Leave me your experiences in the comments, do you agree with me or did I miss anything important?
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Okay, this is the blog post that everyone wants. So grab your prosecco and pull up a chair, let’s discuss the global appeal of Italian men. Let’s start off with the superficial basics. If you have any taste in men at all, it’s almost impossible to deny the classically revered features of the Italians- the strong noses (here there is a fine balance required, let’s be honest), the even stronger jawlines, the thick eyelashes that look better than mine with two layers of falsies…just the eyes in general. Sometimes I think that the Romans invented bedroom eyes. Italians also have gorgeous coloring, that is of course, if that’s the look you’re into. In the north, they are tall, (less) dark, and handsome. Traditionally things get a little shorter and tannier towards the south and the hair increases (everywhere). But that’s still hot because hello, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine folks. And of course, there are blonde Italians, there are redhead Italians, because God is good. Personally, I’m a sucker for your tall, dark, and handsome type, hence my choice of husband although he could work on his tan a bit during the winter months. But despite all those adjectives, I think the Italians have 50% of their sex appeal in their eyes and the other 50% in their swag. Indeed, I have used the word swag in this post. It’s really the best word to describe this because it’s this innate, inner confidence and style that just emanates from every Italian, women included. Some tourists however, see it as arrogance. But I like my men with confidence (as do a lot of women I imagine based on the success of 50 Shades of Grey…!), call it arrogance if you will, it’s attractive paired with green eyes. On that note, you get some superb eye colors in Italy ranging from ice blue to the green that you thought was the stuff of urban legends. If you can’t tell already, I also adore green eyes (again, see husband choice). Moving on, Italian men tend to have style that most other men only dare dream about, or have to follow a step-by-step article in GQ to attain. They are also big on personal grooming, sometimes their eyebrows are more on fleek than mine. This is often associated with being excessively metrosexual but I assure you, no one is kicking an Italian out of bed for having too perfect eyebrows. Unless they are a forma di rondine, then yes, you are being kicked out, actually you are not being invited in at all. Finally, the last factor in all this appeal is passion. Italians, men and women, are so passionate about everything that they do (cough, cough...) and passion is sexy, I assure you there might be no bigger turn on than going to a soccer match with your Italian man and watching him watch his team win. That is passion personified if I ever saw it. Forget oysters, champagne, and strawberries, let’s go to San Siro!
Leave me your experiences in the comments, do you agree with me or did I miss anything important? Put your credit cards away amiche! If you're a self-professed italophile, you NEED to check out the Winter 2015 Collection by Wildfox Couture, click here. VOGLIO TUTTO! This collection is basically MY LIFE, written on clothes: Not on my 'wish list' any longer. Wild Couture, per favore, help a girl out and sent these to Italy! x
If you follow me on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/questadolcevitablog), you've already seen this one- that time I wore my boots to the beach in Sicily and all the flip-flop-clad Europeans experienced a major case of shock and awe. I would just like to point out that all the major Italian magazines are touting "western style" to be the newest summer trend this year.
Awhile back I did an awesome interview for Travel Fashion Girl, a travel website that focuses on, you guessed it...globetrotting and looking good doing it! Here's a sneak peak but check out the full interview here. Thanks for the compliment of "Italy Insider", wowza!
Q: What destination surprised you the most with the ways locals dressed or their type of clothing?Moscow, Russia. The Russian girls look like and dress like models every moment of the day, not just for going out in the evenings. On a normal weekday at the grocery store it would not be uncommon to spot a Russian girl teetering in the cheese section in sky-high stilettos and the tightest tube dress you’ve ever seen. Talk about intimidating. My girlfriend and I traded in our Birkenstocks after that trip. Q: What’s your preferred travel outfit on a plane? I like a shift dress with wiggle room and non-strappy wedges. I prefer dresses because they are easier to maneuver in bathroom situations, especially when we’re talking about squat toilets. It’s rather tricky trying to hold onto your pants and not pee on them at the same time! Adore the detailing of this plain black French Connection dress, it was originally a below-the-knee length however I had it tailored to fall above the knee considering how short I am. I've always loved it because it reminds me of when Dolce & Gabbana were going all-out Sicilian influenced a couple years back (Fall/Winter 2012/2013 perhaps?) in a full black ensembles and intricate baroque embroideries.
Italy tends to bring out the best in people- not sure if it's the warm sun on your shoulders, or the warm glow after a bottle of red, but so many of us feel like the best version of ourselves in Italy. Personally, I always felt like I had my best outfit inspirations while on my various trips here. I also attribute this to the fact that it's impossible to dress terribly when everyone around you is dressed impeccably so maybe it's just a little peer pressure, who knows! This white cotton dress was perfect for a breezy stroll along Lago d'Iseo, it hit right above the knees so I know for sure that I did some wading in the cool waters of the lake in it. Paired with the kitschy Gucci hip bag that was all the rage back in the day, I feel like this just screams summertime at the Italian lakes. I wanted to do these posts about my favourite "Italy" outfits, almost as an homage to the Carrie-in-Paris episodes when she busts out the gloves, that bluebird blue overcoat, and the beret...some outfits wait a lifetime to taken to the right city, the right country, to be worn. Have you ever had an outfit (or two) like that?
Wearing my hair with a very blunt cut these past few days. This mainly was due to the fact that I went to hairdresser for the first time here in Italy but perhaps made the mistake of seeking out my own (I saw Chinese writing and was sold because my old family hairdresser in Edmonton was of course, Chinese). They ended up not speaking Italian and I found myself leaving with a rather interesting cut that was a bit too FOB-y for me, very straight, VERY layered, especially in the front around the face. So this bluntness is therefore the result of me re-cutting my hair afterwards! It's on the "short" side for me, I was almost interested in how I'd look with the current all-the-rage wavy bob. But Massi would probably have a hissy fit if I cut that much off. Thoughts?
First off, how cute is this? Mr. Porter is actually a men's luxury goods website where you can find gifts for even the most discerning tastes. I personally love their lifestyle- luggage and travel offerings where you can find such glam things-you-never-thought-you-needed such as a Bottega Veneta cufflink holder or cashmere travel eye masks (AMAZING!). This is also where I coveted that Smythson multi-currency travel wallet on a previous post. So if you're on the hunt for a gentleman's gift for any occasion, check out this site. Everything comes personalized with a namecard and with beautiful, sleek, white packaging. I thought about other luxury brands like Louis Vuitton (too obvious) and Prada (too minimalist) for a passport holder before finding this one. The fact that it's tailored towards men, is full leather, made in Italy, and doesn't have a 'trademark' logo splashed all over it is what made it the perfect choice. Let's just hope a certain Italian man named Massimiliano doesn't steal it for a possibly non-hypothetical business trip to Abu Dhabi...I know where you live.
Next post: all the pretty Christmas decorations in Bergamo and Milan. Still infatuated with Rudsak, I am currently loving these fingerless gloves-so handy for using a touchscreen phone without having to take them on and off. Probably not the most functional for Canadian winters, but I anticipate will work quite fabulously in Northern Italy (please stop raining though, otherwise all this fur fun is a no-go!). I was going to do a photo actually wearing these until I realized they are vacuum-packed away in the depths of my luggage. These are not available online for some reason, so I guess you'll have to make a 12 hour stop-over in Toronto/Montreal before your New Year's ski trip to the Swiss Alps.
Condé Nast Traveller recently did a slideshow on How to Dress Like An Italian Man, find it here. And while I very much enjoy any how-to-dress-like-blank features, I had a few disagreements with this particular article. I suppose I am not an Italian man so perhaps I have no right to disagree in the first place, but having been very much associated with one for quite awhile, I feel like I have a bit of an insider approach to the whole concept. First off, the author states 'it starts with an unconstructed, unlined blazer or suit, which exudes a vibe of rumpled nonchalance.' Wait, what. Rumpled? RUMPLED?! That word should not even be whispered around an Italian man, nevertheless used in an article talking about how to dress like one. When Massi was still living here, I ironed his socks and jeans, and even dish towels. With starch too. Ironed socks. So there is no such thing as 'rumpled nonchalance', it is more like a 'perfectly pressed nonchalance'. The author of the post, Matt Hranek, gets it right on the next point however, when he states- 'shirts are almost always pressed and hopefully bespoke (if you can manage)'. Much more on par, thank you or shall I say, grazie. Then, concerning accessories, while wrist adornments are certainly having their moment in the sun, I think we must pay homage to the classics which are obviously chains of Italian gold around the neck, crosses never go out of style. Of course, one must have the groomed chest hair to properly compliment this jewelry. In regards to The Watch, yes, vintage is often preferred- Massi enjoys a Longines passed down from his father. Shoes-wise, I feel like the rules follow that of an Italian sports car...they have to be Made in Italy, they have to be made of quality materials (real everything), and they have to be streamlined and elegant (clunky or square-ish equals no, unless it's Timberlands). Finally, scarves and grooming. Yes and yes. Italian men have a penchant for anything they can wrap around their necks (now let's not get carried away here, you and your dirty mind you), and personal grooming. Other important things to do if you want to emulate Italian man-ness...
Now for more photos of Italian men you wish were your boyfriends. The fact that some of these men are clearly old enough to be my father or grandfather but yet are so darn attractive to me really creeps me out, anyone else? Want more? Also worth a look, click below...
Here Are The Italian Outfits We Wish Our Boyfriends Would Wear We Wish More American Men Dressed Like The Guys In Italy It was London Fashion Week S/S 2015 that really did it, Day 4 particularly when Burberry showed those now infamous initial-ponchos and printed scarves. But what I really took to was the way the scarves were cinched into the whole outfit with a belt. LOVE IT. It's not particularly a revolutionary idea, it's definitely been done before but somehow often forgotten in favor of utilizing the scarf more functionally than fashionably (by this I mean, we tend to default to tying it around the neck on a chilly day). Anyways, thanks to this moment of inspiration, I have recently been out and about doing this: This is the thinner Burberry Brit trench in black with the uber-classic large check scarf. Thoughts?
How wonderful is this Smythson crocodile-embossed wallet that is color-coded for you jet-setters out there? It has four different compartments for four different currencies that will prevent this from happening (actual photograph of my wallet on an everyday basis because I'm too lazy to re-organize)- I found this wallet on mrporter.com when searching for an equally-worthy passport holder.
EDITOR'S NOTES (from the site)- For the non-stop traveller, this crocodile-embossed leather wallet from Smythson has four separate colour-coded pouches to keep multiple currencies organised in one convenient place. The dark brown leather makes a handsome addition to a well-packed suitcase, bringing a touch of luxury to any time zone.
Rudsak is a Montreal-based company that epitomizes 'the spirit of cool rebel', but in my mind, it aligns perfectly with 'the style of Torontonians', which I would describe as being very much the high-end hipster with rebel touches. I love to buy local and I still adore my made in Canada Mooseknuckles bomber jacket, however it is not exactly something you can dress-up or wear out to a fancy dinner. Enter the Grace coat. Down-filled and adorned with real fur (sorry PETA, I must also admit here, I love eating rabbit with polenta). The official description: Memory puffer with leather sleeves and asymmetric front zipper closure. Front leather welt pockets, rabbit fur lining inside hood and raccoon fur trim at hood edge. Interior dickie with rib collar and rib cuff. Signature Rudsak accessories. Check it out here or just go here if you're in Toronto: RUDSAK TORONTO-QUEEN 315, QUEEN STREET WEST PHONE : 416.595.9661 (Such a prime location, buy a jacket, then go cry over your credit card on a cheeseburger binge @Burger Priest!)
Landed in Toronto mid-day Saturday and quickly made a wardrobe change at the charming centrally-located boutique Hotel Victoria. Made it about three blocks and promptly had to return to change outfits as bare legs and a wind chill do not mix well. Reception thought I was legit crazy. Back in polka-dot pants, we made our way to the fashion week tent and chose Canteen for a pre-event nosh consisting of their creamy corn chowder. It was perfect for the weather. Fashion Saturday was surprisingly entertaining with a runway show consisting of a few pieces from a chosen set of Canadian designers as well as a panel discussion about upcoming spring trends in not just fashion, but also hair and makeup. Turns out everyone is a stylist/blogger/photographer- phones and cameras were out in full force making it a feat to capture more than the back of a head despite my second row luck. Spring next year looks to be a nod to tradition, in three words: floral, feminine, and flowing fabrics. Of course there were the odd designers going the opposite route with structured more rebellious pieces, think Rudsak. I anticipate we will be seeing alot of fun prints as well, far from the plaid and houndstooth of this season. Hair was amp-ed up versions of our current classics: the top knot is sticking around but becoming more elegant, more tame (no longer the “face wash” bun), braids are getting inverted or even styled into a faux hawk, and un-done beachy waves are back (surprise, surprise). For makeup- it's all about brows (but you knew that already, thanks Cara), dewy skin preferred over matte, a bronze eye, and the ever-coveted coral lip. The evening events took us to Momofuku next to the Shangri-La Hotel, stay tuned for photographs and an overview in my next where to eat in [insert city here] post!
I am headed to Toronto this Saturday for a quick three-day jaunt which I had sincerely hoped would include reservations at Momofuku (senza the booking roulette required at the New York location- 10 days in advance only or at random for the coveted 12-seats at the Momofuko Ko bar). This should come as no surprise as when I travel, I like to cover just three main components: food, fashion, and culture. Sometimes the culture IS the fashion, like in Milan, while other times it may be visual art, like Florence. Next on my Toronto list is of course a pilgrimage to Canada's fashion Mecca: the Holt Renfrew flagship store. While perusing the internet for other touristy ideas, it came to my attention that it will be the end of Toronto Fashion Week on Saturday when I arrive. With further perusing, I discovered Fashion Saturday which is an event in it's second year that is put on solely for the public to gain on inside look at S/S 2015 trends, highlights of the runway looks shown during the week, and the chance to purchase from pop-up stores from various Canadian designers. So far, my itinerary is looking extremely promising- Fashion Saturday at 4pm, dinner reservations third-floor Momofuku at 9pm, (followed by a midnight rendez-vous at the CN tower? Nope, just checked, this is no Empire State Building- it's closed at 10:30pm). I am actually quite please with this reservation as it is definitely trumped by the 10:15pm reservation I had at ABC Kitchen in New York last June (made 3-4 weeks in advance). Stay tuned, will hopefully have some fun #WMFW posts to share after Monday!
I have had my eye on this lemon wicker purse by Kate Spade ever since I saw it in a magazine in early spring. It was part of her Spring 2014 collection and the lookbook was shot on location, in Italy. I so desperately wanted my own little lemon slug over my shoulder whilst I zipped around on a Vespa. And today I found it...on sale! Now I am dreaming of taking it to the Amalfi Coast and wearing it amongst the lemon groves while Massi climbs fig trees in the background...There was a quote that made me giggle in the lookbook- "There can only be things to love in a country shaped like a shoe."
For me this is an essential fall look and lately (the past two seasons), leopard seems like it might be becoming a borderline timeless print. Unfortunately I cannot selfie the full-length look very well, but this is a knee-length one-piece dress from H&M. I love a matte red lip for fall and I am currently in full adoration mode of the NYX Matte Lip Creams, in this post I am wearing the color Monte Carlo. They are a perfect matte- not overly drying and highly pigmented. You never have to re-apply and it won't transfer onto your latte cup. I also always take my hair back to black for fall/winter. One-tone hair color is very popular right now (thanks Kim K and Amal Clooney), it somehow always comes across as elegant as opposed to highlights which betray a more carefree look more suited to summertime. I love both hair looks but I am trying to keep it my natural color from now on for maintenance sake.
The wedges made essential investment piece by the Duchess Kate Middleton. I got mine in navy suede but they are also available in beige suede, white patent, and a stone grey pattern. Corkswoon as a design was actually not available until recently when Stuart Weitzman re-released them due to popular demand (no doubt from the "Kate" effect!). The rubber sole makes these shoes super easy to walk in and not have to worry about slip-sliding around on the dance floor. Hope they prove to be as versatile as they are made out to be...first stop, a summer wedding this Saturday matched with a dusty rose dress I snagged discounted at Sisley in Milan. If only Corkswoon wedges went on sale. Hey, a girl can dream.
The brand is Hogan and the Italians are obsessed. You out there (unless you are from Europe/Hong Kong/the Emirates), you have never even heard the name. But if you come to Italy, you will soon find out because I swear they are on the feet of women and men everywhere. All you have to do is look for their trademark H on the side of the shoe, as notable now as GG or LV or the double-F of a Fendi baguette. Hogan originated as a cricket lifestyle brand, very odd indeed, and is now pretty much synonymous with city-dwelling Italians. These trademark shoes are meant to symbolize a casual luxury, although there is nothing very casual about the price tag. Italians are known to be trend-setters, but it must be said that once a trend has started, everyone follows suit. Prime examples are Hogan sneakers, Timberland boots, and Moncler winter jackets. A huge grazie to family-owned Cortecci ( http://www.corteccisiena.it/) who gave me an unheard of discount on this pair today (plus remember, you get a tax refund on top of it!).
So this a lifestyle blog and since there is nothing better in life than a new pair of shoes, that is what this post is about. This pair of blue wedge slingbacks come courtesy of a search for Italy-appropriate attire. Now was is that you ask? There is this eternal struggle between style and sensibility that one must always face when choosing footwear to wear in our beloved Europe. There is nothing cute about stumbling around on cobblestone or breaking a heel off in the middle of your night out in Trastevere in Roma (this may or may not have actually happened...). Thus the search always almost points us to the wedge. Stay tuned for in-action photos of these beauties. |
Curator:Jasmine is a (former) pharmacist turned freelance writer, foodie, and fashionista from Alberta, Canada living "the sweet life" in Bergamo, Italy.
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