Let's Talk Italian Fashion!

I was watching a business report on CNN where a woman was talking about a well known retail chain that just opened up stores in China. She commented that fashion is the same everywhere. As such, they will not have to adapt to the local culture. If that were the case we'd all look like the Will Smith from "Men in Black", sporting our basic black suits. Fashion is not the same everywhere. I spend much of my vacations noting fashion similarities, differences and how I can incorporate new, fun, smart ideas into my wardrobe.

In Italy, they're all about fashion. You don't have to walk far to see Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, Prada, etc… While many Americans are all about the knockoffs and the discount retailers, Italians embrace the designer label and the price that comes with it.

For many Americans, "business casual" is not only a part of our vocabulary but also a part of our closet. We now have little need for a formal suit (be sure to remember that the next time you wear your navy blue suit for the secretive interview… I mean, "Doctor's appointment"). Italians don't really understand the concept of "business casual". For them, a suit is their work uniform. And I can understand why everyone loves the Italian style; a nice suit goes a long way.

Most of the suits were classic cut with classic colors (black or navy). The shoes, of course, were superior. There's something about the Italian shoes that compels me to get out my MasterCard. The pointy toe is alive and well in Italy. And, of course, the stiletto can be seen everywhere. While we're on the subject, I have to give the Italian women some credit. I have ultimate respect for any woman that can walk in 4 inch stilettos … on cobble stones… and not kill herself in the process. I twisted my ankle on one of those nasty misplaced cobblestones. I, on the other hand, was wearing flats.

I must admit that I went to Italy with a mission in mind: she who leaves with the most shoes wins. While I consider myself a black belt in shoe shopping, I was not prepared for the Italian price tag. Do not be surprised to see shoes in the price range of 150 Euros and up. Keep in mind that the Euro is 40% higher than the dollar right now. So, 150 Euros = $210. As far as I'm concerned, for over $200, there better be a designer label on those shoes. They better look stunning on me. Aw hell, for that price, they better come with date, too. My shoe bubble deflated as I ventured into shoe store after shoe store. Yes, the shoes were cute. Yes, they seemed to be well made. But, there were no cuter, and actually much more bland than those that I had purchased for 45 Euros in Spain last year.

One store where I did find luck was Bata (which probably translates to " 'Payless Shoe Source' for the dumb Americans who won't pay for the designers", in Italian). Their shoes were cute, surprisingly comfortable and, on average, under 100 Euros. AND they said "made in Italy" on the bottom. I found my Italian shoes!

Now I just needed a scarf. Italians, as many Europeans, wear scarves at every occasion. You can find cashmere pashmina scarves every place from open air markets to the accessories shops, dedicated to gloves and scarves. In southern California no one wears scarves, perhaps due to the fact that it doesn't get very cold in the winter. Regardless, I needed a scarf. With a stroke of luck, at an open air market in Siena I found a cashmere / silk blend scarf for 5 Euros.

Another noteworthy accessory that the Italian women LOVE is their boots. Everything from cowboy boots to the swash-blucking kind could be found at virtually every store. They wear boots when it's 85 degrees outside and they still look fantastic. I think it's that sort of confidence that makes the rest of us envy Italian women. How do you rock ankle boots in July, is my question? Well, you can't do it without the ultimate confidence that you look fantastic no matter what. I think that in that sense, we should all be a little more Italian.