How Italy's 'clothes system' works
Jul 29th 2007 | 4:30 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
How Italy's 'clothes system' works
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml;jsessionid=BUIZGRNAJD2M5QFIQMFSFGGAVCBQ 0IV0?xml=/global/2007/07/24/italian-fashion.xml
Clothes system gives Italy a touch of class
By Martin Harper
Last Updated: 12:01am BST 25/07/2007
Mentor for Italy
Italy Messageboard
The man in front of me had the deepest tan I have seen this summer.
He was wearing an expensive linen jacket over a shocking pink shirt,
which fell open to reveal a hairy chest, gold chains and dangling
"Superfly" sunglasses.
An equally loud tie was casually knotted about 12 inches below the
neck and both hands were decked with bracelets and rings.
Was this an early episode of Miami Vice or had I stumbled into a
Puerto Rican night club by mistake? No - it was Tuesday morning in my
local bank and he was the cashier.
I don't know for certain, of course, but I think in Britain the
manager would have asked him to change his shirt, lose the shades, do
up his tie and rethink his jewellery. I could imagine the odd customer
taking it personally, too.
Not in Italy, though. My fellow clients were probably wondering where
he got his suit.
How do Italians do it?
How do Italians do it? Well, for one thing, they start young.
In the 1980s Italians began to have smaller families and used their
newly disposable income to lavish their offspring with fashion
accessories. Armani and Versace led the designer baby-wear movement.
Unencumbered by school uniforms, these infants grew into children in
the 1990s who sported more labels than a Formula One racing driver.
With the advent of reality shows in the early noughties, television
became more like life and life, in turn, looked more like MTV.
Slowly but surely, transgression became the norm until schoolgirls'
plunging waistbands and shrinking tops prompted one local headmaster
to call for a ban on bare bellies and visible underwear, at least
during the exam period.
But the parents sided with their daughters and the authorities were
forced to back down.
When questioned in the press, the mothers would say: "It's just the
fashion," as if they were powerless to resist.
In a sense, they were right - woe betide you if you flout the dress
code here.
Just as Britain preserves a class system, so Italy has a "clothes
system" to put people in their place, and determine who's in and who's
out.
As a result, Italians tend to leap onto any passing bandwagon.
Raffish bandana
Remember when Silvio Berlusconi holidayed in Sardinia with the Blairs,
sporting a raffish bandana? Within a day or two, every bloke on the
beach had to have one, whether it suited them or not.
This is when Latin cool becomes chilling uniformity, circumscribed by
arbitrary do's and don'ts.
Take sunglasses, for example. It's OK, apparently, to wear them
indoors, in winter and at night.
But this summer the only styles to be seen with are classic Ray-Ban
Aviator specs or the Dior range which make you look like an insect and
leave panda-like white patches around the eyes if you keep them on all
day.
Expats are advised to play the game
The rules change every year but expats, too, are advised to play the
game.
Bear in mind that Italians recognise only two types of foreigner:
smart, good-looking ones they would like to be seen with; and scruffy
ones, who are just a nuisance.
So, when you go into a bank or government office, or deal with any
builder, notary or estate agent, try to appear just a little a bit
smarter than the person you're going to meet.
You don't have to look like our cashier, of course, but you'll gain a
significant psychological advantage.
Clothes system gives Italy a touch of class
By Martin Harper
Last Updated: 12:01am BST 25/07/2007
Mentor for Italy
Italy Messageboard
The man in front of me had the deepest tan I have seen this summer.
He was wearing an expensive linen jacket over a shocking pink shirt,
which fell open to reveal a hairy chest, gold chains and dangling
"Superfly" sunglasses.
An equally loud tie was casually knotted about 12 inches below the
neck and both hands were decked with bracelets and rings.
Was this an early episode of Miami Vice or had I stumbled into a
Puerto Rican night club by mistake? No - it was Tuesday morning in my
local bank and he was the cashier.
I don't know for certain, of course, but I think in Britain the
manager would have asked him to change his shirt, lose the shades, do
up his tie and rethink his jewellery. I could imagine the odd customer
taking it personally, too.
Not in Italy, though. My fellow clients were probably wondering where
he got his suit.
How do Italians do it?
How do Italians do it? Well, for one thing, they start young.
In the 1980s Italians began to have smaller families and used their
newly disposable income to lavish their offspring with fashion
accessories. Armani and Versace led the designer baby-wear movement.
Unencumbered by school uniforms, these infants grew into children in
the 1990s who sported more labels than a Formula One racing driver.
With the advent of reality shows in the early noughties, television
became more like life and life, in turn, looked more like MTV.
Slowly but surely, transgression became the norm until schoolgirls'
plunging waistbands and shrinking tops prompted one local headmaster
to call for a ban on bare bellies and visible underwear, at least
during the exam period.
But the parents sided with their daughters and the authorities were
forced to back down.
When questioned in the press, the mothers would say: "It's just the
fashion," as if they were powerless to resist.
In a sense, they were right - woe betide you if you flout the dress
code here.
Just as Britain preserves a class system, so Italy has a "clothes
system" to put people in their place, and determine who's in and who's
out.
As a result, Italians tend to leap onto any passing bandwagon.
Raffish bandana
Remember when Silvio Berlusconi holidayed in Sardinia with the Blairs,
sporting a raffish bandana? Within a day or two, every bloke on the
beach had to have one, whether it suited them or not.
This is when Latin cool becomes chilling uniformity, circumscribed by
arbitrary do's and don'ts.
Take sunglasses, for example. It's OK, apparently, to wear them
indoors, in winter and at night.
But this summer the only styles to be seen with are classic Ray-Ban
Aviator specs or the Dior range which make you look like an insect and
leave panda-like white patches around the eyes if you keep them on all
day.
Expats are advised to play the game
The rules change every year but expats, too, are advised to play the
game.
Bear in mind that Italians recognise only two types of foreigner:
smart, good-looking ones they would like to be seen with; and scruffy
ones, who are just a nuisance.
So, when you go into a bank or government office, or deal with any
builder, notary or estate agent, try to appear just a little a bit
smarter than the person you're going to meet.
You don't have to look like our cashier, of course, but you'll gain a
significant psychological advantage.
Jul 29th 2007 | 8:31 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:30:47 +0000, Ciao Cara! <[email protected]>
wrote:
This is a really exaggerated piece.
>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/ma...an-fashion.xml
>
[snip]
>Expats are advised to play the game
>
>The rules change every year but expats, too, are advised to play the
>game.
>
>Bear in mind that Italians recognise only two types of foreigner:
>smart, good-looking ones they would like to be seen with; and scruffy
>ones, who are just a nuisance.
>
>So, when you go into a bank or government office, or deal with any
>builder, notary or estate agent, try to appear just a little a bit
>smarter than the person you're going to meet.
This part is total rubbish. I would never completely redo my wardrobe
to conform to anybody's idea about how I should dress; some of my
clothes predate my arrival in Italy nine years ago. Yet I am a
respected member of my community, and on several local boards. I think
it's because I learned the language, pitched in and helped with local
initiatives, and respect my neighbors.
>You don't have to look like our cashier, of course, but you'll gain a
>significant psychological advantage.
Unless of course you want to be mistaken for a bank clerk.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
wrote:
This is a really exaggerated piece.
>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/ma...an-fashion.xml
>
[snip]
>Expats are advised to play the game
>
>The rules change every year but expats, too, are advised to play the
>game.
>
>Bear in mind that Italians recognise only two types of foreigner:
>smart, good-looking ones they would like to be seen with; and scruffy
>ones, who are just a nuisance.
>
>So, when you go into a bank or government office, or deal with any
>builder, notary or estate agent, try to appear just a little a bit
>smarter than the person you're going to meet.
This part is total rubbish. I would never completely redo my wardrobe
to conform to anybody's idea about how I should dress; some of my
clothes predate my arrival in Italy nine years ago. Yet I am a
respected member of my community, and on several local boards. I think
it's because I learned the language, pitched in and helped with local
initiatives, and respect my neighbors.
>You don't have to look like our cashier, of course, but you'll gain a
>significant psychological advantage.
Unless of course you want to be mistaken for a bank clerk.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
Jul 29th 2007 | 8:41 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
B Vaughan<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:30:47 +0000, Ciao Cara! <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>This is a really exaggerated piece.
>
>>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/ma...an-fashion.xml
>>
>
>[snip]
>
>>Expats are advised to play the game
>>
>>The rules change every year but expats, too, are advised to play the
>>game.
>>
>>Bear in mind that Italians recognise only two types of foreigner:
>>smart, good-looking ones they would like to be seen with; and scruffy
>>ones, who are just a nuisance.
>>
>>So, when you go into a bank or government office, or deal with any
>>builder, notary or estate agent, try to appear just a little a bit
>>smarter than the person you're going to meet.
>
>This part is total rubbish. I would never completely redo my wardrobe
>to conform to anybody's idea about how I should dress; some of my
>clothes predate my arrival in Italy nine years ago. Yet I am a
>respected member of my community, and on several local boards. I think
>it's because I learned the language, pitched in and helped with local
>initiatives, and respect my neighbors.
I think this article refer to younger people who are in style, not
older women such as yourself.
Besides, you're not a real Italian.
>>You don't have to look like our cashier, of course, but you'll gain a
>>significant psychological advantage.
>
>Unless of course you want to be mistaken for a bank clerk.
See above.
>On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:30:47 +0000, Ciao Cara! <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>This is a really exaggerated piece.
>
>>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/ma...an-fashion.xml
>>
>
>[snip]
>
>>Expats are advised to play the game
>>
>>The rules change every year but expats, too, are advised to play the
>>game.
>>
>>Bear in mind that Italians recognise only two types of foreigner:
>>smart, good-looking ones they would like to be seen with; and scruffy
>>ones, who are just a nuisance.
>>
>>So, when you go into a bank or government office, or deal with any
>>builder, notary or estate agent, try to appear just a little a bit
>>smarter than the person you're going to meet.
>
>This part is total rubbish. I would never completely redo my wardrobe
>to conform to anybody's idea about how I should dress; some of my
>clothes predate my arrival in Italy nine years ago. Yet I am a
>respected member of my community, and on several local boards. I think
>it's because I learned the language, pitched in and helped with local
>initiatives, and respect my neighbors.
I think this article refer to younger people who are in style, not
older women such as yourself.
Besides, you're not a real Italian.
>>You don't have to look like our cashier, of course, but you'll gain a
>>significant psychological advantage.
>
>Unless of course you want to be mistaken for a bank clerk.
See above.
Jul 29th 2007 | 6:49 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
Ciao Cara! wrote:
> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/ma...an-fashion.xml
>
> Clothes system gives Italy a touch of class
>
> By Martin Harper
> Last Updated: 12:01am BST 25/07/2007
>
> Mentor for Italy
> Italy Messageboard
>
> The man in front of me had the deepest tan I have seen this summer.
>
> He was wearing an expensive linen jacket over a shocking pink shirt,
> which fell open to reveal a hairy chest, gold chains and dangling
> "Superfly" sunglasses.
>
> An equally loud tie was casually knotted about 12 inches below the
> neck and both hands were decked with bracelets and rings.
>
This isnt any indication of smartness or taste but rather herd
mentality and people throwing their money on a bunch of expensive
crap. Ive delt with this juvinile shit in school, I dont care to in my
adult life.
> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/ma...an-fashion.xml
>
> Clothes system gives Italy a touch of class
>
> By Martin Harper
> Last Updated: 12:01am BST 25/07/2007
>
> Mentor for Italy
> Italy Messageboard
>
> The man in front of me had the deepest tan I have seen this summer.
>
> He was wearing an expensive linen jacket over a shocking pink shirt,
> which fell open to reveal a hairy chest, gold chains and dangling
> "Superfly" sunglasses.
>
> An equally loud tie was casually knotted about 12 inches below the
> neck and both hands were decked with bracelets and rings.
>
This isnt any indication of smartness or taste but rather herd
mentality and people throwing their money on a bunch of expensive
crap. Ive delt with this juvinile shit in school, I dont care to in my
adult life.
Jul 29th 2007 | 7:52 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
On Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:41:21 -0400, eztrav <[email protected]>
wrote:
>>>Expats are advised to play the game
>>This part is total rubbish. I would never completely redo my wardrobe
>>to conform to anybody's idea about how I should dress; some of my
>>clothes predate my arrival in Italy nine years ago. Yet I am a
>>respected member of my community, and on several local boards. I think
>>it's because I learned the language, pitched in and helped with local
>>initiatives, and respect my neighbors.
>
>I think this article refer to younger people who are in style, not
>older women such as yourself.
>Besides, you're not a real Italian.
If you could read well, you'd see that it was addressed to
nonItalians. It advised them to try to play the dress-to-the-teeth
game if they want to be respected. It said nothing about age, and
among real Italians, often the older they are, the more stylish they
are.
My point was that you don't have to play this game to be respected,
whether you're young or old. It's only a few empty-headed people in
Italy who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
I'm an Italian citizen and proud of it, by the way.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
wrote:
>>>Expats are advised to play the game
>>This part is total rubbish. I would never completely redo my wardrobe
>>to conform to anybody's idea about how I should dress; some of my
>>clothes predate my arrival in Italy nine years ago. Yet I am a
>>respected member of my community, and on several local boards. I think
>>it's because I learned the language, pitched in and helped with local
>>initiatives, and respect my neighbors.
>
>I think this article refer to younger people who are in style, not
>older women such as yourself.
>Besides, you're not a real Italian.
If you could read well, you'd see that it was addressed to
nonItalians. It advised them to try to play the dress-to-the-teeth
game if they want to be respected. It said nothing about age, and
among real Italians, often the older they are, the more stylish they
are.
My point was that you don't have to play this game to be respected,
whether you're young or old. It's only a few empty-headed people in
Italy who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
I'm an Italian citizen and proud of it, by the way.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
Jul 30th 2007 | 12:36 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] oups.com...
>
> Ciao Cara! wrote:
>> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/ma...an-fashion.xml
>>
>> Clothes system gives Italy a touch of class
>>
>> By Martin Harper
>> Last Updated: 12:01am BST 25/07/2007
>>
>> Mentor for Italy
>> Italy Messageboard
>>
>> The man in front of me had the deepest tan I have seen this summer.
>>
>> He was wearing an expensive linen jacket over a shocking pink shirt,
>> which fell open to reveal a hairy chest, gold chains and dangling
>> "Superfly" sunglasses.
>>
>> An equally loud tie was casually knotted about 12 inches below the
>> neck and both hands were decked with bracelets and rings.
>>
>
>
>
>
> This isnt any indication of smartness or taste but rather herd
> mentality and people throwing their money on a bunch of expensive
> crap. Ive delt with this juvinile shit in school, I dont care to in my
> adult life.
So you've never been to Italy then...
Actually it sounds like you have a contempt for cultures not your own.
You wouldn't live in the USA by any chance would you?
--
William Black
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.
news:[email protected] oups.com...
>
> Ciao Cara! wrote:
>> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/ma...an-fashion.xml
>>
>> Clothes system gives Italy a touch of class
>>
>> By Martin Harper
>> Last Updated: 12:01am BST 25/07/2007
>>
>> Mentor for Italy
>> Italy Messageboard
>>
>> The man in front of me had the deepest tan I have seen this summer.
>>
>> He was wearing an expensive linen jacket over a shocking pink shirt,
>> which fell open to reveal a hairy chest, gold chains and dangling
>> "Superfly" sunglasses.
>>
>> An equally loud tie was casually knotted about 12 inches below the
>> neck and both hands were decked with bracelets and rings.
>>
>
>
>
>
> This isnt any indication of smartness or taste but rather herd
> mentality and people throwing their money on a bunch of expensive
> crap. Ive delt with this juvinile shit in school, I dont care to in my
> adult life.
So you've never been to Italy then...
Actually it sounds like you have a contempt for cultures not your own.
You wouldn't live in the USA by any chance would you?
--
William Black
I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.
Jul 30th 2007 | 12:57 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
Following up to B Vaughan<[email protected]> :
> It's only a few empty-headed people in
>Italy[*] who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
[*] Replace Italy with the country of your choice.
--
Tim C.
> It's only a few empty-headed people in
>Italy[*] who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
[*] Replace Italy with the country of your choice.
--
Tim C.
Jul 30th 2007 | 1:03 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>> It's only a few empty-headed people in
>>Italy[*] who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
>
>
>[*] Replace Italy with the country of your choice.
to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
countries. That's my impression.
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
>> It's only a few empty-headed people in
>>Italy[*] who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
>
>
>[*] Replace Italy with the country of your choice.
to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
countries. That's my impression.
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
Jul 30th 2007 | 1:58 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
Following up to The Reid <[email protected]> :
>Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>> It's only a few empty-headed people in
>>>Italy[*] who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
>>
>>
>>[*] Replace Italy with the country of your choice.
>
>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>countries. That's my impression.
Sit down to breakfast with a busload of Italians in the Dolomites and you
might change your mind.
--
Tim C.
>Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>> It's only a few empty-headed people in
>>>Italy[*] who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
>>
>>
>>[*] Replace Italy with the country of your choice.
>
>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>countries. That's my impression.
Sit down to breakfast with a busload of Italians in the Dolomites and you
might change your mind.
--
Tim C.
Jul 30th 2007 | 2:00 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>>countries. That's my impression.
>
>Sit down to breakfast with a busload of Italians in the Dolomites and you
>might change your mind.
I've not been to the Dolomites, sadly, but in cities people seem very
clothes conscious.
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
>>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>>countries. That's my impression.
>
>Sit down to breakfast with a busload of Italians in the Dolomites and you
>might change your mind.
I've not been to the Dolomites, sadly, but in cities people seem very
clothes conscious.
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)
Jul 30th 2007 | 2:13 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
Following up to The Reid <[email protected]> :
>Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>>>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>>>countries. That's my impression.
>>
>>Sit down to breakfast with a busload of Italians in the Dolomites and you
>>might change your mind.
>
>I've not been to the Dolomites, sadly, but in cities people seem very
>clothes conscious.
I tend to avoid cities, given the chance, and Italian ones even more. I
don't think there's a whole lot more fashion than here or the UK, it's just
that the styles are different, so maybe you tend to notice it more than the
same old stuff at home.
--
Tim C.
>Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>>>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>>>countries. That's my impression.
>>
>>Sit down to breakfast with a busload of Italians in the Dolomites and you
>>might change your mind.
>
>I've not been to the Dolomites, sadly, but in cities people seem very
>clothes conscious.
I tend to avoid cities, given the chance, and Italian ones even more. I
don't think there's a whole lot more fashion than here or the UK, it's just
that the styles are different, so maybe you tend to notice it more than the
same old stuff at home.
--
Tim C.
Jul 30th 2007 | 2:15 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:58:19 +0200, Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>Following up to The Reid <[email protected]> :
>
>>Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>> It's only a few empty-headed people in
>>>>Italy[*] who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
>>>
>>>
>>>[*] Replace Italy with the country of your choice.
>>
>>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>>countries. That's my impression.
>
>Sit down to breakfast with a busload of Italians in the Dolomites and you
>might change your mind.
LOL in industry they either over dress or turn up to work in Mixi working
clothes.
--
Martin
>Following up to The Reid <[email protected]> :
>
>>Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>> It's only a few empty-headed people in
>>>>Italy[*] who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
>>>
>>>
>>>[*] Replace Italy with the country of your choice.
>>
>>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>>countries. That's my impression.
>
>Sit down to breakfast with a busload of Italians in the Dolomites and you
>might change your mind.
LOL in industry they either over dress or turn up to work in Mixi working
clothes.
--
Martin
Jul 30th 2007 | 2:20 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:13:16 +0200, Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>Following up to The Reid <[email protected]> :
>
>>Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>>>>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>>>>countries. That's my impression.
>>>
>>>Sit down to breakfast with a busload of Italians in the Dolomites and you
>>>might change your mind.
>>
>>I've not been to the Dolomites, sadly, but in cities people seem very
>>clothes conscious.
>
>I tend to avoid cities, given the chance, and Italian ones even more.
We are not attracted to metropolises of more than 10,000,000 people.
>I
>don't think there's a whole lot more fashion than here or the UK, it's just
>that the styles are different, so maybe you tend to notice it more than the
>same old stuff at home.
The shirts I bought in an expensive shop in Milan were probably the poorest
quality I have bought anywhere.
--
Martin
>Following up to The Reid <[email protected]> :
>
>>Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>>>>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>>>>countries. That's my impression.
>>>
>>>Sit down to breakfast with a busload of Italians in the Dolomites and you
>>>might change your mind.
>>
>>I've not been to the Dolomites, sadly, but in cities people seem very
>>clothes conscious.
>
>I tend to avoid cities, given the chance, and Italian ones even more.
We are not attracted to metropolises of more than 10,000,000 people.
>I
>don't think there's a whole lot more fashion than here or the UK, it's just
>that the styles are different, so maybe you tend to notice it more than the
>same old stuff at home.
The shirts I bought in an expensive shop in Milan were probably the poorest
quality I have bought anywhere.
--
Martin
Jul 30th 2007 | 3:06 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:03:26 +0100, The Reid
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>> It's only a few empty-headed people in
>>>Italy[*] who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
>>
>>
>>[*] Replace Italy with the country of your choice.
>
>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>countries. That's my impression.
There are some very elegant and fashion-concious people in Italy. (The
two things are quite different.) Much more so in the cities than in
the countryside. Where I live, I sometimes see people out shopping in
their bathrobe and slippers and many people buy all their clothes at
the weekly market. (Actually, I buy some clothes there myself from
time to time.)
However, I have never felt judged on the base of my wardrobe, nor do I
think anyone else does. My husband is an engineer, and maybe it's a
characteristic of the profession that he has no interest at all in
fashion (and never did even when he was young). And yet he is probably
one of the most respected people in our town. In his studio there are
six young professionals and a secretary. One of them (a guy) is very
fashion concious, another (also a guy) has a very acute sense of
style. The others not at all. I suspect that two of them, guys in
their late twenties, still have their mother buy all their clothes.
The women dress casually and follow the styles somewhat but make no
attempt at elegance.
I have most of my clothes made by a dressmaker, which in Italy costs
little more than buying them readymade. However, I have my own ideas
about what I want to wear and use the dressmaker so that I won't
*have* to follow the latest fad. For example, women's pants almost
never have pockets; they say pockets spoil the line. I want pockets,
and my dressmaker gives me pockets.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Following up to Tim C. <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>> It's only a few empty-headed people in
>>>Italy[*] who judge other people's worth by their wardrobe.
>>
>>
>>[*] Replace Italy with the country of your choice.
>
>to be honest, of the countries I've been to, Italy seems *very*
>conscious of dress. I reckon its much more common there that a lot of
>countries. That's my impression.
There are some very elegant and fashion-concious people in Italy. (The
two things are quite different.) Much more so in the cities than in
the countryside. Where I live, I sometimes see people out shopping in
their bathrobe and slippers and many people buy all their clothes at
the weekly market. (Actually, I buy some clothes there myself from
time to time.)
However, I have never felt judged on the base of my wardrobe, nor do I
think anyone else does. My husband is an engineer, and maybe it's a
characteristic of the profession that he has no interest at all in
fashion (and never did even when he was young). And yet he is probably
one of the most respected people in our town. In his studio there are
six young professionals and a secretary. One of them (a guy) is very
fashion concious, another (also a guy) has a very acute sense of
style. The others not at all. I suspect that two of them, guys in
their late twenties, still have their mother buy all their clothes.
The women dress casually and follow the styles somewhat but make no
attempt at elegance.
I have most of my clothes made by a dressmaker, which in Italy costs
little more than buying them readymade. However, I have my own ideas
about what I want to wear and use the dressmaker so that I won't
*have* to follow the latest fad. For example, women's pants almost
never have pockets; they say pockets spoil the line. I want pockets,
and my dressmaker gives me pockets.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
Jul 30th 2007 | 3:06 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How Italy's 'clothes system' works
On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:20:22 +0200, Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
>The shirts I bought in an expensive shop in Milan were probably the poorest
>quality I have bought anywhere.
I have also found the quality of clothes made in Italy to be a bit
substandard at times. My husband bought a rather expensive shirt whose
colors ran the first time it was washed (by hand in lukewarm water). I
wanted him to return it, but he refused. He said you couldn't return
something after you've worn it. With attitudes like that, there's
nothing to prevent clothing manufacturers from fobbing off substandard
goods on the customers.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
>The shirts I bought in an expensive shop in Milan were probably the poorest
>quality I have bought anywhere.
I have also found the quality of clothes made in Italy to be a bit
substandard at times. My husband bought a rather expensive shirt whose
colors ran the first time it was washed (by hand in lukewarm water). I
wanted him to return it, but he refused. He said you couldn't return
something after you've worn it. With attitudes like that, there's
nothing to prevent clothing manufacturers from fobbing off substandard
goods on the customers.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup
