Professional Italians v. Casual Americans
By: Laura Stowell
The author, Laura Stowell (featured in the polka dots) with her friends, while studying abroad.
There’s no wonder why the industrial city of Milan is home to its own fashion week - Italy is truly the birthplace of haute couture. Despite this city being linked to New York’s runways twice a year, the everyday style of a fashionable Italian differs vastly from that of a similarly fashionable American’s. Both these fashion capitals cultivate brilliantly creative works, yet their cultures bare fundamental differences when it comes to the clothing choices of the average person.
Italian style is rooted in traditionalism and heavily values the ideas of presentability and class. They adhere to unspoken rules, ones that reject the casual and comfortable. You will never see an Italian dressed in American style of athleisure - sweatpants, sweatshirts, leggings, or any other workout attire. This is viewed as lazy, unpresentable, and only belonging in the comfort of one’s own home. This begs the question, what is casual in Italy? What is an acceptable “comfy” fit? In order to get some first-hand insight, I consulted some Italy “experts”, better known as 4-year Florence students. When asked if she attempts to fit into the Italian style or remains true to her American identity, fashion merchandising major Carlie Taylor explained her happy medium.” I would say that I dress how I would in America but a bit less casual. I still wear outfits that fit my style, but I will opt for a t-shirt and jeans as a class casual outfit rather than simply throwing on a pair of sweatpants.” This simple approach respects the culture while simultaneously preserving comfort. Italy’s rejection of athleisure is certainly appreciated by the fashion lovers of America or those who prioritize presentability.
One of the lesser known or acknowledged norms is the Italian sense of seasonality. There’s no need to check your weather app in the morning, the temperature is irrelevant. In Italy they dress for the season, not the weather. It doesn’t matter if it's 70 degrees and sunny in March, you’re still zipping up that puffer coat because IT IS winter. If you’re an American that chooses the comfort of not sweating by wearing a dress or short sleeves - prepare for judgmental stares. This is not to discredit the Italians or label their style and approach as “wrong”. In fact, there is respect to be had for such a commitment to tradition and the change of the seasons, or cambio di stagione. The Italians have their own rich and complex culture to which they remain loyal and in which they hold with great pride. Besides, fashion truly is subjective.
While we as Americans can appreciate this, it is also reasonable to feel culture shock or be unreceptive to this style. In order to further dig into this idea of appreciation, assimilation, and rejection, I returned to the 4-year Florence students for help. I questioned them on this foreign concept of seasonality and how they personally perceive it. Danielle Turner said, “the fact that Italians dress for the season is so funny to me and honestly it’s kind of iconic. However, wearing a winter coat in 75 degree weather solely because it’s March is wild.” This take seems to be an accurate representation of the American opinion, or at least amongst study abroad students. This was echoed by Carlie Taylor when she responded, “that was definitely one of the strangest things to adapt to when living here! I definitely don’t see it as logical, especially when it stays warm during a majority of the fall months in Florence. I find it so funny to see people wearing full on winter jackets when it is sunny and 75 degrees.” Here we have a consensus of rejecting the Italian seasonal wardrobe. As an upstate New Yorker I’ll be the first to say that 70 degrees is prime time for skirts, dresses, and short sleeves - regardless of the season.
Following the themes of traditionalism and class, the Italians stick to a muted and neutral color palette. I found myself feeling out of place - unknowingly and blissfully wandering the streets in my bright summer dresses. But for me and many others, seasonality is characterized by colors. I may not always wear my heavy coat in the Fall, but I will wear soft brown, orange, black and even green tones. So obviously my pinks, yellows, and brighter blues emerge as Springtime does. While I observed the occasional pop of color from an Italian, the majority avoided anything too flashy. In reference to my own experiences, I asked other study abroad students if they felt out of place or embarrassed by their clothing choices while in Italy. One student confessed, “when I first got to Italy, I was definitely a bit self conscious about my clothing choices at times. For instance, when I wore a formal dress or even something with loud colors, I would catch myself getting stares from Italians. At first this made me a bit embarrassed, but I quickly learned to disregard this and just wear whatever I feel comfortable in.” There's no doubt that American students desperately avoid stepping on the toes of Italians, but it is also an impossible task.
Respect and appreciation for your host country is important, but there is some leeway when it comes to fashion. I know the love, dedication, and art that goes into one’s personal style. And that's it - fashion is meant to be personal. The preservation of YOUR own identity in the form of clothing is something often lost when living abroad for an extended period of time. When approached with an open mind, this can create a unique tapestry of all the places you’ve been and the cultures you’ve grown to appreciate. Possessing a sense of fashion is anything but exclusionary, it is open to new and varying ideas. Whether you choose to ditch your Lululemon set and Ugg slippers on the streets or wear your puffiest jacket all of March, you’re receptive to Italian culture. And if that’s not for you, might as well wear your casual, bright or unique style boldly, with little regard for the potential sting of European judgment.
