Icons of Neapolitan Style: the masters of Neapolitan elegance

Introduction

When it comes to men's elegance, Naples is not just a city: it’s a statement. A style that combines sartorial rigor with effortless flair, craftsmanship excellence with the personality of the wearer. In this article, we celebrate some of the Neapolitan icons who have embodied—and sometimes revolutionized—the essence of Neapolitan style.

Totò – The theatrical rigor behind the irony

Behind his sharp humor and mischievous gaze, Totò was an aesthete. His shirts were chosen with the precision of a conductor: almost always white, often in cotton batiste or fine poplin, with a stiff collar and double cuffs for cufflinks. He frequently opted for a club collar or a slightly rounded one, adding a dandy yet disciplined touch.

Totò had his shirts made by the finest Neapolitan shirtmakers—and his demands were exacting. He insisted on invisible stitching, real mother-of-pearl buttons, and removable collar stays. Whether on stage or in life, there were no imperfections: the shirt was the white canvas on which every character was painted.

Eduardo De Filippo – Classicism as a silent language

Eduardo's elegance was all about subtraction. His shirts made a statement: strictly white, without frills, with a classic collar and a comfortable fit, never tight. Often crafted in Neapolitan linen or robust cotton, perfect for the demands of his life between writing, stage, and direction.

His style was a form of respect—for the audience, the role, the city. The shirt didn’t try to amaze, but stood out for its quiet dignity. No trends, just form and function. As if to say: the man may pass, but style remains.

Diego Armando Maradona – When the shirt becomes legend

If Naples were a garment, it would likely be Maradona’s shirt: bold, unique, excessive, but full of soul. Diego loved shirts in cotton sateen, shiny, almost theatrical. Wide collars, often long-point or Cuban style, that made room for gold chains, religious symbols, faith, and superstition.

He experimented with colors—from bright sky blue to pure white, to full black—and embraced flashy details: visible stitching, wide cuffs, custom embroidery. His shirt spoke a unique language: it was both shield and armor, canvas and manifesto. This, too, is why Naples has never forgotten him.

Peppino De Filippo – The ironic elegance of the artistic brother

Though often in the shadow of his brother Eduardo, Peppino had his own distinct style—softer, more playful. His shirts revealed a lighter man, but no less elegant. He preferred lightweight cottons, often striped or in soft pastels, with button-down collars in informal moments, and an impeccable French collar for formal occasions.

Peppino was the man of the open shirt with a scarf, the double button undone, and the sly gaze. For him, style was a matter of ease, never stiffness.

Neapolitan style today: legacy in the hands of masters

Anyone wearing a Vanacore Napoli shirt today is choosing to inherit all this: Totò’s care, Eduardo’s sobriety, Maradona’s pride, Peppino’s ease. Hand-sewn shirts where every button tells a story, every stitch is an act of love for refined dressing.

In a true Neapolitan gentleman’s wardrobe, the shirt is more than a garment: it’s a declaration of identity.