Milan and Florence serve up the latest in Italian ready-to-wear, but Rome, Italy’s fashion capital during its dolce vita heyday in the 50s and 60s, has its own distinct style, one that manages to be both timeless and timely. “Roman fashion is very personal and not global,” says Barbara Lessona, founder and owner of Countess Concierge, a custom travel and personal shopping service based in Rome.

Lessona, daughter of an American journalist and Italian count, has lived all her life in the Eternal City, and knows its special ateliers, artisans and tailors, which she incorporates into individual shopping itineraries for visitors to her native city. We asked Barbara to share her tips for dressing like a Roman since they do it so well, and for sharing some (she has many more secret spots) of her preferred shopping addresses for both women and men. Here are her recommendations.