The word has entered the English language; the Oxford English Dictionary defines it as 'studied carelessness'.Sprezzatura (Italian pronunciation: [sprettsaˈtura]) is an Italian word originating from Baldassare Castiglione's The Book of the Courtier, where it is defined by the author as "a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it". It is the ability of the courtier to display "an easy facility in accomplishing difficult actions which hides the conscious effort that went into them". Sprezzatura has also been described "as a form of defensive irony: the ability to disguise what one really desires, feels, thinks, and means or intends behind a mask of apparent reticence and nonchalance".
Here are a few examples; many of which I've used before. These men are all dressed very stylishly, but none is immaculate. Do any of these ideas work for you?
Let's try a little sprezzatura this summer.
Boglioli |
The Sartorialist |
The Sartorialist |
The Sartorialist |
The Sartorialist |
The Sartorialist |
Great article in today's Times Style mag, which my wife threw over at me to read. Your blog is exactly what I've been looking for (and probably need), although I was delighted to find that I managed to tick most of the c's without cheating. Brilliant Stuff.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks - that article was written by Ben Machell of the Times and was influenced by this blog - naturally I got all cs as well! I hope you find some inspiration from here. Thank you for the encouragement. GF
DeleteI think of sprezzatura as the point at which I cannot be bothered. An example would be my wrist watches. My everyday one has a black face and a black leather band. I do not like the feel of metal bands. The problem is I like to wear brown shoes more often than black, so my metals match but not my leathers. This is the point where I cannot be bothered.
ReplyDeleteMy formal watch is a black face with a black leather band my wife gave me about 20 years ago when we first married. Black leather, black belt and black shoes. All good. The metal is a very nice gold which does not match my other metals. I cannot be bothered.
Sprezzatura.
Where is the point at which you cannot be bothered?
There has, by definition, to be an element of carelessness in it. However, this masks the conscious effort that has gone into it - and your decision not to bother is that.
ReplyDeleteI'm not convinced by rules that require you to match belts, shoes, watch straps etc - it sounds too like the fashion police to me. Sprezzatura is the antithesis of fashion, I think - although the former can enhance the latter (if that makes sense). But this is all beginning to sound like Pseud's Corner in Private Eye so we'll stop there. GF