Packing for Florence is a mess to say the least. I must have repacked my bags three times switching around different items and making sure I didn’t exceed the weight limit at the airport. Depending on what time of the year you will be traveling, my advice is to bring warmer clothes than you would expect to have to wear in Italy. I came to Florence thinking that an oversize denim jacket (this being my heaviest article of clothing) would keep me warm. Boy was I in for a surprise! At the start of my program, it was very cold and wearing a coat was a must. Now that spring is right around the corner, it is warming up here and less layers are acceptable to wear!
There are a few tips that I wish someone would have told me before arriving to study abroad in Florence, so I will share them with you all! First, leave the active wear in America. People in Italy do not wear work out clothes unless if they are truly doing a workout. I rarely wear leggings (which is crazy, because in America they are my go to clothing item!), and if I do I dress them up in somehow. I would bring a variety of tops varying from sweaters and turtlenecks to a tank that you could layer under a jacket for a night out. Another tip, do not bring any hair appliances such as a curling iron or straightener. Buy these items in Italy, because the voltage is different here. If you bring your own they will not work and you will have wasted space in your luggage. In addition, if you have a specific face wash or hair product that you use in the US and enjoy, make sure that you bring enough of this product to last you for the time allotted. Italy does sell some American brand products, but many of the ones that we commonly use in America are not available here. Use your judgment and try not to over pack. The shopping in Italy is amazing and I guarantee you will end up being able to buy anything that you forget to bring so no worries! Good luck!
Outfit 1: Cute and Casual
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| I love wearing this outfit to class or on a day where I am shopping around the city and exploring! |
This kind of outfit is so easy to throw together but looks like you put a lot of effort in choosing this ensemble. These are all basic pieces, but throw on some cool accessories like a hat and belt and you have yourself the perfect look!
Outfit 2: Cold Morning
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| This coat keeps me very warm while still looking stylish! |
Florence is unpredictable and was freezing the first few weeks I was here! In case of this, I suggest that you find one coat that you absolutely love and you will be set! I throw my simple black coat over everything to keep warm. Adding some classic ripped jeans, booties and a scarf with make the perfect outfit for those chilly days.
Outfit 3: Night out
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| A simple, effortless look to wear out! |
At night, whether I am going to dinner, a friend’s apartment or having a night out on the town, I like to stick to wearing jeans, a nice top and again I always add accessories to dress it up. Heels always add a nice touch to an outfit, however in Florence I stick to booties or my comfy platform sandals which make it easy to walk on the cobble stone streets!
Outfit 4: Flowy and Free
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| For those warmer days in Firenze! |
The sun is finally starting to come out in Florence at this time of the year. For days when it is a little bit warmer out, I love to wear long sleeve dresses like the one pictured below. The long sleeves and boots give this look a little bit of warmth, but in the summer switch the boots out for sandals and roll up the sleeves on the dress and you have yourself a whole new outfit!
I hope that these tips and ideas helped and good luck!
Samara R. is the Spring 2017 MOJO Blogger in Florence, Italy. She is currently a Junior studying Retailing & Consumer Sciences at University of Arizona.