Ten Guidelines of Italian Style for a perfect look and an impeccable dress code

Some people believe that wearing an outfit we like can make us feel good all the time. So no matter where you are and what you are doing there, whoever is in front of you must give importance to your inner beauty and not to your appearance. Dear readers, unfortunately, this is not always the truth and, in some cases, the tables of the ten commandments of fashion and style should fall from the sky on the heads of those who are still convinced that in everyday life the "how we present ourselves" does not play its part. Imagine going to a wedding in a white dress and being mistaken for the bride, or turning up in purple to a theatre performance, for example. Realising you've chosen the wrong look can make even the most successful stars on the Oscars red carpet feel uncomfortable. They want the attention of the paparazzi at all costs but are not immune to unforgivable style slips. And memorable ones. As Giorgio Armani says: "Elegance is not about being noticed, it's about being remembered". Definitely, but it's better if it doesn't happen because we screwed up big time!

Another quote that I like is by Coco Chanel: "Before going out, look in the mirror and take something off" and King Giorgio agrees: "The law of luxury is not to add, but to take away". In short, the basis of everything is sobriety and moderation. 

Even though our wrong outfit would presumably be less in the spotlight than that of a VIP, there are a few simple rules to follow to avoid gross errors. Furthermore, the right outfit on the right occasions is also a form of respect towards those present, a way of letting them know that we know where we are and why we are there. 

Let's get started!

And people think that clothes don't make the man... when we're in the office, especially if we hold positions of responsibility and prestige, they do. The right dress code for this environment, in reality, is more than one and depends precisely on our work position. Business-casual is generally fine, but for those in managerial positions, a more formal style is more appropriate: business-formal or full-business. Let's look at the differences. 

Full-business is the height of formality, so a suit and tie for him, while for her, a suit and white shirt or a little black dress with a fitted blazer. A little less rigorous is the business-casual, which focuses on softer colours and avoids the use of a tie. 

Another type of 'office outfit' is when we go for a job interview. In this case, it is preferable to choose a formal look, but it is also good to add a pinch of creativity and colour, always without exaggerating. OK with heels for women, but remember... don't overdo it with the centimetres! And woe to you if you put on your jeans ripped. Trouble for you! If, on the other hand, the interview was for a job as a bartender in a youth club or as a saleswoman in a fashion shop, the rules would be different. 

Casual is - precisely - a "non-dress-code", which means comfortable, practical and personally expressive. We can relax and wear whatever we want, so the variety of clothes it includes is really wide. Smart casual is a style somewhere between formal and casual, so not jacket and tie, but still an outfit made up of sober and refined garments, always well matched. A jacket or blazer, a shirt with a mandarin collar for him, smart or skinny trousers, skirts and dresses for her. And when it comes to shoes, loafers, boots and ankle boots, Oxford shoes and trainers are all the rage. 

Slightly less demanding than the evening dress, for the girls it calls for a longuette dress below the knee in plain colours or with delicate prints without too much cleavage or transparency. As for the rest, a small to medium-sized bag and closed or Chanel shoes. We can also add a hat (if we find the right one, it will give us a very sophisticated look). The man can wear a dark blue or grey suit, even a split one, with a plain tie and, as for the shirt, it should be white or the same colour as the suit.

Finally, it's the cocktail hour! We can put our work clothes in the wardrobe and choose a look that makes us feel sexy and charming. He will look great in chino trousers or plain jeans and a shirt that is never short-sleeved, she in a brightly coloured above-the-knee dress in the eternal black dress or petite robe noir. Heels? Obviously yes. The bubbles will do the rest... 

Who knows why, every time I think of this kind of look, I imagine a handsome James Bond waiting on my doorstep. When an elegant and formal evening dress-code is required, it means that the man should wear a dark suit (grey, midnight blue or anthracite) and dark tie, belt and matching shoes, while the woman should have a long dress without a train, closed shoes, a small bag and jewellery (no costume jewellery). In the case of particularly elegant ceremonies, the high quality of the fabrics is also very important. A little tip to prevent the pain of high heels from ruining your posture: always have flats with you, they will be your lifeline.

These are occasions that don't usually come around very often, but when they do, it's a shame to ruin them with the wrong outfit. The dress code black tie is the formal attire par excellence, which is only used when specified on the invitation or for a gala dinner or a theatre premiere. In this case, the label indicates for men the use of a dinner jacket with a black bow tie (note: bow tie not tie), white shirt, cufflinks and shiny black leather shoes. For women, there is a little more flexibility in the sense that the perfect dress code for the evening is a long dress that covers the ankle, but in the summer an elegant knee-length cocktail dress is also fine, possibly dark or in an absolute colour, embellished with jewelled accessories; as an alternative to skirts, for those who don't like them, a formal dark or luxuriously white suit is also OK. 

Oh my God, what am I going to wear to the wedding? Will I still fit in that dress? Before any kind of panic assails us, let's remember one thing very well. Very well. The first rule of a wedding look is to choose the right colours: no red, total-black and total-white, and always avoid the colour of the bride's dress. Purple and total looks in metallic colours are also a bad idea and should only be used for accessories or a few details.

The rest depends on the location of the wedding: if we are in a church the shoulders should be covered, if it is a civil ceremony it is not necessary; if the ceremony will take place in an old villa a rather classic look is advisable, while the ideal outfit in a farmhouse or outdoors is a bit more informal. The time of day also influences the choice of dress for ladies: a long dress is suitable for the afternoon or evening but not for the morning, a nice sheath dress is always fine as long as it includes a few extra centimetres of fabric for the skirt. In general, too skimpy and transparent dresses are not appropriate for this kind of ceremony, because the guests should remember how beautiful the bride was and not the lingerie of some of the guests.

I hope it's useless to say that shorts and sports trainers should not be worn... and as for bags, a shoulder bag or clutch is much better than a maxi bag.

For men, however, it is forbidden to wear a dinner jacket, a look that is only allowed for the groom (you would risk confusing the celebrant and guests), but a dark suit with a shirt and tie is perfectly fine. A touch of class: the belt-shoe combination. Always appreciated.

Baptisms, communions and confirmations leave room for creative and informal elegance, which does not apply to the godfather or godmother, who should be a little more formal. 

Funerals aren't what they used to be when it was compulsory to wear black, but they are certainly a delicate occasion and you need to wear a look that expresses respect. Avoid overly sporty items such as torn jeans and light shades, and don't even think about wearing animal prints and neon colours. There is a special circle in hell for people who do things like that. 

Good. You have dressed perfectly by carefully choosing the garments, the colours, the length of the skirt, the style. But it's still not enough. Here's the tenth commandment we must never forget: everything must be taken care of, make-up, hair, beard, hands... and our bearing is the first thing we must value. Elegance is like a light breeze that sends a shiver down the spine of the beholder, not a punch in the face. Everything must be in harmony.

So, dear readers, to say goodbye I would like to leave you with a quote taken from one of the most iconic and ironic films made about the world of fashion: "The Devil Wears Prada", starring the incomparable Meryl Streep. May it ring in your ears like a chilling warning every time you open your wardrobe.

"-Miranda: So you don't read Runway?

- Andy: No.

- Miranda: And you've never heard of me before today?

- Andy: No.

- Miranda: And you have no idea about style, fashion sense...

- Andy: Well, I guess that depends on what you're...

- Miranda: No, that wasn't a question..."