So you want to dress like an Italian?

So you want to dress like an Italian?

By Raquel Silva   Spring has arrived! With a perfect combination of sunshine and a crisp, cool breeze, it is finally time to shed your layers, and, if you’re Italian, to retire your fur-hooded fluff-bag coats.   One of the more exciting things about studying abroad

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Thu 11 Apr 2013 12:00 AM

By Raquel Silva

 

Spring has arrived! With a perfect combination of sunshine and a crisp, cool breeze, it is finally time to shed your layers, and, if you’re Italian, to retire your fur-hooded fluff-bag coats.

 

One of the more exciting things about studying abroad is attempting to fit in with the culture. Whether that involves drinking five espressos in one day, incorporating mass amounts of carbohydrates and cheese into your diet, or learning to speak with gesticulating hands, it is always a fun challenge to watch yourself gradually pick up new habits and customs over time. Fortunately for those of us studying in Italy, we get to play dress-up in one of the most fashionable places in the world. 

 

So, how does one dress like an Italian in the spring? At the risk of making gross generalizations about Italian fashion, here is a guide to the trends:

 

Sneakers. Everyone is wearing them. Converse shoes are dappertutto, or all over the place, in varying styles and colors. Colored Nike sneakers are also a hit. One important thing to note, however, is that your sneaks must be (relatively) clean. Italians are all about la bella figura, or making a good impression. When I lived with an Italian host family my host mom took the liberty of washing my dirty running shoes. My running shoes! The utilitarian in me was astounded. Alas, make sure your fancy sneakers are in clean, fancy form.
Skinny jeans. This is pretty self-explanatory. Italians’ clothes fit like a glove. Skinny jeans are an easy way to achieve this well-put together look. A side note: I know it is relatively hot out, but wearing short, denim shorts is almost a dead giveaway that you are foreign, or, more specifically, American.
Graphic Ts and form-fitting jackets. There are a lot of solid-colored, well-fitting shirts around, or long T-shirts sporting some sort of eye-catching design, accompanied by a nice, form-fitting jacket. This could be a simple brown leather jacket (although Americans and Brits may feel it’s too warm for that), or you can even go for a light, neutral cardigan. Always form-fitting, of course.
Scarves: Now that you have the basics of your ensemble together, adding a simple scarf will surely give you that extra European flair. The double wrap-around seems to be the most commonplace.
Big bag: Big, leather purses, name brand purses, and chic messenger bags for all! Can’t afford a name brand bag? Try looking in thrift shops, where Louis Vuitton numbers can sometimes be found for just fifteen euro.
Sunglasses. Last but not least. Who doesn’t love a nice pair of big sunglasses?

 

Of course, there is nothing wrong with sticking to your regular style. I’m all for pride in one’s culture and origins. But there’s also nothing wrong with being inspired by the culture around you. You’re only in Italy once! Or three times. Or five.

 

 

Raquel Silva is an American graduate student from Miami, Florida, pursuing a Master’s degree in Italian Studies at Georgetown University. She is spending the spring semester in Florence as part of her program. You can follow her experiences via her personal blog, http://avventureafirenze.tumblr.com.

 

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