From London to New York, the world has been graced by some of the most significant and best fashion we could hope for. With ‘Fashion Week’ taking over some of the world’s best fashion capitals every year, paying attention to the most prominent trends from across the globe is easier than ever before. Milan, in particular, is proving to be a force to be reckoned with, but as the capital of the fashion-conscious Italy, it’s not difficult to see why. For decades, Italian fashion has dominated the industry with the likes of Prada, Armani, and Versace but beyond the designer labels, there’s much more to put together the perfect outfit – we’re digging deeper into exactly what that is.
Treat Every Day Like A Special Occasion
We’re all guilty of picking up a piece or two that we’re saving ‘for special occasions,’ whether that’s something as simple as a friend’s wedding, or a huge event that calls for the showing off of your best statement pieces. If there’s one thing that Italian fashion has taught us, it’s that every day should be treated as a special occasion when it comes to the clothes we wear. While comfort demands that we don’t break out the three-piece suit every day, there’s no harm in dressing up or piecing together a statement outfit when the mood calls for it.
That being said, your outfit needs to look careless – but fashionably so. Practice the art of a finding a perfectly-put-together outfit that looks like you’ve ‘just thrown it on’ for that carefree Italian attitude. ‘Sprezzatura’ is a word you need to live by – translating to ‘studied carelessness,’ this attitude of nonchalance is a must when it comes to your fashion. You need to look like you dress this well every day and carry yourself as though the hashtag #iwokeuplikethis is part of your DNA.
Don’t Be Afraid Of Color
As fashionable as black may have been in the past, the focus is rapidly moving towards color. Walk around Italian streets, and you’ll likely find men and women showing off their most colorful pieces with the perfect amount of – and here’s that word again – Sprezzatura so don’t be afraid to try something a little more ‘out there’ once in a while. We can quickly fall into the habits of sticking to darker, subtler shades, especially when we start to play it safe for the daily work grind, but introducing a bit of color to your wardrobe and wearing it with pride will give you that Italian fashion look in no time.
With the millennial generation dominating the fashion industry, the trend of exerting confidence in fashion has never been more prominent – in other words, showing off is literally in style. The trick is to pick washed-out shades. Dark jeans can be swapped out for beige or cream chinos, and dusty reds or pinks could be the perfect shade for a new jumper. Pick out one piece that’s a bolder color, and add subtlety to it for the ideal everyday look.
Don’t Hesitate To Invest
While picking up cheaper staple pieces every season can be tempting, Italian fashion has taught us that it’s far more beneficial to our bank accounts and our overall look to invest in basic wardrobe elements. Rather than trying to the Italian look, why not invest in some authentic Italian pieces? While today’s online world allows you to buy Italian-branded articles with just one click, why not turn your shopping spree into a mini-getaway? Milan, considered the height of fashion and comparable to the likes of Paris or New York, is a veritable hub and the destination for fashionistas worldwide. Drop by for the fashion week for excellent discounts on prices (speaking of which, don’t forget to exchange your foreign currency timely, so you get the best rate possible. More money – a fuller wardrobe!)
From tailored black trousers to a basic white shirt, choosing high-quality staples will not only ensure they last longer than a single season, but you’ll always have the authentic Italian pieces ready to don when the occasion calls for it – and as we’ve mentioned before, every day is a special occasion according to the Italian fashion trends!
Build Your Outfit Around A Single Piece
Whether you opt to follow the ‘color’ trend and build your outfit around something bright, or you match your outfit to the killer sunglasses you’ve invested in, building your outfit around that piece can bring attention to what you’re proud of. Accessories, clothing pieces or even your shoes can be the statement pieces of your choice, but flaunting what you’ve got will not only craft a stylish outfit that will wow anyone you pass but will make you appear confident with all the Italian charisma you could want.
It’s important to keep to one statement piece in an outfit with the rest built subtly but carefully around it. You don’t want to take the attention away from it, after all!
So How Do You Get Your Hands On Some?
If you’re looking to get your hands on authentic Italian pieces, it couldn’t be easier to do so in today’s society. Of course, the first option would be to travel to Italy and experience some of the best shopping districts around. Rome plays host to the Via Condotti and the Spanish Steps, but while this is the central designer fashion area, it indeed isn’t the only one. The Galleria Commerciale Porta di Roma is a shopping center with over 200 stores, and certainly holds more than just good fashion.
Venice’s Le Gioie di Bortolo is the best spot for jewelry, and of course, Milan is not to be missed. Home to one of the big four fashion weeks, Milan is a hot spot for fashion designers and shoppers alike. The Quadrilatero d’Oro is the fashion powerhouse of the city, filled to the brim with high-end shopping opportunities, or you could stop by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall for a taste of excellent shopping and Italian history – after all, it’s the oldest shopping mall in the world!
If you can’t travel to Italy, however, you can thank the great invention we call the Internet for the fact we can access designer labels directly online. From clothing to accessories, all the way through to the perfect pair of shoes, dressing like a real Italian is all a matter of confidence, good quality clothing and a healthy dose of Sprezzatura.
