Sweaters Worth Keeping | Italian Style, Quality & Elegance

Elinor Salter
6 days ago
3 min read

Italian cashmere sweater in neutral tones for a timeless winter wardrobe

It has been bitterly cold here in the UK over the last few weeks, and I’ve found myself reaching again and again for my trusty sweaters. They come out every winter looking almost as good as new (apart from one unfortunate victim of a moth infestation 😒), and there’s a very simple reason for that:

They’re made from good-quality, natural fabrics — and I look after them.

Recently, I’ve been shopping with clients and paying close attention to the knitwear available on the high street. And honestly? Much of it doesn’t look like it would survive a wash, let alone a season. Many sweaters feel synthetic to the touch — almost plasticky — and you instinctively know they’ll bobble, stretch out of shape, and lose their integrity after one or two wears.

I remember seeing a video a few years ago that made a lasting impression. A wool jumper and a synthetic one were buried in the ground side by side. When they were dug up months later, the wool jumper had almost completely disintegrated — returning to the earth as nature intended — while the synthetic one was still entirely intact.

That tells you everything.

Why Natural Fibres Matter

Wool, cashmere, merino and cotton aren’t just better for the environment — they’re better for you.

They breathe.They keep you warm without overheating.They hold their shape when stored and washed properly.

And perhaps just as importantly, they look better.

There’s something about a cheaply made sweater that looks, well… cheap. No matter how fashionable the cut or colour, poor-quality knitwear never quite sits right on the body.

What’s interesting is that many of the sweaters I was looking at with clients weren’t even inexpensive — they just looked it. Price doesn’t always equal quality, and this is where a more Italian way of thinking comes in.

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The Italian View: Quality First, Always

I was speaking recently with one of my Italian styling colleagues, and she said something that perfectly sums it up:

“We don’t care much about brands. The first thing we look for is quality — then feel and movement.”

Italian women will always touch a garment before buying it. If it feels synthetic, crumples in the hand, or already seems prone to stretching out of shape, it’s left behind — regardless of the label.

A good sweater should feel soft but substantial. It should move with the body, not cling or sag. And it should retain that “new” feeling for years, not weeks.

Sweaters Worth Keeping - Italian Style, Quality & Elegance

Invest Once, Wear for Years

You don’t need to buy super-expensive designer brands, but knitwear is worth investing in. Buy the best quality you can afford, and you’ll be rewarded with pieces that last for many winters.

And if budget is a concern, look second-hand. Platforms like eBay and Vinted are excellent places to find beautiful cashmere, merino wool, and high-quality cotton sweaters at a fraction of the original price.

A well-made sweater is never just for one season. Treated with care, it becomes a trusted companion — warm, elegant, and quietly stylish year after year.

And that, in true Italian fashion, is always better than chasing something new.

High quality Italian knitwear made from natural fibres

Sweaters Worth Keeping | Italian Style, Quality & Elegance

Here’s a curated pick of beautiful sweaters that reflect the Italian emphasis on quality, natural fibres and timeless style — from more accessible pieces to true investment knits. Many are made (or inspired) by Italian craftsmanship and fabrics.

Elevated Everyday Knitwear

Falconeri Crew Neck Ultrafine Cashmere Jumper Woman – Luxurious Italian cashmere at a more approachable price point — soft, timeless and perfect for everyday winter elegance.
Intimissimi Boat Neck Modal Cashmere Ultralight Jumper Woman – Great everyday piece with a cosy yet refined feel — modal-cashmere blends are soft on the skin and versatile for layering.

Elegant Italian sweater styled for women over 40

Classic Italian Craftsmanship

Boggi Milano Crew Neck Cashmere Jumper – From a classic Italian brand that focuses on understated wardrobe staples.
Missoni Wool & Cashmere‑Blend Turtleneck Sweater – A touch of Italian flair with Missoni’s signature striking knit patterns and rich palette.

Investment Pieces

LORO Piana Girocollo Vicuna – A true quiet luxury investment knit from one of Italy’s most revered heritage brands known for cashmere and vicuña — timeless and heirloom quality.
Traforo Women's Cashmere Cardigan – Cashmere cardigan with Italian finesse — ideal as a chic layer in transitional weather.

Stylish Layering & Seasonal Picks

Firenze Women's Rib Knit Turtleneck Jumper – Elegant ribbed knit, perfect for cooler days when you want structure and warmth.
Lona Cashmere Sweater – A lovely cashmere option if you want classic softness without breaking the bank.

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Carry on your reading - https://www.theitalianessence.com/post/italian-style-confidence-after-50

Italian Beauty Wisdom: Choosing the Right Make-Up for Your Colouring

Elinor Salter
Jan 7
5 min read

To wear, or not to wear make-up – that is the question!

I have seen a number of posts recently obliquely referring to this. People posting for some other reason and then apologising for not having any make-up on, with people commenting on this, either for or against. Then there was a post I did – something about looking your best, putting your make-up on, etc – when a lady came back to me saying that she agreed with everything I said, except the make-up part, as she had made a conscious decision not to wear any.

There is neither a right nor a wrong in this. It is a very personal thing and largely tied up with your style personality. If you are a dramatic personality, say, you will revel in wearing a lot of makeup. If, however, you are a natural personality, you will probably wear very little, if any at all.

But – and this is a big BUT – don’t let anyone intimidate you into wearing or not wearing makeup! If you want to wear it, it doesn’t make you shallow, self-absorbed, or vain. If you don’t want to wear it, it doesn’t make you dis-interested in yourself, a “hippy”, or any other epitaph. Your decision just makes you YOU!

Me? Well, I love wearing it. I am partly a dramatic personality, so I love creating that persona with my makeup.

Also, my eyelashes and eyebrows are very pale, so without mascara and eyebrow pencil, they disappear into my face. I am glad that I wasn’t born in a period of history when there wasn’t make-up, because even though I have green eyes, I don’t think anyone would have said of me "I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes …..”!

Thirdly – and maybe most importantly – the time in the morning spent putting on my make-up is my time to get my mind in the right place. I sit quietly. I decide who I want to be that day (it may be more made up; it may be more natural). I listen to the Morning Mindset podcast and I think. It’s not many minutes, but it is an important routine of my day, which sets me up. It maybe the last time I look in the mirror until I come to take it off again at night, but that time, to me, is non-negotiable.

So, whatever your decision about wearing make-up, make sure it is yours and yours alone, make sure it is done mindfully and make sure you make time for yourself, even if it is just a few minutes of quiet contemplation.

If you do choose make-up - Choosing the Right Make-Up for Your Colouring After 40

Italian Beauty Wisdom: Choosing the Right Make-Up for Your Colouring

Why harmony matters more than trends

“Elegance is not standing out, but being remembered.”— Giorgio Armani

There comes a moment — often quietly — when a woman looks in the mirror and thinks:

“Why does my make-up suddenly feel wrong?”

It’s not that you’ve forgotten how to apply it.It’s not your age.And it’s certainly not that you “need more”.

More often than not, the issue is colour harmony.

Just as clothes can either light you up or drain you, make-up colours can work with your natural colouring — or quietly fight against it.

When your make-up is in harmony with your colouring, everything looks easier. Fresher. More effortless.

And that is the Italian way.

Make-up is not about covering — it’s about revealing

“I believe that beauty first of all comes from within. If you feel good about yourself, it will reflect in your face.”— Sophia Loren

In Italian beauty philosophy, make-up is never about disguise.It’s about enhancing what’s already there.

The right colours bring life to your skin.They soften lines rather than emphasise them.They make you look well — not “made up”.

When the colours are wrong, even the best products feel heavy, ageing or artificial.

What do we mean by “your colouring”?

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”— Giorgio Armani

Italian Beauty Wisdom: Choosing the Right Make-Up for Your Colouring is the unique combination of:

Your skin undertone (cool, warm or neutral)
Your natural hair colour (including silver or grey)
Your eye colour
Your overall contrast (soft vs strong)

This doesn’t change with age — even though your skin tone may soften.

That’s why copying a friend’s lipstick or following a magazine trend so often disappoints.

It’s not about the product.It’s about whether the colour belongs to you.

When make-up colours are wrong, something feels “off”

“Trends disappear, style is eternal.”— Yves Saint Laurent

You may recognise some of these quiet frustrations:

Foundation that looks dull or mask-like
Blusher that feels harsh or too obvious
Lipstick that looks beautiful in the tube but wrong on you
Eye make-up that makes you look tired instead of defined

Many women assume they need more coverage, stronger colour, or the latest product.

In truth, they need better colour alignment.

Foundation: the quiet hero

“The best colour in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.”— Coco Chanel

Foundation should disappear into your skin — not announce itself.

The most common mistake is choosing a shade based only on surface tone, not undertone.

Cool undertones often suit rose-based or neutral-cool foundations
Warm undertones glow in golden or peach-based formulas
Neutral undertones need balance rather than extremes

When the undertone is right, skin looks clearer, calmer — and you often need less make-up overall.

Blusher: where many women go wrong

“Luxury lies in simplicity.”— Giorgio Armani

Blusher should look like life returning to your face — not a cosmetic statement.

As we mature, harmony matters more than intensity.

Cool colouring → soft rose, berry, muted pink
Warm colouring → peach, apricot, warm rose
Soft colouring → sheer, blended, gentle shades

If your blusher feels “too much”, it’s often the wrong temperature, not too much product.

Lipstick: the fastest way to feel radiant — or not yourself

Lip colour sits at the centre of your face, so when it’s wrong, you feel it immediately.

You may notice that:

Your teeth look dull
Your features feel hardened
You don’t quite recognise yourself

When the colour is right:

Your skin looks brighter
Your eyes stand out
You feel quietly confident again

Italian women favour timeless, flattering tones over novelty — and that’s why their beauty feels effortless rather than contrived.

Eye make-up: softer does not mean invisible

“The difference between style and fashion is quality.”— Giorgio Armani

As contrast naturally softens with age, heavy black or very cool greys can feel harsh.

Often more flattering choices include:

Charcoal instead of black
Soft brown, olive, plum or navy — depending on colouring
Satin or soft matte textures rather than sparkle

The aim is definition without heaviness.

Make-up should feel like alignment — not effort

“La vera eleganza è l’armonia.”True elegance is harmony.

When your make-up colours are right:

Getting ready feels simpler
You stop second-guessing yourself
You trust what you see in the mirror again

Most importantly, you recognise yourself.

This is not about rules.It’s about resonance.

“Beauty doesn’t require perfection — it requires presence.”

If your make-up no longer feels quite right — even though you haven’t changed — your colouring may simply be asking for attention.

Understanding your colours can transform not just your wardrobe, but the way you show up in the world.

✨ Because beauty, like style, begins with harmony.

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Why not read - /beauty/red-lipstick-after-50 for more make-up inspiration!

A Very Italian Christmas: What to Wear for Christmas Parties, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day - Italian-Inspired Christmas Outfits for Women 40+ | Style Guide

Elinor Salter
Nov 19, 2025
3 min read

Style, ease and a little dolce vita magic for women over 40

Christmas is a season of contrasts, isn’t it?

We’re pulled between work socials and school concerts, family dynamics and last-minute errands, festive chaos and the quiet longing for a moment to breathe. December becomes a month where women — especially those of us 40+ — are expected to be everywhere, for everyone, with a smile and a plate of mince pies

But Italian women approach the holidays differently.

They create beauty within the chaos. They dress not to impress, but to express: elegance, simplicity, confidence, and ease. They choose pieces that feel like themselves — not costumes for the season.

This year, I invite you to do the same.

Below is your Italian-inspired Christmas style guide for every moment: from the office party to Christmas Eve, from the ritual of Christmas Day to the exhale of Boxing Day.

1. What to Wear to the Office Christmas Party

Elegant, polished, feminine — without trying too hard.

The Italian approach: Italian-Inspired Christmas Outfits for Women 40+ | Style Guide

Make it chic, not flashy. Think of a look that whispers rather than shouts.

Style Principles

Choose one hero element — beautiful fabric, a striking neckline, a bold earring — and keep everything else simple.
Prioritise comfort — you’re likely coming straight from work and going home late.
Stay true to your palette — you’ll look instantly more radiant than in “Christmas red” that doesn’t suit you.

Outfit Ideas

A satin or velvet blouse in your best jewel tone + tailored black trousers + kitten heels.
A chic midi dress with a defined waist (Italian women love waistlines) + boots with a refined heel.
A monochrome look (cream, navy, charcoal) with statement earrings and a beautiful clutch.

Mood to aim for:

Effortless, polished, subtly festive — la festa, not fancy dress.

2. What to Wear on Christmas Eve

Soft, warm, unhurried elegance.

For many Italian families, Christmas Eve is the heart of Christmas — a time for rituals, slow cooking, candlelight and gathering.

The Italian approach:

Understated beauty you can move, cook, hug and host in.

Style Principles

Think textures: cashmere, soft knits, silk camisoles under cardigans.
Underplay the sparkle — this night is about atmosphere, not outfits.
Choose pieces that make you feel feminine and grounded.

Outfit Ideas

A soft wrap knit + wide-leg jersey or ponte trousers + elegant flats.
A longline cardigan over a silk camisole + slim trousers + delicate jewellery.
A knit dress in a beautiful neutral (cream, chocolate, charcoal) + knee-high boots.