I am going to be honest with you: as an Italian, I detest the concept of bella figura. While it still remains one of the most deeply ingrained aspects of Italian culture, shaping not only individual behavior but also public life and institutions, bella figura may have finally reached the capolinea of its dominion on Italian costumes. 

Or does it?

Bella figura, as you probably know, is about maintaining dignity, projecting an image of composure, and ensuring that one’s external presentation fits an idealized version of self and society. For centuries, it has been the foundation of social decorum in Italy and extended from personal interactions to the grand theater of politics and governance.