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Recently I have been subjected to mordant nagging by my two other hiking partners in crime about the state of my car. My car is a SUV and is used for hauling plants etc. and has been cluttered and dirty and not soiled, I hasten to add. Of course, they are more fastidious and very particular about things being clean and neat. In contrast, I am known for my sloppy and slovenly but never slatternly attitude. I am surrounded by friends and family who are very latest trends aware and know a thing or two about being stylishly dress, and for crying out loud I was subscribing to Robb Report for more than 10 years.  I began to ponder why do I have such an attitude and stubbornly held on to it.

My sense of fashion left much to be desired. I felt that it was frivolous and excessive indulgence to be fashionable. In fact, I swung to the other side, trying to be as pedestrian as possible. In my view, it was showing off, if not ostentatious. I tried to “blend in” rather than “stand out”, at least that is what I was doing in my mind. I was a plebian and I thought being fussy about my appearance is a patrician. In my mind it was all about our outlook on how we looked and more importantly how we were perceived by others.

For the first few years of my exercise in photography, the plebian versus patrician was present in stark contrast (no pun intended). I invested in some of the old lenses that came close (shall we say 80%) of the quality of the best-in-class lenses for my make of the camera. My thrill was chasing those cheap lenses. I would go visit pawn shops in my hometown and other towns I visit to snap a bargain. Of course, as expected, it was the (obvious) case of you get what you paid for, and I was always frustrated with the results I was getting. Then on my 5oth birthday, my younger brother gifted me a zoom lens that is best in class for my camera make. The results were so amazing that every time I use that lens, I huff and puff with a big smile on my face. That lens and camera combination is about 2.5 kgs (5.5 lbs.), hence the huffing and puffing. I was so inspired by the quality of results I bought couple of more lens in the focal length that I use very frequently and since then all my 30+ inexpensive (cheap) lenses have been gathering dust.

Almost lifelong held views on others sartorial fussiness and two decades after my adoption of “snobbery” of a lens, I had realized I was so focused on the shallow aspect of optics, I missed out on a more fundamental and beautiful aspects of the characteristic of being the best self in everything you do – fare bella figura.  Literally means to make a beautiful figure.  I did not know till now Italians have a name for it, and it changed my outlook and views that I thought defined me.

During a conversation on my article titled Flânerie (article #72) my friend V mentioned about far niente (It is actually Il dolce far niente – the sweetness of doing nothing). As I was doing some research on this Italian phrase, I came across another Italian phrase: fare bella figura. It piqued my curiosity and starting find more about it and more I read, more my discountenance has increased. Then I had a mortifying epiphany. I was so wrong about a viewpoint that I held for almost 60+ years.

Fare bella figura literally is about appearances: being elegant, stylish, polite. It is about embracing elegance. But it goes beyond looking good. It’s about showing respect for yourself and others through your behavior, choices, and attitude. It means putting care into how you present yourself and how you make others feel.

Now, let’s look deeper into the world of “Fare Bella Figura.” It’s not just about dressing to impress; it’s a way of life that weaves together beauty, grace, and a treasure trove of unwritten rules and customs that define Italian culture. Whether you’re at a formal gala or a casual gathering, being stylish and well-groomed is more than skin deep; it’s a reflection of your self-respect and your regard for those around you. But here’s the thing – it’s not just about how you look. It’s about how you carry yourself, how you treat others, and the values of dignity, hospitality, and politeness that you embody. But don’t mistake this dedication to appearances as mere vanity; it’s a profound way of demonstrating respect, both for oneself and for those who share the same space. It’s a powerful testament to the belief that when you make the effort to present yourself well, it’s not just a display of self-respect, but a gesture of respect towards the people around you.

Who knew!!! With this newfound knowledge I set aside my bias against those who dress fashionably as vanity, snobbishness and vaingloriousness and humbly acknowledge my ignorance and never shall I look at another well-dressed person with any disdain and belittle their choice of wardrobe as a personification of narcissism. This is my attempt at transforming from La Brutta Figura to La Bella Figura. You may say at the moment it is only looks and ask where is everything else that La Bella Figura stands for? I have just started and one step at a time, my friends, one step at a time.

Epilog: I was previewing the article with my friend V about the article, and I paraphrase what he said, “I want to get the best there is, for life too short to do otherwise”. Evidently, that is a life lesson his father imparted to him. How true!