Trends a Tourist Notices: Rome

Words and images by Bibs Malone, Writer

Another break, another trip around Europe! This time the journey was made to the ancient city of Rome. While Rome is home to countless historical and religious sites, it also presents much to satisfy any fashion lover. A quick walk down the city streets and one can notice many things that make visiting Rome a fascinating journey to someone with a keen fashion eye.

What first caught my attention were coats. To someone visiting from Scotland, the weather in Rome was like the tropics. It averaged around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and was extremely sunny with little clouds. I wore short sleeve shirts for pretty much the entire trip. However, most people in Rome wore the exact opposite. Almost everyone I saw wore coats, and coming from Scotland, it was shocking to see so many people wearing heavy winter coats during the hot weather. It shows how people in Italy react to their climate differently than a tourist; as a result, their fashion differs from ours too!

On this trip, Rome's plentiful clothing shops took the cake. Greg Foley once said, “fashion runs in Italian blood,” which couldn't be more accurate. It is truly amazing to see some of the most famous Italian brands in their homeland. My rental house was located just by the Spanish Steps, surrounded by some of the most famous Italian brands. One can see a well-known Roman site alongside some of the best shopping in the city!

Gucci is one of the oldest Italian brands still in operation and is arguably one of the most famous globally. It was a truly magical experience to step into a Gucci store in Italy. You could tell the employees had so much pride working in the store, and it was some of the friendliest service I have ever had. Even though I was just window shopping, the employees were welcoming and eager to talk with me. The Gucci store showcased the latest Pineapple Collection alongside its classical and traditional pieces.

The vast number of stores in Rome also allowed a look at brands one was previously unfamiliar with beforehand. I had never known the brand Zimmerman, originally an Australian brand that an Italian company recently bought. Seeing its store in Rome officially put the brand on my radar. Their selection of pastel dresses was breath-taking, and had shoppers daydreaming about wearing them to a tea party or garden party. Rome is proof that a city full of fashion brands can help inspire and develop new interests.

As with the previous travel articles written, there was a look at the clothing that the Tourist Traps produced. The selections of apparel in these stores appeared quite generic. The subject of a previous article was Madrid, and Madrid's selection had many items that presented the unique aspects of their city. On the other hand, Rome did not have this element. Most of the clothing was just a simple logo. One should not fall into the Tourist Trap of Rome!

Overall, a trip to Rome will exceed any fashion fan’s expectations. The city is full of clothing, and almost every street will have something to explore. Rome is a city not just full of history: it is full of fashion.