Though I don’t have an ounce of Italian blood in my body, I’ve always been allured by the country, from its architecture and food to, of course, its signature fashion. For all of these reasons and more, I try to visit the country as often as I possibly can (I just traveled to both Milan and the Emilia Romagna region last week) and stay up to date with its residents’ current tastes via the street-style Instagram account @milanesiamilano, giving me a fair understanding of what the chicest people who live there are eyeing, buying, and wearing in 2023. 

Because I spend so much time studying Italian style (not to mention cars—I’m personally a Ferrari fan though I wouldn’t say no to an adorable Fiat—coffee, recipes, and more), I often find myself noticing pieces during my everyday scrolls that I think would feel right at home in the country, be it a billowy, cotton midi skirt or a superbly tailored blazer. And since much of my market research is done at Nordstrom, a store that sadly hasn’t broken into the Italian market, I decided that I’d spend my day scouring the entirety of the retailer and picking out items that I believe an Italian woman would buy if it were to open up shop on Milan, Rome, or Florence. See which pieces fit the bill below. 

Chic doesn’t even begin to describe these oval-shaped sunglasses.

Now imagine you’re at a beach club in Sicily. 

It doesn’t get much more Italian than a intrecciato bag by Bottega Veneta.

A simple basic that packs a lot of punch. 

This skirt will look bellisimo with just about anything. 

I can’t get over the price on these loafers and probably never will. 

In the springtime, Italian women live in trench coats. 

A graphic tee tucked into some white trousers with a great belt is an outfit you’ll see plenty of if you ever visit Milan in the summertime. 

You can’t go wrong with this purchase. 

Temps in the summer skyrocket all around Italy. Be prepared by purchasing these airy, yet tailored linen shorts. 

These are great if you like to mix and match your metals. 

A gorgeous LBD is beloved by everyone, no matter where they live. 

Simply lovely. 

Outerwear is one of the areas that Italians do best. 

No where will you see more chic takes on leopard print than Italy. 

Big jeans and a flowy shirt was all I saw women wearing when I was just in Milan. 

Prada and Italy go hand in hand. 

Tie this scarf around your neck, your head, or your chest as a chic, summer top. 

Eye-catching accessories are highly appreciated among Italian women. 

Just wait until you see the cutout in the back. 

Perfection looks a lot like these trousers in the summer. 

My Instagram feed is currently being flooded with these mesh flats. 

Duh. 

Barrel-leg jeans are rising the denim ranks around the world. 

This color feels very Prada to me, so naturally, these heels would be a yes.

I mean, who could say no to this on-sale blazer? That’s right, no one. 

Just imagine this suit against a Mediterranean backdrop. 

With this beauty of a white skirt, of course. 

And last but not least, a perfect slide to wear with everything and anything. 

Coming up next: The Anti-Jeans Trend French and Italian Women Swear By Every Summer