Today I’m thrilled to have fellow provocateur and COSÌ charter member Misty Evans on my podcast. Even before we combined our expat superpowers, I was a big fan of Misty’s blog. Although our styles are different, we both have the same philosophy about writing. That is, while we try to provide informative content for our readers, it’s never at the expense of our own amusement.
But it’s her no-filter, brutal honesty that endears her to the readers of her blog…and it’s also the reason why I had to slap the [EXPLICIT] label on this episode so that iTunes won’t allow it to fall upon tender ears. You’ve been warned.
I’m exaggerating a little. Misty is an American expat trapped between two worlds with her badass husband, his chest hair, and their poodle. Her award-winning blog, Surviving In Italy, aims to honestly portray her life in Italy, the 
sober times, the drunken times, the yelling, food, family, and on occasion her obsession with the majestic Capybara. (Don’t know what this is? Neither did I, but I googled it so that you wouldn’t have to. Hint: it has nothing to do with Italy.)
In this episode, we discuss Italian fashion as it relates to everyday clothing choices in Italy. We all marvel at the ease at which Italians can throw together a stylish outfit, or wear turquoise colored trousers without batting an eye. Misty helps me unravel this phenomenon a bit.
Misty also has a cool line of line of trendy t-shirts which she sells under the brand name House of Ossimori. I like what she did with the website; kind of reminds of the “cinematic photography” of Gregory Crewdson. But apparently she didn’t have a budget for professional models, so she recruited her husband to pose in homoerotic scenes in an effort to promote their men’s line.
Italian Fashion is Good for Your Health
Anyway, I purposely steered the conversation towards the point where fashion and health collide. Every Italy blogger has written about the excessive use of scarves among Italians (even in the middle of summer), the change of seasons (as it relates to the wardrobe closet, NOT the weather), and the iconic maglietta della salute (if you’re Italian-American, go ask your grandparents).
Yes, it’s true. While appearances are important, you must also obey the rules of Mother Nature…and of course your own mother, who will smack you with a wooden spoon if you leave the house without a scarf.
What’s more, Misty gives some practical advice for the ladies traveling to Italy so that they can blend in with the crowd, and not be targeted by young men seeking carnal knowledge. So leave those fuchsia-colored cocktail dress at home, americane, they’ll spot you from a kilometer away. It’s like walking into a bullring wearing a red cape.
Misty Evans
I would like to give a big “GRAZIE” once again to Misty for sharing her knowledge of fashion and health with me today. Please visit her on her website:
Click the link to check out other episodes and see my list of the best podcasts about Italy.
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Another super-entertaining episode! You two made me laugh out loud while listening to it on the bus – I’m one of those who wear the ‘maglietta della salute’, but in the pure cotton version, and never white (grey or black). I don’t know what to say… It’s maybe my mom’s fear of me sweating in a non-absorbent shirt? “Non correre che sudi! – Don’t run or you’re going to sweat!”. Certainly a sweaty shirt can be deadly if there’s any wind draft… BTW, they even have a proverb about the dangers of draft: “aria di fessura porta alla sepoltura” – I’ll let you translate this one 🙂
Ha, ha!! Well, you’re from the north of Italy, and know that the drafts up there can be vicious…even “deadly!”
Can we loosely translate that “the draft through the doorway can carry you all the way to your funeral?”
Indeed, I am from north of Milan – and we do seem to have this affliction!
Yes! That’s a good translation, though your version is more poetic 🙂
The best podcast thus far, made my commute home today bearable. Keep them coming please!
Grazie!!!