17 Questions to a well-dressed man: Marco Piancastelli
Marco Piancastelli - Orthopedic surgeon and classic clothing connoisseur from Italy
Proto credits: Stefano Triulzi
Marco Piancastelli is an Orthopaedic Surgeon and classic clothing enthusiast from Italy. I remember well, being impressed by seeing his amazing wardrobe in the Italian Arbiter magazine. He had garments made at tailors like Franco Puppato, Sabino and even Anderson & Sheppard! Beside that an impressive tie collection with ties from small artisanal tiemakers till the more well-known like Charvet or Turnbull & Asser. He enjoys clothing like a lot of people are enjoying art, perhaps clothing is a form of art for him. It’s also not so much the elegance that counts for him but the beauty of clothing. Another interesting thing of Marco is that the suit, jacket, shirt and tie are things he is wearing after work since during his workhours he wears the surgeon clothing that is required. So for Marco wearing classic clothing is a conscious choice instead of a must. It’s well worth following him on Instagram and being surprised by beautiful outfits from time to time. But now we are going to learn more about Marco, by reading his answers on the “17 Questions to a well-dressed man”.
What are you wearing today?
Today is a very hot day here in Emilia-Romagna: I’m wearing a bespoke unlined silk-cachemire jacket made by Sartoria Sabino, a bespoke shirt by Finollo and a silk tie by Cilento. The trousers are very old and were made by Franco Puppato; as usual braces, never belt.
If you had to choose to spend money either on a suit or on a watch, what would you choose?
Absolutely on a suit!!! But before, on the fabric of course: sometimes the costs of the fabric could be higher.
What jewellery could a man wear?
Personally, I don’t wear any jewellery: for sure, a man should never wear a bracelet; maybe just a ring, but I don’t like it either.
Tie or a bowtie?
Tie, in every possible colour or material; I like a bowtie but I wear it very rarely.
Do you remember your first jacket?
I can’t remember my first RTW jacket, I was probably 15 years old. But I remember my first bespoke suit, in dark grey grisaille, when I was 30 years old. It was very funny because I never had a suit made for me until that day and everything was a surprise.
What is your favourite watch?
I know very little about the world of watches, I wear it very rarely. But I love my watch, a pink gold IWC Portugieser.
Fountain pen or ballpoint?
I use overall a laptop, the pen is just to sign the documents and I use the first ballpoint pen that I can find. I never have a pen inside my jacket.
Have you found the perfect garment yet?
Nope, I’m always looking for the perfection; but the perfection doesn’t exist, so I will continue to look for it forever probably.
Explain your biggest passion in one sentence?
I’m looking for the beauty, not for the elegance.
What is your guilty pleasure?
To find a perfect and complete wardrobe: but it will be very difficult because the perfect wardrobe is a chimera.
Who is the best dressed man in the world for you?
This is a very difficult question… I can choose two people that I consider probably 2 of the best dressed and most elegant (it’s different!!!) men: il Gran Maestro Giancarlo Maresca and Giovanni Alfieri.
The best book you ever read?
Impossible to reply, I was a book eater from the childhood: almost every book gave me something important.
Which city should one go shopping?
Absolutely London and Naples.
Tweed or flannel?
Flannel! My best friends nicknamed me “Lord Flannel”.
The most elegant restaurant in the world for you?
I can’t reply to this, I have no passion for food or for restaurants.
Describe your style in three words?
Simple – Different - Classic
Best purchase you did in the last 6 months?
Probably a limited edition flannel by Fox Brothers: it was love at first sight.