Italian style is known for being sophisticated, sensual, and glamorous. Use the following tips to elevate your personal style and learn how to dress like an Italian!
My Italian-American mother has an enviable ability to always look put together no matter what the situation. Growing up I always remember her standing out from the other moms in town, and I was always so proud and in awe of her innate refinement. Even in casual clothes, “frumpy” and “disheveled” were never words that applied to her. Ever.
In visiting Italy, I came to realize that there is a name for this. This Italian mentality of always putting your best foot forward is called fare la bella figura. It means to make a beautiful impression. As it turns out, in Italian families this is a common practice! They take great pride in how they present themselves to the world. It truly does set the tone for the day! So step out of your house with sexy confidence and check out these tips below to practice la bella figura for yourself, and learn how to dress like an Italian!
But first, the details.
Before we get into the “rules” of Italian dressing, let’s talk about the details. Italian women are known for their confidence. How do they get this confidence? It starts with lingerie. Pick beautiful and well fitting undergarments that make you feel your best. Then once you’re dressed, it’s about the finishing touches. A delicate spritz of your favorite perfume, soft touchable hair, and fresh glowy makeup can make any look feel elevated and complete.
Now on to the “rules.”
1. Start with quality basics.
Italians are not interested in cheap trendy clothing. It’s all about quality over quantity. Look for quality pieces that are timeless, made of luxurious fabrics, and have impeccable fit. Pieces like cashmere sweaters, heirloom bags, or well-tailored shirts will elevate your look. Clean lines, straight seams, and weighty fabric, are all signs of a quality garment. Think of your basics as your blank canvas and opt for rich neutrals.
2. Pick a statement piece.
When building your look, it’s all about balance and harmony. Italians don’t shy away from the bold. They look to prints/patterns, shape, and color to make a statement. Often, they will pick one statement piece to build a look around. Whether it’s a bold geometric pattern, alluring animal print, or a fun lemon motif, utilize prints to add flair to your look. Or perhaps focus on an interesting shape and silhouette to accentuate your best features. Pick one elevated or statement piece to be the focus and echo the colors or designs in the rest of your outfit, but never compete with too many bold patterns! There must always be a hero piece, and the rest are supporting characters!
3. Time to accessorize.
Now that you built a foundation of quality basics and picked a statement piece to build your look around, it’s time to add some elevated accessories. Your accessories should add a bit of drama. A great place to start is with jewelry, scarves, and belts. Earrings in particular, are very feminine and add a bit of sparkle around your face. Belts work double-duty by creating a beautiful focal point and by drawing in the waist, accentuating an hourglass figure. Scarves can provide a needed pop of color. Large diva-like sunglasses look glamorous and stylish.
4. Shoes and leather.
Shoes are never an after thought. Italy is known for its leather goods. This means quality jackets, bags, and shoes. Italians pay especially close attention to bags and shoes. Pick well-made shoes with points of interest!
Getting chic Italian style is easy! First, follow these tips while dressing. Next, save the graphic below for quick reference. Last, step out in confident style, no matter where you are (or aren’t) going! Bellissimo stile!
When you think of Italian style, think of these words:
