Stefano Tonchi’s guide to looking good
Meet Stefano Tonchi, 50, the editor-in-chief of W magazine and a man committed to elegance and style:
‘As an Italian working in New York, I do notice differences. I’m a little taken aback when someone comes to see me at the office and they’re wearing shorts and flip-flops, even if they are from Abercrombie & Fitch. I think the Anglo-Saxon countries have a culture of underdressing, whereas in Italy we’d rather be overdressed. We don’t dress down at the weekends, either. I think a lot of this is drummed into you when you’re growing up; in Italy, your parents will want to see that you are keeping your look together right through the day. And as we don’t usually wear school uniforms, we’re learning all through school how to present ourselves. Those lessons stay with you.’
You can read all about Signor Tonchi in today’s Independent.
Are you an underdressed Anglo-Saxon? Or do you keep your look together throughout the day?
Photos
Black and white: Daniel Riera
Colour: William Lamson
Quote from The Times
Discussion (14 Comments)
Great post. I prefer to be overdressed rather than under wherever possible. Hope you're having a great weekend xx
I sometimes tend to be more casual, but still always make sure to look presentable. My jeans are dark with no fraying or holes (why do people pay money for jeans that come with holes and patches in them?) and I would never be caught wearing flip flops anywhere but at a swimming pool or beach. Too many women in this country use them as their default shoes–terrible!
Jennifer – I don't get the distressed denim thing either, it's just wrong. I'd rather wear my jeans out myself.
Vix & Christina – both you and Signor Tonchi put me to shame. I err on the side of underdressed but I am a big fan of casual glamour!
I loathe 'dress down Fridays'. A dreadful invention. I would always prefer to be overdressed.
I love this post, because you can't underestimate the importance of dressing. I was raised in Los Angeles by women who were seamstresses; clothing and dressing were very important and taught to my 3 sisters and me at an early age. I don't work in fashion, but since last year I've lived in a Northeastern U.S. city that doesn't value style or fashion, and it's really killing me–the persistent lack of effort=lack of inspiration, to the point now when I get dressed I can't even enjoy it knowing it will not be reciprocated in my environment. I've already made up my mind I'm leaving my "good" job here at the end of the year to return to a city where style abounds. Life is too short to forfeit the beauty of dressing well.
Very dashing your Mr Tonchi.. Italian men have such style – Mr SE likes Italian clothing too which is good. I do try to keep my look together during the day but fear I fail regularly! x
As a Parisian gal, I have to advocate a middle-of-the-road approach, the famous "effortless" style that French women are supposed to possess. Of course, this effortless thing does take a lot of effort!
Interesting to hear him draw a link with school uniforms – there is a European approach to dressing that becomes like a uniform of reliable classics that can be put on every day and look smart and, because it is routine, effortless. Though I also prefer a more tousled, French take – currently obsessed with this perfect picture of Clemence Poesy: http://bit.ly/dlqTuL
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Me being a spaniard should be closer to the Italian way of looking good all the time, but it is my English husband who does.
It is a well known fact that italian rather dressed well than eat or so they say.
Lovely post as ever.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXx