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The phrase “La Bella Figura,” which translates to “the Beautiful (or handsome) Figure,” describes how Italians value their beauty. It matters what they look like in the mirror, but more significantly, what other people think of them. Even when performing everyday tasks like getting wine from the neighborhood deli or car parts or hardware, you won’t see anyone wearing sloppy T-shirts and sweatpants. Italian men are very conscious of their appearance, particularly during the workplace and when conducting business. In the morning, people make choices rather than merely putting on clothing. Shoes aren’t merely tossed at the bottom of a closet where they could be scratched; they’re even kept in a dedicated shoe garage called a scarpiera.
Of course, a sciarpa (scarf) is an accessory for every Italian man worth his salt from Sicily, but it’s much more than that. The Italian scarf’s origins may be traced back to the Roman era. It was known as a sudarium in Latin, which means “sweat cloth.” The scarf is useful in hot, searing Italian summers to wipe perspiration from their brows or catch it around their necks, even though we all know that modern Italians detest drafts and avoid becoming cold, which naturally results in catching a raffreddore—a cold. Wool, cashmere, and alpaca are among the materials used during the winter. Wearing linen, cotton, silk, seersucker, or pashmina (a lighter Indian wool) is common throughout the warmer months.
The jackets come next. These fit more loosely than the younger generation’s aggressively cut, angular, and tight-fitting suits, which make them appear twenty pounds overweight even on extremely thin regazzi. An older man may have a few extra pounds, but the cut will not reveal them. Overall, the lines are softer. softer shoulders. The textiles have a gentler drape. Ties are not required. Additionally, timeless and elegant coats, such as the double-breasted style, look great. Actually, a casual yet stylish style can be achieved with jeans or trousers and a sports jacket. Their timeless pieces go nicely with a wide range of hues and fashion trends. Older Italian men have lived long enough to accumulate timeless, rather than contemporary, clothing that will be in style for years to come.
