While my grandmother wasn't Italian, she came from a region in Austria that later became Italy, and as she got older she favored
the stereotypical black stocking - black shoes - black shawl mode of dress used in the «Mama Gino» commercials.
However, years later when Papa Gino's came out with «Mama Gino,» an outrageously
stereotypical version of many elderly Italian women in her
black shoes,
stockings and dress... I don't remember whether they had her wearing the characteristic
black shawl around her shoulders or over her head... not one word was said!