An Italian Girl Knows

Following our idea to research and represent the not so obvious cultural implications of beauty, our first interview is to present una donna bella. I wonder what she says about Italian women – how hard is this image to achieve?

Style Diaries: How is beauty routine of Italian women different to Swiss women?
Daniela: When it comes to beauty routines Italian women definitely know how to do it in a very natural way, back to the basic rules. Using products with olive oil for example is a must!

As for the difference in the beauty routine, what I’ve observed in the last ten years, since I’ve moved to Switzerland, is that Italians have a less hectic life routine and so their beauty routine too more natural and less structured.

Another thing is that Italian girls can stay healthy and slim and live a long life, but still enjoy decadent foods without feeling deprived. This is definitely the beauty secret of most Italian women: enjoy decadent food and don’t drink much so you can preserve a very young. Its really a question of mentality the food is seen as one the most enjoyable life pleasures to us.

Style Diaries: What does an Italian woman look for in a man on a first date?
Daniela: First Italian women evaluate his style, from an aesthetic point of view the color palette of his clothes, the way he combined them and of course his shoes. They can tell a lot about the man we are meeting.

Very important is that a woman expects to be the star of the evening and a man should never bore her with too much talking about himself. He needs to be a gentleman, to show respect and consideration and an open and curious mind.

And one more thing: No matter what, whatever happens, the man has to pay the bill. Period.

Style Diaries: What does an Italian woman wear on a first date?
Daniela: Something simple but elegant, usually a bodycon dress or skirt and a particular care will be given to the accessories that need to match perfectly the bag the shoes the jewelry. We don’t do make up and when we do we focus on the eyes. Deep, dark look.
What is most important though is the smile, this is what makes a woman look beautiful.
May be here I can add that Italians like to wear sandals in summer and we never wear them with white socks.

Style Diaries: I think I know what you refer to, but let’s skip the details here. Is there a certain protocol you follow on a first date?
Daniela: Well as an Italian I just can say: The food better be good! By the way Italian restaurants are not always the best option when you live abroad. I’ve been often horrified at what is presented as an authentic Italian food. That’s why trying something different sometimes could be better.
Beside the food Italian women are incurable romantics at heart and for their courtship I think they appreciate a cosy private almost dark places …what is better then a cinema night with a real good movie …..

Style Diaries: What’s the worst comment an Italian woman may hear about herself?
Daniela: „Watch your driving“!

Style Diaries: How do Italian women live “la dolce vita“?
Daniela: We live it to enjoying it: adventure, traveling, having fun with friends, making your home the sweetest and most most comfortable places of all, eating, cooking…. all this is the dolce vita real spirit for me.

Style Diaries: Give us the best reason to love an Italian woman?
Daniela: “You are the first woman on the first day of creation. You are mother, sister, lover, friend, angel, devil, earth, home.“

Exactly back to the real „Dolce Vita“this is what Marcello Mastroianni tells to his muse in the movie „La Dolce Vita“ 1960 through the genius script words of the famous director Federico Fellini.

An Italian woman has to take all these roles and this is the reason she needs to be loved and adored because she can be all.