Sylvia Fendi on What’s Sexy

Fendi’s matriarch of menswear on tans, white teeth and why no suit can make a boring man interesting.


1. Men look best in something worn. They shouldn’t look like they just went out and bought a new outfit. I also appreciate when men wear their favorite clothing even when it’s not so fashionable. It’s not good to look as though you spent a lot of time in front of the mirror.
2. I don’t like a man in a Ferrari—it’s simply not appealing to me. Men should drive nothing too fashionable or sporty. They should just drive a normal car. Like an Audi.

3. Men should never get highlights. This is the worst. Teeth-whitening is okay if the man is not too tan. But the two together is bad. And highlights, tan, and teeth-whitening all together? Oh my God.

4. The first thing I look for in a man’s house is books. It doesn’t matter what the books are about, really—it’s just important that he have some.

5. I always look at a man’s shoes. They should have a nice point—elongated but not too sharp. Boots are good too. Military boots, riding boots, cowboy boots. I find them very masculine—but when they’re used, not new. I don’t like new shoes. When I see a man in a shiny shoe, I can’t stand it.

6. If a man opens the cupboard to show you his collection of rare and beautiful linens—no, that’s too much! But if there’s a fresh bed with well-chosen sheets, that’s nice.

7. Is a man in a suit sexy? That depends. You could be wearing the most beautiful suit, but if you’re stupid, you’re not sexy. If you’re an interesting person and you have on awful clothes, well, you’re interesting anyway.