Rome Fashion Is More Than Just A Streetwear Look, A Graphic T Shirt, And Wearing Sneakers
Window shopping down the fashionable Via Condotti in Rome and the winding streets in Positano provides enough trendy fashion inspiration to keep me sewing for months. Fashion, Italian style, is so chic and runway centric, think Stella McCartney, Gucci, Chanel, Carolina Herrera, Alexander McQueen, Prada, and others. But, you don’t need to spend a fortune to add one (or more) of these delicious pieces to your wardrobe. Italian summer fashion trends include pretty sandals, lots of accessories, and clothes that are casual and trendy.
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The YouTube Video Version
You can watch the video version with all my sometimes snarky, sometimes gushy commentary if that is more your style.
1. Toile Dresses For Summer
The Inspiration
This one has it all, a halter top and a ruffled, hi-lo hemline. Romantic and feminine, it is the perfect dress for a Mediterranean Cruise or European holiday vibe. Out for the evening in this adorable designer inspired outfit, will put you in a-night-to remember mood.
The Pattern
The patterns haven’t caught up with this look yet, but McCalls Paper Sewing Pattern 8475 has the essense of the inspiration piece. Adding a ruffle and changing the hemline are fairly simple style adjustments.
The Fabric
Mood has the perfect Cotton Voile – Cherry Tomato and White Classic Toile de Jouy to make this look that is sweeping Europe. The streets and storefronts are filled with pink, blue, and red toile dresses that give off a cool, calm, and collected beauty.
2. Super Trendy Lace Suit
The Inspiration
Lace is the hottest trend for the summer. It’s not just for the beach, the provocative style is making its way into backyard bbqs, concerts, and other places where fashion trends can be found. Pants sets that match are shown in many runway collection shows, perfect for summer attire. If you dare to wear lace with just a bit of modesty coverage — good for you! This summer is the season to make it happen.
The beauty of sewing is you can decide how much coverage you prefer and opt for clothes that blend comfortable and style.
The Pattern
A simple pull-on style pant with a slight flare will mimic the inspiration piece. Butterick Paper Sewing Pattern 6137 is a pants pattern that you could easily add flare to the lower leg. Select a lace that has a decorative edge for a chic, designer inspired finish.
Your favorite blouse pattern, something like New Look Paper Sewing Pattern 6561, would be perfect. A tied-up boxy blouse with the sleeves shortened to three-quarter length will look great for the top.
The Fabric
You want to stay clear of a traditional lace pattern and keep it up to date. This modern White Geometric Cotton-Nylon Lace gives you a fresh, see-through look without looking like grandma’s table cloth. Cool, cotton blend lace is dominating the new lace styles.
3. Italy — All About The Glamour
The Inspiration
Pucci is one of my favorite designers. The fabrics call to me. I love the patterns across many of the Pucci collection shows. While I choose not to purchase a $1000 or more dress, I do love using this wild patterned fabric as an inspiration.
The Pattern
The halter top, fitted waist, and column-like feel of this dresses lines are simple, letting the fabric shine — it becomes the key element of the outfit. I think New Look Paper Sewing Pattern 6372 is a great interpretation of this sophisticated Pucci style.
The Fabric
Strategic pattern placement is key to any Pucci inspired garment. A print that has cuttable placement options that impart different pattern looks when sewing together, would be key to recreating this garment style. Mood Exclusive Orange Itsy Bitsy Sewist Cotton Crepe Panel is a bright, fun fabric that screams, I’m dressed to have fun!
4. One Piece Wrap
The Inspiration
I think this wrap is genius. One piece to ward off a night chill, chic enough for the city, yet casual for a farm life wine tasting. It is an interesting conversation piece. Since they are easy to sew, you can make a bunch and hit all the color trends. Perfect for a summer beach vacation in Italy or a fall night in Paris.
The Pattern
Vogue Paper Sewing Pattern 9291, version C is a great interpretation of this one piece wrap. However, I think this piece can be achieved without a pattern. I’ve got one already floating around in my head and once I pattern it out, I’ll share it on YouTube at Barrett’s Custom Design. It might just one of the summer season must-have accessories.
The Fabric
For summer, this Helmut Lang Optic White Cotton and Cashmere Jersey is very thin, but might make a great wrap. I ordered some from Mood and will let you know how it works out.
Sew Along Wrap
5. Shorts And Tops That Match
The Inspiration
This adorable graphic knit short set looks pulled together yet still casual. These sets are everywhere in knit, lace, linen, and more. They are easy to wear and are the clothing trend that you need in your closet.
The Pattern
I love this easy to sew McCalls Paper Sewing Pattern 8160. It has clean lines and will work well with busy fabrics. Wearing cozy knits just makes you feel great.
The Fabric
Something fun and graphic like this Art Gallery Fabrics Sage Cotton Jersey Stretch Knit Fabric Sunswept Canyon would be adorable in a shorts set. The cotton jersey will be comfortable and the top and shorts pair so cute for relaxing or touring.
Side Trip To Positano
Okay, I bought this one, it was 95 Euros. Sometimes you just can’t wait to wear it and need to burn your credit card a little bit. Besides, I get mileage points on my JetBlue card towards my next trip. I actually flew two of us on points for this trip to Italy. You can use my personal link to check out their bonus offer.
The Rome Dress Code
The Rome Dress code is upscale and trendy, yet casual. You don’t often see baseball caps, t-shirts, and athletic wear unless someone is going to the gym. Guys will have collared polo shirts with nice jeans or trousers. Women wear dresses or cute trendy outfits. Everyone pays attention to how they look and the city always feels right on fashion trends. Sew up your own version of fashion Italian style, you can opt for a little bit of a chic Roman holiday for your next sewing project.
Happy Sewing,
Sandi
PS: If you love European Style, you will enjoy my French Style round up from our last visit to Paris. It has all the city trends French women love to wear.
PIN FOR LATER
I love these Italian fashion style trends and wish I knew how to sew. The toile dress would be my top pick!
Love these Italian inspired designs! The tuoile fabric and dress would be for me! So summery and breezy!