SPREZZATURA: HOW TO DRESS LIKE AN ITALIAN

If you’re a gentleman who takes pride in your sartorial choices, you’ve probably often wondered; how do Italian men manage to dress so well? It’s called “Sprezzatura”; considered effortlessness.

Italian style is about attention to detail – even when it looks a little rough around the edges. With its root in the manners of courtiers, sprezzatura maintains a close correlation with gentlemanly dressing. While you are not an Italian, here is how you can dress like one! We are looking at some of the components of Italian dressing.

A Vintage Hat

Sprezzatura comes in with the appearance of the hat; it should look used, valued, and thus slightly crumpled. Looking as though you’ve gone out and purchased the hat specifically for the weekend just a few days before leaving implies a try-hard effort. Meanwhile, a crumpled hat indicates that it’s part of the gentleman’s capsule wardrobe, held onto for decades and brought out every season. Pull it down a touch on one side – straight lines do not indicate effortlessness.

A Characterful Patina

Patina; this is the word used to describe the natural aging process of full-grain leather. A great leather bag will develop a unique and characterful patina over time, indicating a quality product that has been used over and over again. The leather darkens in colour to create a beautiful sheen through exposure to oxygen and sunlight.

For a true sprezzatura finish, clash chocolate brown leathers with chestnut tan and black, and full-grain leather with suede for a fusion of textures.

An Italian Tie

Ties are wider, louder and a more unique shape in sprezzatura. Instead of wrapping around the fingers once, Italian stylists often wrap the tie around twice for a more voluminous knot. They’re then pulled through as any other tie would be, but only tightened to a point that is comfortable. Nothing too tight or stuffy.

A Suit To Fit

The suits of sprezzatura are no off the rack easy style wins. They are carefully crafted and adapted to the body and character of the wearer. These suits are tailored, but not overly slim fit – the clothing should be part of a nonchalance, rather than distractingly constrained.

It’s also important to think of the material of the suit. In the Mediterranean heat, linen and cotton are obvious choices, but they also offer a slightly wrinkled finish to match the relaxed feel of sprezzatura.

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