Cashmere: 5 Outfits Inspired by Italian Stars of Yesterday and Today

Since its inception, Italian cinema has been one of the calling cards of Made in Italy. The Italian man is often portrayed as charming, a lover of the good life and beautiful women, refined in his dress but also with a touch of wildness. A bit of a seducer, a bit of a rogue, always elegant and refined.

An image that has also brought success to our local clothing brands. If you think fashion only loves to dress women, we can confidently refute that: history tells of men’s tailors, highly specialized and with a professionalism different from that of women’s haute couture. This is why even creating a simple men’s sweater is far from simple and requires specific expertise.

Cashmere has always been one of the most beloved yarns in men’s fashion and is invariably worn by Italian stars as well as the international jet set. In this feature, we offer looks inspired by actors who have made (or are still making) the history of our cinema.

Vittorio Gassman: a Star, despite Everything

Vittorio Gassman has an intense face, inherently dramatic, with a charm somewhat akin to the unforgettable Cary Grant. Born on September 1, 1922, in Genoa, under the Virgo sign, to a German father, Heinrich, a civil engineer, and a Tuscan mother, Luisa Ambron, passionate about theater, he is considered one of the greatest Italian actors of the post-war period.

The surname is of Jewish origin and initially had two ‘n’s, a factor also found in his mother, who changed Ambron to Ambrosi in an attempt to escape the persecutions of the time. The story was told by another star of our time, Alessandro Gassmann, who restored the two initial ‘n’s removed by his father Vittorio.

Vittorio Gassman starred in unforgettable films that made cinema history, such as Big Deal on Madonna Street and The Great War, both by Mario Monicelli, but also Bitter Rice (directed by Giuseppe De Santis) and Il Sorpasso, to name a few. Gassman’s style could be described as tormented, somewhat theatrical, and decidedly chameleonic.

The 1stAmerican pieces that best represent him are the 100% cashmere turtleneck sweater, strictly black, the white shirt, and the cashmere and wool gloves in anthracite gray or navy blue tones. Articles that reveal all the elegance of a man, more than a star, who knew how to play with history and at the same time be its protagonist. With a melancholic side constantly in the background.

Marcello Mastroianni, or Beauty and Joy

Marcello Mastroianni is perhaps the most representative and recognizable face of Italian cinema of the post-war period. Younger than Gassman, he was born in Frosinone on September 18, 1924, dreamed of becoming an architect but soon found himself in front of the camera. The important encounter was with Luchino Visconti, the director of The Leopard, who taught him the tricks of the trade in theater.

Fortune soon knocked on his door with two names: cinema and Federico Fellini. Fame came with Big Deal on Madonna Street, where he starred alongside Vittorio Gassman, but especially with La Dolce Vita, Fellini’s iconic film to which he owes his international acclaim. There are many important films, as well as romantic adventures. Mastroianni worked until the end, among his last films are Sostiene Pereira (directed by Roberto Faenza) and the autobiographical story Mi ricordo, sì, io mi ricordo. He died in Paris in 1996 at the age of 72.

How to define Marcello Mastroianni’s style if not with the words elegant, captivating, and enveloping? A bit like cashmere, a bit like silk, two materials that are also symbols of 1stAmerican’s style, which offers a modern man, comfortable in all situations, capable of always remaining impeccable thanks to a classic and never banal style.

The 1stAmerican pieces that best suit Mastroianni’s style are the 100% cashmere cardigan, refined and comfortable, both in the buttoned and zipped version in white, the 100% pure cashmere scarf, and another sweater, this time in cashmere silk with a V-neck, in olive green. Solutions for a look that manages to make not only the camera or the photographer fall in love every day but also those around. Just like Marcello Mastroianni, the quintessential Italian star, knew how to do.

Alessio Boni: Star or Anti-Star?

Alessio Boni is a star? Maybe yes, maybe no. Loved by the audience, both in cinema and television where he has acted in numerous successful series such as War and Peace, Crazy for Love 2, and the more recent The Swan Company, to name a few, Boni is a well-rounded professional, capable of venturing into theater, for which he has an important and unconditional love.

Proudly from Bergamo, he was born near Lake Iseo, in Sarnico, on July 4, 1966, under the Cancer sign. In Rome, after various work experiences, he attended the National Academy of Dramatic Art “Silvio d’Amico” and collaborated with directors of the caliber of Giorgio Strehler and Luca Ronconi.

Fame came with television and the series Incantesimo but also cinema where he starred in films like The Best of Youth by Marco Tullio Giordana and The Beast in the Heart (directed by Cristina Comencini).

Alessio Boni is very private about his personal life, he is married to Nina Verdelli, a woman 18 years younger than him, with whom he has a son named Lorenzo.

His style is more of an anti-star than a star. Sure, Boni is aware of his charm but, like many of his characters, he does not lack a certain inner rigor, even if there is no shortage of a certain irony. His looks are simple and sporty, informal and very elegant. They tell of a simple person who does a complicated job. The 1stAmerican pieces that best represent him are the long-sleeve cashmere silk polo, perfect in the melange effect shade to match the intense blue of his eyes, the crew neck silk and cotton sweater, in dark pink and navy blue colors (one ironic and the other classic) but, above all, the cashmere silk crew neck sweater, in the melange effect or burgundy shade. Style ideas that reflect a personality where the Hamlet-like doubt “star or anti-star?” remains, but the style endures.

Luca Argentero: the Smile that Conquers

Luca Argentero was born in Turin on April 12, 1978, to a father who was a builder and ski instructor and a mother who was a housewife with Sicilian origins. Graduated in Economics and Commerce in 2004, he became a well-known face to the general public the following year, thanks to his participation in the TV series Carabinieri.

Alongside his TV career, he’s currently starring in the hit Rai series Doc — In Your Hands, and he’s also active in film, appearing in several successful movies, including Eat Pray Love (with Julia Roberts), The Big Dream (directed by Michele Placido), and Saturn in Opposition by Turkish director Ferzan Ozpetek.

Beloved by both men and women, Argentero also acts in commercials and is widely known by the general public, while still earning critical acclaim. Beyond his roles, what wins people over are the infectious smile he’s so often photographed with and his enigmatic vibe. In his private life he’s had two important relationships: one with actress and voice actor Myriam Catania, and one with Cristina Marino, also an actress (the two were married in Umbria in 2021).

Luca Argentero’s style is modern, sporty, simple, and classic. All traits he shares with 1stAmerican—and he always wears them flawlessly, helped by a physique that clearly belongs to a guy who loves sports.

The 1stAmerican pieces that best reflect Luca Argentero’s style are the 100% cashmere crewneck sweater; the sweater and the cashmere-silk vest to wear with a shirt. The go-to pants are jeans, which pair perfectly with both style ideas. A look that suits both students and career-driven managers—perfect all day long, with family, in your free time, and at work too. And don’t forget the smile—Luca Argentero’s most distinctive (and most loved) trait.

Luca Marinelli: a Bit De André, a Bit Diabolik

Luca Marinelli is one of the rising stars of Italian cinema. Critically acclaimed, he won the David di Donatello for Best Supporting Actor in 2016 for They Call Me Jeeg (directed by Gabriele Mainetti) and the prestigious Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival in 2019 for his performance in Martin Eden. He’s widely known thanks to his role as Fabrizio De André in the popular RAI drama.

Born in Rome on October 22, 1984, he stands out for his angular, even features, eyes that lock you in with a magnetic gaze, and—no doubt—his talent, as his awards show. Like Alessio Boni, he graduated from the Silvio d’Amico National Academy of Dramatic Arts; success came with Saverio Costanzo’s film The Solitude of Prime Numbers, based on Paolo Giordano’s bestseller.

Little is known about his private life, except that he has been married since 2012 to fellow actor Alessia Jung, whom he met on the set of Mary of Nazareth. He’s currently in theaters with the Manetti Bros’ film Diabolik, where he plays the famous thief from the comic-book series, alongside Miriam Leone and Valerio Mastandrea.

For his looks, we draw inspiration from his characters. Thinking of Fabrizio De André, we suggest the cashmere-silk cardigan in melange denim and olive green—perfect for the unforgettable Genoese singer-songwriter masterfully portrayed by Marinelli.

And as for him—yes, him—Diabolik? The color is black, a shade that really suits Luca Marinelli, enhancing his enigmatic, mysterious gaze. The 1stAmerican piece that best fits the Diabolik–Marinelli vibe has to be the cashmere-silk turtleneck sweater, in black, of course. A look that’s refined yet minimal—just like the actor. Definitely worth copying, and perfect with either jeans or corduroy trousers. One extra accessory? This time we’re dedicating it to Marinelli and his striking features: the 100% pure cashmere hat from 1stAmerican in navy blue.

Little Bonus Track… Surprise!

The Italian star featured in this little bonus track dedicated to yesterday’s and today’s Italian icons—in true 1stAmerican style—is… Alessandro Borghi. Why? His charm, his style, and—like all the other leads—his talent. Borghi is currently in theaters with Paolo Genovese’s Superheroes, alongside Jasmine Trinca, with whom he already starred in On My Skin (directed by Alessio Cremonini), where he played Stefano Cucchi.

A familiar face in film and television, Alessandro Borghi was born in Rome on September 19, 1986. He’s known—and appreciated—for his ability to transform, even physically, making his characters more realistic than ever. He has said he prefers cinema, the great passion of his life. He has worked with major directors, and his choices show a keen eye for selecting projects. He doesn’t shy away from TV either—check out his portrayal of Luigi Tenco in Dalida. His private life remains mysterious and very private—even more so than the other actors we’ve mentioned—so in that sense Borghi is a bit anti-diva. The same doesn’t apply to his style: he likes to dress well, and his red-carpet appearances prove it. His looks are original and he’s not afraid of bold colors. That’s why the 1stAmerican piece that best reflects his style is the 100% cashmere crewneck sweater in cherry, paired—boldly—with the silk scarf-shawl from 1stAmerican with a multicolor print in shades of red. An eclectic mood, that of Alessandro Borghi, which captures the contradictions of the modern man.