Sprezzatura. An Italian term derived from Baldassare Catighlione’s 1528 The Book of the Courtier, in which it was described as a nonchalant action to cultivate an elegant style without effort and seemingly unrehearsed. In other words, it is the ability to accomplish a quality or style of art, while hiding the conscious effort or thought that realistically went into the look. Or, as my family likes to call it, “effortless beauty.”
After a week-long trip and my first time in Europe as a 19-year-old college student from New Jersey, the keynote from my getaway was the fashion amongst Italians. Fascinated by the abundance of colors, styles, patterns and combinations of clothing, I could not help but analyze the various styles that I passed on the streets.
Then again, it can’t be too much of a surprise that Italians have style. The minute I stepped foot outside of my hotel in Florence, I was surrounded by store windows showcasing a variety of clothing, bags, jewelry, shoes and more. Louis Vuitton, Dior, Prada, Balenciaga, Ralph Lauren, Valentino: you name it. The list goes on. Their doors were wide open with bright, inviting lights just yelling at a person to come in and try on their latest pieces.
Italian manufacturing produces some of the highest-quality items in the world. The cities are infiltrated with high-end clothing brands and easy access to a medley of shops offering routes to enhance one’s style. It is undoubtedly true that fashion runs in Italian blood.
Traveling from the small city of Florence to the ancient magnificence of Siena, and finally to the bustling streets of Rome, I got a little taste of everything. I had the privilege of observing what it meant to truly embody the ideal of sprezzatura.
First, the crucial staple pieces. The clothes highlighted below are just a few suggestions for versatile, multi-use essentials to improve one’s fashion sense.
Leather Jackets: Leather material upscales any outfit, whether it’s a practical, casual jacket to wear when there’s a swift breeze, or for a night out on the town when one wants to add a bold flare to one’s dinner dress. Leather is flexible and beautiful. Every street one ventures down in Florence, there is a handful of leather stores at one’s convenience to pop into. I am guilty of purchasing both a dark brown leather jacket and a handbag with a cream tint on day two of my trip.
Stripes: Italians embrace patterns, allowing them to serve as the star of the show. I noticed many striped sweaters, paired with button-downs. A thick striped V-neck sweater, colors of white and navy blue paired with a light wash pair of jeans or dark pair of pants was also a notable look. A classic button-down shirt of a light pastel color was another frequent viewing. My personal favorite was the vertical thin-striped cotton pants, which is easily one clothing item that can be dressed up or down depending on how one styles it.
Blazers: A conventional piece that is making its way back to both men’s and women’s wardrobe and becoming a true styling asset. It is a versatile jacket that goes well with any occasion. Whether one is walking down the streets on a casual Wednesday afternoon, or going to a fancy restaurant with one’s family, adding a blazer never fails. The abundance of designs is another inviting characteristic. I found myself favoring the long and lean silhouette with crafted button closures in light brown shades.
Midi Sundresses: Yes, maxi dresses are also rising in popularity, especially with spring commencing. However, an underrated ensemble is the sweet and slightly shorter midi sundress. The best part is the ability to add a buttoned sweater, trench coat or leather or corduroy jacket, for comfort and elegance.
Black tights: practical, affordable and cute. Do I need a fourth reason? I adored the styling of tights with a mini-skirt and oversized sweater. This outfit, with a pair of Dr. Marten platform or knee-high boots, is a captivating choice. The charming nonchalance that every person carried with them as they casually walked down the block was compelling and inspiring.
Some tips and tricks I gathered are as follows: adding a handbag, shoulder strap or a crossbody purse is a practical and graceful addition to any outfit. The way we dress our sweaters is easily overlooked, but when focusing on the detail, it becomes apparent which style fits best. Solely buttoning the top to have the rest of one’s clothing peek out is an easy technique that speaks volumes. Another hack is tying one’s sweater over one shoulder and across one’s chest for a sophisticated and cute look. A button-down fits with any outfit. It can be paired with blue jeans and sneakers for a casual trip to a cafe or with a mini-skirt and boots for an elegant occasion. More styles I saw were a button-down underneath a jean dress or a pair of long overalls.
In this environment, attention to detail is essential. Accessories are key and intentionality in styling is a must. These elements that go into an outfit are just a few of the broad array of clothing items I now have in my online shopping recent search history. It was not solely just the individual clothing pieces that people wore, but the way they styled their clothes to turn something from basic to flattering, while also concealing conscious effort.
