Style Talk with Giorgio Giangiulio: How to dress like an Italian without saying a word

A man walks into a room wearing an ‘80s Rolex Day-Date, a trench coat that once saved a life, and the kind of quiet confidence that turns heads without asking for attention. He’s not here to show off. He’s here to show you how less can speak more, if you know what you’re saying. His name is Giorgio Giangiulio.

We talked with the Italian menswear icon, about the garments that matter, the power of restraint, and why the best-dressed man in the room is often the one not trying to prove it. This interview isn’t about trends. It’s about intention, and a life well-dressed, in every sense of the word.

“The” Trench Coat

If your clothes could tell a story, which piece in your wardrobe would have the best one?

G: I have several, to be honest, but one I’m particularly attached to is an old Aquascutum trench coat that once belonged to Maestro Mario Caraceni. When he passed away, his son-in-law Carlo, the father of my best friend Max Caraceni, wanted to give it to me as a keepsake. It was a gesture that moved me deeply, and I’ve treasured it ever since. Mario used to tell me that during the Second World War, he was taken prisoner by Allied troops who mistook him for a German soldier. He was wearing that very Aquascutum trench coat, and it was thanks to that piece that, after a few days, an English soldier realized he wasn’t German. They released him, sparing him from execution.

“That trench coat had saved his life. Imagine what it must have meant to him from that moment on. Being the custodian of one of his trench coats is something I consider priceless.”

What’s one thing a man should never leave the house without?

G: Confidence. Not arrogance, but quiet assurance. The kind that comes from knowing who you are, dressing with purpose, and moving through the world with intention. Italians understand that elegance isn’t just worn, it’s embodied.

The right accessories

If you had to build an entire outfit around one accessory, which would it be?

“I’d say the tie. It actually happens quite often, and I find it fun. I have so many ties, and sometimes I wake up with a particular one in mind… then end up building the entire look around it.”

G: During a trip to Morocco, I was mesmerized by the wealth of inspiration, from Berber art to the vibrant colors of Marrakech, and the beautiful kaftans in the Medina. Curiosity is what allows us to shape our personal style.

And yet, with all that exposure to culture, history, and luxury, Giorgio stays grounded in the belief that great style isn’t bought, it’s cultivated.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about dressing well?

G: That you need to spend a lot of money. That’s absolutely not true. I’ve seen people dressed terribly in outfits worth thousands. Good taste has nothing to do with the price tag.

It’s no surprise then that some of his favorite pieces have been found in vintage markets, not rare boutiques. And while others obsess over rules, Giorgio seems more interested in rhythm, like the way a well-fitted jacket moves with the body, the way proportions shape presence.

“Proper proportions are the most overlooked detail in a well-fitted suit. A suit should complement the body with the right balance of length and width.”

His inspiration

When we ask him about icons, his response reads like a cinematic roll call; Marcello Mastroianni, Gianni Agnelli, Julio Iglesias, Steve McQueen... It’s a list rooted in charisma, not just clothing.

G: I could name many, almost all from the past. These men had an effortless presence. They didn’t just wear great clothes, they lived in them.

That same presence comes through in his preferred timepiece, a gold ‘80s Rolex Day-Date President, a watch he describes as one of the most beautiful ever made. A symbol not of wealth, but of timelessness.

G: It’s a true icon of that era, which I’m deeply passionate about and have studied extensively.

When it comes to brand partnerships, one stands out:

“Brioni, above all. I’m truly in love with the brand and its history. It represents one of the brightest stars of Made in Italy.”

But for all his reverence for tailoring, Giorgio isn’t rigid. He often mixes tailored garments with relaxed pieces, “friulane with linen suits”, he says, or “a t-shirt under a blazer”. But sneakers with a suit? That’s a hard no. “I just can’t stand them”.

He prefers the world of bespoke to made-to-measure, the patience, the precision, the soul of craftsmanship. And if you want to know what truly makes a man stand out in a room, Giorgio doesn’t hesitate:

“A man who knows he's wearing the right suit and takes pleasure in it… He doesn’t need to raise his voice, his presence speaks for him.”

Secret spot

And when he needs to step away from it all, Giorgio retreats to a tiny restaurant on the Costa dei Trabocchi in Abruzzo called Cavalluccio, where mussels and memory mix by the sea. It’s the kind of place, he says, you only share with people who mean something. A private corner of his world, quietly, beautifully lived, just like his style.

Thank you Giorgio for this lovely interview!

Pictures: Giorgio Giangiulio