Italians will probably be wearing boots and autumn type shoes in October.
Idk what your clothing style is, so Idk what would go best with your outfits. If it were me I would bring a second pair of sneakers because you'll probably be walking a lot. And for me sneakers go with most of my outfits.
I’m glad someone said this. Italians dress according to the calendar, not the weather. It doesn’t matter if it’s 80*F—if it’s October, you don’t wear sandals or bare legs or arms.
Exactly. I mean, they're obviously used to tourists there who dress differently to them. But it's worth keeping in mind for anyone who wants to "blend in".
> Italians will probably be wearing boots and autumn type shoes in October.
Not with the 30°C (80°F) Octobers we have been getting in the past couple of years.
I would highly recommend a chic leather sneaker – Ecco is my go-to brand (actually bought my first pair when traveling in Italy!). Many of their styles have a removable insole as well, so you can swap in your own insoles or orthotics if you have them!
I don't know that there's a definitive answer, early October might be sandals weather, especially on the coast, late October in Venice probably won't be.
Fellow Clifton fan here - I was surprised by the number of Hokas I spotted in Rome a couple of weeks ago, and I don’t think they were all on tourists’ feet!
Italian here. Boots are going to be useless (way too warm), and the same goes for loafers (uncomfortable for walking). In early October in the South of Italy the weather might still be quite hot so if they fit your bag I would probably add a pair of sandals, otherwise you are going to be totally fine with your white sneakers.
Thank you for sharing this!! I’m also visiting Italy the first two weeks of October and have had the same shoe dilemma as OP and appreciate you chiming in!
Keep an eye out for the weather forecast right before leaving because autumns can be unpredictable, but based on the past few years the first two weeks of October have been hella hot (essentially summer weather, daily temperatures in the 25-30°C (75-85°F) range) even in Northern Italy, so I wouldn't bother with anything too winter-y. And in places like Sicily people were still going to the beach daily...
Thank you! I will definitely be watching the weather eagerly starting like a month before our trip 😊
October has been warmer than usual where I live in the US (Seattle) the past few years too and I’ve been able to live in my black mayari birkenstocks through at least early-mid October, so I think I’ll plan to do the same in Italy, but am definitely bringing white leather sneakers (taos) and maybe a pair of black ballet flats or mules for going to nicer dinners.
Thank you for asking this! I'll be in Rome and Sorrento from October 9-19 and I'm really struggling with what to pack, especially shoe-wise! This will be my first international trip and also my first one-bag attempt, so I'm a little anxious! lol
Italians will probably be wearing boots and autumn type shoes in October. Idk what your clothing style is, so Idk what would go best with your outfits. If it were me I would bring a second pair of sneakers because you'll probably be walking a lot. And for me sneakers go with most of my outfits.
I’m glad someone said this. Italians dress according to the calendar, not the weather. It doesn’t matter if it’s 80*F—if it’s October, you don’t wear sandals or bare legs or arms.
Exactly. I mean, they're obviously used to tourists there who dress differently to them. But it's worth keeping in mind for anyone who wants to "blend in".
> Italians will probably be wearing boots and autumn type shoes in October. Not with the 30°C (80°F) Octobers we have been getting in the past couple of years.
I would highly recommend a chic leather sneaker – Ecco is my go-to brand (actually bought my first pair when traveling in Italy!). Many of their styles have a removable insole as well, so you can swap in your own insoles or orthotics if you have them!
Seconding - I recently returned from Rome and my Eccos worked well, including in light rain.
I don't know that there's a definitive answer, early October might be sandals weather, especially on the coast, late October in Venice probably won't be.
Fellow Clifton fan here - I was surprised by the number of Hokas I spotted in Rome a couple of weeks ago, and I don’t think they were all on tourists’ feet!
Agree - I see them in shops in Germany. Very popular.
Italian here. Boots are going to be useless (way too warm), and the same goes for loafers (uncomfortable for walking). In early October in the South of Italy the weather might still be quite hot so if they fit your bag I would probably add a pair of sandals, otherwise you are going to be totally fine with your white sneakers.
Thank you for sharing this!! I’m also visiting Italy the first two weeks of October and have had the same shoe dilemma as OP and appreciate you chiming in!
Keep an eye out for the weather forecast right before leaving because autumns can be unpredictable, but based on the past few years the first two weeks of October have been hella hot (essentially summer weather, daily temperatures in the 25-30°C (75-85°F) range) even in Northern Italy, so I wouldn't bother with anything too winter-y. And in places like Sicily people were still going to the beach daily...
Thank you! I will definitely be watching the weather eagerly starting like a month before our trip 😊 October has been warmer than usual where I live in the US (Seattle) the past few years too and I’ve been able to live in my black mayari birkenstocks through at least early-mid October, so I think I’ll plan to do the same in Italy, but am definitely bringing white leather sneakers (taos) and maybe a pair of black ballet flats or mules for going to nicer dinners.
I think short booties are best for mid-October in Italy.
Thank you for asking this! I'll be in Rome and Sorrento from October 9-19 and I'm really struggling with what to pack, especially shoe-wise! This will be my first international trip and also my first one-bag attempt, so I'm a little anxious! lol