fare bella figura
/FAH-reh BEL-lah fee-GOO-rah/ · phrase
to make a good impression
look it up on WordReference ↗In context
Porta un dolce, così fai bella figura.
Bring a dessert, you'll make a good impression.
Looking good in others' eyes, in dress, manners, or a well-chosen gift, is its own quiet art in Italy. Its dreaded opposite is "fare brutta figura", to show yourself up.