Learn Hardcore Italian: Dopo aver fatto la doccia, ti puoi vestire con abiti leggeri se fa caldo. - After taking a shower, you can get dressed in light clothes if it’s hot.

It means "After having taken a shower." The phrase uses a compound infinitive form—"aver fatto" is the perfect infinitive of "fare"—following the preposition "dopo" to indicate that the showering has been completed before the next action occurs.

Why is the reflexive pronoun placed before the modal verb in "ti puoi vestire" instead of attached to the infinitive?

In Italian, when using a modal verb such as "potere," the reflexive pronoun is typically positioned before the conjugated modal. That’s why we see "ti puoi vestire." You can also attach the pronoun to the infinitive (as in "puoi vestirti"), and both forms are correct; the placement before the modal is often preferred for clarity.

What does the phrase "con abiti leggeri" indicate?

It translates to "with light clothes" or "in light clothing." This specifies that you should choose less heavy or more breathable attire, which is especially appropriate when the weather is warm.

How does the clause "se fa caldo" function in this sentence?

The clause "se fa caldo" means "if it's warm." It acts as a conditional check, implying that wearing light clothing is recommended only when the weather is warm. The use of "fa," an impersonal form of "fare," is common in expressions about weather, like "fa caldo" (it is hot).

Can you explain the overall sentence structure and its purpose?

Certainly. The sentence begins with the temporal clause "Dopo aver fatto la doccia," which tells us that the action of showering happens first. This is followed by the main clause "ti puoi vestire con abiti leggeri," which informs you about your next action (dressing). The sentence ends with the conditional phrase "se fa caldo," establishing that the advice to dress in light clothing applies only when it’s warm. This ordering clearly delineates the sequence of events and conditions.