What to wear in Rome in the fall: full packing list and style guide. What to pack for Rome in October, November, December to be weather ready, comfortable, safe and appropriate at all times.
Autumn can be a wonderful time to visit Rome. In the fall, Rome has left the hot and sticky summer days behind but hasn’t quite yet plunged into the humid and cold days typical of its winters.
The result is, most years, a dry, sunny, pleasant combination of blue sky and light breeze that seems designed for sightseeing.
Autumn in Rome is however not always a dream.
The weather at this time is changeable and you may find yourself not only in need of different outfits on different days but also reaching out for an extra layer at certain times of the day.
Packing for Rome in the fall is very much an exercise in making clever choices before you leave and packing in layers.
In this guide, I share my top tips on what to wear in Rome in autumn, what you need to pack and what you can leave home.
If you are looking specifically for tips about shoes, I recommend you also check my guide to the best walking shoes for Rome here.
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When is fall in Rome?
Autumn in Rome technically starts on the 21st of September and ends on the 21st of December.
During these 3 months, the weather changes from being properly summery to increasingly cold.
September is still very much a summer month in Rome while December, while technically fall, is considered by locals a winter month, with cold temperatures and a need for warm coats.
You can have a look at what to expect weather and event wise in Rome in October, November and December in the following guides:
What is the weather like in Rome in the autumn?
Rome in the fall has usually pleasant weather, with mild temperatures and bright sky.
September is still summer in Rome. Average temperature is 22C/71F and rain is scarce
October tend to be dry and sunny but it is an autumn month in Rome: average temperature is 18C/64F and you are likely to need a light jacket mornings and evenings
November is mild and wet in Rome. Average temperature is 13C/55F and you usually get about 1 week of rain, so waterproof jacket and shoes are a must
December is technically autumn in Rome but very much a winter month in terms of temperature and feel. Average temperature is 10C/49F and you can expect over a week of rain.
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What to wear in Rome in the fall to keep safe from pickpockets
One of the big worries for tourists in Rome are pickpockets and while I do not want you to come to Rome thinking they are everywhere and you’ll be a moving target (you won’t! In most places pickpockets are not a problem!, there are some places where a little extra safety can go a long way to help preventing incidents.
Pickpockets operate in very busy areas and these include places like Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and the metro.
The best ways to stay safe is to make it hard for pickpockets to get to your stuff. This means:
Do not keep valuables in your pockets (too easy to slip them out of them)
Consider a lanyard for your phone if you have kids who may not have a bag.
Do not use backpacks (easy to open them while you don’t notice) or move them to the front of you in busy areas
Use crossbody bags so you you can move it to the front and put your hand on the closure in shoulder to shoulder situations
While I don’t believe an anti-theft bag is a must, if it give you peace of mind they can be a good purchase to invest into. Carabiners to keep bags closed can also be handy.
Good to know: never leave your bag unattended or casually resting in a place passers by can easily grab hold of it. This includes chairs in restaurants especially if outdoors or in a busy place with a lot of passage.
What to pack for Rome in fall: church dress code
Catholic Churches require modest clothing and abiding by this dress code is especially important in big Papal basilicas such as St Peter’s Basilica (and Varican Museums) where the dress code is often strictly enforced.
The dress code requires covering shoulder and knees for both men and women and it is easy to follow when packing for Rome in the fall aa the season is on your side!
To stay appropriate in churches, all you need is long pants, below the knee shorts/ skirt and a cardigan, all thing you will probably wear anyway in Rome in autumn.
What to wear in Rome in the fall: style tips
In terms of style, you can very much be yourself in Rome and where whatever you want!
Despite what you may have read on the web, there is no such thing as ‘looking like a local’ when visiting Rome as a tourist and there is also no need to try look like one!
If you are out sightseeing all day, you will inevitably look different from a local going to work so there is not reason to follow that ‘dress code’ to blend in: it will just make you uncomfortable while out and about.
Also, locals on their time off wear all sorts of things so you won’t stand out anyway!
If you are curious about what locals tend to go for on an average day, you can expect the most common style to be casual to business casual.
Men love chinos and well cut jeans, polo shirts, shirts (always long sleeve in Italy, we don’t really do short sleeve shirts) and fashion sneakers. We tend not to use active wear outside of sports situations.
Women wear anything from jeans, to cotton trousers, skirts and dresses. We tend not to wear shorts. For practical reasons, we tend to wear walking shoes, runners and fashion sneakers more than heels, unless the occasion requires it.
Kids and teens lately are fond of sportswear and can wear it pretty much anywhere no problem.
What to wear in Rome: restaurant etiquette
Many people ask me about restaurant attire in Rome but, thankfully, there is no such thing!
Unless you go to a very upscale restaurant of rooftop terrace with a specific dress code, you can go to restaurants in Rome in your sightseeing attire no problem.
Standard rules such as cleanliness and appropriateness if going to more upscale environments apply like anywhere else. You do not need special evening attire for a standard meal out in Rome.
Packing list for Rome in fall: essentials
You don’t need to pack a lot for Rome however, you need to make sure you have all your essentials rights so if you end up going shopping, it will be for pleasure, not need!
My essentials for an autumn trip to Rome are:
- Comfortable, broken in walking shoes (this is a great list of stylish walking shoes for Rome)
- One pair of nicer, flat shoes for dinner/going out
- Flip flops for hotel/pool
- Pajama/Nightgown
- Socks and underwear
- Long, light trousers or jeans (the fall is not shorts weather in Rome)
- Below the knee skirt if visiting the Vatican
- Short sleeve and long sleeve tops
- Light cardigan/ woolen sweater (see below for month by month recommendations)
- Jacket (ideally waterproof)
- Small travel umbrella
- Cross-body bag
- Italian phrasebook and dictionary
- Extra battery pack for phone/camera etc
- Travel adaptor and converter
- A print out of all your bookings
- Credit card/ bank card
- Cash
- Reusable water bottle
- Scarf/pashmina (see below for tips for each month)
- Essential toiletries and medications
- All your travel documents
What to wear in Rome in September (summer / fall weather)
Autumn starts in Rome on the 21st of September and it is usually slow coming.
Summer clothing slowly gives way to fall outfits and you will notice locals putting away summer colors slowly transitioning to more sober ones (Italians love browns, blues and creams).
You may still find people in shorts in Rome in early September but they are usually tourists and often regret their choice as soon as the evening falls!
When packing for Rome in September, I recommend you have your essentials (above) and in particular:
- Good walking shoes, well broken in: at this time, you can wear summer, breathable models and you don’t need to worry too much about rain
- Flip flops for hotel or day trips to the beach, still very nice in September
- Bathing suit for hotel pool / day at the beach
- Sunscreen
- Walking socks (you do not usually need tights in September)
- Summer trousers or jeans
- Below the knee skirt
- Short sleeve tops (women) / Polo shirts for men (Italian men do not wear short sleeve shirts)
- Light cardigan
- Light scarf: this is a fashion accessory in Italy that will make you feel like you are blending in but also a great what to cover shoulders or cleavage when visiting churches. A light scarf can also come in handy as the weather starts to turn chillier at the end of September.
- Light jacket if visiting at the end of the month or used to very hot weather.
What to wear in Rome in October
You can find my full packing list for Rome in October here. It includes:
- Good walking shoes, well broken in: waterproof runners and ankle boots are perfect. Bring an extra pair should one get soaked and in need for drying overnight
- Socks (and tights if planning on wearing skirts)
- Long trousers or jeans
- Below the knee skirt
- Short-sleeve tops + long sleeve tops / shirts
- Light cardigan + warmer sweater
- Light scarf: this is a fashion accessory in Italy that will make you feel like you are blending in but also a great what to cover shoulders or cleavage when visiting churches). You do not usually need a full winter scarf in October in Rome.
- Midseason, waterproof jacket
What to pack for Rome in November
November is reasonably mild in Rome but short hours of daylight and rain call for season appropriate attire.
The summer is far now and style wise you will notice everyone sporting winter colors and locals often in full winter attire.
Good to know: If you are looking for style tips for Rome to blend in with the locals, have a look at my tips about ‘how to dress in Rome too!
You can find my full packing list for Rome in November here. It includes:
- Good walking shoes, well broken in: waterproof sneakers/runners and ankle boots are perfect. Bring an extra pair should one get soaked and in need for drying overnight
- Socks (and tights if planning on wearing skirts)
- Long trousers or jeans
- Below the knee skirt
- Short-sleeve tops for layering + long sleeve tops/shirts
- Warm sweater
- Winter scarf
- Winter jacket (if you are used to very cold weather, you may get away with a midseason coat but Rome gets humid and can feel surprisingly cold in the rain)
What to wear in Rome in December (fall / winter weather)
December is winter in Rome and you want to pack for cold temperatures and short days.
The thermometer seems to suggest December is mild in Rome but this can be deceiving: Rome is humid and can get surprisingly chilly!
When packing for Rome in December you need winter attire and you are unlikely to take off many layers in restaurants: heating in Rome is not as strong as you may be used to and you will always keep your woolen sweater on even indoors.
You can find here >>> my full packing list for Rome in December. Below there are some essentials:
- Waterproof well broken sneakers/ankle boots/full boots
- Socks and tights
- Long trousers (jeans, woolen)
- Below the knee skirt or dress
- Long sleeve tops (short sleeves only for layering)
- Woolen sweater
- Winter waterproof coat
- Scarf, gloves, winter hat
- Warm nightwear
- You do not usually need a thermal layer in Rome
I hope you found this Rome packing list and tips about what to wear in Rome in the fall useful. Safe travels!
What to wear in Rome in the fall: pin this!
This post is continuously updates to keep up with weather patterns and local styles.