HOW TO DRESS IN ATHENS: A JOURNEY THROUGH STYLE, INSPIRATION AND GREEK CULTURE

There you hear the sounds of Rebetiko , the smell of spices and souvlaki in the air, the sun reflecting on the ancient marbles and the blinding white of the houses slipping between the bougainvillea?

Athens welcomes you like this: with an open heart, a slow pace and a style that doesn't need fashion shows to get noticed.

It is not a fashion capital in the most traditional sense of the term: it does not have the fashion shows of Milan, nor the impalpable charm of Rome or Paris; and yet, walking through its alleys, metro stations and neighborhoods can reveal many interesting gems.

In this article I will not tell you which trends to follow, but I will try to give you a way of feeling fashion that I have grasped while traveling among ancient ruins , folk costumes , markets and lively neighborhoods .

I will suggest how to dress in Athens , yes - but how to do it consciously, especially if you intend to climb one of its 7 hills - and with that sense of slow time that you can breathe everywhere here.

Because Athens does not dictate style rules, but inspires a lifestyle .

Athens knows how to inspire those who have eyes to hear

Walking through the streets of Athens, you perceive something that it has in common with other Mediterranean cities and that makes them unique in terms of habits and customs: a fashion that does not want to be noticed, but understood .

The daily life and above all the history of this ancient city are told through women at the market wearing leather sandals , men sitting in cafes wearing light, lived-in shirts and tourists who slowly seem to absorb the spirit of the place , like this sweet tourist who had her photograph taken by me during her visit to the Panathenaic Stadium , in a layered but minimal look, whose protagonist is the Ralph Lauren linen shirt.

Foto scattata da me ad una turista che si è prestata per Dialoghi di Stile su richiesta

Plus: Did you know that in 2021 Dior showed at the Panathenaic Stadium for its Cruise 2022 collection, with a collection that reinterpreted the Dior codes in a Greek mythological key?

How to Dress in Athens: Shopping Between Ancient Style and Modernity

And it is certainly the ancient style and mythology that still inspire part of Greek fashion today: ancient temples, theaters, symbols of Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns are reflected in the linen dresses inspired by the peplos and chitòn that can be found in the lively markets of Monastiraki, very attractive for tourists. You will find them in all colors and shapes : long or short, from classic white to burgundy, from purple to lapis lazuli blue, like the one I chose, with the detail of being one-shoulder. Accessories made of simple gold metal (definitely cheaper) such as olive leaf-shaped hairbands and clips, armillae (the special bracelets to be worn on the forearm) and collars can be found practically everywhere, but you can also find refined ones made of bronze , certainly more durable, in the alleys of the historic centre and in the Kolonaki area, the luxury district of Athens : here you can also find boutiques of the most renowned brands and Made in Greece craft brands that make custom-made leather sandals .

In Athens, past and present also dialogue through clothing.

Archaeology, theatrical and popular costume

Before my visit to the most famous archaeological sites, at the Syntagma metro station, I was lucky enough to see a small exhibition of theatrical costumes from the National Theatre : stage forms inspired by the ancient but also by the medieval era, but with lively contemporary materials and cuts.

A little further on, I witnessed the changing of the guard with the Euzoni , in traditional dress: white foustanella , pleated skirt and pom-poms on their shoes. A powerful image that tells the identity through the folk costume.

Costumes of the National Theatre of Greece Eonikooeatpo

My visit to the Acropolis left me speechless: all the beauty of what still today continues to enchant and spread myths and legends about Greek deities, which from the top of that immense hill characterized by a path of olive and laurel trees still enchants today.

Only one rule: sneakers or shoes with non-slip soles here: I have seen tourists in sandals who almost slipped!

Did you know that Christian Dior had one of the first photo shoots for his clothes done here?

It was 1951

In an age where street fashion often clashes, Athens whispers and those with trained eyes will be able to grasp the strength of this apparent aesthetic silence: an authentic elegance, not constructed, that comes from the climate and culture . It is here, in this disarming simplicity, that the city reveals its true potential!

I hope I have been helpful if you are planning a trip to Athens!

If the answer is yes, let me know with a comment here I'm waiting.

It's worth it