Italian Street Style

[impossibleprincess]

Originally Posted by aruca

yup,my dear.a friend of mine was busy trying on high heels in Rome and when she turned round to leave her h/bag is gone...and the worst thing was that her passport is in there.

wow. that scares me - i'm going there tomorrow.

[impossibleprincess]

I'm back from Rome and I just loved it so much. That city breeds style. I didn't think everyone was stylish - but everyone was so classy, they gave off an air of confidence that seemed like real style. Some of the women were very arrogant, but most of them were just so classy. I definitely think the stylish men outnumbered the women.

And the men! Even the policemen are stylish, with their white belts with bags hanging off them. The men were definitely in a group of their own.

The most stylish girl I saw was loosely dressed in cotton basics, a grey tee, black bottoms, and had a black hairband around her fringe, much like Nicole Richie et al have been donning nowadays. She was in a little mall which carries Zara, Massimo Dutti, and has a little open cafe in the middle - very near to the Trevi Fountain. Don't know what it's called...

I bought a pair of red roman sandals which I love, and a red leather (ostrich look) purse which I've already had compliments on. I was also really suprised to see so many fake bags etc there. It was crazy.

[PetitPuppy]

Originally Posted by impossibleprincess

I'm back from Rome and I just loved it so much. That city breeds style. I didn't think everyone was stylish - but everyone was so classy, they gave off an air of confidence that seemed like real style. Some of the women were very arrogant, but most of them were just so classy. I definitely think the stylish men outnumbered the women.

And the men! Even the policemen are stylish, with their white belts with bags hanging off them. The men were definitely in a group of their own.

The most stylish girl I saw was loosely dressed in cotton basics, a grey tee, black bottoms, and had a black hairband around her fringe, much like Nicole Richie et al have been donning nowadays. She was in a little mall which carries Zara, Massimo Dutti, and has a little open cafe in the middle - very near to the Trevi Fountain. Don't know what it's called...

I bought a pair of red roman sandals which I love, and a red leather (ostrich look) purse which I've already had compliments on. I was also really suprised to see so many fake bags etc there. It was crazy.

I was in the same mall as you were but unfortunately I've just seen badly dressed Italian women.

[impossibleprincess]

You're so lucky, I want to be there right now!

[sarah13]

I love Italian style. I lived there for a bit and I think dogs are as much as a style component as a pet. The women in their furs with their beautiful dogs! I just loved it.

[iSpot]

Originally Posted by PetitPuppy

I was in the same mall as you were but unfortunately I've just seen badly dressed Italian women.

I was in Rome for 1 year and I came home very disappointed...the Romans dress really badly

[britishkiller]

Originally Posted by iSpot

I was in Rome for 1 year and I came home very disappointed...the Romans dress really badly

I am a roman and I feel the same

Thing is... The classy italian style is mainly spread among fairly rich (or moderately rich) women in their 40s, 50s...

You see a lot of these women around the touristic areas (via del corso, via condotti, the mall someone mentioned, which is La Galleria Alberto Sordi), because these are the areas where the boutiques are.

It's a pretty simple explanation.

And I have to agree, that type of women are very classy, but also because they can afford couture. It's the lifestyle.

The Roman (or Italian, from what I've seen) streetstyle is quite different.

[Bella_Lass334]

Awww. I'm going there next March and this is very dissapointing to hear ;_;

[ELLE_ME]

I guess im posting this a bit late (about two years I would say ) but to anyone else who is off to Italy here are some tips to blend in:

A Recipe for Italian Dressing


In a country where police uniforms are designed by Armani, it isn't surprising that the women take dressing very seriously. When I moved to Italy, I desperately wanted to look like I fit in. If you're planning a trip to Italy soon, and don't want to be pegged as a tourist, there is one important thing to remember. The objective is not to blend in. Italian women take great pride in putting themselves together - the bella figura. To show off one's best features is the idea, so to blend in you must strive to stand out. Once you get your mind around this you can get on with it, but where do you begin to acquire that Italian flavor? In a nutshell, there are three key ingredients:


1. Shoes- Nothing makes or breaks a look like footwear. Leave the tennis shoes for tennis and the walking shoes for the park. Spice comes from style not comfort. The hottest design this season conveniently incorporates pointed toes and high heels in the same shoe for maximum discomfort.

When shoe designers were creating this spring's offering, it is doubtful they concerned themselves with practicality. If they had, they would not have manufactured four-inch heels for streets paved with cobbles. Credit goes to the women promenading in these shoes: not wincing, not complaining and not watching where they step. It is a wonder that they never seem to look down and never get their heels caught between the stones.

When I asked Simona, who runs a pensione with her family, about shoes, a huge smile crossed her face. She proudly showed me one of her favorite pairs, which just happened to have pointed toes and high heels. I asked if they were comfortable and she immediately shook her head and the smile disappeared. When asked how she walks in them, she replied, "S-l-o-w-l-y."

2. Denim. Jeans have been a wardrobe staple for years, but do you have the "new-aged" ones? "New" meaning trendy and "aged" meaning they have gone through some kind of ageing process - perhaps being chaffed with a cheese grater or sandblasted. They might also have been seasoned with a dash of bleach or a teaspoon of glitter.

To modify your old jeans, go to your nearest piazza and scoot around on the steps for a related effect. Wait! When it comes to jeans, you can'tt forget the fit. The leg should start out a bit wide and taper near the calf. The jeans must actually become part of the body from there on up.

Denim jackets and skirts are important too. The key is for the fabric to appear as if it has more years on it than you do.
3. Crystal nose stud. What once was bizarre is now considered mainstream. This garnish is not what you would see in small-town America maybe; but, this is Rome, not Little Rock. Hip mommies have them. Simona has one and remarked that having it done did not hurt at all.
Despite having these three basics, you still risk being taken as a tourist if you cling to certain routines from home. Painted fingernails mark you as a foreigner given that nail polish is only applied for very special occasions. Sunhats or baseball caps are dead give-aways, as is showing too much skin.

"Italian women love to look sexy and it is very important for men to notice them on the street," says Simona. But this doesn't mean overt nakedness. Italian women infer a more subtle sexiness by keeping their bodies fit and wearing slim-cut clothing. Brassiere straps are a look that tries not to be one. The idea is to let your bra strap show but not look like you're trying. It can't be a dingy, elasticated, old-fashioned bra strap either. Care must be taken to purchase a new bra with transparent plastic straps. Yes, transparent, because you don't want what is supposed to show to show too much.
Trends are fleeting and new ones will be sprouting up by the time you read this. So how, you may be wondering, do Italian women afford new wardrobes each season? Cristina, an Italian friend, explained that "it isn't necessary anymore to buy the expensive, designer brands." In fact, she said it is considered hip to wear "knock offs." She even heard a celebrity claiming on television that she had purchased counterfeit designs. Cristina added, "A lot of women work but still live at home, allowing them extra discretionary income"
Rome has scores of inexpensive shops carrying today's fashionable styles. With the proper ingredients, you can be confident (even if not terribly comfortable) that you too can be a bella figura. Buona fortuna, donne!


Source: life in Italy

[Jungla_Juana]

I live in northeast italy. I don't believe that Italy is the style capital of the world. for me, style is being creative with clothing and making it look good. italian people in general don't seem to take many fashion risks at all. walking downtown in my city you see a lot of sleek, well-dressed people but it doesn't take a mastermind to buy classic pieces such as black tailored pants, a neutral colored top, an LV handbag and some black pumps. I much prefer seeing this over americans in crocs, but sometimes I miss seeing creativity in dressing.

[sarah13]

When I lived in Florence it was winter, so I saw lots of great coats and boots. I guess a good coat and cover up any fashion miss step.

The Florintine women seemed to have great boots, coats, large sunglasses, a scooter and a beautiful dog. I saw lots of pomeranians, yokies and boxers...they were all very popular breeds.

[skinny_boho]

Originally Posted by iSpot

I was in Rome for 1 year and I came home very disappointed...the Romans dress really badly

Finally!!

[skinny_boho]

Originally Posted by sarah13

When I lived in Florence it was winter, so I saw lots of great coats and boots. I guess a good coat and cover up any fashion miss step.

The Florintine women seemed to have great boots, coats, large sunglasses, a scooter and a beautiful dog. I saw lots of pomeranians, yokies and boxers...they were all very popular breeds.

Thank you I live in Florence and I actually have!

[~Fashionista~]

Originally Posted by skinny_boho

Thank you I live in Florence and I actually have!

I`m going there in the beginning of October and have absolutely no idea what I should pack or what to wear.

[skinny_boho]

Bring sweaters and jackets cuz the weather its already getting cold.. And dont forget an umbrella and boots!