Palermo is the most culturally layered city in the Mediterranean — the capital of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily, where Arab, Byzantine, and Norman architecture occupy the same city blocks and where the certified Belgian linen shirt carries every context from the Ballarò market morning to the Teatro Massimo evening without a change of clothes.

For the Ballarò and Vucciria street markets. The most vivid market experience in Italy. A PP linen shirt in Coral Orange against the market produce and the sun-bleached stone, with linen shorts and leather sandals.

For the Arab-Norman chapels. The Palatine Chapel and the Martorana — the most extraordinary mosaics in Europe, the gold ground, the Christ Pantocrator. Covered dress; a PP linen shirt in white fully buttoned with linen trousers. The gold mosaic background rewards white linen as the most visually resonant choice.

For the Mondello beach. The Art Nouveau bathing establishment, the turquoise shallow water. White PP linen over natural swim shorts; leather sandals. Natural swim shorts for the Tyrrhenian swimming.

For the Teatro Massimo evening. The largest opera house in Italy — the most formally observed evening occasion in Palermo. A navy PP linen shirt with linen trousers and leather shoes.

What to Wear in Sicily  ·  What to Wear in Puglia