Pull your socks up: magistrate reported over ‘casual’ dress
IN ITALY, showing too much flesh is a charge normally levelled at scantilyclad showgirls and actresses on latenight television.
But now the accusation has been made against a middle-aged magistrate from Tuscany.
Aldo Giubilaro has been formally reported by a group of politicians for having the temerity to hold a press conference without any socks on, as the country roasted in temperatures of up to 95F (35C).
He appears to have been attempting a classic Italian summer look – at this time of year the country is full of suave businessmen in sharp suits who forego socks in order to show off tanned ankles, typically above a pair of expensive suede or leather loafers.
Mr Giubilaro, from the Tuscan province of Massa-carrara, did not quite have the mahogany tan to carry off the look, with his ankles appearing ivory white rather than mahogany brown.
Yet his sartorial choice was enough to invite the wrath of a senator, Lucio Barani, as well as 14 other centre-right politicians, who sent an official complaint to the ministry of justice.
Mr Barani, a member of the Italian parliament’s upper house, accused the prosecutor of “not presenting a good image of the justice system”.
“Given that Mr Giubilaro represents a state institution, he should not present himself sprawled about, wearing shoes without socks,” he said.
The magistrate’s dress was “hardly appropriate, in particular the absence of socks,” he argued, adding that regardless of the weather, decorum should be maintained.
“Even when it’s hot, I wear a jacket, a shirt and a tie. Many of the prosecutor’s colleagues have to wear gowns in court, even in August,” he said.
Mr Giubilaro was unrepentant, saying the complaint about his wardrobe barely merited a response.
“But I would say that it doesn’t seem right to me that the senator should insult the magistracy like this,” he said.