Top 15 Fashion Brands For Italy: Italy is famous not only for its beauty for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its art, opera, architecture, films, food, and fashion. Italy is considered the birthplace of Western civilization along with Greece and has the right credentials to be considered cultural superpower. Looks like Italians are good at many things, but sadly, sustainability isn’t one of them. Thus, we have gathered the 10 best affordable Italian fashion brands for you to express your style without risking emptying your wallet.
15 Italian Clothing Brands
1. Ermenegildo Zegna
Ermenegildo Zegna, more commonly known as simply Zegna, is a luxury fashion retailer dedicated to providing men’s clothing and accessories to its discerning upscale clientele. For four generations, the company has been the largest global producer of the finest fabrics while actively promoting innovations in wool production around the world. Apart from its own label, Zegna also manufactures men’s suits for well-known designer brands Dunhill, Gucci, and Yves Saint Laurent. Zegna’s product offerings certainly appeal to those who would best define their personal style as modern and sophisticated. Some of the personalities who have worn suits by Zegna are the likes of Adrien Brody, Robert de Niro, and Jamie Dornan.
2. Gucci
It is an Italian fashion label founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci, making it one of the oldest Italian fashion brands in operation today. Gucci founded his luggage label after being inspired by the luxury lifestyles of people he met while working in the Paris and London hotel trade. Combining this aesthetic with the skilled local craftsmanship of Tuscany, the company quickly became popular with the Italian gentry and international shoppers who would visit his Bottega.
Experts in outerwear, Stone Island, have always been concerned with what’s next. Their research into leading-edge materials and technology has kept them at the pinnacle of outerwear, as they look to create high-performance, utilitarian fits that withstand the test of time. So, to dress like an Italian, one must start thinking like an Italian, and according to Stone Island, that requires a progressive mindset.
3. Prada
These polo shirts and pants for men are the fastest-selling clothing across the globe. Prada offers a wide range of men and women formal and casual outfits.
4. Valentino
What to say about Valentino Garavani? A one-man fashion powerhouse, the designer studied fashion from an early age, eventually pursuing a formal education in Paris. In 1960, he returned to Rome to open his own fashion house and channeled the grandiose, opulent nature of the Parisian fashion houses into his own distinctly Italian brand.
Valentino made his name with the distinct shade of red he used for most of his dresses, to the point it became known as “Valentino Red.” In the 50 years that followed, Valentino built an empire, establishing the Valentino brand as a red carpet staple with countless celebrity fans.
5. Bottega
Above everything, Italian fashion is concerned with crème de la crème craftsmanship. This is why Bottega Veneta – home to Intrecciato, the fashion house’s trademark woven technique – is never out of fashion. And since British designer Daniel Lee took the helm, Bottega has been on everyone’s radar. This just goes to show, you don’t need to be of Italian blood to successfully adopt the Italian style.
6. Loro Piana
If you’re into the layered look, cashmere should be a staple piece in your wardrobe. Apart from making you feel cozy and comfortable for any season, knitwear and cashmere are easy to combine with other pieces of clothing. Loro Piana is one of the top global cashmere manufacturers which offers only the world’s finest wool to provide the most luxurious knitted poncho, suede jackets, and of course, cashmere sweaters. With its reputation in cashmere fabric and clothing production, it’s difficult not to take Loro Piana into consideration when you decide to invest in quality cashmere and knits.
7. Versace
If Valentino is ostentatious and Dolce & Gabbana is glamorous, then the house of Versace can only be described — in the best way possible — as brash and audacious.
Founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace, the Italian brand encapsulates everything we have come to imagine about luxury. This is a brand that looks expensive, feels expensive, and is — you guessed it! — expensive. Versace is known for its bright colors, bold patterns, and vibrant graphics. Even the use of Medusa in the brand’s logo draws on the Greek mythological character and her ability to completely consume whoever looked at her.
8. C.P. Company
C.P. Company is another of Massimo Osti’s creations; founded in 1971, its appeal lies in many of the same areas as Stone Island. Relying on a constantly evolving roster of ground-breaking fabrics, C.P. Company collections remain in a league reserved for Osti and Osti only.
The brand frequently looks to military design to form the basis of its offering, arguably typified the ‘Mile Miglia’ jacket which features goggles built into the hood as well as a small lens to the arm pocket to allow for a visible watch face. It’s this kind of attention to technical details that sets C.P. Company apart.
Much like Stone Island, C.P. Company’s affinity for technical style over clean tailoring has carved a niche out for it both in Italy and in international menswear. In much the same way, though, this unique style lends the label a sense of timelessness; don’t expect anyone to steal Osti’s crown any time soon.
9. Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani instantly brings razor-sharp black suits, slick leather goods, and extravagance into our minds. Among other Italian fashion brands, the Armani style is toned-down, softly-spoken, and stunning. Nevertheless, Armani started his fashion in 1975 and extended labels including Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, EA7, and Armani Jeans. Find it at Via Montenapoleone, 2, Milan.
10. Fila
Founded in Florence, Italy in 1920, Fila is, no doubt, one of the most trusted international athletic brands in the world. The company started out selling underwear until it gained more popularity when it shifted to athletic merchandise with the endorsement of Björn Borg, a famous tennis player. In 2007, Fila Korea acquired the international Fila brand along with its subsidiaries, making Fila Korea the only rightful owner of the worldwide use of the apparel and footwear brand. From sportswear to tennis gear down to sneakers and more, Fila products have been tried and tested for durability, design, and style over the years. Keep an eye on what’s trendy particularly in street style and you’re sure to find Fila products on the list.
11. Diesel
Diesel is a vibrant and made-in Italy brand that is also one of the preferred brands by men around the world. The Diesel clothing is destined for a young market, especially for its jeans collection, but the brand also offers a wide range of products from lingerie to fragrances. Diesel has an innate passion for fashion and art and it also is the first clothing company to commercialize its clothes in a video game.
The Diesel brand, founded in 1978 in Italy by the designer Renzo Rosso, has created a unique and innovative style that has made it an internationally renowned brand. The choice of the name is not a coincidence, in fact, the brand was intended to create something that was easy to remember and especially repeatable in all languages.
12. Fendi
The origin of Fendi can be traced back to 1925. Husband and wife Edoardo and Adele Fendi founded the label as a fur and leather goods shop in Rome. Although you might be most familiar with Fendi’s distinctive double-F monogram, it is revered as one of the global authorities on fur and renowned for its pioneering work in the field.
13. Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana is a luxury brand with Mediterranean characteristics, with references to Sicily and its traditions.
Its style is rich, sophisticated, colorful, and highly appreciated abroad and by celebrities. Dolce & Gabbana designs clothes for men with high-quality fabrics that attract the public attention thanks to their prints, their applications, and the luxurious and flashy touches. The foundations of Dolce & Gabbana’s creativity are freedom, lightness, and the affirmation of their own identity.
The brand, founded by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, stands out for its innovative character and its authentic and unconventional style which expresses new forms of elegance.
14. Armani
Armani is the most popular Italian brand worldwide. It is known for its high quality, great design, and excellent comfort in men’s and women’s clothing.
15. Canali
The Canali fashion house has been in the luxury men’s fashion arena for almost 80 years. Now this family business is being run by the third generation and is one of the most famous Italian menswear specialists in the world.
Back in 1934, Giovanni and Giacomo Canali decided to open a manufacturing workshop in the Northern Italian area of Brianza, an area known for its fashion and textile sectors and the high quality of its craftsmanship. The Canali brothers immediately began making elegant suits and men’s clothes, hand-made garments in classic style but with new fabrics and groundbreaking techniques that soon got the fashion world talking.
Why is fashion so important to Italy?
The Italian fashion, textile, and accessories sectors are one of the most important in the world for revenue generated, the number of people employed, and the number of companies involved. Since March, we have been able to gather the whole sector in Italy into a single federation; Confindustria Moda is made up of 67,000 companies and 580,000 employees, totaling 88 billion euros in annual turnover.
Besides its economic value, it’s also a creative hotbed for expertise and craftsmanship, rooted in centuries of culture and beauty. Italy has always had the taste for the beautiful, with foundations in the early days of the Italian renaissance. Today this tradition is represented by an industry that is to Italy what the automobile sector is to Germany: it’s the jewel in our crown.
Is Gucci cheaper in Italy?
It is not cheaper than in the States. Even Italians buy it and then take it back as an undeclared carry-on. … But by buying it in the States you’ll actually get to use it in Europe.
Why is Gucci so expensive?
Not only is this Gucci tee $570, but it’s also continuously sold out on Net-A-Porter. … “Luxury T-shirts can cost more because they have detailed and expensive trimmings and generally a luxury brand name has a reputation. But what’s not true is the price you pay.
Women Designing For Women
Part of the reason Italy was the first market for day wear was a coterie of women designers who understood the needs of women. Germana Marcelli, Mila Schön, Simonetta, and Galitzine: “this group of ladies was all coming from Italian aristocracy, and they found themselves without a job and without any money after the war,” says Tonchi. “What they knew was clothes, they loved clothes, and they had the technical know-how to create these collections.”
10 French Clothing Brands You Need To Know
1. Sandro
We can’t talk about Maje without mentioning Sandro, it’s a slightly more polished sister brand. Check out its quality basics with a twist if your style leans classic: Think boyfriend blazers, embellished jeans, and ruffled white button-downs.
2. Hermes
Hermes was originally a luxury goods manufacturer. The company was started by Thierry Hermes in 1837. Today it offers ready-to-wear clothing, lifestyle accessories, and perfumes. The brand introduced its first women’s shoe collection and the first complete men’s ready-to-wear collection in the 1970s. The silk scarves from Hermes have known to adorn the necks of many celebrities.
3. Ba&sh
Ba&sh, the brainchild of friends Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief, is recognizable for its feminine and timeless aesthetic. The designers wanted to bring wearable, boho-inspired pieces to women everywhere, and staples include ethereal, floral dresses in fluid, lightweight fabrics, and embroidered jackets and denim.
4. Maje
With its fashionable silhouettes and edgy but subtle details, Maje’s pieces always feel current. The brand has grown in popularity since it opened its doors stateside in 2011 and is currently stocked at major retailers like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.
5. A.P.C.
Jean Touitou’s A.P.C. is living proof that less is more. Over the past 30 years, the Parisian brand has made a name for itself as the go-to label for high-quality, low-fuss wardrobe staples that ooze laid-back European charm. Granted, you may come across the odd logo sweatshirt or Kanye West collab, but on the whole, A.P.C.’s seasonal collections are stripped-back, refined, and achingly tasteful. If we were going to deck our entire wardrobes out in just one brand’s clothing, A.P.C. may well be the one we’d choose.
6. AMI Paris
Alexandre Mattiussi’s subtly stylish pieces have been supremely popular among style-savvy gents in Europe since his AMI label (featured image, top) first sprang up in 2011. Fast forward to today and the brand is nothing short of a global phenomenon, being paraded around by everyone from Hollywood A-listers to that cool influencer you follow on Instagram. Garments are simple but sometimes bear the odd bold logo and cuts tend to be fitted and form-flattering. Put simply, it’s timeless stuff that seamlessly blends classic and contemporary to wondrous effect.
7. Lemaire
Created by co-founders Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran, Lemaire offers the timeless Parisian style one dreams of. Each piece is tailored to allow for ease of movement, resulting in effortless wardrobe staples you’ll want to wear time and time again. The Paris-based house uses volume, draping, and a pared-back color palette to create its pea coats, culottes, and androgynous blazers.
8. Maison Michel
Combining inspiration from the African diaspora and traditional French aesthetics, Maison Chateau Rouge is one of France’s most promising and popular streetwear brands. Its tees, which hat tip to sportswear, come in an array of traditional African prints making them an easy way to take your black leggings to the next level.
9. Veja
Okay, so this one isn’t exactly “under the radar” per se, but Veja is still not a household name the way footwear brands like, say, Puma or Adidas are. Still, this French brand, which specializes in sustainable sneakers, has quietly turned into a street style darling. Plus, it counts Meghan Markle as a fan.
Also read: Big Fashion Trends Of 2021: Fashion Trends
10. Lacoste
Lacoste is a French sports clothing brand founded in the year 1933 by René Lacoste and André Gillier. This brand has a huge collection of spots-inspired clothing. They also specialize in leather goods, perfumes, footwear, eyewear, watches, etc. Lacoste polo shirts are quite popular.