![Dressing Style by Gianni Anielli [ Dissecting the dressing style of a well-dressed man born in Italy in the 20th century ].](https://otokomaeken.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1d63f533448a263e07b7c2dfa4729a58-750x396.jpg)
Gianni Anielli, a great man born in Italy in the 20th century, was the honorary president of the car manufacturer Fiat and the soccer club Juventus FC, and was appointed a senator for life in his later years. Known as a well-dressed man, his fashion style has influenced many men. In this issue, we will unravel his aesthetics and philosophy through his attire. We hope that this article will provide some hints for those of us living in the modern age to build our own style and way of dressing.
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Gianni Anielli's Philosophy of DressEmphasizing Essence over Glitz
What is remarkable about Anielli’s style is that his choices were never based on superficial luxury or fashion. His emphasis was on the handiwork of reliable craftsmen and durable materials. His suits were bespoken by the prestigious tailors “Domenico Caraceni” in Rome and “A. Caraceni” in Milan. He also ordered from long-established Savile Row stores such as ” Huntsman” in England. He chose fabrics that could be worn for a long time, mainly wool, and did not pay attention to overly luxurious materials such as cashmere.
This attitude of “selecting essential items that have a solid background” is also a part of his lifestyle. As his grandson, John Elkann, has revealed in his book, Anielli always chose his products with an eye for freshness and origin, saying, “Fresh vegetables come from the market, and fresh seafood comes from the fisherman.
In fact, the suits he tailored have been passed down to his grandchildren. Lapo Elkann, another grandson, still wears the flannel suit made by Caraceni that he inherited from his grandfather on important occasions. His aesthetic sense in choosing suits that can be worn for three generations is a symbol of his philosophy of essentialism.
From here, I would like to touch on his specific fashion style. As you can see in the second gallery above, until his 40s, Anielli embodied the aristocratic look, from the way he wore his suits to his meticulously coiffed hair and the choice of accessories, he was seamless. As he grew older, he maintained his dignity, but added a playful touch to his attire. Many of his iconic styles that have been handed down to the present day were developed during this period. Here are some of his outfits.
Gianni Anielli's Iconic Wear 1Wrapping a wristwatch around a cuff
One of Anielli’s most famous iconic outfits was to wear a wristwatch around the cuff of a shirt. style. This style is said to have originated from the practical reason that it is impossible to check the time quickly if the watch is hidden in the sleeve. It is also said to be due to an allergy to metal or to avoid damaging the tight cuffs of shirts ordered from Battistoni, a shirt manufacturer in Rome.
This way of dressing became a topic of conversation beyond political and business circles, with Fred Hughes, Andy Warhol’s business manager, copying him, and Valentino Garavani, who recently passed away, saying, “I used to wear my watch on my cuff, copying Anielli.” Tom Ford, on the other hand, tried this style when he was younger, but he said that he did not feel comfortable with it because “pretentious imitation is not acceptable to anyone but Anielli himself.
Anielli is said to have owned many wristwatches, but he was especially fond of Eberhard. In his later years, he was often seen in public wearing the brand’s ” Travel Cetro ” over his cuffs.
Gianni Anielli's iconic 2Tied-up style with casual shoes
Tied-up suit style with casual shoes is also an essential element of Anielli’s style. Loafers, driving shoes, and boots like mountaineering boots were his standard footwear.
He began wearing boots in particular when he injured his leg in a car racing accident and was advised by his doctor to wear orthotics, but instead chose mountaineering boots to support his ankle. Since then, he has sublimated the practicality of the boots into his own unique elegance. It is also widely known that he loved to wear the ” W.G. Boots ” given to him by Diego Della Valle, the founder of Tod’s. This model gained international popularity after he wore them.
This style, which is now a well-established technique to dress down a suit, would not have been possible without the existence of pioneering well-dressed men like Anielli.
Gianni Anielli's iconic Outfit 3How to incorporate unconventional ties and button-down shirts
The unconventional incorporation of ties and button-down shirts is also part of Gianni Anielli’s iconic style. Both of these outfits have made an impression as playful attire, and have been emulated by many celebrities to this day.
Ties were incorporated by hanging the small sword longer than the large one and letting it peek out from the back. Both swords were not hung below the belt, and the overall length of the tie was kept short. Franco Minucci, the founder of Tie Your Tie, said that he was influenced by this style, and it is now widely known as one of the most popular arrangements in the dress style.
In the case of button-down shirts, the style of wearing the shirt with the buttons at the collar end unbuttoned was seen. This style is used not only in rough attire but also in tied-up style, creating a sophisticated atmosphere while maintaining the dignity of a dress style. Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and Tod’s owner Diego Della Valle have also adopted this style, and it is clear that Anielli was behind it.
![American casual coordinates [ collection of examples of outfits and recommended items ].](https://otokomaeken.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/f2fa09d7caf6d11ddcfa9caa9c84a348-630x331.jpg)
