Chiodi

Chiodi (Italian plural noun, singular: chiodo) translates to "nails" in English. It can refer to various types of metal fasteners used for joining materials, particularly wood. However, the term also carries a more specific and colloquial meaning related to fashion and popular culture, often signifying a particular style of leather jacket.

In the fashion context, "chiodi" typically refers to the classic, Italian-style motorcycle jacket or biker jacket. These jackets are often characterized by features such as asymmetrical zippers, multiple pockets, a belted waist, and snap-down lapels. They are commonly made of leather, and their design is often associated with rebellious or counter-cultural aesthetics. The term can sometimes be used interchangeably with "perfecto" (though that term more specifically references a style popularized by Schott). The word derives its association from the hardware—the studs, snaps, and, most literally, the nails (chiodi) used in the jacket's construction.

Outside of the literal definition and the fashion connotation, "chiodi" can also be used figuratively to describe something that is problematic or causes difficulties, much like the English expression "a nail in the coffin." However, this usage is less common.