Fashions in Rome

Peaches McPhee · ‎04-19-2010

I just returned from a fab trip to Europe. Was in Rome for 3 days, and noted some unusual fashion statements, which I wanted to share, since we hear so much about Italian style.

1) Many, many women in mismatched outfits. Example: purple floral print skirt with yellow striped top. I saw enough of this to think it was a "thing" or a fad. Not just a random fashionably-challenged person, but many. Young and old.

2) Roman women do not seem to care if their bra is showing. Saw my share of bra straps, but also lots of sheer blouses with white bras showing through. One lady with a backless sundress with a big old white bra showing. Another with a low cut blouse over a higher cut bra.

Pretty sure they were all Italians (as opposed to tourists), but of course I can't be sure.

There were a number of high end fashion stores with lots of high priced goodies, but I did not see anyone who was particularly well dressed (might have been the weather -- very hot.)

-- pro-aging --

Rochester, New York

Snicks1 · ‎07-28-2012

I found that to be the case when I spent time there several years ago. I was not impressed with their fashions.

"To each their own, in all things".

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

I can see where the Italian women and men with money can afford to dress in all the latest fashions, but the average Italian isn't spending their money on high fashion or jewelry. My son travels all over the globe and he says the women in the US are the best dressed. I just think we are being sold a fantasy at the Q so we will buy the clothes and jewelry. I don't need the Italians or the French to tell me how to dress or what jewelry to buy to be fashionable.

lobstergal · ‎12-03-2010

You know what they say.....when in Rome....

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

IMO - a person should dress appropriately to their age, where they live and their body ( which usually has a lot to do with age), and your personal style. I would not think what is worn in Paris is of much value on a ranch in SW USA - and even what is being worn in NYC has much impact on what is being worn in Miami.And certainly a size 2 is going to dress differently than a size 22 (I hope!) and a 16 year old differently than a 66 year old.

abbeythe 8th · ‎04-17-2010

We have a home in Italy. What the OP said is true not just in Rome. Not everyone is a fashionista. Not making excuses but it's extremely hot in the summer and there is little air-conditioning in most homes. I've seen a lot of ladies of all ages wearing sleeveless or spaghetti straps with bras showing.

lavendar · ‎03-10-2010

I was in Florence many years ago and the women were really well dressed. And it was hot.

I was staying with an American woman who'd lived there for twenty five years. She took one look at my bermuda shorts and t

shirts and took me shopping to stores where I got very reasonable dresses in nice fabrics.

I passed on a dress that I thought was matronly. Owner of the shop ran after us screaming, "cheapest dress in Florence." He lowered the price and I bought it. Turned out to be lucky dress because I had to appear in court that summer and my lawyer said, "wear a very conservative dress." It was the only one that fit the bill.

Maybe things are different now. Or maybe it's just Florence.

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

Every where we go, there are well-dressed people and not-so-well-dressed people. That's true in this country and it's true every where in the world I've been fortunate enough to travel.

For all the wonderful Paris fashions - and that's been the gold-standard long before anyone at QVC started to talk fashion - the several times I've been in Paris, I saw very few beautifully dressed women. Same in Rome, in Vienna, in London, etc. But that's the same in NYC - you see beautifully dressed people sometimes and bag ladies walking in the same crowds.

Where QVC is pretty much correct is that lots of couture begins in Europe. But it also begins in NYC or Miami and on and on. I don't see any reason vendors and hosts should stop the "European chatter," but I do think consumers need to do their own jobs and not blithely accept everything at face value. Whatever happened to caveat emptor?

NJgirl 1205 · ‎02-22-2014

I have been to Italy many times over the past 20 years and noticed that Rome is more of a hodgepodge and a true mix of well and not so well dressed. I always see more well dressed women in other parts of Italy like Florence and especially in Milan.