Il Modo Italiano

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Italian style has attracted many stereotypes, from head-to-toe black to, on the other hand, loud prints and oversized logos. These clichés have even resurfaced in the current ‘mob-wife’ aesthetic, inspired by the Italian-American characters of The Sopranos. Yet while Italians may embrace oversized sunglasses and the odd leopard print, their style is far more nuanced and exciting. This piece highlights a few key figures whose wardrobes reveal the true breadth of Italian fashion.

Sophia Loren is a quintessential example. She radiates subtle power, her magnetic presence amplified by what she wears. The magic begins with tailoring: every dress, skirt, or jacket seems made for her. In Loren’s case, it often was—but this look can easily be replicated with well-fitted, high-quality pieces. Tailoring, after all, is the quiet cornerstone of Italian style.

Her signature beauty look also contributes to her timeless allure. The iconic winged eyeliner sharpens her features and frames her deep, hollow-set eyes—a trait I know personally as a fellow Italian! Here, the stereotype proves true: bold yet seamless makeup creates that enigmatic, seductive finish.

Monica Bellucci embodies a different facet of Italian elegance. Her style is rooted in simplicity, mixing understated pieces with subtle Italian flair. While brands like Versace lean into loud colours and extravagant prints, Monica opts for jeans, blouses, tailored trousers, and trench coats. Yet she knows when to introduce richness through texture, colour, or a carefully chosen print—think her Guy Laroche dress and feathered headpiece in 1993, the blush embroidered gown at the 2002 Venice Film Festival, or the white floral Dolce & Gabbana masterpiece she wore at Cannes the same year. Time and again, she proves that quiet pieces, when elevated with small, thoughtful details, can feel effortlessly chic.

A more modern lens on Italian style comes from Baby stars Benedetta Porcaroli and Alice Pagani. Benedetta channels classical and 1990s influences with tailored blazers, mini skirts, and softly feminine blouses. Like Loren, she favours a natural makeup look with the occasional bold eye or lip. Her hair, often left to fall in perfect, air-dried waves, captures that signature Italian nonchalance—worlds away from the over-styled blow-dries dominating trends today.

Alice Pagani, meanwhile, embraces a bolder edge. She leans into daring prints and singular statement pieces, like the red military jacket and long jewelled necklace recently showcased on her Instagram. Yet tailoring remains central to her wardrobe, from that jacket to her made-to-measure blouses and sharp, shirt-style tops. Her sleek blunt bob, perfect for thick Italian hair, sets her apart while maintaining that air of precision.

What unites these women is their fearless individuality. They may share silhouettes, fabrics, or the occasional print, but it’s their personal spin that makes their style aspirational. Italian fashion is less about following rules than embodying confidence—and that is what makes it enduringly influential.