Men's Flair: Notes from Rome

**Tyrael** · 16th-February-2011

Men's fashion in Rome and their higher sense thereof vs England.

But for all England’s clothing heritage and influence upon the world, in truth very few men here actually take the business of dressing well seriously. The majority, correction the vast majority, come under the general heading ‘scruffy’.

But in Rome, aside from tourists, the odd unlicensed taxi driver (don’t ever take them up on their offers) and one or two members of my own group, I honestly couldn’t say I saw any badly dressed people. And it wasn’t so much that I liked every look I saw; but what made the difference was that clothes were well cut, well cared for and clearly an effort had been made to pair them together - something which has to be learned. That I would say is the definition of well dressed, whatever your particular style preferences. Even amongst the young men and women who gathered in the Compo de Fiori to chat and mingle – the way socialising is done in Rome – there wasn’t a frayed jean hem and no one had their arse hanging out over the waistband of their jeans.

All these elements are compounded by the fact – and it was something both I and my mate remarked upon – that you’ll rarely see a fat Roman, and this is despite a diet of pasta. Of course we were encamped in the centre of town, which was decidedly more glamorous than the suburbs, but I thought it was telling.

A couple of times I managed to slip away from my group of friends and indulge my love for shopping. As you may know BespokeMe’s bread and butter is finding independent stores, by no means an easy task. And yet in Rome not only did I get the distinct impression that there were more menswear retailers then women’s wear, but I noticed very few chain retailers (Boggi was one). Most of the shops were small independents producing their own ranges. These varied from tailors and full outfitters to underwear shops.

**trcy1066** · 16th-February-2011

My daughters are half Italian and last year they went to see their 'Nona' and cousins on their own. They were appalled at the fashions

Not a saggy arse or frayed hem in sight. 'And.. oh my god mum, they wore anoraks!' They are so brainwashed by British fashions that they don't know class when they see it

**Percy** · 17th-February-2011

In England such coats are often found in charming shades of beige and are the preserve of old men

Wot? No mention of togas?

I have a very tatty cardigan.

So what?

Edepol. Magnum pilae igneum.

**Tyrael** · 17th-February-2011

I guess it also depends on where they went, and what kind of neighborhood in Italy.

**christianj** · 17th-February-2011

I spent a bit of time in Paris and found that the dress code there was very good, fashionable and classic styles on both men and women. A week later I was in Amsterdam, wall to wall jeans was just about all I could see on just about every single member of the public..

Weird..

In Aus. you can read on the t-shirts what they had for lunch, what car they drive and what idiotic, moronic band they listen to..

The dress code here is practically non-excistant. If it's cheap they will wear it, it's termed the "K-Mart crowd"..

**trcy1066** · 17th-February-2011

Quote from Tyrael

I guess it also depends on where they went, and what kind of neighborhood in Italy.

It will have been a mixture of Rome and a town in Abruzzo (Montorio). I think they also went to L'Aquila but not sure.

**Tyrael** · 18th-February-2011

As for Rome, I've been there a couple of times, and can confirm that people, and men in particular who tend to be less interested in fashion, do pay way more attention to what they wear.

Much world leading fashion come from Italy such as Georgio Armani, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana.

**Richard** · 2nd-July-2011

I agree with many of the comments - in continetal europe there seems a conscious and good dress code - in the UK its just a ragged pair of jeans, trainers and a T-shirt. For Mr Smith in the UK, dressing smart is putting on clothes/T shirts with a label like Bench, Nike, FCUK. British men are the worst dressed in Europe.

The only postive side to Britishs clothes is the pin stripe suit - Saville Row and M&S shirts. Clakrs is for old farts and is a woman dresses in clarks shoes, then her sex appeal goes out of the window. Primark began to make some good headway, but in the last 1-2 years has seen its range and quality collapse.