Orlebar Brown · Men's Swimwear
Bulldog Printed Swim Short
Tailored swim shorts. The reason European men look better at the pool.
$250–$500
Buy This for Him →The Italian Boyfriend · /italian-mens-style/
The Italian Boyfriend: Amalfi, Como, and looking expensive by lunchtime
Italian men's style is a small number of correct decisions repeated in good weather: linen instead of cotton, tailored swim shorts instead of board shorts, loafers with no socks, sunglasses that cost more than the shirt.
The underlying rule is that nothing is technical. No performance fabric, no logo, no shoe that could be used for exercise. Espresso at noon, aperitivo at six, and a boyfriend who somehow always looks expensive.
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The two decisions that matter
Swim shorts cut like trousers, so he walks from the beach into lunch without changing. Loafers, so he never wears a trainer to dinner.
Ferragamo · Men's Shoes
Byte Gancini Driver Loafers
Fixes his shoe rotation in one move. No socks required, no sneakers allowed.
$500–$1,000
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Everything else
Sunglasses, knitwear over the shoulders, and coffee taken seriously at home.
Persol · Men's Sunglasses
PO3330S Polarized Sunglasses
Straight off our JFK Jr. board. The fastest old-money upgrade there is.
$250–$500
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Polo Ralph Lauren · Men's Knitwear
Washable Cashmere Crewneck
Cashmere he cannot ruin in the laundry. Instant Ralph Lauren boyfriend.
$250–$500
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Rocket Espresso · Coffee & Espresso
R58 Cinquantotto Espresso Machine
Dual boiler, PID, Italian-built. The end of the espresso rabbit hole.
$1,000+
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Picks from neighbouring collections that fit the same brief.
Creed · Men's Cologne & Fragrance
Aventus Eau de Parfum
The compliment magnet. If he owns one cologne, it should be this one.
$250–$500
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Sperry · Men's Shoes
Gold Cup Prescott Boat Shoes
Boat shoes are back and the Gold Cup is the one worth owning.
$100–$250
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Sterling Pacific · Men's Luggage
40L Aluminium Cabin Case
Full aluminium carry-on. Dents become the point, not the problem.
$1,000+
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Polo Ralph Lauren · Men's Outerwear
Maxwell Lambskin Leather Jacket
Brown lambskin, cut like a shirt jacket. The grown-up leather jacket.
$1,000+
Shop the Pick →
Italian Style FAQ
What should a man wear in Italy in summer?
Linen or cotton shirts in solid colours, tailored shorts or lightweight trousers, driver loafers or leather sandals, and good sunglasses. Avoid athletic sneakers, cargo shorts and anything with technical fabric — that is what marks a tourist far more than the accent does.
What are the best swim shorts for men?
Tailored ones with a proper waistband and side fasteners, like the Orlebar Brown Bulldog. The point is that he can wear them to lunch without changing, which is the entire logic of a European beach day.
Can he wear loafers without socks?
Yes — that is the intended way. Use no-show liners to save the shoe, and let the shoe dry a day between wears if it is hot.