Sure and "figura" can also be "self standing" negative/sarcastic, i.e.:
Ha fatto una figura ...
means that he/she did a terrible impression.
And a (negative) figura can be "brutta" (literally ugly) but also "caprina" (caprine).
And a (negative) figura can be "brutta" (literally ugly) but also "caprina" (caprine).
> Angela Giuffrida in Rome
which makes the whole thing extra weird because even if she might not be aware of a direct translation being available she should know how it's used in italy.
it's perfectly fine for a finely dressed gentleman to spill a drink on his wife's boss on a party, which is a perfect occasion for a "proprio una bella figura hai fatto" > "yeah, such a good impression you made" and it's so common of an usage I can't fathom how it got related to fashion in the article part she penned.