Chronicle of Italian Quirks
ITALIAN QUIRK #2 - Fabulous Old Ladies
Not all quirks are strange, some indeed are charming. Rome is of course, one of the fashion capitals of the world. It's not in the same arena as Milan, which boasts high fashion - models tearing down the runway in peacock feathers and diamond pashminas - things no ordinary person would be caught dead in. Rather, Rome is the capital of common fashion. That is to say, people's everyday dress is sharp, neat, and classy unlike any other city I've ever seen. Pointy leather boots up to the knees are their version of casual walking shoes, and long, black, wool coats are their sweatshirts. In fact, it has to be at least 75 outside before they'll take off these coats. There is no practicality in their attire and they always seem inappropriately dressed for the weather according to American sensibilities.
While Rome is the center, most cities in Italy are like this, taking their lead from the heart of the Italian peninsula. But what's most cool about Italian fashion is that it is for everyone! Age does not diminish an Italian's desire to dress well. And though the leather boots don't transcend the generations, the desire to look fantastic, whatever fantastic is to your generation, does.
Enter some fabulous old ladies. You see it everywhere, all the time. Old women dressed and dressed well. They don't mess around. They got the nice hats, the wool coats, the heels, the pretty blouses and most importantly, the sweet sweet shades. No white stretch pants or Keds for these geriatric women. They are looking smart and frankly, just as uncomfortable and impractical as everyone else stylin' on the streets.
Three elderly ladies looking fine at the beech.
Didn't believe me about the coat thing? It is probably 73 degrees out in April on this Sicilian beach, yet these lovely women are still donning the wool and leather.
Oh yeah, special thanks to Henrietta who had the guts to ask these women, total strangers, if we could take their picture.
Not all quirks are strange, some indeed are charming. Rome is of course, one of the fashion capitals of the world. It's not in the same arena as Milan, which boasts high fashion - models tearing down the runway in peacock feathers and diamond pashminas - things no ordinary person would be caught dead in. Rather, Rome is the capital of common fashion. That is to say, people's everyday dress is sharp, neat, and classy unlike any other city I've ever seen. Pointy leather boots up to the knees are their version of casual walking shoes, and long, black, wool coats are their sweatshirts. In fact, it has to be at least 75 outside before they'll take off these coats. There is no practicality in their attire and they always seem inappropriately dressed for the weather according to American sensibilities.
While Rome is the center, most cities in Italy are like this, taking their lead from the heart of the Italian peninsula. But what's most cool about Italian fashion is that it is for everyone! Age does not diminish an Italian's desire to dress well. And though the leather boots don't transcend the generations, the desire to look fantastic, whatever fantastic is to your generation, does.
Enter some fabulous old ladies. You see it everywhere, all the time. Old women dressed and dressed well. They don't mess around. They got the nice hats, the wool coats, the heels, the pretty blouses and most importantly, the sweet sweet shades. No white stretch pants or Keds for these geriatric women. They are looking smart and frankly, just as uncomfortable and impractical as everyone else stylin' on the streets.
Three elderly ladies looking fine at the beech.
Didn't believe me about the coat thing? It is probably 73 degrees out in April on this Sicilian beach, yet these lovely women are still donning the wool and leather.
Oh yeah, special thanks to Henrietta who had the guts to ask these women, total strangers, if we could take their picture.
posted by Amy at 4:01 PM
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