It takes a lot of skill to direct a film, it takes even more to lead a cinematic movement, and it takes a practically superhuman level of talent to do it all while defending your title as one of the best-dressed men in the world. But that's just what Vittorio De Sica was doing in this photo from 1951. While he's best known as the forefather of Italian neorealism, directing such classics as Bicycle Thieves and Marriage Italian-Style, De Sica is also widely remembered for his impeccable Neapolitan style. To this day, photos of De Sica's suits — with their perfectly sloped shoulders and unimpeachable fit — are studied and replicated by Italophiles the world over.

What's worth noting in this image though, aside from the passion with which De Sica orchestrated his crew, is his use of a much-discussed, but little-used, detail: the cocktail cuff. Despite countless articles and message board threads on the style — which fastens with buttons like a normal barrel cuff, but includes extra fabric that turns back on itself like a French cuff (though the turnback isn't fastened by cufflinks) — it's rare to actually see it documented in real life. Even James Bond, the most famous aficionado of the cocktail cuff, can only be seen wearing the style in his earlier, more iconic films.

But here, De Sica demonstrates the beauty of the cocktail cuff as an alternative to button or French cuffs. The curl around the wrist echoes the look of the turnback cuff seen on topcoats and house robes, and the cocktail cuff achieves a similar goal, drawing attention to an area of an outfit that is often overlooked. The resulting rolled cuff is more formal than the standard barrel cuff, and it's certainly a touch ostentatious, but when you're a silver screen legend like De Sica, you're allowed to be a bit brash.

Jake Gallagher is a writer living in Manhattan. He writes the blog Wax Wane.

See more lessons you can learn from style icons, below:

Mick Jagger's Popover

Ralph Lauren's Contrast Waistcoat

Gordon Parks' Trench Coat

Steve McQueen's Collar Pin

Miles Davis' Perfectly Proportioned DB Suit

Jack Nicholson's Peak Lapels

Woody Allen's Cardigan

Gianni Agnelli's Spread Collar

JFK's Polo Shirt

Robert Redford's TV Fold

John Lennon's Patch Pockets

Gregory Peck's shirt cuffs

Warren Beatty's Side-Tab Trousers

Frank Sinatra's Hat

Sean Connery's Pant Cuffs

Michael Caine's Gorge Height

Paul Newman's Collar Roll

What Do You Think?