topic Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy in Linea by Louis Dell'Olio

Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

Sammijo10 — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 12:48:23 GMT

I recently returned from two weeks in Italy - from Rome to Venice - and thought I'd share with my fellow Linea Ladies what I saw. Now most Italian women dress less casually than we do on a daily basis, unless, of course you're a Linea Lady! The weather was a bit warmer there than I expected, so my two whisper knit cardis didn't come out much except in the evening.

First of all, all of Louis' offerings this fall are spot on to what is being worn/shown in Italy. The only cold shoulders I saw were on American tourists! I saw many shop windows filled with the exact monochromatic look that Louis showed us with the caramel suite of offerings - turtleneck, long duster sweater, pants and trench. That combo was everywhere in shops.

Wide leg pants were also everywhere (thank heavens, they are so much more comfortable). Cropped versions, ankle versions, full length versions - all seen on Italian women. I also saw distressed jeans on the younger women, but they are not as ubiquitous as they are here.

Many of the more elegant women I saw out and about would be very simply dressed. For instance, black slacks, black top and cardigan (or any solid color) and then POP, orange shoes. Or POP, red or green impeccable leather bag.

The shoes were to die for! Flat or block heel for the most part as Italian women do walk a LOT. Meanswear oxfords are still a huge item in Italy, with sturdy soles and heels - and worn with skirts and dresses. I learned that if I get to go again, I'll go with a half empty suitcase and fill it up there.

Many shops (and women) were wearing beautiful blouses - like the new-ish Linea offering with the soft pleats at the neckline and roses cascading down the front and back.

Dark forest green and port wine colors were also very prominent. In fact, the uniform for the Alitalia employees was a dark forest green jacquard suit with port wine pumps! (I even saw the reverse - port wine suit and dark green pumps). It was so nice to see professional women dressing professionally!

Different shades of green were everywhere. Of course all the shops were showing fall/winter and it was nearly 80 degrees in Rome, so items were being discounted. I was kicking myself that I had no room in the suitcase to reap some of the benefits.

Scarves were also everywhere. At the leather market in Florence I did pick up a couple beautiful silk/cashmere scarves for about 10 Euros each. They were quite proudly Italian made and would have cost much more here. Oh, and a gorgeous dark forest green handbag, because, well I HAD to!

I will say that because I was wearing Linea clothes (and also not gaudy American sneakers/trainers), I was mistaken for being Italian a few times in shops. Then my limited Italian would falter, and I'd smile and ask if they could speak English and they would look surprised and smile and say to me they thought I was Italian because I was dressed 'come Italiana'.

We luckly left about four days before Venice was flooded this past week. Next time I'll remember to bring my Wellies, just in case! Ciao!

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

fthunt — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 13:07:21 GMT

Thank you for your review of your trip to Italy. I so wish American women would return to the class and style we had in the past. ***** Five star review

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

silkyk — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 13:31:40 GMT

Wow! What a wonderful trip you had. Thanks for the fashion update (shoes!....scarves!....be still my heart). A lady can go ANYWHERE and look fantastic in Linea and lucky you did! To be taken as a local is a big compliment in Italy. Keep up the good work! Ciao!

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

author — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 13:43:41 GMT

@Sammijo10

Thanks for the detailed report on your wonderful trip! I do wear Linea just as you described every day and am pleased to hear about the colors shown in Italy, the entire "look" shown there that is so much like we have available from Louis.....YAY!

I succumbed here to a dark forest green Radley bag and love it, the color, the leather, everything; enjoy your new Italian bag!

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

Seka — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 13:45:30 GMT

@Sammijo10 So enjoyed reading your Fashion Trend report!

Italy is a favourite destination for me - have visited several times both for vacations and business.

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

Sammijo10 — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 14:28:32 GMT

Thank you all for the kind words. This was my fourth (!) trip to Italy - the first being in 1981! In 1998 I was on a winter ski trip to the Italian Alps, so everyone was sort of dressed the same way - ready to ski. But that trip also included 2 days in Venice, just after Carnivale. It was between 45 and 50 degrees in February and we northeasterners thought it was a heat wave, yet all the Venetian women had on their fur coats (yes, real ones!)

I have noticed how things have changed over the years. Poor Venice, she looked a bit more shabby this time than I remember. And the recent protests about garbage collection in Rome is spot on. It's not that the people are lazy and littering all over, they are trying to put it in the bins that are everywhere, but the bins are overflowing! How hard is that to manage!? If NYC can do it, surely Rome can.

And the charging admission for churches just floored me. Granted the last time I was there was 2001 (in the summer, before 9/11), still, I was disappointed. (Two separate admission charges for the Church of San Lorenzo in Florence, one for the main church and an extra 8 Euros to see the Michaelangelo sculptures on the Medici tombs, come on!) Open your coffers, Vatican and allow all this art to be viewed by everyone!

The proliferation of tour groups was also annoying. I know I sound like I wanted the whole of Italy to be vacated just for me, which is not the case, I guess it was all the changes since my last visit that was jarring.

The hill towns in Tuscany are beautiful. It's like a step back in time. We couldn't believe our luck when we discovered that Siena was going to do an extra Palio the weekend we happend to be there. That's been on my bucket list for a while, and it was truly Strordinario! If you get a change, check out You Tube, Palio di Siena, October 20, 2018. What a hoot!

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

golding76 — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 14:47:14 GMT

Sammijo,

I lived vicariously your journey of delight!

Thank you so much for sharing! This was such a joyful post.

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

crazycockermom — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 15:06:37 GMT

What a wonderful review! How neat that they thought you were Italian because of how you were dressed!

My mom took me to Europe when I graduated college. Trip of a lifetime for me. Rome and Florence were two of the places we visited. I’d love to go back, such memories. I particularly enjoyed Florence, great food and loved the markets. Glad you had a good time!

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

tipsy — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 17:02:02 GMT

@Sammijo10 how did you like Alitalia? I went to Italy in May, loved the country but not that airline! The headrests pushed your head forward & one seat in each row had a metal box underneath & if you got stuck sitting behind the box there was nowhere to put your feet. The food was awful & the flight attendants were not very friendly. If I ever go to Italy again I will not fly Alitalia.

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

mam2fourboys — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 17:31:45 GMT

@Sammijo10, thank you for the trip to Italy this morning! Ah, yes, Italian ladies do tend to dress well and, in my opinion, ladylike. I love that you were mistaken for a local! I remember my last European trip and my practical athletic shoes gave us American girls away every time! Well, now that I’m all grown up, it would be all Linea all the time.

Well, even though I’m in the middle of the country in WI, today I put on my moss crepe maxi skirt and sienna whisper knit waist whittling t-neck, along with the sparkly glass beads that bring out the autumnal colors. I have to be me, whether I’m living in California or the Midwest! (I did blend better in CA though.). Have a lovely day!

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

kaney — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 17:56:14 GMT

Thanks for sharing your experiences and fashion tips. On our annual trips to Italy my wardrobe is all but 100% LDO. His clothes pack beautifully, and exude understated elegance. When complimented on my attire by a local I feel truly honored! This June, our hostess in Murano greeted us wearing a blouse almost identical to his caftan tank set. I was glad I hadn't worn one of mine that day!

Like you, one can't help but be shocked by the huge crowds of tourists, It's quite a change from my first visit in the 1960's. One day in Venice there were six cruise ships in port, each with 3,00 to over 6,000 passengers. That;s too many for little Venice to absorb. And Cinqua Terre is no longer an undiscovered gem. Some places, like Santa Margarita, have barred tour buses from clogging their main thoroughfares. The Amalfi Coast could take a lesson from them! Usually we try to go when school is in session as the crowds are smaller, but LDO keeps us looking cool, calm, and collected everywhere we go, right?.

Keep traveling!

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

BirkiLady — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 18:41:51 GMT

@Sammijo10 Great review of your recent trip. We have also traveled to Italy twice and thoroughly enjoyed both trips. Not sure I'd enjoy today's crowds and their problems. Like you, I always dressed well. Delighted to hear your Linea clothing worked perfectly. His knits are the best for traveling IMO.

Louis has said his colors are spot on in Italy this year in his previous shows this fall. You are repeating his comments, which makes all of us Linea Ladies appear to have shopped in Italy!! Such a fabulous compliment to be taken for a native while in Italy. Doesn't get much better than that! Thanks for an amazing recount of your trip and fashion report.

Feeling like we robbed a bank this fall with all the gorgeous LDO designs at surprisingly reasonable prices!

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

Sammijo10 — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 22:25:11 GMT

Ah, Emerald, we didn't fly Alitalia, we flew Air France. I saw the uniforms in the airport!

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

blackhole99 — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 22:38:07 GMT

What was the average Italian woman and the young people wearing, I know professional people dress professionally and the shop girls need to promote what they are selling. When my son was traveling, he said that the young people dressed like they do in the states. Also, said the older women" dress like you do Mom".LOL

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

LoriMN — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 23:19:36 GMT

What kind of shoes did you wear for all day walking?

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

tsavorite — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 23:45:34 GMT

@blackhole99 wrote:
What was the average Italian woman and the young people wearing, I know professional people dress professionally and the shop girls need to promote what they are selling. When my son was traveling, he said that the young people dressed like they do in the states. Also, said the older women" dress like you do Mom".LOL

My oldest son also was in Italy for awhile (college trip thur several countries) the photos I saw all the people were dressed like my son was LOL! Ladies or gents...perhaps it was a younger crowd don't remember now but I didn't notice anything out of the norm to my eye. These were just photos from the streets...to places they visited.

What really shocked me was the charging money to use the toilet!! I had no idea you better have cash to get in one if you got go!

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

Sammijo10 — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 12:51:01 GMT

Lori, I have some foot issues, so I was REALLY careful about my shoes. I brought a pair of Comfortiva shoeties (A359672 lots of padding), a pair of Alegria (the recent TSV in the black/copper print), and a pair of Earth sneakers ( similar to A304222 but in black velvet. I wished they had a black sole but got them anyway). Believe it or not, the ones that worked best on the cobblestone streets were the Earth sneakers. At the last minute I threw in a pair of Dansko ballet flats (A311031 in black) for a little more dressy effect and they too were fabulous.

The worst on the uneven stone and cobblestone walkways? The extra padded Alegrias! I was shocked. Of course I've worn them all over now and can't send them back, but I was super surprised at how non-supportive they actually were.

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

Sammijo10 — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 12:53:27 GMT

Yes, the public toilets do charge. I was desperate enough one afternoon in Venice that I paid 1.5 Euros (about $1.65) to use the loo! Of course they were quite clean and each one had an attendant there to make change and keep the place spotless.

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

LoriMN — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 14:19:53 GMT

@Sammijo10thanks for the good ideas. I too have issues, namely plantar fasciitis. It’s so hard to be comfortable and stylish too.

Re: Fashion Trends I saw in Italy

1jac — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 17:57:51 GMT

Sammijo - what a wonderful review of your trip to Italy!! Loved all your details and enjoyed looking up the shoe styles - those that worked and those that didnt. Oh those cobblestoned streets. Beautiful to look at, but a painful experience if not wearing the right shoes. Thank you for all your useful information.