What to Wear in Palermo, According to a Fashion Insider
Alice Hartwell
Kelsey Schiavon shares a sartorial guide to the Sicilian capital.
Few cities offer a true Mediterranean experience like Palermo. Having fallen in love with Italy, Kelsey Schiavon was drawn south, venturing to the Sicilian sun-drenched isle.“Palermo feels layered in a way that reveals itself slowly,” she shares. “Ornate architecture gives way to worn-in streets, quiet courtyards open onto busy markets. It’s vibrant without trying, a little chaotic at times, but deeply alive.”
If your summer itinerary includes a trip to this cultural capital, Kelsey shares her sartorial guide and a few spots that aren’t to be missed. Read on for a fashion insider’s guide to Palermo.
Meet Kelsey Schiavon, Freelance Creative and Brand Consultant
With a focus on thoughtful content across fashion, beauty, and wellness, Kelsey Schiavon predominantly works as a freelance creative and brand consultant.
Alongside this, she also has a background in holistic nutrition and natural skincare, and her work features brands that value quality, longevity, and a slower, more considered way of living.
Through her writing and personal platform, she shares a refined perspective on style, travel, and everyday rituals.
What to Do in Palermo
“What I love most is that it never feels overly polished,” Schiavon muses on the Sicilian capital. “This part of Italy asks you to pay attention, and to find beauty in the contrast.”
When asked what every visitor to Palermo should prioritise, she shares:
- Get to Bar del Corso early for hot espresso and a perfect cornetto. Patience is required, but it’s worth it.
- For the art lovers, spend an afternoon at Palazzo Butera. The mix of historic and contemporary works is beautifully done, and the view from this 18th-century Baroque palace is reason enough to visit. Finish with a slow aperitivo in the garden.
- Enjoy an iconic experience with a classic cannolo at I Segreti del Chiostro. Well known for a reason, your first bite is what memories are made of. Surrounded by lemon trees and beautiful tiling, the garden is a lovely place to linger.
- Weekly antique hunting at the Mercatino Antiquario di Piazza Marina. Don’t be afraid to bargain for a deal- there are some truly unique and well-priced finds, including antique fabrics, leather goods and vintage books.
- Spend a long Sunday lunch at Mercato della Vucciria. Trust the proprietor (with a budget in mind) and say yes to the daily fritto misto and a glass of crisp white. It’s chaotic and overwhelming in a beautifully Sicilian way.
What to Wear in Palermo
According to Schiavon, true Palermitani style fashion revolves around sprezzatura—the Italian art of effortless, put-together elegance:
“It feels instinctive and practical rather than curated. It’s not about perfection, but rather presence and a personal touch.
At its core, it’s undone and unforced, calling for a mix of timeless staples and thoughtful additions. Pack pieces that travel well, wear beautifully, and feel right from morning through to night.”
Shop Kelsey's Essentials
Layering Scarf
A well-loved scarf for layering, like this one from The Slow Label, provides texture and interest without any unnecessary bulk. Perfect for air-conditioned trains and planes, as well as cool or breezy evenings by the water.
Sunglasses
A great pair of sunglasses is essential in the Sicilian sun, but also forms part of the look! I wear this pair from APERÇU regularly, and they’ve stayed in incredible shape, from South America to the south of Italy.
Leather Flats
Comfortable enough for thousands of steps and they only improve with wear. Worrying about blisters when there’s unending beauty to take in seems like an incredible waste of time. ESSEN ballet flats are so buttery.
Leather Tote
A leather handbag to carry layers, market finds and Sicilian wine. I’ve been loving this one from Findlay.
Minimalist Basics
I try my best to pack light, but still desire endless options based on mood, location, and landscape. I love wrinkle-free separates from Sézane—easy, polished and perfect for travel.
White Maxi Skirt
This skirt from Me + Em was the perfect piece to have with me. I love the shape, and it was chic paired with a trench and short sleeves on cooler days, or an everyday tank and tabis when exploring the south.
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