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World's best-dressed nations -- and how to fit in

Never again be daunted by the prospect of traveling to a sartorially superior land

By Duncan Forgan
for CNN Travel
4 December, 2012

First impressions count. That, no doubt, is why few first dates take place in lederhosen.

For the traditional Germans among us, no offense intended. But there is something about a sharply cut suit, or a well-matched sweater-pant combo, that hits the style spots small leather shorts and braces can’t.

Of course in a Turkish steam bath even a pair of board shorts would be considered over-dressed. But that’s an extreme we needn't worry about here.

So which country has the best-dressed people?

Is it even possible or fair to evaluate an entire country on the sartorial whims of its fashionable elite?

Probably not. But that’s not going to stop us. And it shouldn’t stop you either.

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7. Brazil


Proving Brazil can dress just as well as it undresses.

The sun-kissed spiritual home of the body beautiful, Brazilians have traditionally been seen as one of the best-undressed nationalities. Yet while the classic barely there swimsuit/tight trunks and Havianas combo still reigns supreme on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, a more subtle fashion aesthetic has emerged in South America's largest country in recent years.

The catalyst for this change was the advent of the São Paolo Fashion Week at the turn of the millennium.

Now, with the newer Fashion Rio taking place in the same fortnight, Brazil is boldly upping the ante when it comes to hosting extended ready-to-wear events.

The approach appears to be paying off with brands such as Pedro Lourenço, Osklen and Alexandre Herchcovitch beginning to make a mark internationally with their exuberant designs.

Shining example



Carmen Miranda. Her fruit-laden hats and turbans brought Rio's joyous Carnival culture to a wider audience.

Essential items

Bikini from Osklen; classic V-neck T-shirt from Reserva

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5. United Kingdom


Maybe the dipped-in-a-bowl-of-coconut-shavings look is what's in right now.

It's no secret that many turn to the Brits for style pointers.

From the approximation of Edwardian fashions by the Teddy Boys in the 1950s through to the smart-casual looks favored by bands such as Blur, Oasis and the Arctic Monkeys, British youth movements have mined a rich sartorial seam.

While it's possible to put other fashion hubs into defined boxes -- France (femininity), Sweden (minimalism) -- British fashion largely defies categorization.

It can mean anything from a timeless James Bond look courtesy of famed tailor Gieves & Hawkes, classic British brands such as Burberry, Mulberry, Fred Perry and Lyle & Scott, or the steady stream of innovative design talent that emerges from famed fashion schools such as Central Saint Martins in London.

Shining example



Terence Stamp. British fashion was never more influential than at the height of the Swinging Sixties and nobody embodied the sharply dressed ethos more than actor Terence Stamp.

Essential items

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Accident Slim Pencil Skirt; Barbour trench coat

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3. France


If you dressed like this, you'd have a perma-smug grin, too.

The French royal court became the arbiter of style for the rest of Europe in the 17th century. It arguably still is, although today's fashion aristocracy are not the heavily powdered courtiers of Louis XIV, but the bright young things at houses such as Vuitton, Dior and Givenchy.

Indeed, it's not just the rest of the continent that takes many of its leads from Paris -- it's the entire world.

Foreign stars such as Marc Jacobs (United States), Kenzo Takada (Japan) and Alexander McQueen (United Kingdom) all saw a move to France as the logical way to further their careers.

The birthplace of haute couture -- unique custom fitted clothing -- French fashion can be too precious for some tastes.

New designers such as Yves Andrieux and Vincent Jalbert, however, who use recycled army fabrics and antique embroideries in their jackets and bags, are re-injecting some cutting edge.

Shining example



Eva Green. The former Bond girl favors 1930s- and 1940s-inspired silhouettes like high waists and structured shoulders that evoke the classic designs of Coco Chanel.

Essential items

Cotton tweed culotte skirt from Chanel; Speedster leather jacket from Surface to Air

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1. Italy


Gianni Agnelli didn't need color to shine.

Italy's modern synonymy with style began in the 1950s. Gucci became the jet set's label of choice with icons such as Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy Onassis rarely seen without one of its handbags.

Meanwhile, on the beaches of the English south coast, sharply dressed Mods in tailored Italian suits showed how to cut a dash during a scrap in their clashes with leather-clad Rockers.

Europe's kinky boot continues to fly the flag. Houses such as Prada, Miu Miu and Armani are legendary, while fashion conscious folks across the world strive to inject some trademark Italian "sprezzatura" (studied nonchalance) into their look.

With two cities -- Milan and Rome -- among fashion's big five, the world still looks to Italy for pointers, which is good news for emerging designers such as Carlo Contrada and Gabriele Colangelo.

Shining example



Gianni Agnelli. One of Italy's greatest industrialists, the impeccably dressed Fiat magnate was also a worthy standard bearer for his nation's fashion sensibility.

Essential items

Miu Miu bag; tailored blazer from Zanetti with pocket square

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kun diin ka niadto ug nagkuha ani nga piktyurs.  pareha mo ug shorts, haw?

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Ni haw, Bol Tob Syan. Ini, diin nga banwa?







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Republic of BolBuhol?

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...unja hang Balingsya hang sintral pasyon distrik?

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Cool Balingsya look...

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