Italian men dress to impress and they certainly don’t let the cold winter weather stop them. Instead, they don a sophisticated coat, a flamboyant scarf and an ultra-stylish pair of boots, and embrace the wardrobe opportunities that winter brings.
When it comes to dressing in the Italian style during the winter, there are a couple of main pointers to keep in mind.
Wear Neutral Colors And Layer Your Clothes.
Italian men generally tend to wear neutral colors such as black, white, dark blue, beige and gray. These colors are extremely versatile and are suitable for any number of situations – from a casual cup of coffee to a meeting at work.
One of the major advantages of wearing neutral colors is that you can easily layer different items of clothing without the colors clashing. Remember, layering winter attire is one of the hallmarks of Italian finesse and, when done correctly, immediately gives you an air of sophistication.
Invest In High-Quality Outerwear.
Not only is your coat the first thing people will see but it’s also your main defense against the cold winter weather. This means that it’s always worth investing in a really high-quality coat that not only looks great but will also be durable and keep you warm as the temperatures dip.
Embrace Retro Materials Such As Knitwear.
Italian men often wear a thick knitwear cardigan or sweater under their main overcoat. This allows you to incorporate tasteful patterns and textures into your outfit while keeping you super warm, even if it’s snowing outside. As a broad guideline, you should keep your knitwear fairly neutral in color so that you can wear it under a coat without ruining your overall look.
Think Carefully About The Details.
Italian men often wear accessories and are always willing to add stylish details to their attire. For instance, during the winter, you can incorporate debonair accessories into your outfits, such as pocket squares, scarves or a pair of refined cufflinks. These smaller details add personality and an authentic Italian flair to your winter wardrobe.
Select Well-Fitted Clothing.
When you’re purchasing winter clothes you should ensure that everything is well-fitted and neatly tailored to your frame. So avoid the temptation of wearing an overly baggy jumpy – even if it might feel cozy – because this will make you look untidy and undignified. Similarly, you should always tuck your shirt in and make sure that your outfit looks properly put together.
Hats, Scarves And Gloves.
Temperatures in Italy can get very cold in the winter, especially in the Northern provinces. Fortunately, you can easily keep warm by wearing a hat, scarf and gloves. Make sure these accessories are high quality and nicely finish your look.
Winter Shirts And Tops.
Even though your shirts and tops have to take a back seat during the winter, you should still pay close attention to selecting understated yet elegant items to compliment your overall outfit. The ideal choice is a button-down shirt in a neutral color which you can easily pair with your coat and any number of colors of scarves.
A white shirt is the most traditional option for Italian men in winter. A white shirt is extremely versatile and can be worn casually or in any formal setting. If you want to go for a more laid-back look, you can opt for a smart polo shirt. This is also easy to pair with other items and is perfect for layering. Generally speaking, you should avoid wearing a T-shirt unless it’s a plain color and you’re planning to wear layers over the top of it.
Winter Trousers.
During the winter you have a broad scope when it comes to selecting the perfect pair of trousers. Jeans are one of the most popular choices for casual occasions amongst Italian men in the winter. When choosing a pair of jeans, you should avoid faded or ripped jeans and instead opt for a dark-wash pair that are either slim or straight-cut. The best colors for jeans are dark blue, black, or, in some cases, white.
Another great choice for winter trousers is chinos. These are super comfortable, warm and look great when layered with a stylish coat and boots. Alternatively, smart dress trousers are a good option for formal situations, such as dinner at a restaurant or a family occasion. If you want a more chic, high-fashion look, then you can wear tweed or herringbone trousers and pair them with neutrally colored knitwear under a heavy overcoat.
Remember, when selecting a pair of trousers make sure they are well-fitted but not overly tight. You should also choose neutral colors that are versatile and can be paired with a lot of different outfits.
Winter Coats And Jackets.
As the winter months approach, your coat or jacket takes center stage. The timeless classic for Italian men is a dark-colored Trench coat. This can be worn over almost any other attire, looks fantastically stylish and is guaranteed to protect you from the elements. Ensure that your Trench coat is well fitted to your body and, if you want to keep extra warm, has a good collar that you can turn up in the windy weather.
Another great option for winter is a woolen overcoat. These look great and are durable and warm – ideal for an icy morning in Rome. Another iconic winter item is the leather jacket. A leather jacket is extremely tough and can give your outfit an edgy look without sacrificing style. In recent years, Parkas have been growing in popularity as have Peacoats, both of which can easily be paired with other items.
Winter Footwear.
The streets can often get wet and icy during the winter so you need a tough pair of shoes that are also elegant and complement the rest of your outfit. Brogue-style shoes are an excellent choice that can be worn in both formal and casual situations. For formal occasions, the ideal choice is a pair of dress shoes, such as Oxfords.
For a more retro look, you can opt for leather ankle boots. Make sure that you wear rubber soles during the winter because leather soles don’t give you as much grip, are less waterproof and wear out much faster. Lastly, if you’re dressing for a very laid-back situation you could wear a pair of smart sneakers but generally speaking, you’d be better off with a pair of ankle boots or Brogues.
Winter Hats.
Your hat is one of the final elements of a perfectly composed Italian winter look. When it comes to choosing a hat you have lots of options that you can use to express your personality and even the mood you’re in that day! For those really cold winter days, a woolen beanie is a practical choice. Make sure you choose a dark color such as black or blue unless you want to make a statement.
If you’re putting together a more formal outfit, then why go with a classic black Fedora? Although a Fedora is not ideal on a bleak, windy day, it does look fantastic if you’re heading off to a formal occasion. Flat caps and berets are an increasingly popular choice for winter headwear. Although flat caps and berets have traditionally been associated with the older generations, younger generations now embrace these dapper winter icons and are making them their own.
Mix And Match Patterns And Textures In Winter.
One of the outstanding elements of the Italian dress code is to mix and match different patterns and textures in a single outfit. This adds interest and sophistication to your look but it can be quite tricky to pull off with true Sprezzatura! Below are a few vital tips to help you mix, match and layer different textures and patterns in your winter outfits.
The easiest way to effortlessly mix and match items in a single outfit is to stick to neutral colors such as black, white, gray, and beige. This will stop your outfit from clashing with itself, even if you’re wearing different patterns and textures.
It’s generally a good idea to start with a solid, single-colored base. For example, wearing a white shirt allows you to layer a patterned knitwear jumper or a brightly colored scarf underneath a dark trench coat without looking too busy. Wearing a simple, single-colored base layer gives you far more scope to experiment with the rest of your wardrobe without looking untidy.
When it comes to mixing different textures and patterns don’t overdo it! Instead, try to mix different items subtly and only wear one or two statement items. For instance, you can safely mix a woolen sweater with a tweed jacket or a knitwear jumper with a leather jacket. You can also experiment with different fabrics, such as wool, leather and cashmere to bring more textures into your wardrobe.
Adding a touch of color to your winter outfit is a quintessential part of dressing like an Italian. For example, wearing a bright-colored scarf with a black trench coat and a white shirt is a brilliant way of bringing a little flair to your outfit.
During the winter you can accessorize with hats, scarfs, pocket squares, cufflinks and other items that express your personality and add points of interest to your outfit. Just make sure that the rest of your outfit is fairly understated to help maintain the sophisticated air of the traditional Italian dress code.
Essence Of Sophistication And Style.
Dressing like an Italian during the winter is bound to turn heads. Not only will your confidence grow but you’ll be sure to make a splash in a sophisticated way. And so wherever you’re living in the world, your wardrobe will be improved by picking up a few tricks from the Italian way of dressing during the winter season.
