In a country where police uniforms are designed by Armani, it isn't surprising that women take dressing very seriously. When I moved to Italy, I desperately wanted to look like I fit in. If you're planning a trip to Italy soon, and don't want to be pegged as a tourist, there is one important thing to remember. The objective of Italian dressing is not to blend in.

Italian women take great pride in putting themselves together. To show off your best features is the idea, so to blend in you must strive to stand out, which might sound like an oxymoron. Once you get your mind around this however, you already know the secret. But where do you begin to acquire that special Italian flavor? In a nutshell, here are a few key ingredients: