17 questions to a well-dressed man – Salvatore Parisi
Photo credit: Salvatore Parisi
I think it must be since the early 2000’s that I’m looking from time to time on the website of the Cavalleresco Ordine dei Guardiani delle Nove Porte. This is an Italian Gentleman’s Club where all the members have a fine taste in almost everything you can think of. It doesn’t matter whether it is about clothing, cigars, watches, pens or food and drinks, the gentlemen from this club have a fine eye for it and know their way to find it all. Their way of dressing must have inspired many gentlemen from all over the world already and I’m sure there are no better ambassadors from the Italian Sartorial Culture then they are. One of the gentlemen, who’s style I’ve always admired is Salvatore Parisi. A Neapolitan psychologist who lives in the neighbourhood of Rome and who loves everything that is good in life. Who is following Salvatore already on Instagram will notice his fantastic outfits which are classic and very original. All of them made by artisans in Naples and Rome who master their craft well. The fabrics are often from Great Britain because Salvatore has a little Anglophilic side in him as well. Beside the inspiring outfits you will find a lot of pictures that are connected to the wonderful topic of cigars. Salvatore is a true cigar connoisseur and if you must ask anyone something about cigars, it should be him. He even wrote a book on the topic and visited Cuba many times! One picture he posted quite recently and impressed me is a picture of himself with the famous Zino Davidoff whom he met in 1987. Yes, Salvatore Parisi is a gentleman worth following on Instagram and who will inspire you on many topics. Today he is going to inspire us with his answers on the ‘’17 questions to a well-dressed man’’ and I’m honoured that he wanted to participate in it. Happy reading!
What are you wearing today?
Today I was in the city of Rome (I live in the countryside 20 km from Rome) it was a rainy day and so I wore:
single-breasted blue blazer with 4 buttons (British military burnished WW1) 5 patch pockets, two on the chest and one ticket pocket, double vent, beige cavalry trousers (400gr), Oxford shirt with white and blue stripes bottom dawn, wool tie burgundy with dark green designs, blue socks, full brought dark burgundy oxford shoes. Macintosh beige raincoat, light blue wool cap.
If you had to choose to spend money either on a suit or on a watch, what would you choose?
I would choose a suit.
What jewellery could a man wear?
For me a watch, a wedding ring and very occasionally a collar pin which is a rare dandyish flourish I allow myself. I do wear cuff links from time to time but the A signet ring, obviously only if emblazoned! Twins. And nothing else.
Tie or a bowtie?
Tie.
Do you remember your first jacket?
Double-breasted dark blue gabardine blazer (approx. 400gr), flap pockets, double vent, 6 light horn buttons. Made in Naples.
What is your favourite watch?
An Ulisse Nardin chronograph from the 1940s in rose gold with a Golden Crocodile strap bequeathed to me by my grandfather.
Fountain pen or ballpoint?
Vintage fountain pen.
Have you found the perfect garment yet?
Yes, a jacket / shirt, which I designed ten years ago, Saharan model without belt, wide shirt collar, completely unlined and without any padding (only the shoulders lined with tie silk, double slits. every type of fabric suitable for the 4 seasons from the heaviest cavalry 900gr per meter, to Fresco di Durmeil (2 twisted garments) in tweeds of different shades, corduroy and moleskin.
It is a super versatile garment to wear according to weight and color with plain, striped or checked shirts; with tie or scarf on almost all occasions. It is perhaps today the garment of which I have the greatest amount of variants.
Explain your biggest passion in one sentence?
The elegant way of life.
That is the ability to be comfortable, in harmony and enjoy Beauty, in whatever form it presents itself (a sunset, a song, a perfume, an engine, a box of Havana cigars, a woman)
What is your guilty pleasure?
Admire with emotion the military parades, rallies and celebrations of the 20s/40s.
Who is the best dressed man in the world for you?
Prince Charles from England.
The best book you ever read?
Beyond Nietzsche's Good and Evil
Which city should one go shopping?
London and Naples
Tweed or flannel?
Tweed in the country and flannel in the city.
The most elegant restaurant in the world for you?
Simpsons in the Strand which is in London.
Describe your style in three words?
Classic, if original.
Best purchase you did in the last 6 months?
A Connoly leather humidor to be inserted between the rear seats of my Bentley Turbo R.