we love this unstructured gray blanket coat that comes with a belt. When it comes to cashmere, take your pick from new direct-to-consumer brands like Naadam for affordable cashmere or stick to old favorites like J.Crew.
Shop Italian style below:
All of our recommendations are curated by Susan & the In The Groove editorial team. In some, but not all cases, we receive a small commission for leading you to what, how and where to buy all this wonderful stuff.