Italy is always a few steps ahead when it comes to style, and the Winter 2025/2026 season promises a fascinating mix of comfort, luxury, nostalgia, and bold innovation. Influences from Milan Fashion Week, heritage tailoring, streetwear, and sustainability converge to offer new ways of dressing that are both elegant and expressive. Below are key trends to watch, what’s emerging, and how they translate into what people will actually wear on the streets of Rome, Milan, Florence, and beyond.
Colour Palette & Fabrics
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Deep, rich tones dominate: burgundy, forest green, midnight blue, and plum are particularly favored. Ignazio Bari Donna+2Pynck Fashion+2
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These are tempered by neutral shades like beige, cream, stone grey, and taupe – useful for layering and mixing with more striking colours. Luisaviaroma+1
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Unexpected softer tones also make appearances: powder pink, dusty blue being used in contrast with the darker shades. Ignazio Bari Donna+1
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Fabrics continue to lean luxurious but with purpose: virgin wool, cashmere, velvet are staples. Leather (and faux leather) for jackets and trousers. Tweed and classic patterns (houndstooth, pied-de-poule) give refined texture. Ignazio Bari Donna+2Babble Up+2
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Shearling remains strong for outerwear: it adds warmth, texture, and visual interest. Luisaviaroma+1
Women’s Silhouettes & Key Pieces
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Oversized outerwear is a big theme: long flowing coats, dramatic collars, high collars, protective yet elegant shapes. Big overcoats that look both cozy and regal. Luisaviaroma+1
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The return of corduroy pants, stirrup-pants, leggings: these are being styled not just as casual wear but elevated with tailored blazers, high-neck knitwear, boots. Luisaviaroma
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Skirts in A-line or midi lengths are back: wool or leather versions, pleated or softly flared, used both for day and evening looks. Ignazio Bari Donna+1
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Knitwear is essential: heavy turtlenecks, oversized sweaters, layering is key. Texture and volume help add statement even under coats. Ignazio Bari Donna+1
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Accessories will carry weight: belts (often wide, worn over coats), structured bags with rigid shapes, boots (knee-high or tall), and jewelry like pearls or chains make statements. Italian E-Learning Fashion School+2Ignazio Bari Donna+2
Men’s Trends & Styling
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Tailoring sees a softer revival: looser trousers (full-leg or cuffed), double- or single-breasted coats and suits, but with lighter structure and more fluid lines. Heritage inspirations (classic menswear, aristocratic influences) are reinterpreted. Babble Up+2Pynck Fashion+2
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Outerwear is bold: oversized down or padded jackets, shearling coats, statement overcoats in rich fabrics. These serve both function and form. Male Modelings+1
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Colour for men is richer: beyond the standard greys and navies, expect cherry red, forest tones, deep greens, warm browns. Pastels also sneak in, often in layering or accent pieces. Pynck Fashion+2Ignazio Bari Donna+2
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Texture and detail: velvet suits, contrast linings, faux fur trim, and mixing of materials (leather + wool + shearling) to create depth. Pynck Fashion+1
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Relaxed street elements: layering, utility inspired jackets, “quiet luxury” with refined details rather than loud branding. Minimalist utility is rising. Babble Up+1
What to Wear Day-to-Night
Because Italian winter demands both style and adaptability (cold mornings, milder afternoons, elegant dinners), many are combining practicality with flair:
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Start the day with a structured coat + turtleneck + wide trousers. Swap the shirt underneath for evening, perhaps layering with a silk or satin element.
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Boots are essential: tall leather boots for women, maybe chelsea or lace-ups for men; sneakers still ok around town but more premium, cleaner styles.
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Outer layers are key: shearling or fur-trimmed collars, big scarves, gloves in leather or luxe materials.
Heritage, Nostalgia & Sustainability
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Many designers are drawing on Italian heritage: vintage tailoring, classic cuts, mid-20th century cinema glamour. That moodiness and drama shows especially in menswear and evening wear. Babble Up+1
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Also sustainable cues: faux leathers, more thoughtful sourcing, fabrics that last, pieces designed to be mixed and matched rather than single-use trends.
Street Style & Accessories
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Statement gloves, sometimes slouchy or patterned; big pearls or chunky chains for women; subtle jewelry for men. Italian E-Learning Fashion School+1
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Bags: structured, rigid shapes; crossbody styles are still strong; belts that cinch outerwear give shape. Luisaviaroma+1
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Footwear: tall boots, sometimes with pointed toes; ankle shearling boots; sneakers (premium, often hybrid types); perhaps even pirate-style boots or boots with character/s embellishment. Glamour+1
What This Means (and How to Adopt the Trends)
Italy winters are cold and stylish. To adapt:
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Invest in a great outer coat (either shearling or a long wool one) in one of the rich tones. It’s an everyday piece.
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Choose layering intelligently: thermal or thick knit under shirts or sweaters; use scarves, gloves, and hats in luxury materials so that even utilitarian parts of the outfit look intentional.
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Mix textures: velvet, wool, leather. This avoids flatness in darker seasons.
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For women, mix soft and strong (delicate skirts with bold coats, for example). For men, balance modern relaxed tailoring with classic structure.
Summary
Winter 2025/2026 in Italy brings together warmth and elegance, heritage and innovation. Rich colours, luxe fabrics, oversized coats, tasteful tailoring, and bold details mean wardrobes will have both comfort and statement. Women and men alike are going to play with texture, layering, and pieces that blend practicality with flair.