July17

LA DOLCE VITA by Michele Duke
Everyone’s heard about
Italian style, the perfect
blend of elegance and
ease. I’m lucky enough to
spend every summer in Italy
and every year I watch and
wonder. Try as I might I’ll
never achieve the casual
glamour that Italian women
– and men – carry off without
a thought. As I set off for
this year’s adventures, here
I have, however, picked up a
few habits and customs to help
me blend in with the natives
so if you are heading south,
here are a few tips to help you
live “la dolce vita”.
Italian women layer—and
top those layers off with an
elegant exterior. For stylish
Italian women, that means
a chic jacket or trench coat.
Even in the summer, you
will rarely see a woman
walking around town without
something to swish around
her shoulders. Cardigans
just don’t cut it, so choose a
lightweight structured shape
to complement your outfit.
Italian men prove that you
don’t have to be going to
work, or a wedding, to pull off
a jacket. Pair one with white
or beige trousers, or even
jeans—and, of course, leather
shoes—and you’re good to go
to lunch… or a museum. Just
don’t be surprised if you’re
mistaken for an Italian while
you’re there!
A great pair of sunglasses is
a must. Essential to protect
your peepers in the sun, or
just to look cool in the shade.
Of course, Italians love their
designer sunglasses—but any
frame will help you blend in.
Italians tend to wear basic
blue jeans a lot less often than
their counterparts elsewhere.
It’s not that women are always
in dresses (although they
often are), and men in suits;
it’s that when they do throw
on trousers, they’re rarely
basic jeans or chinos. Instead,
trousers come in a rainbow of
colours. And yes, that’s true
for men too.
Even at an informal lunch,
men will wear an open-neck
shirt tucked into well-cut,
fitted trousers with a leather
belt. Occasionally you’ll see
tailored shorts but casual
shorts are only for the garden
or beach. Women still love
capri pants – you can see
Audrey Hepburn on every
corner.
Italian women accessorize. So
if you’re keen to be mistaken
for one, remember the little
details: in the past year,
chunky bracelets and collar
necklaces have been trendy,
but so are delicate necklaces
and drop earrings. Wear
whatever jewellery you like…
but if you want to look like an
Italian, do wear something!
Scarves are especially great
for travellers: they can spice
up an outfit that you’ve
already worn three days in a
row and can be thrown into a
bag to pull out when the sun
sets and the weather gets
chilly.
Plus, in Italy, scarves can
be even more useful, as
it’s disrespectful (and often
downright forbidden) to go
into a church without your
shoulders covered so having a
scarf means you can risk bare
shoulders.
A chic handbag, for women—
or a “man bag,” for men.
Women carry big handbags
during the day, and tiny
ones a night. For men who
really want to go local, they
also have the option of a
bag. Lots of Italians use
messenger bags or briefcases.
It especially makes sense
when you think about how
hard it is to transport your
stuff while zooming around on
your Vespa. So if you’ve ever
wanted to try one out, a trip
to Italy is a good time—we
promise, not a single local will
bat an eyelash. Ciao tutti!
I am Michèle Duke and I
help women look and feel
fabulous. Come along to one
of my make-up or skin care
workshops or a personal
styling session to learn how
to look your best. They’re
free, informal and lots of fun.
Call me on 07801 621310
for more details. Check
out my website at www.
micheleduke.co.uk for more
tips and ideas.
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