SPREZZATURA FOR WOMEN
sprezzatura
sprez·za·tù·ra/
Sprezzatura is an Italian word originating from Baldassare Castiglione's The Book of the Courtier.
The author defined sprezzatura as "a certain nonchalance,
so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says
appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it".
It's the ability of courtier to display "an easy facility in accomplishing difficult actions which hides the conscious effort that went into them".
The Oxford English Dictionary defines sprezzatura as "studied carelessness".
Studied carelessness is a skill.
Neapolitan tailors believe style is knowing your physiology and dressing your unique lines, shape, proportion and visual weight.
Dressing with sprezzatura means not being tossed about in the wind by trends, but staying true to what you know works for you. It is a heart, mind and soul operation. Knowing what works for your body and what delights your soul.
Neopolitan tailors use sprezzatura for men’s suits and shirts.
But we all know sprezzatura when we come face to face with it, on men and women. Regardless of age, size or budget.
I took the above photo near the weekly food market in the Brera area of Milan, and believe this woman to be in her early 80's. I love how she gracefully conveys a studied carelessness. Note how her jacket has a topstitched arrow right where the pleat starts that highlights the curve of her back. It is a moment of truth that one often finds in sprezzatura.
Your clothing either covers up or accentuates.
Accentuating is powerfully truthful.
Putting the topstitched arrow to accentuates her back curve, takes her jacket tailoring to the next level, harmonising impeccably with her physiology. In a refined, uniquely relevant and distinct style.
Marina, above manages the Moschino store in Capri. We met in the street and you can see how the weight and shape of her black items so perfectly harmonise with her physiology, huge smile and express a generosity and classy maverick heart and soul. At forty-eight, she has created a modern classic look. And we are reminded of the power of style to highlight your personality and creative life force. I have chosen both these women and their black outfits to remind us that when clothing fits our physiology and heart....it transcends time to simply reprint who we are. In both these case sprezzatura shines in the
1. weight of the fabric
2. volume of the shape
3. length of the proportions
4. choice of the accessories in weight, line and shape
Did you meet someone recently who amazed you with their sprezzatura? Would you love to know up to up your own sprezzatura factor? I would love to hear from you.