The 9-Piece Fall Wardrobe That Defines Italian Fashion

When I think about Italian fashion, a few things immediately come to mind: sophistication and experimentation. Italian women seem to have a knack for looking polished no matter what they’re wearing, but they also have a little fun with unexpected elements. Sure, you’ll see street style veteran Gilda Ambrosio pairing a classic button-down top and pencil skirt, but she’ll make it her own by wearing mismatched prints. And you can expect the same level of fun and creative styling from photographer Tamu McPherson, who is a master of layering different textures and colors.

As we head into the season ahead, what can we expect to see the best-dressed Italian women wearing? When it comes to their fall closet staples, there a few key pieces Italian women tend to wear on repeat—from sleek accessories to strong tailoring to bold prints. Ahead, we’re narrowing in on the 9 Italian fall capsule wardrobe essentials to tap into their style.

1. Knee-High Boots

Whether paired with a long dress, Bermuda shorts, or a cinched trench, knee-high boots are the fall shoe staple Italian women are very behind. This season, opt for a pair finished with a sleek kitten heel.

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2. Ribbed Knit

Ribbed knits are on the rise for fall, but it's a piece Italian women have been tuned into for a long time. A sophisticated, timeless piece that taps into the Italian heritage of knitwear, this is the wardrobe staple you'll be wearing for years to come.

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3. Flowy Dress

A flowy dress is the perfect transitional piece that's able to cross over from summer to fall. As you head into the new season, swap out your sandals for a pair of leather boots.

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4. Bold Print

Whether you're looking at the collections Prada or Gucci or Fendi, you'll be sure to find cool, bold prints in their arsenal. A trademark of Italian design, you'll also find strong prints in the core wardrobes of Italian women.

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5. Leather Trousers

Instead of tight legging-like leather pants, Italian women gravitate towards wider-cut trouser styles. With sharp tailoring and a polished feel, these are a fresh take on the wardrobe staple.

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6. Tailored Coat

One thing I learned after I moved to a colder climate a few years ago? Fall is all about a great coat. That's something Italian women certainly know about. Just add a great pair of boots and your look is finished.

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7. Relaxed Trousers

Sharp tailoring is a core to Italian fashion, so you'll find plenty of suiting is an essential. So, what will we see this fall? Relaxed trousers, which are on the rise for the upcoming season. If you need inspiration for how to wear them, Tamu McPherson has them styled to perfection above.

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8. Oversize Blazer

Going hand-in-hand with relaxed trousers? Oversize blazers. This trend was huge last year but we'll continue to see the piece get wear this year.

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9. Sleek Ankle Boots

Black ankle boots are a classic fall wardrobe staple, but the ones you'll find in an Italian-girl fall wardrobe will be modern takes finished with sleek kitten heels and pointed toes.

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Next, discover the 25 cool fashion finds I'm obsessing over right now.