Rome - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business and business casual at work - formal for the many Embassy events to include the Marine Ball, etc... Public places, you can dress like the tourists, which is honestly sloppy. Local Italians dress much better, even casually. - Aug 2024
It's Italy - people tend to dress more formal here than back in the U.S. Men should have some suits. Don't walk around in public with shorts and flip flops unless you are at the beach. - Sep 2022
Fashion-forward. Classic slim-cut suits and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits with accessories for women. Advice I heard: "It's all about the shoes!" - Oct 2014
At work, suit and tie for men, suit or professional separates for women. In general, the code in public is a bit more formal than in the US, and the more well dressed you are (and the better your shoes!), the better you'll be treated everywhere (think Julia Roberts in PRETTY WOMAN). Women tend to be much more revealing and/or clad in tighter clothes and higher heels at work than in the US. - May 2013
I think there are two dress codes in Rome...Italian and tourist. At work a suit and tie or suit jacket and jeans seems to be acceptable for men. I don't know how to discuss women's dress code except that I like whatever it is. Fashionable shoes are highly important. Wear scarves in the fall and winter. If in doubt, just wear something Italian. - Apr 2012
More formal than in the US. Ties at work for men, dresses or suits for ladies. You'll notice, however, that women dress in a more tight, low cut and suggestive style than Americans are used to. - Aug 2010
Italians have a distinctive style: very urban, classic. Women prefer dresses and skirts and funky tights and tall boots. Men dress fairly conservatively. You won't see men at office jobs wearing football jersey's or t-shirts although I do occasionally spy some jeans! Women love to wear make-up, but you don't see many with manicures. It is perfectly acceptable to go out wearing jeans. - Feb 2008
Same as U.S. - Feb 2008
