By Gaia Giordani. Cover artwork by Cristina González Clavijo.
Some words can express a whole mood with just a syllable—no emoji needed. In Italy, a unique mix of English and Italian slang is reshaping how Gen Z discusses fashion, trends, and taste. From cringiata to sciura, this hybrid language, often called Itanglish, not only describes outfits but also defines identities. Here’s your style-savvy guide to the terms that say more than a thousand hashtags.
7 Untranslatable Italian Slang Words for Describing Your Fashion Sense
Cringiata
Like many slang words in Itanglish (a hybrid language that mixes Italian and English), this term is localised from the word “cringe” to describe an outfit or item that looks awkward or causes a deep sense of embarrassment. Often, something is intentionally a “cringiata,”reaching a point where it transcends mere awkwardness and becomes a work of art. For example, like Lady Gaga’s raw meat dress at 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and Rihanna’s Guo Pei “pizza” dress, valued at 4 million dollars, at 2015 Met Gala. While Rihanna’s dress was noted for being the most expensive red carpet look of all time, it’s mostly remembered for the memes it generated. In most cases, if something looks like a cringiata, it simply is one.
Paninaro
In the 1980s in Italy, those who enjoyed dressing in branded clothing were often labelled as “Paninari”. The term originates from the panini sandwiches served at local fast-food spots around Piazza San Babila, where Paninari would gather in the historical centre of Milan. These unique fashion lovers were completely “branded” from head to toe, with logos and brand signatures prominently displayed on every item.
Recently, luxury brands like Gucci (notably misspelled as “Guccy”) and Balenciaga have revived the allure of large logos on tracksuits, coats and bags with the intention to challenge the traditional prestige associated with brand logos on garments, marking a new era for the ironic use of logos in fashion.
Adoro!
If you really love an outfit, a designer, or a trend, you can express that by saying Adoro! (pronounced: ah-dò-ro). To show even more enthusiasm, you can stretch out the vowels: aaaaadooooorooooo! You don’t necessarily need to have a big smile on your face to use it; it can also serve as a concise statement, reflecting your definite opinion on something you absolutely adore, like this: #adoro. A great example of the typical adoro poker face is the GOAT Anna Wintour. Full spot. You can also use lovvo, which is the Italian version of “I love it”.
Pienah
In Italy, when we can no longer tolerate a trend, we say we’re “pienah”, which means packed full or chock-a-block. This term is often used in its feminine form, though the reason for this is unclear. This feeling typically lasts about two decades; after that, nostalgia sets in, and we start to miss those trends. While new generations of fashion enthusiasts excitedly rediscover them, much like unearthing memories from the past, you look back at that trend with the same mixed feelings you hold for an ex. Once you reach the state of being pienah, you never quite look back.
Tamarro
The Treccani dictionary, an authoritative source on linguistic matters in Italy, states that the word “tamarro” comes from the Arabic tammar, meaning “date merchant”. In contemporary youth slang, it refers to someone with rough, vulgar, uncouth manners and appearance. In the fashion world, we notice that some cult pieces, considered fancy for a brief period while being in style, eventually fall out of favour and become associated with the“tamarro” aesthetics. This shift occurs when late adopters start to embrace these styles, often after fast fashion brands create a cheaper version of that item, which contributes to its decline in status. Interestingly, some pieces are inherently “tamarro”, like the ugly sneakers that became iconic with Balenciaga’s Triple S line. These pieces start from a bold and unrefined place and retain their “tamarro” identity from the outset.
Sciura
Pre-loved items and timeless outfits that never go out of style in Italy can be found in a specific place: your grandma’s wardrobe. The term “sciura” originates from a Northern Italian dialect and is associated with Milan. It translates to “classy lady” but with a nod to heritage, suggesting that this classy lady is likely not in her 20s anymore, possibly over 40. However, being a sciura is more about a state of mind than an age limit. Check out the @sciuraglam profile to enjoy the amazing, elegant outfits of the Milanese sciure (the plural of sciura) in everyday situations.
Scrauso
The term “scrauso” refers to clothing or accessories that are ugly, baggy, of poor quality or out of fashion. Its meanings range from being an insult—“Look how scrauso you look, clean up a bit!”—to a more objective assessment of aesthetics or quality. The term can apply to both males and females; a male can be referred to as “scrauso,” while a female is “scrausa.” Interestingly, someone can be described as scrauso or scrausa and still possess a unique sense of style.
A notable example of a “scrauso” icon is Adam Sandler, who has gained recognition (and inspired memes) for his distinct blend of random items. Many luxury brands are now embracing the scrauso look to attract younger generations, who often prefer a more relaxed lifestyle, choosing to stay in and “bed rot” rather than socialising and sometimes attending parties in hotel slippers from brands like Chrome Hearts or The Row.
