Italy might not be the hot favorite for this year's Euros, but they've already cantered to the Highsnobiety award for best formal match-day attire. Always a sartorial highlight on the build-up to any major tournament, Armani has unveiled its latest off-field formal uniform for the country’s football team. As always, it is very, very smart.
Unlike past efforts, the Azzuri's Euro 2020 getup is a little more informal, featuring a white mandarin collared blazer crafted from seersucker cotton and paired with relaxed fit trousers. It's kinda sprezzy, and the loose tailoring is a wise choice given robust players are not exactly inured to tight fits. Look out for them wearing it when entering the stadium when Italy officially gets the tournament underway against Turkey on June 11.
“I am proud to dress our national team at this time of general restart, and for such an important championship. I worked on an idea of elegance that is spontaneous, sporty and authentic. I created a suit that is light but dignified, as dignified and proud as our spirit should be at this time,” Armani said.
Mr. Armani, a massive Inter Milan fan, has long been in the business of kitting out teams with his legendary suiting, having worked with the likes of Chelsea and Bayer Munich in the past. When one thinks of football and fashion colliding in the early '00s, it's most likely a sarong-wearing David Beckham who comes to mind. But go back a little further and it was another, far less glamorous English name who broke the mold. His name was David James, and he first appeared in a campaign for the Italian house in 1995. "He is an extraordinary-looking man," remarked Armani, which felt slightly out of whack with the goalkeeper's unfortunate perception of "Calamity James" among most fans due to his erratic performances. In the time since, superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo (Armani is his favorite brand), David Beckham, Kaká, Luís Figo, Fabio Cannavaro and Andriy Shevchenko (whose jersey number "7" informed the EA7 subbrand's name) have all posed behind the lens.
The Italians have long been ahead of the rest when it comes to tailoring, not least England, which is supplied by high-street retailer Marks and Spencer.
