sprezzanti

Sprezzanti is a plural Italian term used to describe individuals who embody sprezzatura, or a cultivated nonchalance. The word derives from the Italian adjective sprezzante (contemptuous or disdainful) and is connected to the historical concept of sprezzatura, popularized in Renaissance literature as the appearance of effortless mastery. In contemporary usage, sprezzanti can refer to people who project ease and composure in manner, dress, or performance, often by selecting imperfectly coordinated elements or an unfussy attitude that appears natural rather than calculated.

Historically, sprezzatura originated with Baldassare Castiglione’s description of the ideal courtier in The Book of the Courtier (c. 1528). It framed nonchalant grace as a sign of self-control, training, and social polish. While the original context was court etiquette, the term has evolved in modern times to describe a broader aesthetic and behavioral ideal, sometimes celebrated for its subtlety and authenticity, and other times critiqued as merely performative.

In current fashion and cultural discourse, sprezzanti are associated with a style that conveys effortlessness: relaxed tailoring, well-worn footwear, softly rumpled shirts, or small, intentional imperfections that signal a lack of overt striving. The concept remains debated, with critics arguing that true nonchalance is hard to distinguish from carefully staged appearance.

See also: sprezzatura, nonchalance, Italian linguistic terms.