Italian handbags never seem to go out of style. They are sleek, luxurious, and beautiful. Fashionistas love them as a showpiece of style. Working women show them off as status symbols. Women who can’t afford them want them as the ultimate way to pamper themselves. Nevertheless, cost isn’t everything. Italian manufacturers take pride and care in everything that they make, including their handbags.

A matter of tradition

For Italians, looks are everything. People in Italy believe appearance matters, and first impressions are everything. They take care with every detail of their appearance, including accessories. A woman in Italy wouldn’t take the time to choose the perfect dress, the perfect jewelry, and the right shoes only to pick a bag that is cheap or worn. Because of their cultural influence of caring about appearance, Italian manufacturers take care when creating apparel.

They also take pride in their work. If they make something, they want it to last, and they want the person who bought it to be happy they purchased the item. This pride makes them insist on using techniques that are more traditional.

The materials they use are also the best. They use genuine leather, preferably lambskin, or calfskin. The leather they chose is full grain, high quality, and first cut. The result is a product that doesn’t become dull or worn with age. Instead, Italian leather handbags develop a sheen over time, and they continue to look new even twenty years after purchase.

Genuine leather absorbs dyes better than the fake leather used by most modern manufacturers. This allows Italian handbags to keep a vibrant, fresh look years later. The shoulder straps and zippers are carefully sewn to the bag by hand and even the buckles used are high quality.

This gives buyers a bag that will last for years, if they are cared for properly.

Proper handbag maintenance

It doesn’t make sense to buy such an expensive item and then not care for it properly. Italian handbags need to be stored, cleaned, and protected the right way to make sure they last for many years. It is important to understand that lambskin and calfskin bags are cared for in different ways.

For calfskin bags, they should be protected from the elements using a water-resistant spray. Leather conditioner is available to keep the bag looking its best. If the bag is stained, special cleaners can be used to remove the stain without harming the bag.

For lambskin bags, they should be cleaned using warm water and a soft cloth. Always clean the bag in a circular motion and don’t scrub. If the bag gets wet, let it dry naturally and try not to let the purse be exposed to hairspray or cologne as they can create a film on the bag.

For both types of leather Italian handbags, storage is an important consideration when the bag isn’t being used. A dust protective fabric bag is needed to keep the handbag in when it is being stored. It should be packed carefully and not crammed. Because leather stretches and contracts with time, tissue paper placed in the handbag will make sure it maintains its original shape.

Using these techniques will make sure that the handbag that cost so much money lasts and stays as beautiful as the day it was purchased.

Creating a new style

Italian handbags never seem to go out of style. The fact that it is Italian makes it a desirable item even thirty years after purchase. This helps offset the issue of cost, as few people can afford to spend a lot of money on an item only to have it go out of style in a few months. Italian designers constantly strive to create trends instead of follow them.

The top designers for handbags have always been in the forefront of style. Farrago has maintained its popularity since the 1920’s. Gucci has been influential in the fashion world for its clothing line and accessories. Prada and Fendei have combined tradition with modern twists, including their more recent collections. Prada’s new lines are filled with bright, multi-colored handbags that continue to appeal to the modern working woman. Fendei combines colors with neutral tones and combines different textures to create a new look.

Italian handbags are a fashion item, not just an accessory. They are sought after by those who desire the latest style, and those who buy luxury items as a symbol of wealth. They keep their appeal decades after purchase and never go out of style.  These handbags are high class and a woman who owns one is making a statement about their taste for quality and the latest style.

Why Italian shoes?

Men do not often spend a lot of time worrying about shoes. They are usually more worried about whether or not the shoes will fit, or if they will last a long time. They don’t care for shopping in general and shoe shopping in particular, as it is a seemingly endless and boring chore. Italian shoes may help in this area.

Italian products are known for their quality, style, and durability; and Italian shoes are no exception. They are made from leather and suede, not synthetic materials. They still use traditional techniques, including hand stitching. Italian shoes for men are handcrafted so that each pair is made with expertise and care.

This has many benefits. One benefit of Italian shoes is that the leather will stretch when they are worn. Those with wider feet know how difficult it is to find shoes that fit. Even sizes that claim to be wide are tight when a person tries them on. With real leather, the shoe will shape more to the person’s foot, so it doesn’t feel like they are crammed into  the shoe.

These shoes are also comfortable to wear. Women have a hard time finding heels that don’t kill their feet after wearing them all day. Men have the same issue with dress shoes. Dress shoes often have hard soles, and a day at work is as painful for men as it is for women. Shoes from Italy are designed with the shape of the foot in mind, and created to be comfortable for all day use.

Work and play

There are many different styles of Italian shoes for men, including Oxford, full boot, mid-calf boot, loafer, and even sandals. There are shoes suitable for the office, special occasions, going out with friends or casual weekend wear. No matter what the occasion or taste, an Italian shoe will make any man happy.

For those who are looking for everyday office wear, there are Oxfords available in black or brown. There are different styles, including lace-ups and slip-ons. They even come in brown calf leather and cost between $300-$500. For those who are looking for executive office wear, prestigious and exclusive Forzieri brown cap toe dress shoes are great for important business meetings and dinner parties for around $500.

For men who like boots, Brunori strap boots are hand-designed, black leather that sell for about $400. Moreover, for men who like a more casual style, Pakerson Today comes in the latest styles and are made with the same traditional techniques.

Looking for style

There are men who strive to dress for success or those who like the latest styles. Italian shoes for men are a great choice for the trendsetter and the upwardly mobile. In addition to the Brunori, Pakerson Today, and Forzieri brands of shoes, some famous clothes designers have their own lines. Prada, Gucci, and Tod’s each have their own collections of shoes that they sell in their boutiques.


Because Italy is well known for its fashion, shoe designers in this country strive to create designs that are innovative and unique. Men who like to be known for wearing the latest fashion can’t go wrong with Italian shoes. Shopping in exclusive boutiques may even guarantee that trend-setting males are the only ones in their social circle with these fantastic shoes.

Italian shoes for men can help fill many different needs. For the men who prefer quality shoes, the handcrafted traditions and real leather of these shoes make sure they last. For men who need to look great at work, Italian shoe’s fit this qualification and are still comfortable. For those who like to be dressed in the latest styles, Italian shoes make sure that those who wear them stand out in a crowd. In addition, wearing Italian shoes just may make the women in their life jealous for a change.

Ferrari

The Dark Side of Italian Suits

Italian suits weren’t always considered the height of fashion. There was a time when people thought that the only people who wore suits from Italy were mafia dons and drug dealers. They were flashy, loud and made from material that wasn’t suitable for business meetings or weddings.

This was because Italian designers have always been trendsetters and likes to give the public what they want. When they decided to streamline their image, they changed their materials, but many of the traditional elements that are essential to Italian suits have remained the same.

Why Italian Suits?

What is it that makes these suits so popular? It is more than just the fact that some of the most famous designers in the world make them. It is also because of the way the feel, the way the look, and the way they are made.

Some of the most popular ladies’ fashions are uncomfortable to wear. A woman has to be careful how they move and may even fear a wardrobe malfunction. With Italian suits, they are always comfortable to wear.  Although wool is one of the more popular fabrics to use for suits, there are other fabrics used so that they aren’t as hot or stifling in the warm weather.

Also unlike women’s fashions, men’s suits from Italy are made to accentuate the good points of an individual’s body and hide the bad. Let’s face it, not everyone is a runway model, and most people have some feature of their body they would like to make less noticeable. With Italian suits, they are altered to make you look your best. You are not altered to accentuate them.

Only the best fabrics are used when creating these clothes, so that they are durable as well as comfortable. The stitching, the lining, the buttons, and the zipper, are all designed to last and attention is paid to the smallest detail. So while these suits may be expensive, they are made to be worn several years after you purchase one.

For generations, each suit was handmade. While this is no longer possible, many manufacturers of suits in Italy are family owned, and the tradition is still there. The skill and techniques of suit making are passed down from family member to family member for generations, so while the manufacturing process may have changed to accommodate global production, the techniques and details have stayed the same.

A Suit for any Occasion

Italian suits come in many different styles, and are suitable for weddings, business meetings, and other special events. For dress suits, they come in black or the well-known white suit. White suits are a famous Italian trademark, seen in the movies like Scarface, where it was worn by Al Pacino.


While white suits may not be worn just by Mafia dons, it does take a special type of man to pull off wearing a white Italian suit. Since you are the center of attention, you must be comfortable in the spotlight. You need to be able to exhibit confidence and grace as people will tend to follow your movements throughout the event.  Perhaps this is why Hollywood portrays those in the Mafia in white suites, because they have the machismo to pull them off.

These expensive suits come in more traditional colors as well. Black, charcoal, tan, olive and pinstripe suits are everywhere in the Italian lines. You can find the formal three-piece suit for your daughter’s wedding, or the two-piece suit for that important business meeting. With the timeless look of Italian suits, you can rest assured that, no matter what the occasion, you are always in style.

Suits are an important part of a man’s wardrobe. Men are paying more attention to their appearance, especially in the business world, where fashion equates success in many circles. Purchasing Italian suits is not just a fashion statement; it is an investment in yourself and your appearance that will last the rest of your life.

Italian Clothes during the Renaissance

Italy became the center of fashion during the 11^th century, when Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome produced clothes, shoes and jewelry that were sought after throughout Europe. When the Renaissance gave birth to art, culture and beauty, Italian designs were the height of fashion. Clothes worn by Queen Catherine de Medici and the Medici family were considered trendy in English, French and German royal courts.

The passion for Italian design waned in the 17^th century, and France became known as the cultural center of Europe. Textiles, shoes and jewelry from Italy gave way to dresses and accoutrements worn by French courtiers. Silk was still a profitable market for Italian merchants, however, and their imports from Asia allowed Italian clothiers to maintain a healthy trade.

20^th Century Rebirth of Italian Clothes

In the 1950’s, Giovanni Giorgini sought to revive the world’s interest in Italian fashion. After holding several fashion shows around the world, the fever began to take hold once again. In the United States, a number of Hollywood stars wore Italian designs in the 1960’s, and the American rich started to see Italy’s designers as a status symbol of wealth and fame.

Some of the people who made Italian clothes popular were:

• First Lady Jackie Kennedy
• Grace Kelly
• Audrey Hepburn

The designers often created special clothing lines just for the stars who wore them. Gucci, Versace, Armani and Garavani all had their favorite stars, and went out of their way to create unique pieces. When Jackie Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis, Garavani created a special wedding dress.

This trend in expensive designs has continued over time. More recent stars who wear clothes from their favorite Italian designers include:

• Madonna
• Beyonce
• Rihanna
• Lady Gaga

Many designs are too expensive for the average person to purchase, but Italian designs haven’t always been exclusively for the rich. During the 70’s and 80’s, Italian clothiers became interested in everyday wear, such as jeans and miniskirts. While still more expensive than many jean designers, these jeans remained less expensive than many clothes put out by Armani and Gucci.

Italian Clothes as a part of their culture

Italian men and women have always considered clothing to be an important part of their lives. Creating a good first impression is paramount for Italians, and the way they dress is a part of that impression. This is why Italian designers have always stressed the importance of material and design in their creations.



Many of the famous design houses are native to Italy. In addition to Gucci and Armani, other newer designers have established themselves in the fashion world. Benetton, Miu Miu, and Etro have joined the ranks of famous Italian designers. Luxottica and Bulgari are jewelry brands that are also based in Italy and considered the height of fashion.

Milan and Rome remain vital cities in the world of fashion. In fact, Milan and Rome are in the top five most important cities for fashion in the entire world and beat out London for the title. New York and Paris are also in that group, so Rome and Milan are in very prestigious company.

Italy also has some of the most famous shopping districts in the world. The Via Montenapoleone fashion district is located in Milan and the Via de Condotti is in Rome. The Via de Tornabuoni is another vital shopping district. This fashion epicenter is in Florence, another important city in the world of fashion, although not as famous as Rome or Milan.

Italy’s desire to be the best dressed has led to the popularity of Italian clothes around the world. For nearly nine centuries, those who sought expensive clothes have sought designs from some of the oldest Italian fashion houses. Hollywood stars, the rich and powerful, and even famous politicians of the 60’s through the 2000’s have been proud wearers of Gucci, Versace, Armani, and Garavani. Some of these modern-day courtiers have requested special designs that cost thousands of dollars. One of the kind dresses for weddings, award ceremonies and other occasions are worn by American stars, dazzling the paparazzi and public alike.

When shopping for the latest trends, don’t just search for them in Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, or Christian Dior. You should learn to speak Prada, the Italian design house from Milan that has become the language of fashionistas the world over.

The Renaissance and Italian Fashion:
Italian fashion began its first major flowering during the Renaissance starting as early as the late 14th century. Many Italian city-states had prospered from international trade. With exclusive trade ties to the Orient, these states had monopolies on certain fabrics too, and the seeds of Italian fashion were planted. This, combined with great artistic minds of the time epitomized by the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci, allowed Italian fashion to flower in the Renaissance.

At the time, Italian fashion was known for its extravagance. The elite classes and rich merchants were investing more and more money into purchasing costly clothes. Designs that were considered complex in those days were being regularly churned out by Italian designers, and people preferred wearing the designs that were in vogue at the expense of more traditional clothing.

Decline
The demand for high quality clothes gave rise to manufacturing of fine fabrics that were used in creating this costly clothing. Eventually though, Italian fashion went into decline. Spanish, English and French fashion soon became really popular with the masses and started to overshadow Italian fashion. Italian fashion was using styles that left very little room for experimentation and soon Italian fashion stopped being what interested designers most.

Revival
Giovan Battista Giorgini is hailed for his efforts to bring back Italy into the world fashion arena when Italy started to export fashion accessories after the World War II. He was also the person who held the first modern fashion show in Italy. Furthermore, he established relations with various merchants across the world by throwing a party where he invited the who’s who of the fashion world. The fashion shows were attended by journalists who covered the events exclusively on Giovan’s request.


Until the 1970’s, Italian fashion catered more to wealthier people and celebrities. Later the designers started to design clothes for the common people and Italian fashion became accessible to the general public. The 80s decade marked a great advancement in the Italian fashion industry, and Milan became the fashion capital of the world.

While it is unclear how long Italy will maintain its position in the fashion world, it will at the very least be a fashion center for the foreseeable future.

The magic that Italy can infuse into fashion accessories is absolutely amazing – pick up something from major fashion houses like Bulgari, Damiani, Ferragamo, Gucci, Fendi, Prada and Versace and you can show it off for a lifetime and not have the beauty fade.  Here are some fine Italian-made accessories that you can own:

Shoes: The watchwords here are Ferragamo, Prada, Gucci and Sergio Rossi. The shoes made by these designers are exclusive, hand-made and are often customized, and are extremely affordable. Buy those sexy black shoes with heels, to go with that ubiquitous ‘little black dress’ in your closet, or you could buy pumps or platform-heels that could be worn with a variety of outfits.  And what wardrobe could be complete without thigh high boots with stiletto heels or shoes in eye-catching colors?

Jewelry: Italy has been renowned for its jewelry making industry since the Etruscan era.  Gold and silver jewelry have been the artisans’ forte and if you are in Italy at the right time, you could visit Vincenza Oro, the jewelry fair held in the city of Vincenza every year. This show has been kick starting the fashion season each year and is the place to find the trendiest gold, silver and platinum jewelry. Pick up what is going to be the rage this season at this event. If you do happen to miss the event, do not despair – most fashion houses stock the latest word in jewelry and you can pick up what you want.


Handbags: If you have heard of an Italian designer, chances are that there will be handbags made by that designer. Italian handbags are as hot as Italian fashion and are a great favorite among women who want to look fashionable. Though overshadowed by the major French handbag labels, Italian handbags have a unique identity of their own – solely due to the craftsmanship and eye for detail that goes into each bag.

So, what are you waiting for? Go splurge on those nifty designer accessories that are a must-have!

Whether you are mad about fashion or fashion-challenged, you would certainly have heard about Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Versace, Giorgio Armani, and Zegna – these powerful Italian fashion houses have been setting the fashion trends for decades. Italian fashion is the strongest competitor of French couture, and can give fashion originating from any other part of the world a run for its money.

In terms of sheer style, innovation, creativity and use of diverse materials, the Italian fashion industry rules the world of fashion. In Italy fashion is not for the rich and the elite alone, it is a way of life for even the common people. Italy is the cradle where the prêt- a-porter line originated in response to the need to make sure that affordable fashion was available for the masses. In fact, fashion in Italy got kick started in the middle of the twentieth century with a fashion show organized for the elite. Since then, Italian fashion has evolved into an industry that has great influence on this industry in other regions.

Men or women alike, the Italian fashion industry has products to suit all regardless of the budget and size considerations. Fashion is not limited to clothes alone; accessories such as bags, gloves, jewelry and shoes also are a part of the ‘Made In Italy’ mystique. Fendi, Gucci and Ferragamo are world-renowned names in fashion accessories. Italian textiles of high quality also contribute to the success of the various clothing lines originating from the fashion houses.

Milan, the city where the Italian fashion industry is based, is home to the Milan Fashion Week – the Mecca of designers worldwide. The Milan fashion week is one of the big four – the other three being the London, New York and Paris fashion weeks. The bi-annual event is a meeting ground for designers, buyers, retailers, models, celebrities and the fashion press. Retailers normally get an opportunity to negotiate with the designers so that their creations can be mass produced for release at retail outlets. Italy has been recognized as the fashion capital of the world in the recent times and is showing the fashion-conscious of the world the way when it comes to being hip, be it clothing, accessories, swim wear or lingerie.


So, if you want to be abreast of the latest trends in fashion, all you have to do is go to Italy and walk down the Via Montenapoleone or visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and feast your eyes on the finest products that the world of fashion has to offer.