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Rome Packing List: 5 Fashion-Forward Essentials + Outfit Ideas for Every Roman Adventure

Emma Hamrick
12 minutes ago
5 min read

European summer is upon us, and like every Millennial girl out there, I hopped on a plane at LAX to live out my Lizzie McGuire dreams in Rome! But as I was checking into my flight, I realized I'd committed a cardinal sin of European travel; I overpacked and my suitcase was 10kg overweight.

As part of my 14-day European adventure, I spent three action-packed days in Rome to experience all it has to offer: ancient ruins, endless pasta, stunning sights, and yes, plenty of gelato. Thankfully, I easily burned off a few extra calories lugging around my overweight suitcase. Now that I've experience the eternal city for myself, I'm here to share some tips for keeping your suitcase under the weight limit with my curated Rome packing list with five essential items, plus outfit inspiration for every Roman moment—from ancient ruins to romantic rooftop aperitivos.

Rome Travel Packing List: Must-Have Essentials

#1 Style Meets Sensibility: Walking Shoes That Wow

If there’s one thing you’ll do a lot in Rome, it’s walk. The city’s uneven cobblestone streets can take a toll on your feet, so packing comfortable yet stylish walking shoes is non-negotiable. I swear by my Hoka Clifton 9's for the majority of my sightseeing and long-haul walks. In the evening, when we were slipping out to dinner near our AirBnb, I opted for a casual sandal to let my feet breathe. For a comfortable sandal option, don't sleep on the Crocs Brooklyn Low Wedge Sandals.

A woman walking on cobblestone streets wearing a black dress and tennisshoes — Exploring the streets of Rome in my favorit sneakers, Hoka Clifton 9's

#2 Stylish Sun Protection

Between May and September, Rome gets hot. Protect yourself without sacrificing style by packing a wide-brim straw hat, oversized sunglasses, and a lightweight facial sunscreen (I wear SuperGoop's Glow Screen literally every day).

Woman smiling in sunglasses at Trevi Fountain in Rome, with a bright blue sky and orange building in the background. — Soaking in the sun at the Trevi Fountain with my SuperGoop sunscreen

#3 Day-to-Night Dresses That Do It All

When planning your Italy outfits, pack a few versatile dresses that can go from daytime sightseeing to wine-and-pasta nights in Trastevere. Think linen midi dresses, flowy floral maxis, or an elevated slip dress in a neutral tone. Bonus points if it has adjustable straps and a pocket or two.

A woman in a black dress poses joyfully in front of the Pantheon, Rome, with sunlight rays visible. People and ancient columns are in the background. — My favorite black dress from Abercrombie transitions perfect from day to night and has literally traveled the world with me

#4 Layer Like a Local

Rome can get cooler in the evenings, especially in spring and fall. Be prepared with light layers like a denim jacket, cropped cardigan, or breezy button-down. I'd recommend having two options for a week-long trip to switch up the vibes and create pairings with multiple outifts.

Woman in a floral dress and denim jacket sits on steps with flowers, smiling at dusk. Illuminated church in the background. Calm setting. — Pulled out my denim jacket for a very early morning walk to the Spanish Steps.

#5 Crossbody Bags + Anti-Theft Accessories

You’ll want to keep your hands free for cappuccinos, gelato, and photos. A structured crossbody bag or a belt bag worn across the chest is perfect for keeping valuables close and secure. Choose one with a zip closure and RFID protection if you can.

Rome Outfit Lookbook

What to Wear to the Colosseum & Roman Forum

Opt for something cool and camera-ready. Think linen shorts, a cute tank, and stylish sneakers. Add a woven hat and crossbody bag for the perfect explorer vibe. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Summer outfit with white tank top, black skirt, beige sun hat, black sunglasses, beige sneakers, crossbody bag, and sunscreen bottle. — Shorts: Pleated Suit Shorts from Mango ($80) | Tank Top: Low-Cut Top with Contrasting Trim from Mango ($40) | Hat: Women's Straw Sun Hat with Black Bow, Sun Protection Garden Hat, Toast by Magid Hats on Amazon ($24) | Bag: Diana Top Handle Crossbody Bag by The Drop on Amazon ($43) | Sunglasses: Women's Polarized, Round Retro, Double-Bridge Vintage Sunglasses by WearMe Pro on Amazon ($35) | Shoes: Women's Low-Top Trainers by New Balance on Amazon ($90) | Sunscreen: SunBum 30 SPF Body Lotion on Amazon ($18)

What to Wear to the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica

Modesty is required when entering Vatican City—your shoulders and knees must be covered. A midi dress paired with a cropped trench keeps you modestly cool during the day and chicly warm at night.

Striped dress with puff sleeves, beige jacket, pearl necklace, sunglasses, woven headband, and white sneakers on a white background. — Dress: The A&F Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress from Abercrombie & Fitch ($120) | Jacket: Relaxed Short Trench from Abercrombie & Fitch ($120) | Sunglasses: Breezy Cat-Eye Aviator Sunglasses from Anthropologie ($38) | Shoes: HOKA® Transport Sneakers from Anthropologie ($150) | Headband: Pearl Flower Raffia Headband from Anthropologie ($24) | Necklace: Spaced Pearl Y-Neck Necklace from Anthropologie ($48)

What to Wear for Aperitivo Hour

For sunset drinks overlooking Piazza Navona or the Pantheon, go for a feminine dress with delicate details. Soft pastels, silky fabrics, and gold jewelry are ideal for this very La Dolce Vita moment.

Yellow floral strapless dress with matching beige sandal, gold and pearl bracelets, a gold ring, and lace clutch on white background. — Dress: Twist-Front Flowy Maxi Dress from Abercrombie & Fitch ($100) | Shoes: Women’s Flat Sandals Comfortable Flip Flops Slide Sandals by Coutgo from Amazon ($47) | | Bracelets: Gold Bracelets for Women by Adoyi from Amazon ($16) | Ponytail Cuff: Gold Hair Cuffs by Kitsch from Amazon ($4) | Purse: Iris Smartphone Crossbody Purse by The Sack from Amazon ($60)

What to Wear to Trastevere at Night

This boho-chic neighborhood is perfect for a relaxed night out. Choose high-waisted trousers, a fitted crop top, and statement earrings for an effortless yet trendy ensemble.

Black outfit with white abstract patterns, red sandals, red beaded bag, gold necklace, and earrings on a white background. — Top: Floral-Print Linen Suit Vest from Mango ($60) | Bottoms: Floral Print Straight Pants from Mango ($80) | Bag: Melie Bianco Selena Floral Beaded Bag from Anthropologie ($88) | Sandals: Maeve Cross-Strap Platform Sandals from Anthropologie ($140) | Earrings: The Shell Dealer Sunshine Dealer Huggie Earrings from Anthropologie ($88) | Necklace: Spaced Pearl Y-Neck Necklace from Anthropologie ($48)

Travel-Ready Makeup for Rome

Rome is hot, sunny, and occasionally humid, especially in the summer months. Keep your beauty routine fresh with multi-use cream products, a long-lasting brow gel, and a hydrating setting spray. Here's what I keep in my makeup bag:

Assorted makeup products including eyeshadow, lipstick, mascara, and a glow screen tube on a white background. Packaging features pink and gold tones. — Tinted SPF: Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40, Sunrise (Champagne Glow) from Amazon ($38) | Blush: Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Happy by Rare Beauty from Sephora | Eyeshadow: My Mini Dream Eyeshadow Palette by Natasha Denona from Sephora ($27) | Mascara: Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara by Too Faced from Sephora ($29) | Eyeliner: BADgal BANG! 24-Hour Waterproof Eyeliner by Benefit Cosmetics from Ultra ($24) | Contour: Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand by Elf from Ultra ($9) | Lipstick: Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk by Charlotte Tilbury ($35)

Wrapping It Up

From sun-drenched ruins to moonlit trattorias, Rome is a city made for memories. The best part? You don’t have to overpack to look amazing—just bring the right mix of comfortable basics, fashion-forward pieces, and travel-friendly accessories.

If you’re planning your first Roman holiday or a multi-city European adventure, subscribe to my mailing list and keep an eye on my blog. I recently returned from a 14-day adventure to Rome, Naples, Crete, Istanbul, Mykonos, Santorini, and Athens and have more travel tips and outfit guides to share weekly.

Until next time, keep exploring! Ciao, bella!