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For a relatively small and slender country, Italy punches well above its weight when it comes to shaping global culture.
There are the fast, beautiful cars, courtesy of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati. The food – large wheels of Parmesan; bottles of sweet, sharp balsamic vinegar; the glories of cucina casalinga; the precious truffles plucked from the forest floors – is craved throughout the continents. It’s where the Renaissance was birthed, and it’s home to a centre of religion. Then, there’s the style…
From the slim-fit tailoring of the northern regions to the premium leathers of Santa Croce, all the way through to the unstructured, relaxed blazers common in Naples, the Italian knack for dressing with flair, whatever the time or occasion, has been the stuff of sartorial legend for decades.
Among the peninsula’s finest heritage labels is Pal Zileri, a brand founded in 1983 to honour classic Italian menswear while infusing it with modern touches and making it accessible to a wider audience.
Having launched in Quinto Vicentino, Veneto, an area that enjoys a rich history in textile production, the venture was able to both establish itself and bloom within a culture of craft, prioritising only premium materials and designing garments immune to the fast-moving cycles of fashion.
As such, Pal Zileri’s core offerings consist of staples of the Italian wardrobe: single-breasted navy suits made from pure wool; buttery suede jackets perfect for breezy spring days; cashmere coats for winter; linen shirts in light hues; and classic leather footwear.
Moreover, many items are cut in contemporary silhouettes, casual pieces are intended to be paired with formal ones, and some designs draw upon technical next-gen fabrics and features, such as ‘water-repellent membranes’.
The result, as per the brand’s original intention, is a range that has one foot set firmly in the past and the other in the present.
For its SS25 campaign – based around the motto ‘Be Effortless’ – Pal Zileri revisits to its roots, emphasising an ethos that encourages one to circumvent the excessiveness of trends and fads and, instead, focus on the simplicity and quality of clothing and the confidence with which one wears an ensemble.
‘It’s neither fashion nor style, but personality,’ states Pal Zileri about its latest collection. Those familiar with the menswear scene may view this approach as a type of sprezzatura, the Italian attitude of dressing with both nonchalance and elegance.
For the campaign, Pal Zileri called upon British actor Freddy Drabble and artist Reece Cox to model several looks, with the shoot’s several backdrops comprising dirt tracks, craggy terrains and shorelines with no one in sight.
The use of such austere scenery was intended to emphasise the pared-down stylings of the collection, which is defined by clean lines, relaxed silhouettes and a use of soft, naturalistic colours, such as mossy greens and blues in various shades.
Of particular note is a linen-and-viscose set featuring a boxy overshirt and wide trousers, both designed in a dusty-pink palette and perfect for sunny weekend outings.
In a similar shade is the ‘Vicenza’ double-breasted suit jacket, made in a spring-friendly mix of silk and linen and intended to be worn with a matching pair of straight-leg formal trousers (we suggest anchoring it all with a darker staple, such as the new black mercerised-cotton T-shirt). For those looking for a more muted look, a similar get-up is also available in a shade of grey.
Regarding lighter layers, we’re drawn to the selection of silk-and-cotton knitted polos – the cream option can either be worn with a blazer for dressier occasions, or on its own on balmier days; the navy offering, meanwhile, draws the eye with its contrasting green accents.
When creating the foundation of your outfit, consider Pal Zileri’s array of cotton trousers available. As their pressed front crease adds a touch of formality, we suggest you use these as your go-to staples for work, as they’re suitable for both the conference room and post-meeting drinks.
Each pair also has a slight stretch to them – so, if you want to sync further into the spirit of Veneto and indulge in a few amarones and cicchetti once you’re out of the office, you’re safe in the knowledge that you have a bit of room for manoeuvre.
Shop the new 'Be Effortless' collection at palzileri.com
