April 21, 2014
The week-long Easter madness in Sicily is winding down–whew. (Today is Pasquetta, when folks move en masse to the countryside to picnic on yesterday’s leftover lamb and sleep it all off.)
Sicilians get all dolled up for Easter, like Americans used to do about 40 years ago. Fashion trends this season seem to be bow ties and rat’s nest coiffures for young men and super-stiletto-platform shoes for women. (Flowing robes for Jesus, Mary, and priests.)
Hope you had a great Easter/Passover/weekend. xxxxx
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How did I miss this, Jann? R U serious?
The photos ROCK…but the Pastor/Priest is Supreme. XXXX LOVE
Mark’s comments led me to Wikipedia.The song Yankee Doodle Dandy was sung by British officer to mock the disheveled, disorganized colonial Yankees by making them members of the Macaroni Club. Dudel is a German word for fool or simpleton. Very interesting. The Macaroni wig was an extreme fashion in the 1770s and became contemporary slang for foppishness. The Macaronis were young English men who adopted feminine mannerisms and highly extravagant attire and were deemed effeminate. They were members of the Macaroni Club in London at the height of fashion for dandyism,so called because they wore striped silks upon their return from the Grand Tour-and a feather in their hats.
Ciao Dennis! Thanks for delving further into Mark’s comment on the Grand Tour and fashion influences from the Continent. So interesting! What’s also interesting is my American husband’s reaction to Italian men’s fashion seems to sort of echo that “dandy” idea from centuries ago. I keep encouraging him to buy clothes here and he resists (usually) cuz men’s stuff looks too effeminate (I don’t agree), and shirts don’t have useful pockets, and so on and so forth. Slowly I’ve gotten him into flowered shirts, though, and now he even carries a purse. Big steps for a sculptor who usually dresses like Paul Bunyon.
I love the little boy with the red plane. Fashion trends come and go. Can you imagine in twenty years what their children will say about Mom or Dad’s Do’s?
I still make fun of my Mom’s chunky heeled shoes from the 40’s. I called them her Old Lady’s Shoes. But they were the style then!!!!
Ciao Vicki! I image the children of cool Mr. Bouffant-Do will have a good chuckle. xxxx
Ciao Jann, Italian fashion has always been a few years ahead of us in the states. I remember buying all new clothes when in Ragusa and returning to the states with them was dramatic, the styles were so different, it took a year for the states to catch up. Thanks for the memories.
🙂 Yes, John–love that I can buy clothes here and wear them for a few years and then take them to the US where they’re seen as novel.
You captured the Holy Spirit through the quifs, platforms and amazing outfits. The little boy with his airplane is adorable. Brava, Jann!
Love your little town, Anitre. xxxxx
O Jann. Too good to be true!!!!!!! I adore the young girl in the yellow jacket and mega-platforms. Ever considered a fashion blog on the side? No? Please do!!! Bacioni x
🙂 Janine, you make me laugh. Another blog??? When I can barely manage this one??? Thanks anyway, cara, and bacioni back to you.
Which reminds us of why 18th century British gentlemen were afraid their sons would return from the Grand Tour sporting Italian fashions in clothing and hair style… and stick a feather in their hat and call it macaroni.
Ha!!! 🙂 Was that really a worry for the Brits back then? Thanks for this fun history, Mark.
The boys rats nests are intriguing- this fashion hasn’t taken off here yet. I am with scarpe di nonnna women too.
It’ll be interesting to see if this particular hair fashion crosses oceans, Francesca. 🙂
Great photos Jann. It is lovely to see everyone out enjoying the Easter festivities dressed to the nines. We’re in Southern Sardinia for the week and I’ve noticed similar ‘fashions in the field’.
Jenny, you’ve reminded me how much I want to get back to Southern Sardinia. Enjoy!
beautiful, fashionable and how pleasing that the young still follow the old traditions…for many in the States the old ways have become lax…thank you for the joy you bring in reminiscing….Mattea
Yes, Mattea–the young turn out in hordes for the Easter processions, and participate in the carrying of the statues, etc. These old traditions are going strong in Sicily.
And now the men use up all the Aqua Net in the world (smile)! LOVE the little boy – he’s my favorite!!
🙂 Yes. And how would it be to run your hands through his hair?
Walking in those shoes is difficult enough on smooth surfaces, but how do they do it on those hobblestones? They are tougher than I care to be. I like the tall nest on the guy in shades. Cool dude, that one. 🙂
Ha, ha hobblestones. That’s a good one! After I lived in Rome for a year from 2007-2008, my feet were permanently damaged, even though I usually wore pretty sensible shoes. They have never recovered.
The ratted bouffant for men seems to be the latest thing. Shaved on the sides and then a surprising poof on top. (The men are the real peacocks in Italy, aren’t they?)
I’m voting for the photo of the kid with the red airplane as Best in Show.
Bella Figura begins early in Italy, Sam.
I am thinking the same thing as everyone else, how do they walk in those shoes????I love seeing the fashion they wear. Love the printed stockings too.
It hurts just to look at those shoes, doesn’t it?
Fab photos, Jann. Frightening heels! x
Thanks Narelle. I agree with “frightening.” 🙂
Wonderful photos: is the last the Vasa Vasa in Modica?
Thank you.
Diana, it’s the Vasa Vasa in Pozzallo, a block from the sea, very sweet & low key. (The one in Modica is fantastic, but has such a crush of people…)
A Happy & Blessed Easter to you and your family Jann! No I’m afraid my poor feet would never survive those shoes..even back in the day. I’ll be sitting on sidelines (or the back pew) with my ol’ Nonna shoes (a.k.a. Nun shoes) thank you very much. 🙂 I really don’t know how I’d cope with the pressure of “Bella Figura” if I lived there! xoxoxo
Thanks, Cathy. I agree with you about the nonna shoes. Ha! The pressure of bella figure does get to me, and I try to half-conform to Italian standards sometimes, but NOT when it comes to shoes. 🙂
How do those young girls ever WALK on those spike heels?? My poor feet would never survive Easter in Sicily, I’m afraid. Still, what lovely shots you’ve captured, Jann, and it looks like splendid weather for being out and about. Happy Easter Monday to you and yours!
Debbie, I think they must practice a lot at home?