Intermission - Men's Fashion and Other Blah

I'm interrupting the vacation report with a discovery on men's fashion (yes, I notice them more)... We all know Italy is known for designer brands (ex. LV, Dolce & Cabbana) but guess what is the brand that Italian men love which is NOT an Italian design? This foreign mark is making something special in Italy because not only does Italy have so many of its own fashion designers already but also its people are patriotic. I see 5 out of 10 men daily (50%) wearing a nice polo-shirt or shirt with this reptile brand in Torino. My father and his friends used to wear it quite a lot when I was a child in Taiwan but I think these days in Asia and USA, this particular brand is not very popular. Have you guessed it yet? It is...


Lacoste (the crocodile) which is a French brand name. The cost of a polo-shirt (most common) after 30% discount is still a whopping 80+ euros. It is still owned by the Lacoste family in Paris today. Rene Lacoste, the founder, was a tennis player who won the 1927 US Open Championship. The mark, le crocodile, was his nickname due to his tenacious behavior on the courts - never giving up his prey. The high quality and unique fabric (jersey petit piqué) is supposed to take away moisture/ sweat so the wearer is always cool in summer.

You may wonder what American brands are popular in Torino? Well, I have so far seen Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland, and Calvin Klein and they all are on the most expensive shopping street - Via Roma. I've heard Gap is somewhere in the city but I haven't found it yet. For you people who are familiar with Asian brands, the only one that I have been so far is Muji (無印良品). Oh, and of course, the power of Hello Kitty is everywhere in the world... I have seen 2 stores with the cutie cat in Torino already.

Ok, going off on the topic of men's fashion, how about their interests? Many men love cars. Well, you guys are going to envy Italian men because even construction workers and DHL delivery men drive a Mercedes-Benz!