Older Italian Gents and their Bella Figura

That's right... old men, with Italian Style. Sexy, yes?
Here's how older men look their best in Italy.
Regazzi, Take notes.
Regazze, enjoy the eye candy...

La Bella Figura... which means the Beautiful (or handsome) Figure, refers to how Italians take care about their personal appearance. Their figura, what they see in the mirror--but more importantly, what others see--matters. You won't see sloppy T-shirts and sweat pants--even when doing some daily chores, like picking up wine at the local alimentari or car parts or hardware. Especially when doing business and during the workday, Italian men really care how they look. They don't just throw on clothes in the morning--they make selections.  Even their shoes get stored in a special shoe garage called a scarpiera... shoes aren't just thrown at the bottom of a closet where they might get scuffed.

And of course, any Italian man worth his Sicilian sea salt is going to accessorize with a sciarpa (scarf), but it's much more than an accessory. The history of the scarf in Italy dates back to ancient Roman times, called a sudarium in Latin--literally: sweat cloth. You see, although we all know that modern day Italians loathe drafts and avoid getting a chill (which of course leads to catching a raffreddore--a cold), the scarf is also handy in hot, sweltering Italian summers to catch sweat around the neck or wipe it from their brows. For winter, fabrics such as wool, cashmere and alpaca are used. For warmer months, linen, cotton, silk, seersucker or pashmina (a lighter Indian wool) are worn.

Then there's the jackets. These aren't the angular, harshly cut, tightly fitting suits of the younger generation (which, even on very thin regazzi, makes them look 20 pounds overweight), but a more relaxed fit. Even if an older gent is carrying a few extra pounds, the cut refuses to show them. There are softer lines overall. Softer shoulders. A softer drape to the fabrics. Ties optional. And classic jackets--like the double-breasted--look classy and timeless. In fact, a sports jacket and slacks or jeans give a casual chic look. Their classic selections will mix and match well with most colors and styles. Older Italian men have been around long enough to fill their closets with classic--not trendy--styles that will last for years.

Then there's the Nonni on the benches of Italy. Jackets, caps and shoes shined.
They really know how to flaunt their bella figura...