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Lifestyle Journal
48 Hours in Lecce
The Florence of the South is not a place to see but rather to experience. Lecce is a blend of cultures and traditions that retraces the history of the Salento region, where Roman architecture meets majestic baroque buildings and Greek influences.
Lecce is the embodiment of beauty resulting from the unique meeting of people and cultures in a land that speaks of southern Italian uniqueness and charm. Every narrow lane and hidden corner feels authentic and timeless, and every conversation is natural and joyful. Lecce's beauty lies in its atmosphere: a place where life can be enjoyed thoroughly.
Forty-eight hours in Lecce is all you need to appreciate the beauty of one of the finest hidden gems of Italy, as long as you plan it well and know what to wear in every situation.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Coffee: Caffè Alvino
There’s no better way to start your day in Lecce than a delicious cappuccino and fragrant croissant at Caffè Alvino, the elegant café in the city centre. If you want to experience the Leccese lifestyle fully, try the unmissable rustico leccese, a salty pastry filled with tomato and mozzarella.
Caffè Alvino is in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, right at the heart of Lecce. From here, you'll see a city brimming with life, with food markets and events that emphasise the local culture and tradition. Embrace the leccese lifestyle and blend in with the Portofino Dusty Pink Linen Shirt, a garment that perfectly matches the timeless style of the buildings surrounding you.
Culture: Basilica di Santa Croce
The Basilica di Santa Croce is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture on the Italian peninsula. It took almost two centuries to bring to life this marvellous church, which required the efforts of some of the most respected local architects of the 17th century, including Francesco Antonio Zimbalo and his son Giuseppe, better known as Zingarello.
The exterior is richly decorated with sculptures of Saints and animals; the rose window, by the sculptor Cesare Penna, is a mesmerising piece of work that'll lead you to the gates of this exceptional church.
No words can describe the grandeur and power exuded by Santa Croce’s interior. The seventeen altars, the splendour of the columns and the wooden ceiling exude a sense of elegance and timelessness that's impossible to forget.
In front of such beauty, one can’t but try to match the splendour of this timeless place. The Ravello Linen Shirt radiates the elegance a visit to the Basilica di Santa Croce deserves while giving you the comfort and breathability you need during the long days in the southern weather.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Turin contains multitudes: a city that’s both industrial and artistic, ancient and modern, an amazing place of history and beauty where you can experience the authentic Italian lifestyle at its absolute best.
Torino is the northernmost major city in Italy, facing the majestic Alps and constantly caressed by its breeze. Yet, the city feels Mediterranean, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a southern flair that couldn't be more different from the hectic, metropolitan style of nearby Milan.
Nestled between the Po River and the Alps, Turin was a major national and European political centre for centuries. It was the first capital of unified Italy (the Kingdom of Italy), and the then-governing House of Savoy built majestic palaces and a modern infrastructure to celebrate the city’s importance.
Like most Italian cities, Turin went through a series of significant historical changes that determined its architecture and aura. It was one of the country's first and most industrialised cities between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century; together with Milan, Turin and its industry laid the foundations for the post-war Italian miracolo industriale: it is, to this day, a crucial crossroad for industry, commerce, and trade.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip to Turin, here's what you can do in 24 hours in one of the most beautiful Italian cities.
Aperitivo: Bar Viveur
After a whole day exploring Lecce, there’s no better way to cool down and get ready for dinner than with a late-afternoon aperitif. Despite its timeless features, Lecce is a young, vibrant city, with trendy bars at every corner and elegant bistros that animate the city centre. The Elba Linen Jersey Polo is the perfect choice for your casual evenings in Lecce, with its smooth and soft fabric that gives you the comfort and subtle elegance you need as the day comes to an end.
The legendary Bar Viveur is unmissable if you want to experience the true Salentino aperitif hour. Located not far from the Giuseppe Garibaldi public gardens, Bar Viveur offers a wide selection of wines and appetisers that'll introduce you to the rich local cuisine while admiring the magnificence of the city centre.
Dinner: Blu Notte
Just a few meters from Porta San Biagio, the historic Baroque-style city gate, there's one of the finest restaurants in Salento. Blu Notte is the perfect restaurant for unforgettable nights, with a menu showcasing the best the local food tradition has to offer.
In this cosy restaurant, you’ll find the freshest, most delicious fish served in carefully crafted recipes that combine traditional cuisine with a contemporary gourmet approach. The Salento area is also worldwide known for the quality of its wines and meat dishes, and at Blu Notte, you’ll be able to experience first-class dishes in an unforgettable atmosphere.
You can make this night truly magic by wearing the classic look of the Portofino Midnight Linen Shirt: a garment that perfectly matches the attention to detail and unblemished quality of Blu Notte’s delicacies.
Our calf leather belts are the embodiment of timeless charm: built from full-grain vegetable tanned leather from Santa Croce. They will only get better with age and will last a lifetime, enriching your wardrobe and heightening the elegance of your formal outfits, but will also enhance your jeans and everyday style. The nubuck leather at the back of the belt adds a touch of understated luxury that won’t go unnoticed.
The calf leather offers the best durability and quality that will stand the test of time. Our reversible calf leather belts are essentially two belts in one, becoming the ideal choice for travellers also thanks to the luxury dust bag to store it.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Sleep: Pollicastro Boutique Hotel
After a whole day admiring the splendour of Lecce, you deserve a rewarding experience like no others. With eleven rooms, each carefully designed to be unique and radiate a sense of luxurious elegance, the Pollicastro Boutique Hotel is the most iconic hotel in the city, located within the walls of a sixteenth-century palace called de' Perroni.
In the heart of the Lecce’s city centre, the Pollicastro Boutique Hotel treats each room as a work of art with a different theme and soul, linked together by the meticulous craftsmanship and implicit magnificence the hotel conveys. Only our Amalfi Silk-Cotton Polo Shirt can match the elegance of your surroundings, thanks to a luxurious silk-cotton blend that provides the grace and comfort required in these superb premises.
As your first day in Lecce comes to an end, the walls of the Pollicastro Boutique Hotel will remind you of the essence of this land and its people: a tradition that speaks of impeccable beauty, enduring class, and a passion for everything beautiful and worth experiencing in life.
Elegant, slim-fit, wrinkle-resistant, and timeless: for decades, chino pants have been an integral part of a man’s wardrobe thanks to their unique versatility and durability. This year, Luca Faloni reinterpreted chinos by adding a modern touch to a classic design, enriched by the traditional approach and attention to details typical of the Italian craftsmanship our garments radiate. The result is our new cotton twill winter chino: Cortina.
Cortina features a medium thickness, cotton twill gabardine, ideal for the colder seasons and giving a unique silky, luxurious feel on your skin. We decided to name our latest chinos Cortina to celebrate the iconic history and lifestyle of Italy’s most charming alpine town, famous for it’s apres ski.
This article will look into the history of this fascinating fabric and how our Cortina chinos are made.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
The gabardine fabric our Cortina chinos are made of is a tightly woven warp-faced twill weave fabric. A firm and durable material, gabardine was created in the late 1800s by Thomas Burberry, the founder of Burberry, who wanted to create a new, versatile blend for his creations.
At first, gabardine became popular because it can hold its shape and does not wrinkle easily. When it started being waterproofed with lanolin, it also became a must-have for travellers and explorers worldwide. Today gabardine is a versatile and exceptional fabric for suits and casualwear and is often used to make chinos or pants that can stand the test of time.
Our gabardine fabric is crafted in Northern Italy from high-quality cotton twill and blended with 3% elastane to improve the garment’s comfort and durability. They’ll seamlessly adapt to your shape, and thanks to the thoughtful details and luxurious feel on your skin, they may well become your go-to chinos in any smart-casual situation.
How we make the Cortina chinos
Italian Design
In our Italian laboratories, we have reimagined this timeless classic by adding a modern touch and subtle details to bring exquisite garments to life. Thanks to skills that have been passed down through generations, seasoned artisans provide a final touch to all our creations, adding invisible stitching to keep the design clean and ensuring the pants’ quality and size measurements. With Cortina, this traditional process results in a contemporary garment with a practical and versatile design that will fit most autumn to spring outfits.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Turin contains multitudes: a city that’s both industrial and artistic, ancient and modern, an amazing place of history and beauty where you can experience the authentic Italian lifestyle at its absolute best.
Torino is the northernmost major city in Italy, facing the majestic Alps and constantly caressed by its breeze. Yet, the city feels Mediterranean, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a southern flair that couldn't be more different from the hectic, metropolitan style of nearby Milan.
Nestled between the Po River and the Alps, Turin was a major national and European political centre for centuries. It was the first capital of unified Italy (the Kingdom of Italy), and the then-governing House of Savoy built majestic palaces and a modern infrastructure to celebrate the city’s importance.
Like most Italian cities, Turin went through a series of significant historical changes that determined its architecture and aura. It was one of the country's first and most industrialised cities between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century; together with Milan, Turin and its industry laid the foundations for the post-war Italian miracolo industriale: it is, to this day, a crucial crossroad for industry, commerce, and trade.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip to Turin, here's what you can do in 24 hours in one of the most beautiful Italian cities.
Cutting and Tailoring
Cloth cutting is made with machines to obtain the highest level of precision. After cutting the cloth, the Italian laboratories move on to tailoring, where the attention to details, fabric quality and traditional craftsmanship really come into play.
Cortina features internal double seams to ensure outstanding durability over time. The inner belt has embossed stitching, which will maintain the shirt tucked in more easily. The reinforcement in the bar tacks is visible on all pockets, giving further strength to a garment that's both elegant and highly sturdy.
The Cortina design keeps secure with a triple horn button closure and the inside button is hand stitched by artisans to ensure greater durability.
Our calf leather belts are the embodiment of timeless charm: built from full-grain vegetable tanned leather from Santa Croce. They will only get better with age and will last a lifetime, enriching your wardrobe and heightening the elegance of your formal outfits, but will also enhance your jeans and everyday style. The nubuck leather at the back of the belt adds a touch of understated luxury that won’t go unnoticed.
The calf leather offers the best durability and quality that will stand the test of time. Our reversible calf leather belts are essentially two belts in one, becoming the ideal choice for travellers also thanks to the luxury dust bag to store it.
Dyeing & Quality Check
The pants are then dyed using a 'Tinto Capo' process resulting in a natural harmonious colour throughout. Additionally, dying the garment at the end ensures that the trousers won't shrink after the first wash.
The final stage to bring the Cortina chinos to life involves ironing the pants, first using machinery and then by hands. As it's the tradition in the oldest Italian mills, each garment is meticulously checked by expert artisans in all its details, from size to stitching, ensuring the quality and durability of the Cortina pants are in line with the excellent quality our garments always display.
Our calf leather belts are the embodiment of timeless charm: built from full-grain vegetable tanned leather from Santa Croce. They will only get better with age and will last a lifetime, enriching your wardrobe and heightening the elegance of your formal outfits, but will also enhance your jeans and everyday style. The nubuck leather at the back of the belt adds a touch of understated luxury that won’t go unnoticed.
The calf leather offers the best durability and quality that will stand the test of time. Our reversible calf leather belts are essentially two belts in one, becoming the ideal choice for travellers also thanks to the luxury dust bag to store it.
The Cortina Chinos Collection
The Florence of the South is not a place to see but rather to experience. Lecce is a blend of cultures and traditions that retraces the history of the Salento region, where Roman architecture meets majestic baroque buildings and Greek influences.
Lecce is the embodiment of beauty resulting from the unique meeting of people and cultures in a land that speaks of southern Italian uniqueness and charm. Every narrow lane and hidden corner feels authentic and timeless, and every conversation is natural and joyful. Lecce's beauty lies in its atmosphere: a place where life can be enjoyed thoroughly.
Forty-eight hours in Lecce is all you need to appreciate the beauty of one of the finest hidden gems of Italy, as long as you plan it well and know what to wear in every situation.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Coffee: Caffè Alvino
There’s no better way to start your day in Lecce than a delicious cappuccino and fragrant croissant at Caffè Alvino, the elegant café in the city centre. If you want to experience the Leccese lifestyle fully, try the unmissable rustico leccese, a salty pastry filled with tomato and mozzarella.
Caffè Alvino is in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, right at the heart of Lecce. From here, you'll see a city brimming with life, with food markets and events that emphasise the local culture and tradition. Embrace the leccese lifestyle and blend in with the Portofino Dusty Pink Linen Shirt, a garment that perfectly matches the timeless style of the buildings surrounding you.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Turin contains multitudes: a city that’s both industrial and artistic, ancient and modern, an amazing place of history and beauty where you can experience the authentic Italian lifestyle at its absolute best.
Torino is the northernmost major city in Italy, facing the majestic Alps and constantly caressed by its breeze. Yet, the city feels Mediterranean, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a southern flair that couldn't be more different from the hectic, metropolitan style of nearby Milan.
Nestled between the Po River and the Alps, Turin was a major national and European political centre for centuries. It was the first capital of unified Italy (the Kingdom of Italy), and the then-governing House of Savoy built majestic palaces and a modern infrastructure to celebrate the city’s importance.
Like most Italian cities, Turin went through a series of significant historical changes that determined its architecture and aura. It was one of the country's first and most industrialised cities between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century; together with Milan, Turin and its industry laid the foundations for the post-war Italian miracolo industriale: it is, to this day, a crucial crossroad for industry, commerce, and trade.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip to Turin, here's what you can do in 24 hours in one of the most beautiful Italian cities.
Our calf leather belts are the embodiment of timeless charm: built from full-grain vegetable tanned leather from Santa Croce. They will only get better with age and will last a lifetime, enriching your wardrobe and heightening the elegance of your formal outfits, but will also enhance your jeans and everyday style. The nubuck leather at the back of the belt adds a touch of understated luxury that won’t go unnoticed.
The calf leather offers the best durability and quality that will stand the test of time. Our reversible calf leather belts are essentially two belts in one, becoming the ideal choice for travellers also thanks to the luxury dust bag to store it.
Culture: Basilica di Santa Croce
The Basilica di Santa Croce is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture on the Italian peninsula. It took almost two centuries to bring to life this marvellous church, which required the efforts of some of the most respected local architects of the 17th century, including Francesco Antonio Zimbalo and his son Giuseppe, better known as Zingarello.
The exterior is richly decorated with sculptures of Saints and animals; the rose window, by the sculptor Cesare Penna, is a mesmerising piece of work that'll lead you to the gates of this exceptional church.
No words can describe the grandeur and power exuded by Santa Croce’s interior. The seventeen altars, the splendour of the columns and the wooden ceiling exude a sense of elegance and timelessness that's impossible to forget.
In front of such beauty, one can’t but try to match the splendour of this timeless place. The Ravello Linen Shirt radiates the elegance a visit to the Basilica di Santa Croce deserves while giving you the comfort and breathability you need during the long days in the southern weather.
Aperitivo: Bar Viveur
After a whole day exploring Lecce, there’s no better way to cool down and get ready for dinner than with a late-afternoon aperitif. Despite its timeless features, Lecce is a young, vibrant city, with trendy bars at every corner and elegant bistros that animate the city centre. The Elba Linen Jersey Polo is the perfect choice for your casual evenings in Lecce, with its smooth and soft fabric that gives you the comfort and subtle elegance you need as the day comes to an end.
The legendary Bar Viveur is unmissable if you want to experience the true Salentino aperitif hour. Located not far from the Giuseppe Garibaldi public gardens, Bar Viveur offers a wide selection of wines and appetisers that'll introduce you to the rich local cuisine while admiring the magnificence of the city centre.
Dinner: Blu Notte
Just a few meters from Porta San Biagio, the historic Baroque-style city gate, there's one of the finest restaurants in Salento. Blu Notte is the perfect restaurant for unforgettable nights, with a menu showcasing the best the local food tradition has to offer.
In this cosy restaurant, you’ll find the freshest, most delicious fish served in carefully crafted recipes that combine traditional cuisine with a contemporary gourmet approach. The Salento area is also worldwide known for the quality of its wines and meat dishes, and at Blu Notte, you’ll be able to experience first-class dishes in an unforgettable atmosphere.
You can make this night truly magic by wearing the classic look of the Portofino Midnight Linen Shirt: a garment that perfectly matches the attention to detail and unblemished quality of Blu Notte’s delicacies.
Sleep: Pollicastro Boutique Hotel
After a whole day admiring the splendour of Lecce, you deserve a rewarding experience like no others. With eleven rooms, each carefully designed to be unique and radiate a sense of luxurious elegance, the Pollicastro Boutique Hotel is the most iconic hotel in the city, located within the walls of a sixteenth-century palace called de' Perroni.
In the heart of the Lecce’s city centre, the Pollicastro Boutique Hotel treats each room as a work of art with a different theme and soul, linked together by the meticulous craftsmanship and implicit magnificence the hotel conveys. Only our Amalfi Silk-Cotton Polo Shirt can match the elegance of your surroundings, thanks to a luxurious silk-cotton blend that provides the grace and comfort required in these superb premises.
As your first day in Lecce comes to an end, the walls of the Pollicastro Boutique Hotel will remind you of the essence of this land and its people: a tradition that speaks of impeccable beauty, enduring class, and a passion for everything beautiful and worth experiencing in life.
The Florence of the South is not a place to see but rather to experience. Lecce is a blend of cultures and traditions that retraces the history of the Salento region, where Roman architecture meets majestic baroque buildings and Greek influences.
Lecce is the embodiment of beauty resulting from the unique meeting of people and cultures in a land that speaks of southern Italian uniqueness and charm. Every narrow lane and hidden corner feels authentic and timeless, and every conversation is natural and joyful. Lecce's beauty lies in its atmosphere: a place where life can be enjoyed thoroughly.
Forty-eight hours in Lecce is all you need to appreciate the beauty of one of the finest hidden gems of Italy, as long as you plan it well and know what to wear in every situation.
Coffee: Caffè Alvino
There’s no better way to start your day in Lecce than a delicious cappuccino and fragrant croissant at Caffè Alvino, the elegant café in the city centre. If you want to experience the Leccese lifestyle fully, try the unmissable rustico leccese, a salty pastry filled with tomato and mozzarella.
Caffè Alvino is in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, right at the heart of Lecce. From here, you'll see a city brimming with life, with food markets and events that emphasise the local culture and tradition. Embrace the leccese lifestyle and blend in with the Portofino Dusty Pink Linen Shirt, a garment that perfectly matches the timeless style of the buildings surrounding you.
The gabardine fabric our Cortina chinos are made of is a tightly woven warp-faced twill weave fabric. A firm and durable material, gabardine was created in the late 1800s by Thomas Burberry, the founder of Burberry, who wanted to create a new, versatile blend for his creations.
At first, gabardine became popular because it can hold its shape and does not wrinkle easily. When it started being waterproofed with lanolin, it also became a must-have for travellers and explorers worldwide. Today gabardine is a versatile and exceptional fabric for suits and casualwear and is often used to make chinos or pants that can stand the test of time.
Our gabardine fabric is crafted in Northern Italy from high-quality cotton twill and blended with 3% elastane to improve the garment’s comfort and durability. They’ll seamlessly adapt to your shape, and thanks to the thoughtful details and luxurious feel on your skin, they may well become your go-to chinos in any smart-casual situation.
Culture: Basilica di Santa Croce
In our Italian laboratories, we have reimagined this timeless classic by adding a modern touch and subtle details to bring exquisite garments to life. Thanks to skills that have been passed down through generations, seasoned artisans provide a final touch to all our creations, adding invisible stitching to keep the design clean and ensuring the pants’ quality and size measurements. With Cortina, this traditional process results in a contemporary garment with a practical and versatile design that will fit most autumn to spring outfits.
The Basilica di Santa Croce is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture on the Italian peninsula. It took almost two centuries to bring to life this marvellous church, which required the efforts of some of the most respected local architects of the 17th century, including Francesco Antonio Zimbalo and his son Giuseppe, better known as Zingarello.
The exterior is richly decorated with sculptures of Saints and animals; the rose window, by the sculptor Cesare Penna, is a mesmerising piece of work that'll lead you to the gates of this exceptional church.
No words can describe the grandeur and power exuded by Santa Croce’s interior. The seventeen altars, the splendour of the columns and the wooden ceiling exude a sense of elegance and timelessness that's impossible to forget.
Sometimes, a leather belt can enliven your style like nothing else: a garment that will enhance the quality of any outfit and that you'll love wearing for years to come.
Leather belts of the highest quality ensure durability and uniqueness for your everyday wardrobe. They hold their shape nicely and adapt easily, becoming more comfortable over time and providing a stylish look even after countless uses.
They’re also highly versatile garments that fit perfectly with both casual and formal attires. You won’t need a plethora of belts, as long as you own a few in neutral colours to put on that will work on any occasion.
Today we’ll look into what makes our handcrafted leather belts unique and why they’re the ultimate choice to enhance all kinds of styles.
Turin contains multitudes: a city that’s both industrial and artistic, ancient and modern, an amazing place of history and beauty where you can experience the authentic Italian lifestyle at its absolute best.
Torino is the northernmost major city in Italy, facing the majestic Alps and constantly caressed by its breeze. Yet, the city feels Mediterranean, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a southern flair that couldn't be more different from the hectic, metropolitan style of nearby Milan.
Nestled between the Po River and the Alps, Turin was a major national and European political centre for centuries. It was the first capital of unified Italy (the Kingdom of Italy), and the then-governing House of Savoy built majestic palaces and a modern infrastructure to celebrate the city’s importance.
Like most Italian cities, Turin went through a series of significant historical changes that determined its architecture and aura. It was one of the country's first and most industrialised cities between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century; together with Milan, Turin and its industry laid the foundations for the post-war Italian miracolo industriale: it is, to this day, a crucial crossroad for industry, commerce, and trade.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip to Turin, here's what you can do in 24 hours in one of the most beautiful Italian cities.
In front of such beauty, one can’t but try to match the splendour of this timeless place. The Ravello Linen Shirt radiates the elegance a visit to the Basilica di Santa Croce deserves while giving you the comfort and breathability you need during the long days in the southern weather.
The pants are then dyed using a 'Tinto Capo' process resulting in a natural harmonious colour throughout. Additionally, dying the garment at the end ensures that the trousers won't shrink after the first wash.
The final stage to bring the Cortina chinos to life involves ironing the pants, first using machinery and then by hands. As it's the tradition in the oldest Italian mills, each garment is meticulously checked by expert artisans in all its details, from size to stitching, ensuring the quality and durability of the Cortina pants are in line with the excellent quality our garments always display.
Aperitivo: Bar Viveur
After a whole day exploring Lecce, there’s no better way to cool down and get ready for dinner than with a late-afternoon aperitif. Despite its timeless features, Lecce is a young, vibrant city, with trendy bars at every corner and elegant bistros that animate the city centre. The Elba Linen Jersey Polo is the perfect choice for your casual evenings in Lecce, with its smooth and soft fabric that gives you the comfort and subtle elegance you need as the day comes to an end.
The legendary Bar Viveur is unmissable if you want to experience the true Salentino aperitif hour. Located not far from the Giuseppe Garibaldi public gardens, Bar Viveur offers a wide selection of wines and appetisers that'll introduce you to the rich local cuisine while admiring the magnificence of the city centre.
Dinner: Blu Notte
Just a few meters from Porta San Biagio, the historic Baroque-style city gate, there's one of the finest restaurants in Salento. Blu Notte is the perfect restaurant for unforgettable nights, with a menu showcasing the best the local food tradition has to offer.
In this cosy restaurant, you’ll find the freshest, most delicious fish served in carefully crafted recipes that combine traditional cuisine with a contemporary gourmet approach. The Salento area is also worldwide known for the quality of its wines and meat dishes, and at Blu Notte, you’ll be able to experience first-class dishes in an unforgettable atmosphere.
You can make this night truly magic by wearing the classic look of the Portofino Midnight Linen Shirt: a garment that perfectly matches the attention to detail and unblemished quality of Blu Notte’s delicacies.
The gabardine fabric our Cortina chinos are made of is a tightly woven warp-faced twill weave fabric. A firm and durable material, gabardine was created in the late 1800s by Thomas Burberry, the founder of Burberry, who wanted to create a new, versatile blend for his creations.
At first, gabardine became popular because it can hold its shape and does not wrinkle easily. When it started being waterproofed with lanolin, it also became a must-have for travellers and explorers worldwide. Today gabardine is a versatile and exceptional fabric for suits and casualwear and is often used to make chinos or pants that can stand the test of time.
Our gabardine fabric is crafted in Northern Italy from high-quality cotton twill and blended with 3% elastane to improve the garment’s comfort and durability. They’ll seamlessly adapt to your shape, and thanks to the thoughtful details and luxurious feel on your skin, they may well become your go-to chinos in any smart-casual situation.
The pants are then dyed using a 'Tinto Capo' process resulting in a natural harmonious colour throughout. Additionally, dying the garment at the end ensures that the trousers won't shrink after the first wash.
The final stage to bring the Cortina chinos to life involves ironing the pants, first using machinery and then by hands. As it's the tradition in the oldest Italian mills, each garment is meticulously checked by expert artisans in all its details, from size to stitching, ensuring the quality and durability of the Cortina pants are in line with the excellent quality our garments always display.
Sleep: Pollicastro Boutique Hotel
After a whole day admiring the splendour of Lecce, you deserve a rewarding experience like no others. With eleven rooms, each carefully designed to be unique and radiate a sense of luxurious elegance, the Pollicastro Boutique Hotel is the most iconic hotel in the city, located within the walls of a sixteenth-century palace called de' Perroni.
In the heart of the Lecce’s city centre, the Pollicastro Boutique Hotel treats each room as a work of art with a different theme and soul, linked together by the meticulous craftsmanship and implicit magnificence the hotel conveys. Only our Amalfi Silk-Cotton Polo Shirt can match the elegance of your surroundings, thanks to a luxurious silk-cotton blend that provides the grace and comfort required in these superb premises.
As your first day in Lecce comes to an end, the walls of the Pollicastro Boutique Hotel will remind you of the essence of this land and its people: a tradition that speaks of impeccable beauty, enduring class, and a passion for everything beautiful and worth experiencing in life.