Weekly blogpost #128: Spring in Italy, the season of the fashionistas

I dare say that I am a real weather girl. But maybe that’s kind of inherent to being born and raised in the Netherlands, as if it’s part of the collective Dutch identity. Before booking a holiday, the first thing you do is to check what’s the weather like at the destination of your choice. When planning an outdoor party, you’ll find yourself frantically checking the weather forecasts already two weeks in advance. And if rain’s predicted, to make matters worse of course, you check the weather app on your phone every half an hour to see if those dark clouds don’t happen to be blown in the other direction thanks to a strong wind – which is also rarely lacking in the Netherlands. It could not be otherwise than that the most advanced weather app every invented, predicting rainfall on the minute, was created by the Dutch. However, apart from being a weather girl, I am also a real fashion girl. And every fashionista born in the Netherlands knows: the weather can be your worst enemy. 

Whereas in the Netherlands we can wear almost the same outfit all year round, the average Italian has two completely different wardrobes

How different it is in Italy. Whereas in the Netherlands we can wear almost the same outfit all year round; jeans, T-shirt, cardigan and, depending on the season, a layer more or less, the average Italian has two completely different wardrobes. A summer wardrobe and a winter wardrobe. And now, around Easter, it is exactly the time to clear out the entire wardrobe, carefully store the winter clothes away and install all summer garments in the emptied closet. A rigorous change. From wool and heavy denim fabrics, to airy cotton and linen. The transformation of the Italian wardrobe follows the same mood change as we see in nature. From dark, earthy tones to bright colours inspired by the blossoming flowers of the rhododendron and the fuchsia bougainvillea that are eagerly awaited. 

Finally, I don’t have to hide my beautiful silk blouse under a thick winter coat anymore, but instead that beautiful checkered designer blazer I found in a vintage shop the other day will do

And let’s be honest, spring is by far the best season to dress for any fashion lover. That isn’t any different for me. Finally, I don’t have to hide my beautiful silk blouse under a thick winter coat anymore, but instead that beautiful checkered designer blazer I found in a vintage shop the other day will do. At last, I can wear my favourite pair of peep toe shoes under those ankle-length jeans without that awful feeling of frozen toes. And with the earth having only just awoken from its hibernation, it’s still early enough to put on my soft-pink suit without melting in it under the burning sun that’s going to drive temperatures up considerably in the upcoming months.

I simply love the Italian women, not uncommonly already at a fairly advanced age, for their incredible sense of style and the way of dressing

With the arrival of spring and the change of wardrobe, also the time to feast my eyes has arrived. Finally, I can admire again what was hidden all winter under those long, woollen coats. Because I simply love the Italian women, not uncommonly already at a fairly advanced age, for their incredible sense of style and the way of dressing. Their outfits are so well thought-out, while at the same time they have this nonchalance about them, as if they have spontaneously pulled something out of the closet that morning. And exactly that feeling of effortlessness is what characterises a true fashionista. Last weekend I happened to walk behind such a lady who was about sixty years old. She was dressed in bright orange, wide trousers that just had the perfect cut, camel brown heels, an orange and beige striped jumper and a light jacket that was draped nonchalantly around her shoulders. I couldn’t resist and secretly took a photo. What can I say? In Italy, I feel inspired on literally every street corner.

At least, that’s how it used to be in our family, like it is in Italian families

But if there’s one thing that’s the same in the Netherlands and in Italy, it’s the fact that for Easter, often a brand-new outfit is bought. A beautiful set of clothes that has been hanging in your wardrobe for weeks already, ready to be shown to the world. At least, that’s how it used to be in our family, like it is in Italian families. As a child, I couldn’t wait to finally be allowed to put on those new shoes or that new dress and show it to my grandparents. And you know what? I still get that wonderful feeling when I can put on a new outfit. Hence, it will come as no surprise that I couldn’t be happier that, after two long years in which the tracking suit was the leading outfit, there are once again enough social occasions to steal the show. 

I hope you had a wonderful Easter!