Want to Dress Like an Italian? Here’s Where Style Really Begins

In the early 1980s, Richard Gere, more handsome than ever, introduced himself to the world with his American Gigolo. Catalyzing the viewers' gaze was him, a suit with understated, yet elegant and refined lines. It was not just a Giorgio Armani suit, but the symbol of fashion in Italy.

A kind of effortless glamor, a meticulous attention to detail, to the quality of the fabric and its finish. We should say it's a kind of unwritten law, but that seems inherent in the DNA of the Bel Paese. It surely was at the time of the American Gigolò, but also long before, and it certainly lives more than ever today.

That’s why we wanted to create an exclusive guide to help you discover where to experience this authentic, timeless elegance. Thanks to our collaboration with McArthurGlen, a benchmark for high-quality fashion at advantageous prices, you can explore a curated selection of impeccably stylish pieces, perfect for enriching your wardrobe with pure Italian class.

"Making a good impression" is more than just an Italian saying, it’s the essence of Made in Italy. "Fare bella figura", in fact, literally means something like "to make a good or beautiful figure of yourself". We are told it over and over again since we are children, it becomes part of our daily lives as we grow up, and we try to pass it on to the younger ones as we become adults.

The care, elegance and composure with which we present ourselves to the rest of the world contribute to creating "the good figure", which some more correctly call sprezzatura. In other words, the intent to always show the best version of yourself to those around us. As if what you show is the fruit of your inner self.

And, therefore, this way of saying undoubtedly has a lot to do with Italian clothing style and way of dressing.

Indeed, it seems that this way of understanding fashion in Italy was even born in Renaissance Florence, at the Medici court. Now this extraordinary city is one of the fashion capitals, but it was also once. In fact, it can be said to have been one of the first.

Indeed, the powerful Medici family had begun to invest copious amounts of money to present itself to its allies, its adversaries, and its people in the most beautiful and elegant way possible. In short, they could be said to have been the first to want to "make a good impression." Indeed, the "most beautiful figure possible".

And today?

Having a closet filled with gorgeous garments is a dream shared by all fashion lovers. Yet, "Style is elegance, not extravagance", said Giorgio Armani.

Knowing what to wear and how to match an outfit with shoes and accessories, to give our look a different impact, is indeed not trivial.

It happens much more often than we would like to admit to standing still for hours in front of the closet thinking, "I don't have anything to wear". Or of wandering from store to store hoping to find the perfect garment that will set the tone for your outfit.

The professionals at McArthurGlen Designer Outlets' five Italian locations know this well: it's not having dozens of garments that counts. To be flawless, you only need 10 must-have garments that will change your life.

Which ones?

What makes a woman's look truly unique, sophisticated, and impeccable at any time of day? Simple: the ability to select key garments of exceptional quality and versatility, capable of reinventing themselves with ever-fresh looks simply by changing accessories or daringly combining unexpected combinations, to create a timeless, functional, and chic wardrobe perfect for any occasion.

Whether it's formal elegance at work, casual ease during the day, or the sophisticated glamour of the most exclusive evenings, Italian fashion teaches that true sophistication for women comes from harmony and versatility. To always shape perfect outfits and enhance every silhouette, there are 10 essential garments and accessories for every woman that are must-haves in the wardrobe of anyone who loves Italian fashion.

• White shirt: Every woman's best friend, versatile for both formal and casual looks, stunning alone, under thin-strap dresses, or paired with suits and jeans.

• Little Black Dress: The timeless and iconic dress designed by Coco Chanel and made iconic by Audrey Hepburn, a garment that can be transformed endlessly with accessories.

• Blazer: A versatile and structured piece, perfect year-round with high-waisted trousers, skirts, or jeans, and can be paired with both heels and sneakers.

• Trench: The double-breasted raincoat, refined in beige or camel tones, ideal for completing fall and spring outfits with class.

• Jeans: The quintessential casual clothing, but that with the right outfit can turn elegant, essential for enhancing your figure and ensuring the best comfort from day to night.

• Skirt: A feminine and never vulgar piece, available in a wide variety of styles and fabrics, perfect for both formal occasions and leisure time with simple accessories and/or sneakers.

• High heels: The quintessential symbol of femininity, with the slim heel and pointed toe model being an absolute evergreen for elegant evenings.

• Sneakers: The fresh, lightweight footwear that adds a carefree touch, completely embraced in recent years even for the most glamorous settings with the right combination.

• Clutch: The sophisticated evening pochette (mini-handbag) that adds style and personality to even the simplest outfit.

• Day handbag and sunglasses: The must-have accessory duo that combines practicality, protection, and elegance to complete each everyday look with character.

The magic of Italian style lies in the extraordinary ability to bring together the great wardrobe classics with the changing of seasons, creating harmonious and refined combinations. To enhance your silhouette and display impeccable elegance all year-round, simply wear the iconic pieces every woman should have in her wardrobe with ease.

Here are three outfit ideas designed to express authentic Italian style every time of year.

• Summer: The summer outfit focuses on freshness and lightness without sacrificing class. The key is a white linen or lightweight cotton shirt, unbuttoned at the décolleté, paired with a flowing pleated skirt, white sneakers or sandals, and the essential duo of a large day handbag and sunglasses. To enhance your outfit, you can tie a refined silk scarf around the handle of your bag or in your hair.

• Autumn and Spring: When temperatures become changeable, elegance plays with clever layering that gives room for creativity, even in terms of fashion. These seasons are ideal for wearing a pair of jeans, a well-structured blazer, and the timeless beige trench coat worn open, perhaps elongating the figure with a pair of stiletto heels. All these pieces pair well with a white shirt, with the sleeve deliberately left peeking out from the blazer's lapels, creating an effect of nonchalance done on purpose.

• Winter: For winter evenings and more exclusive occasions, the wardrobe's crown jewel remains the iconic black dress, expertly layered with a tailored wool or cashmere coat and embellished with a sophisticated evening clutch bag. Such an outfit is enhanced by accessories and details, especially medium-heeled shoes, dark tights, and a bold red lipstick paired with a subtle highlight jewel, for a measured and elegant sensuality.

In Italian fashion, men's style is also rooted in solid pillars and unmistakable touches, perfectly embodying the philosophy of dressing well for every occasion. The impeccable wardrobe for the contemporary man highlights the garments that symbolize masculine elegance, perfectly combining excellent fabrics, a balanced color palette to define the level of formality, and extreme versatility.

Between everyday commitments, a business meeting at work, a special evening, or a casual afternoon with friends, the secret is knowing how to balance elegance and ease. For an always refined look, distinguished yet never boring, here are 8 essential garments and accessories that every man should have in his wardrobe.

• Jeans: The quintessential versatile all-rounder, prefer dark shades for more formal settings or the office and light shades for leisure.

• Polo or t-shirt: The fresh and understated alternative to the classic shirt, ideal in solid colors and made of quality cotton for casual elegance without excess.

• Top-quality shirt: A must-have piece, strictly long-sleeved, with refined details on the collar and cuffs, to be enhanced with cufflinks for formal occasions.

• Double-breasted suit: A great tailored classic that adds a refined and classy touch to a man's metropolitan look.

• Leather jacket: The iconic James Dean-style biker jacket, ideal for spring and autumn, perfect for instantly conveying a bold and “rock-and-roll" attitude and for dressing with class even in informal situations.

• Tie: The key accessory for formal and business occasions, capable of adding vivacity, color, and sophistication to even the most classic and anonymous outfits.

• Tailored suit: The supreme symbol of men’s elegance, impeccable in dark tones like midnight blue or black and customizable with a matching or contrasting vest.

• Classic shoes: The very best of Italian style for men, with the black leather lace-up model acting as an irreplaceable evergreen to complete every outfit with class.

Italian-style men’s elegance balances ease and sophistication all year-round, reinterpreting the great classics of the wardrobe and enhancing the male figure, season by season, seeking harmonious combinations, excellent fabrics, and details that make the difference.

Here are three outfit ideas designed to express authentic Italian style every time of year.

• Summer: To face the heat with class and lightheartedness, the summer look features a solid-color polo shirt in breathable cotton yarn, paired with clean-cut linen trousers in light shades and a pair of suede loafers, of course without visible socks. The look can be enhanced with a vintage watch with a leather strap, perfect for a refined old-fashioned allure.

• Autumn and Spring: The transitional months are the reign of character and dynamism, especially in the city. They're ideal for an outfit that combines a leather jacket with a good-quality long-sleeved shirt left unbuttoned at the collar, worn with straight trousers or jeans. To complete the outfit, you can add a light wool gauze or silk scarf, wrapped loosely around the neck, for an extra pop of color.

• Winter: When temperatures drop and formality demands elegance, the choice falls on the timeless midnight blue tailored suit paired with a silk tie and the essential classic black leather lace-up shoes. The detail that makes the difference in this case is the vest, perhaps in a fine cashmere knit, worn under the jacket to add more vivacity and comfort to a masterpiece of Italian tailoring and fashion.

As you are coming to Italy, you're probably eager to experience the country's renowned fashion and dress like a true Italian.

And you’re lucky, because in four of the most important Italian cities, you can find McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, the ultimate destination for Italian and international fashion brands, where you'll find everything you need to achieve that effortless yet sophisticated Italian style.

Italian fashion is all about quality over quantity, and there you'll find the finest Italian brands known for their timeless elegance and impeccable craftsmanship. From tailored suits to perfectly-fitted shirts, classic leather shoes to statement accessories, McArthurGlen Designer Outlets have everything you need to complete your Italian-inspired wardrobe.

So why not indulge in some Italian fashion during your trip and take a piece of Italy's timeless clothing style home with you?

Content created in collaboration with Best Magazine.