You have probably heard a lot of conflicting information about what is appropriate or inappropriate to wear for dinner in Italy when dining out.
Do you really need to dress up?
Should you be changing your outfit before your dinner reservation in Italy?
Allow me to answer all of your questions! I’ve been living in Italy since 2012 and I’m married to an Italian. I’ve got the know-how and experience to help you navigate the dress code in Italy. I’ve seen it all – from flip flops and crop tops to Gucci and Prada.
I’ll walk you through exactly what to wear for dinner in Italy based on my first hand experience. I will answer all your questions about the Italian dress code at restaurants, what to leave at home and what to pack. The ‘rules’ are simple and it’s not as complicated as you think.
First I’ll go over basic guidelines for what to wear to dinner in Italy and then I’ll go through specific situations in which you might want to reconsider these general rules (such as at a Michelin Star restaurant).
Cheat Sheet: Don’t look like you are going to the gym or like you’ve just rolled out of bed.
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General Rules For What To Wear For Dinner In Italy
Keep these general guidelines in mind when eating out in Italy no matter the occasion.
- Keep It Casual (But More So Than In America)
What I mean by casual is not a tank top and booty shorts or workout clothes. European casual is more like ‘smart casual’ – clothes that aren’t risque or too sporty. Shorts are fine but they should be clean cut and paired with a shirt that doesn’t look grungy.
When packing your bag to come to Italy, choose items that are a little ‘nicer’ than what you are accustomed to wearing out to dinner in the USA. You don’t need high heels but keep those leggings at home. No flip flops but a short skirt is fine. Get the idea?
Learn More: For specific advice on what to leave at home when packing and dining out in Italy, read 5 Items To Leave At Home When Dining Out In Italy (And What To Wear Instead).
- No Sportswear
This rule goes hand in hand with rule #1. Sportswear in Italy (and generally in Europe) is not appropriate clothing for dining out. No sweatpants, leggings, loungewear, sweatpants and baseball caps. If you have a baseball cap on, be sure you remove it before sitting down.
- Keep Your Footwear Comfortable (But Presentable)
There is no need to go back to your hotel and change before dining out in Italy as long as you aren’t wearing flip flops, Crocs or other slipper-like shoes. You can even wear sneakers as long as your general look is put together (The “just rolled out of bed look” doesn’t work so well here).
- Better Overdressed Than Underdressed
After years of living in Italy I firmly believe that it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed when dining out (or at someone’s house). The good news is that it’s pretty easy to accomplish this by packing a jacket or a pair of slacks that are not blue jeans and a pair of shoes that are not sneakers (loafers are excellent!). It’s easy to take a very casual day outfit and dress it up with the addition of a nicer pair of shoes and popping on a blazer (for men and women).
A jacket or blazer also helps with the change in evening temperature in Italy. Much of Italy can be quite warm in the sun during the day but the moment the sun goes down, it can get quite chilly.
A touch of color really helps – like a fun silk scarf and a pair of earrings or other statement pieces of jewelry (this doesn’t have to be expensive!).
Unacceptable Items To Wear For Dinner In Italy
Keep these items at home or in your hotel room when getting ready for your dinner reservation in Italy, even if it’s casual:
- Gym clothes and sportswear
- Loungewear and sweatpants
- Baseball caps and visors
- Swimwear
- Flip flops and Crocs
- Leggings
- Booty shorts
What To Wear For Dinner In Italy By Circumstance
If you are concerned about a particular dining situation in Italy, use these guidelines organized by eatery and dining situation to better guide your style choices when dining out in Italy.
Aperitivo
If you are just stopping in a piazza, bar or cafe for an aperitivo, don’t feel like you have to change for this (unless you are at the bar of a fancy hotel or rooftop bar).
Restaurant, Trattoria or Pizzeria
Casual all the way. Follow my general rules for what to wear to dinner in Italy and you will be fine. Again, just to be clear, the most important things to avoid are sportswear and loungewear including slippers, Crocs and flip flops.
Special Event
If you are invited or attending any kind of special event, dinner party, celebration or charity event, it’s generally a good idea to be slightly more dressed up. This could mean a dress and a pair of nicer shoes (flats are fine) or a pair of dress pants, button up shirt (tucked in) and a blazer or sports jacket.
Unless an invitation is specific, don’t bother with ties, uncomfortable dresses and fancy hairstyles. Keep your sneakers in your hotel though!
A Private Dinner Party
If you have been invited to someone’s home in Italy for dinner, it’s a nice idea to dress formally but not over the top. There are no die-hard rules for dining at someone’s home but you should try and be business casual (slacks, a dress, skirt, button-up shirt, blouse). I would vote against ripped jeans and open toed sandals.
Michelin Star Restaurant
At a very fancy or Michelin Star restaurant in Italy, stick to the rules of a private dinner party. No sneakers, no jeans, no tank tops. Don’t show too much skin (for example, a mini shirt and a tank top).
Look clean cut and put together, slightly more so than in a normal restaurant. Ties and formal dress wear aren’t necessary. This being said, if you want to swagger that new Gucci, this is where you want to do it!
Must-Have Clothing Items For Dining Out In Italy
When packing your bag for your upcoming trip to Italy, pack these items and you will find it easier to go from day to night without completely changing your outfit.
- A nice scarf
- A clean cut jacket or blazer
- Loafers, nice boots or other leather shoes that are not sneakers or sandals
- Pair of clean sneakers
- A pair of earrings that pop or other piece of jewelry
- A pair of slacks or skirt
Having these key pieces in your bag make it easier to dress up any outfit, including a blouse, a pair of jeans and sneakers. Add your jewelry, scarf and a blazer for dinner and you are sure to be warm and also stylish!
Day To Night Outfits in Italy
I kind of take it for granted that it’s second nature for me to make my daywear formal enough for eating out in Italy. I realize it’s harder for others. Here are some solid examples of how to turn any day outfit into appropriate dinner wear (keep in mind, it’s always better to be overdressed than under dressed in Italy!).
Not only will these changes make you look more formal with very little effort but they will make you more comfortable should it get cold.
| Day / Touring Outfit | What To Add/Change For Dining Out |
| Jeans, blouse and clean sneakers | A blazer |
| Jeans, t-shirt, baseball cap | Loose the hat and switch a t-shirt for a button up or add monotone wool or cashmere sweater |
| Skirt and t-shirt paired with sneakers | Loose the sneakers, tuck your shirt in and wear a pair of leather boots or other shoes besides sneakers (loafers) |
| A casual dress and clean sneakers | Add a sweater |
| Shorts and t-shirt with sandals | Change sandals for white sneakers and bring a sweater and/or add a colorful scarf |
| A long skirt and t-shirt | A colorful or nice scarf |
Tips For Dining Out In Italy
Keep these tips in mind when packing your bag for Italy and dining out during your trip:
- If you are wearing high heels or other shoes that could give you blisters, keep in mind what distance you are traveling and consider a taxi, Uber or other means of transportation. Cobblestones are also huge in Italy so keep that in mind.
- Depending on what restaurant you are at, you may or may not hang on to your coat. Higher end restaurants will definitely ask if you want to hang your coat but most local trattorie won’t so just hang it on the back of your chair.
- Don’t hang your purse or bag with valuables on the back of a chair. This is asking for trouble.
- If you are wearing a hat, always take it off when you enter a restaurant. This is just good etiquette in Europe.
- If you are touring all day and plan on heading straight to your dinner reservation without going back to your hotel or accommodation to freshen up, think about that as well. Don’t wear your huge backpack to a restaurant with your comfortable and sweat-wick sports gear. Perhaps wear sneakers, a skirt and a blouse. Slacks or clean cut shorts and a T-shirt work also. Just don’t look messy.
Eating in Italy Basics: If you are curious to know more about navigating dining in Italy, you may be interested in
How To Order Food In Italian
Tipping In Italy – When & How Much From A Local
What Is A Coperto? All About Italy’s Cover Charge
A Visitor’s Guide To Eating In Italy
How To Order Food In Italian
