Dress like a local in Italy

Compared to the carelessly casual sports wear that passes for trend-worthy garb in the United States, a trip to Italy may leave one yearning for the effortless, artistic chic found on cobblestone street corners. With brands like Prada and Bottega defining the landscape of American pop culture discourse for the past few decades, the lust for elevated luxury that accompanies Italian fashion is a natural result. Use these styling tips to bring Mediterranean styles into your own wardrobe.

Simplicity

Italian fashion is all about featuring high quality pieces that stand out based on their cut, fabric, and overall. This is best achieved by letting simplicity speak for the style itself, with basic colors like navy, tan and white balanced with classic pieces like blazers, flowing skirts and even high quality t-shirts.

Quality

Due to the high level of craftsmanship in the Italian fashion marketplace, the wardrobe selections of Italian shoppers are often based on workmanship and quality over affordability and quantity. Things like durable stitching, genuine materials, and reinforced paneling are key features to look for when curating one’s closet.

Tailoring

To best highlight the precisely defined simplicity and quality of Italian wardrobe pieces, fit is key. Finding a worthwhile tailor to hem skirt lines, fit jackets properly, and accentuate waistlines will help achieve the effortlessly stylish look even when pieces are pared down.

Ease

Part of the Italian style profile that makes it so appealing is the effortlessness with which it is carried off. A term for this, especially pertaining to men’s fashion is sprezzatura, which means “studied carelessness”. This means that despite the careful attention paid to combining pieces and selecting for cut, a calculated amount of light dishevelment like rolled up cuffs or a partially untucked shirt carries off the entire outfit.

Accessories

With the simplistic nature of the basics that Italian fashion can rely on for its classic appeal, accessorizing is a key way to highlight individuality and mark the elegance of one’s personal taste. A basic jeans and t-shirt paired with luxury jewelry and sunglasses or a playful scarf and statement shoe speaks volumes to the discerning Italian fashionista.

Recommended pieces

For those who prefer a feminine aesthetic, pieces like long coats, booties, statement earrings, embellished heels, animal prints, flat top sunglasses and floaty or architectural skirts are key. If a masculine style is more aligned with your persona, fitted shirts, loafers and brogues, tailored blazers, dark denim jeans, luxury watches and fitted trousers will be staples for achieving this look

This story was originally published September 5, 2022 at 9:00 AM.