Italy is famous for, quite literally, making shapes in the world: pasta, fashion, cars (to name a few). Yet pasta isn’t the only thing le nonne pass down to generations. You don’t need to go to Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Versace, or Armani to get style advice; look no further than our lovely nonne!
Just as with their cooking, each nonna adds their personal style and flavour to each outfit they dish up. Every nonna is unique, but there are a couple of staples we can learn a lot from. Here’s our six tips to unleash your inner glamour granny:
1. Gold and pearls go with everything
Gold was historically used as a symbol of wealth by the Romans, and the lasting impact can be seen across Italy with many Italians decorating themselves with tasteful, classic jewellery. From earrings, to bracelets, or crucifixes hung around the necks of the lovely ladies we meet, it’s rare to visit a nonna who doesn’t have at least one keepsake in gold. And if gold isn’t your thing, you can opt for pearls, just like these glamorous grannies. Much like their recipes, these items have often been passed down through generations. No nonna look is complete without one or two items of gold jewellery, the more keepsake and detailed the story behind it, the better.
2. Never underestimate the power of a good knit
Many of the nonne we visit live in old houses in traditional villages. A lot of old Italian houses, lack the modern-day heating we use, and often we are filming off-the-beaten track by the coast or the mountains. Here, the weather can change quickly; it’s important to have a versatile item that also can keep you warm. Make sure you choose a colour that suits you you skin tone. Our nonne opt for thin but warm cashmere or merino, sustainably made locally with wool harvested by surrounding farms. The only thing fast about the fashion they sport is the fact it was probably running a few days ago!
3. Clash patterns, not flavours
Even the most subdued of fashionista grannies like to make a statement with their aprons. Unlike Italian cooking which focuses on the doing the simple things well, when it comes to your apron, remember more is more. Bold patterns are essential. A pinny is for life, just not for pasta. And we can all use this as inspiration in our wardrobes on how to successful pattern clash. If you need some examples, you check out some of the most stylish aprons we’ve seen on our travels here.
4. Ciabatte / comfortable shoes
You might know this as a typically Italian food but the bread we eat actually gets its name from footwear: the Italian for ‘slipper’. Le nonne were well ahead of the sporty-slider trend which has taken off massively in the past decade. Between markets trips and town visits through cobbled streets, or standing for hours while stirring ragu in the kitchen, a stylish but practical slip-on shoe is essential. Opt for an open toe and show off your pedicured nails or a mule with a buckle for that extra dose of glam.
5. Scarves are not just for warmth
Much like Monica Vitti or Sophia Loren, our nonnas know that the beauty lies in the refined accessories. Even though you might not be using a silk neckerchief to secure your hair while riding the streets on a Vespa like in the classic Italian films, a silk scarf has other uses outside of warmth or a hair net. They’re a great way to add a splash of colour or personality to an outfit. And for a more modern twist? You can tie one to your handbag.
6. Being fashionable is a feeling!
Yet the real reason our nonnas look so chic? They’ve lived a life. They’re wise and wonderful; they don’t care too much about what people think about them. With a signature smirk, or their the twinkle of long-lived vitality in their eyes, our nonnas show us that it doesn’t really matter what you dress in or how you live your life, it only matters that you do it with gousto!
