“Real luxury is understanding quality, and having the time to enjoy it.”- G. Bruce Boyer

        Milan, Italy has a special place in my heart and in the world too! It is a fashion capital of the world, and the Milanese fashion industry has a signature all its own. Milan’s history of establishing high fashion as a possession of the upper classes provides a scope on Italian fashion. Italian fashion has become synonymous with high quality and elegance… thus, the signature of Italian fashion was born. Milan is not the leader in women's fashion, but truly excels in men’s fashion. I was always more interested in the focus of men’s fashion in the industry, and Milan was the perfect city for me.

       One highlight that really stuck with me was Italian men are not so mindful with trends, but with an emphasis on the body. After speaking with other students I met abroad, we came to the conclusion that Italian men enjoyed dressing well and some of them did it flawlessly. Italian fashion is a beautiful combination of classic pieces with adventurous statement items, form-fitting pants for men, well-tailored suits and accessories to bring the outfit together. There is a ‘dress to impress’ attitude and the style of men throughout Milan was breathtaking.

      In contrast, American men’s fashion is based on comfort/being casual, can vary upon the region of the U.S., has loose fitting garments for men, and has simplistic accessory use or none at all. This is not all American men, but when I see a man dress up in a tailored suit or extremely well dressed… this gets my attention right away because it’s not as common. The trends in America can vary from region to region, but the basic, comfort styles for men revolve around the general t-shirt and jeans combination and workout attire with little or no accessories.

      Getting to see Italian men’s fashion first hand was absolutely incredible. I loved the simplistic and classical designs paired with vibrant colors and prints for statement pieces. The clothes were so beautifully tailored and I began to appreciate the true value of having your clothes tailored. The suits were a work of art, and the style that these men have is timeless and well done.