049: GIORGIA FEROLDI
lives in her mom's Spring 2002 Dolce & Gabbana trousers.
For the past month, I’ve been really immersed in street style while covering trends for Vogue. This year, the scene in Milan was my favorite - probably because the dominating knitwear and skirts were so heavily influenced by one of my icons, Mrs. Prada. But generally, I always love Italian style. Or really, I love the Italian attitude towards style. In Milan, the fashion industry is a real and vital part of the city’s identity and economy - people are quite rigorous about dressing well. But there’s a cheekiness that you don’t always see in Paris, for example. I love the way Italian women astutely mix Armani with a funny pair of glasses or a weird scarf they found at the flea. It’s almost as though great taste is a part of their DNA. Their implicit style gives them the permission to have a bit more fun.
This is just my theory, of course, but in at least one case I may have proven it true. For this week’s letter I spoke to Giorgia Feroldi, a Milan-based writer, editor, and Vogue correspondent who seems to have style baked deep into her bones (her incredible hand-me-downs must be evidence of some very chic genes). On the heels of Milan Fashion Week, I asked Giorgia to tell me about the looks she’s been living in lately. I know you’ll love them, so read on!
Tell me about your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?
GIORGIA: As I write this, I’m out of office on Lake Garda and honestly switching between pajamas and tennis looks on a daily basis, but I usually dress much less sporty back in Milano. I like sticking to a mostly black and white wardrobe, with a few grey and cream intrusions. Brown and blue jeans would be the maximum dose of color I can tolerate. I love layered colorful looks on other people, but when it comes to me minimalism – in terms of prints and tints – is what makes me feel comfortable. It also helps me to buy timeless pieces only, I try my best to be sustainable.
How often do you shop?
GIORGIA: Honestly very rarely and it happens quite randomly, when I stumble upon something that catches my attention. My friends are always amazed by my ability to keep a very tiny selection of clothing. Although I’m proud of it, it can be a double edged sword as well.
Where do you shop the most?
GIORGIA: Mostly online. I scroll through resell platforms looking for vintage pieces and have a few saved searches for my favorite brands, but rigorously with the notifications turned off – I want it to be something I enjoy doing as a form of disconnection. When it comes to undergarments like socks and lingerie though, il mercato (the local weekly open-air market) is where I go.
GIORGIA’S MOST WORN:
A BASIC OVERSIZED BLAZER. I found an unbranded black wool blazer in a small random vintage shop in Toronto last year and it has become a favorite ever since. Otherwise I often wear a very structured, beige, vintage blazer. I found it in my mom’s discarded wardrobe a few years ago. I love using outerwear to define silhouettes, from square padded shoulders to looser ones or something with a button right on the hips to highlight the waist – chef’s kiss!
MOM’S DOLCE & GABBANA SPRING 2002 BLACK TROUSERS. They are my go-to since forever and the only trousers I wear when I don’t feel comfortable in my skin.
2000s Dolce & Gabbana links: size large $175 $79, size large $135 $54, size medium $155 $78, size medium $125 $50, size small $195 $156, size small $125 $63
TIMELESS CELINE TRIOMPHE LOAFERS. I don’t wear them in the rain for obvious reasons, otherwise there’s no temperature that stops me from enjoying my all-time favorite shoes.
GOOD OLD ACNE STUDIOS BLACK SCARF. I hate being cold and fear unpredictable temperature changes so it’s always in my bag (yes, even in summertime). I think it’s an extremely easy way to make a silhouette more interesting by wrapping it around in different ways as well, and I often pair it with elegant dresses by styling it with hard bangles to create pinch pleats on one shoulder.
HEREU’S CABERSA FISHERMAN SANDALS. A bit delicate but I guess that’s the price you pay for eternal comfort. They’re great shoes to elevate a simple look, which for me will always include a sustainable racer top, like the ones from Skall Studio.
LITTLE BLACK SHOULDER BAG. Special mention to this little bag that my grandma gave me - it was very precious to her and I haven’t been able to fully swap it for a designer bag so far. Second place goes to a black, short Medea (similar here) that fits any look and luggage I travel with.
Best buy of 2024?
GIORGIA: Genuinely hard to choose but I’d say a pair of Gianfranco Ferré vintage sunglasses that perfectly match my initials. Even though they’re not a fancy piece, I definitely wore them the most (although I snatched a couple of incredible vintage pieces for a paltry price this year, and I’m very proud of them).
What are you currently searching for?
GIORGIA: Fun fact: last winter I lost three of my favorite warm knits (aka the majority) to a broken washing machine that shrunk them. I’m still heartbroken but starting to look out for good ones. I would also love to find a nice rain shoe that isn’t boots, but everything feels way too sporty for my everyday look so far.
Does your style change when you go to work?
GIORGIA: I would say no, but I guess it depends on the occasion. There’s a context in which I tend to dress fancier than what my everyday life is about, but it’s usually the same vibe.
What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?
GIORGIA: Sturdy and spacious tote bags that I load with other smaller tote bags (lol).
Do you change your accessories daily or wear the same ones?
GIORGIA: I couldn’t bear changing accessories on a daily basis, I already struggle enough on deciding what to wear from my tiny wardrobe. I am always wearing a pair of Tiffany pearls on my lobes plus a couple of simple small golden hoops here and there. When I want to shake things up, I usually add Sunnei rubberised earcuffs or Tom Wood pieces.