Milan is the unofficial world capital of fashion. Obviously Florence Rome and Naples should also be ranked high, but they lack the sparkle given by milanese haute couture crowd. I’ve seen occasional elegance in Paris, Monte Carlo, London or Vienna ( I shall magnanimously gloss over other metropolis), but nothing compares even remotely.
When you stroll in the center, and assuming you are not going to be shocked by the quantity of immigrant street vendors, you can’t help noticing, that people both take great care in the way they dress, and also share a generally high standard in aesthetic choices of style and how to combine it all together. Even this young gentleman playing the saw in the street, took a great effort in setting up his stage, and if you look carefully, not only is he wearing a three piece smoking, but also the shoes are extremely artfully assorted, given the early time of day. Admittedly, he does not wear a tie, but I could say in his defense, that he was performing on a notably hot September morning.
“I fighettoni” could be liberaly translated as ” mature but still young guys that like to show off”. Milan is full of them, as well as of the young ladies who do much of the same, with the difference, that they know very well of the power they exert on the males, and thus pretend not to notice the” fighettoni”, in order not to appear too easily approachable – just like the girl passing here with the never missing mobile phone in her hand. If you are intrigued by the Italian way of dressing, particularly clothes for men, then I warmly encourage you to watch a wonderful recent film by Paolo Sorrentino: “La Grande Bellezza” (The Great Beauty), which is not only a great piece of cinematography, but also exhibits spectacular camerawork and shows closely the Italian obsession with aesthetics of everyday life. BTW it is shortlisted among the Oscar Award candidates for this year.
Even casual styling can be sophisticated. Note the tortoise sunglasses, gilet, recent haircut, trimmed beard, well cut and ironed shirt, classic loafers and impeccable socks “Filo di Scozia” plus the stylish bicycles. The well visible signet ring may, or may not please, but it could indicate noble origins, if somebody would care for that.
We will terminate again with a photo dedicated to the working people. Just like a gynecologist – who, as the joke goes, has to work, where the others are having fun – this lady is a window decorator. This is the display of the flagship shop of Fratelli Rossetti – one of the most stylish Italian shoe makers, and I am sure she is a heck of a professional. I’d like to drop a print of this photo for her at the shop, when I will be in Milan the next time.