Italy has long held the crown for menswear excellence. From the looms of Biella to the tailoring houses of Mantua, craftsmanship isn’t a marketing line—it’s a way of working that’s been passed down through families, refined over decades and quietly perfected in workshops where precision still matters more than speed. The country’s reputation for elegance comes from this dedication to fabric, cut and construction; three things that turn everyday clothes into pieces you keep for years.

Few brands embody that philosophy quite as naturally as Corneliani. Founded in Mantua and rooted firmly in Italian tailoring culture, the label has spent generations shaping a particular kind of modern luxury—soft, unforced, beautifully made. Their Fall/Winter 2025 collection is a reminder of what Made in Italy looks like when tradition meets contemporary needs: indulgent fabrics, fluid silhouettes, subtle technical touches and a sense of refinement that never feels showy.

And this level of craftsmanship matters most in the colder months. Autumn and winter demand clothes that can shift from commute to dinner without losing shape; layers that feel good on the body but still look sharp; outerwear that isn’t just warm, but confidently cut. Pieces made with intention simply perform better. They age well, hold up after repeated wear and quietly elevate everything you pair with them.

Spending more on this kind of wardrobe foundation isn’t extravagance—it’s common sense. Choose wisely, and you’re building the infrastructure your winter dressing relies on: coats with presence, knitwear that lasts, tailoring that adapts, shirts that soften over time.

Below, drawing on Corneliani’s FW25 collection, are the six Made-in-Italy pieces that genuinely earn their place in a man’s wardrobe. In our opinion, they’re worth every penny.

Slouchy Coat

If autumn/winter 2025 had an unofficial uniform, the slouchy coat would be it. Not oversized for the sake of it, but relaxed in that quietly elegant Italian way—soft shoulders, gentle drape, and a silhouette that moves with you rather than against you. It’s the antithesis of the rigid overcoats that dominated for years, and far more practical when you’re layering knitwear and tailoring underneath.

This season’s best versions come in the sort of fabrics Italy does better than anyone else: wool-cashmere blends with a natural warmth and bounce; pure wool melanges with subtle herringbone patterns that add depth without shouting; even technical wool constructions that feel contemporary but still luxurious. Corneliani’s FW25 outerwear leans into this softness, using lightweight interlinings and fluid cuts to make coats that feel almost effortless to wear.

Colour-wise, stick to the classics. Navy for week-on-week dependability, anthracite for a sharper city feel, chocolate brown for something richer but no less versatile. These tones anchor a wardrobe—particularly in winter when everything tends towards texture and depth.

And then there’s practicality. A slouchy coat is smart enough for the office but relaxed enough for a Sunday coffee run. For party season, it’s exactly what you want: something that looks refined thrown over tailoring but won’t feel precious when you’re dashing between taxis, dinners and late-night drinks. Add details like detachable vests or technical linings and suddenly you’ve got real-world warmth built into something that still feels impeccably tailored.

This is the winter coat that works hard without looking like it’s trying.

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Luxe Cropped Jacket

Somewhere between a tailored blazer and a casual bomber sits the cropped jacket—the piece that makes transitional dressing feel infinitely easier. Shorter layers can be tricky, but when they’re done with Italian precision, they become an elegant alternative to a full overcoat and a surprisingly adaptable part of your cold-weather rotation.

The appeal lies in the balance of structure and softness. Think technical fabrics blended with cashmere for warmth without bulk; reversible nappa leather that offers two moods in a single garment; unlined double-fabric constructions that sit neatly over shirts but also pair naturally with knitwear. Corneliani’s FW25 take on the cropped silhouette captures exactly this: considered materials, clean lines, subtle refinement.

Worn over a zip-through knit or layered beneath a heavier coat on colder days, the cropped jacket earns its keep. It sharpens up casual trousers, adds polish to jeans, and keeps tailored looks from feeling too formal. In autumn, it’s a reliable everyday piece. In winter, it becomes a clever mid-layer that adds visual interest without adding bulk.

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Zip-Through Knit

Once a purely functional mid-layer, the zip-through knit has quietly become one of the most useful pieces a man can own. Part jacket, part jumper, it’s the sort of hybrid design that aligns perfectly with how we dress today—layered, comfortable, but still refined enough to feel intentional.

The Italian versions are particularly good because the fabrics do most of the talking. Cashmere blends with incredible softness; extra-fine wool that regulates temperature without feeling heavy; two-tone knits that add depth under outerwear. Corneliani’s FW25 examples highlight this mix beautifully, with clean lines, subtle ribbing and zips that sit flat against the body.

A zip-knit brings versatility to autumn and winter dressing. Wear it fully open as a lightweight jacket on milder days; half-zipped under a blazer for a modern office look; or fully zipped as a sleek alternative to a chunky roll neck when the temperature dips. It bridges the gap between tailoring and casualwear in a way few pieces manage.

There’s also the comfort factor. A good zip-through doesn’t cling, bulk, or overheat. It moves easily, slips under coats without resistance, and—when made from the right fibres—elevates even the simplest outfit.

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Wool Trousers

Winter trousers need to do more than look sharp—they need to perform. Which is why stretch wool, wool-cotton blends and pure wool flannels have become indispensable. The best Italian mills have mastered fabrics that feel luxurious but work hard in cold weather, whether that’s a softly brushed flannel with natural warmth or a technical wool that flexes subtly with movement.

That’s the appeal of modern wool tailoring: it bends, insulates and holds its shape without losing the crisp line you want from proper trousers. A clean front, a gently tapered leg, a waistband that sits comfortably under knitwear or blazers—these are the details that make trousers genuinely useful for an entire season.

Corneliani’s FW25 trousers showcase this approach with precision. Whether in black, light beige, dark beige or deep navy, the cut remains modern but timeless—elegant enough for the office, relaxed enough for off-duty wear. The blended fabrics offer warmth on winter mornings but stay breathable indoors, and they hold their shape from commute to evening plans.

Styling them is easy. Pair with a soft blazer for refined smart-casual looks; add a zip-knit for something more relaxed; or wear them with a cropped jacket for a clean, contemporary silhouette. They also handle festive days well—those long stretches that start smart and drift gradually into something more social.

The real appeal is longevity. These are trousers you can wear multiple times a week without feeling like you’re overusing them. The comfort means you actually will, and the quality means you’ll want to.

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Tailored Flannel Shirt

If summer belongs to crisp poplin, winter undoubtedly belongs to flannel. It’s warm, soft, tactile and quietly luxurious—exactly the sort of fabric Italian shirtmakers excel at. A good flannel shirt isn’t bulky or lumberjack-ish. It’s refined, gently structured and surprisingly elegant.

The best versions mix cotton with a touch of cashmere for extra softness, or use finely brushed cotton flannel that feels almost sueded to the touch. Patterns stay subtle: herringbone weaves, understated checks, muted blues and beiges that sit effortlessly under knitwear or tailoring. Corneliani’s FW25 collection uses these textures to great effect, balancing warmth with clean lines and beautifully shaped collars.

This shirt slots seamlessly into autumn and winter wardrobes. It works under a blazer, under a knit, or even on its own with tailored trousers for a more relaxed evening look. The brushed finish gives it a certain depth and richness, making it feel dressed up without needing ties or formal layers.

What sets an Italian flannel shirt apart is the construction. Precise stitching, smooth plackets, collars that hold their shape, cuffs that sit neatly under knitwear—it all adds to the sense that this is more than a seasonal novelty. It’s a winter must-own.

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Smart-Casual Blazer

The modern blazer has evolved far beyond the stiff, heavily structured tailoring of old. Today’s best versions are defined by soft shoulders, lightweight construction and fabrics that combine elegance with genuine comfort. They’re designed to work seven days a week, not just for boardrooms and weddings.

The brilliance of the smart-casual blazer lies in its versatility. You can wear it with tailored trousers for a classic look, with stretch-cotton styles for something more relaxed, or even over a zip-through knit when temperatures drop. Corneliani’s FW25 collection emphasises this flexibility with a range of wool-cashmere blends, silk-wool weaves, refined jersey wool and even jackets with detachable vests that add warmth without bulk.

This is where Italian tailoring philosophy shines: construction that feels almost weightless but still gives you shape. A blazer you can shrug on like a cardigan, but that instantly smartens whatever’s underneath. Neutral tones—navy, beige, brown—keep things timeless, while subtle textures and technical blends bring a contemporary edge.

For the office, it’s an easy win: polished without feeling stuffy. For weekends, it dresses up denim or soft trousers without tipping into ‘trying too hard’. And then there’s party season, where the smart-casual blazer becomes a reliable go-to. It handles everything from cocktail bars to family gatherings, striking the perfect balance between relaxed and refined.

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A paid partnership with Corenliani – words and opinions are Ape’s own.