Definitely the Italians. For me, the first word that comes to mind when thinking about Italian style is 'effortless'. They lust after the finer things in life, and they have a natural instinct for good taste. Italians are lucky enough to be able to feed their imaginations with the simple beauty of a blue sky, with luxurious renaissance architecture of epic proportions, or with splendid views of the Mediterranean Sea. And of course they have simple yet gourmet Italian cuisine. I believe it's this “dolce vita” mindset that influences and helps to make them more aware of the beautiful things life has to offer.
In my opinion it's no coincidence that The Renaissance, including its masterpieces, was created in Italy, and that this country was the
homeland of such geniuses as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, to name a few.
The Italians have a great eye for tailoring, and this is reflected in the cuts and sizes of their suits and shirts. They can also spot tiny details that other nationalities may overlook. From the subtle dimple under a tie-knot, to a well-designed shirt collar and cuff, right down to which haircut goes with which suit. Italians are undoubtedly in tune with what makes premium quality style so appealing.
I also believe that Japanese men are extremely style-conscious, and they have a strong appreciation for Europeans brands – above all those from Italy, France and Great Britain.