Home » Yes Italians Can Have Light Hair and Blue Eyes
It is a common misconception that Italians must look a particular way. The stereotype is that Italians have dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin. Nevertheless, hair and eye color vary in Italy and so does skin tone! It is not uncommon to see Italians with lighter eye and hair shades. Italians have all different eye colors including brown, hazel, green, and blue. There are blonde, brunette, and red-haired Italians. The more North you move in Italy the more frequently you will see Italians with blue eyes. The map below illustrates this trend.
It is a common misconception that Italians must look a particular way. The stereotype is that Italians have dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin. Nevertheless, hair and eye color vary in Italy and so does skin tone. It is not uncommon to see Italians with lighter eye and hair shades. Italians have all different eye colors including brown, hazel, green, and blue. There are blonde, brunette, and red-haired Italians. The more North you move in Italy the more frequently you will see Italians with blue eyes. The map below illustrates this trend.
The following map shows the percent of Italian who have blonde hair. As with eye color, the more North you go the more common blonde hair becomes.
The reason that Italians in the north are lighter than those in the south is partially based on the fact that there is more of a Germanic influence in Northern Italy and more of an Arabic influence in Southern Italy. Furthermore, there is a difference in the climate which definitely can have an effect on skin tone.
Looking at famous Italians, we are able to see the various different hair and eye colors. The iconic Italian beauty Sophia Loren, who was born in the central part of Italy has green eyes and medium brown hair. Frank Sinatra‘s mother was from Nothern Italy and his father was from Sicily. He is the perfect example of an Italian with bright blue eyes!
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