Inject a little Italian: Classic Style Influence from the Fashion Nation

Italy, she gave the world high-fashion names Dolce and Gabanna, Gucci, Armani and Prada, alongside youthful contemporary designs from the likes of 55DSL, Coolcha and Antony Morfato. The sheer volume of fashion-elite names the county has churned out is nothing but impressive and we could all do ourselves a favour and give our wardrobe some Italian influence this coming winter.

Italian style is more varied than most people think. It’s a big country and trends differ as they do in any other European nation, but one thing that is guaranteed is the emphasis and consideration that goes into Italian fashion. From the graffiti covered streets to marbled floors of bourgeois hotels, style is key to Italian culture regardless of class, sexual orientation or profession.

High-gorge suits effortlessly dressed down, unstructured sweats and graphically designed street wear; premium denim and confidence when accessorising all come to mind when thinking of Italian styles. These are all easy elements we can incorporate into our everyday looks so here are our top tips when doing so.

Starting with denim, the cornerstone of many a good outfit, there are several names that come to mind. Diesel, Reply, Versace all deserve a nod of appreciation, but to inject true Italian style, choose a pair of Armani jeans from the collection available at Diffusion. From a relaxed fit to more constructed styles, there is sure to be a pair suited to you and your Italian influence.

To give your denim a grown-up finish, pair it with a stunning suit jacket from Italian tailoring experts Mr Rick Tailor. Available at Matches Fashion, this two button wool jacket would look effortless worn open with a crisp white shirt, unbuttoned at the top with Armani Jeans for a perfect smart day outfit.

If tailoring isn’t your thing, why not opt for a strong knit. We need all the fine winter wear we can get and this gorgeous Boglili chunky cardigan would look great paired with a Missoni scarf and wool pea coat. It’s the little details that set the Italian fashion elite apart so scarfs and gloves from high-end names are a must to emulate the look.

If casual warmth is what you want, why not opt for a street-ready sweat from 55SDL? The iconic Figgers pull-over is good place to start if any. Pair it with skinny jeans and Italian-American footwear Gourmet for a cool, casual style unique to you and your attitude.

So there you have it, the top tips for injecting some Italian style into your wardrobe. Just remember - Italian style transcends age and never decays, wear it with confidence and you’ll look every bit the fashion icon.

Get the Look with SnapBack Caps

The Snapback Cap: How To Wear It

The snapback cap is a dividing accessory. With the rise of smart, three piece suites, the cap is seen as adolescent streetwear. However, last year the cap was seen on the DKNY, Dior, Van Assche and Alexander Wang catwalks for autumn/winter 2012, so if it’s styled the right way, it can make an interesting statement that will ensure that you won’t be forgotten easily.

Wear It With Your Suit   

Dior Homme used snapback caps as accessories to the suit. This is a trend that easily translates to everyday wear, as you simply have to match the colour of your suit and the hat. If you choose to wear a trouser cut wider and baggier, your outfit will echo streetwear a little stronger than if you were to wear a skinny cut. The contrast between the two keeps the look smart, but youthful.

Streetwear

If you’re not really a suit-wearing type guy, then perhaps urban streetwear is more your style. Pair a snapback cap with low slung, relaxed trousers, a sweatshirt and a backpack. If you’re really embracing this style, go for high-tops too. Keep the colour palate muted, and use fabrics like suede, shearling and leather, and you’ll look cutting edge, but not garish or over the top.

Celebrities

Many hip hop artists are regularly spotted in snapback hats, such as Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, and Kanye West, as well as sportsmen like Michael Jordan. Caps are also popular with female celebrities, such as Megan Fox, Gwen Stefani and Rihanna have been spotted in them.

On The High Street

High street chains have seen a surge in sales of caps, with sales increasing by up to five times in comparison to the last year. New Era are a company famous for their caps, and are the official manufacturer for the caps of every Major League baseball team in the US. So when you see celebrities wearing a New York Yankees snapback cap, it’ll be by New Era. They also have other designs as an alternative to the classic baseball design, such as camouflage pattern, or a Batman design. Obey Clothing have caps in a retro design, and the Vans quirky Aztec prints are bang on trend.

2012 and the Return of Men’s Sports Luxe

2012 was a pretty good year for British sport. With the Olympics, Paralympics, Bradley Wiggins winning the Tour de France, and Andy Murray won the US Open as well as Olympic gold, it’s no wonder that Sports Luxe was back in fashion for men. Initially a spring/summer trend, it looks set to stick around.

How You Can Get The Look

Throw on a tracksuit and some trainers; pretend you’re off to the gym? You’re forgetting the ‘luxe’ part. Look to sportswear as inspiration not the gospel; keep the cut of the clothes in mind and have fun with textures and fabrics. Mix smart and casual for an exciting look.

Colour

Autumn/winter styles always have a more muted colour palate, reflecting, strangely enough, autumnal colours. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, though you may think it might make you fade away in a crowd, but if you pair interesting colours together such as a burgundy and a forest green in the same outfit, then it can make someone look twice.

The Bomber Jacket

A key piece for the sports luxe trend, the bomber jacket is a short jacket with ribbed cuffs and hem. Find one that fits in with your personal style so it complements the rest of your wardrobe. You could go for a baseball style jacket, a leather bomber or something inexpensive in cotton- it’s the silhouette that matters for this sports inspired trend. If you’re looking for something that puts you apart, then opt for something in a pattern or with contrasting sleeves.

Pop it on over the top of a shirt for a sharp smart-casual combination.

The Trainer 

Along with the usual big sportswear names, one of the best designers for the trainer is Cruyff. Football legend Cruyff created the ultimate sports shoe in 1979 - an elegant, luxurious, sophisticated shoe- just waiting for the sports luxe trend to appear. Find your pair of Cruyff trainers at Gravity Clothing. Choose a pair in suede or leather and your shoe will embrace the smart-casual feel of your outfit; stick to grey, black or navy and you will retain a sophisticated air.