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Brown for Autumn – How Groundbreaking!


All in Brown from Lemata in Tarquinia
All in Brown from Lemata in Tarquinia

As Miranda Priestly might have said, Brown for autumn? How groundbreaking.”And yet… this season, it truly is.

Because this year, brown isn’t simply the predictable cousin of camel or the safe shade of a sensible handbag. It’s everywhere — and it’s glorious. From buttery leather to glossy faux croc, from plush chocolate velvet to nutmeg knits, the shops are a symphony of earthy warmth. Brown, in all its delicious variations, has become the new black.


Why Brown Feels So Right Now


There’s something deeply comforting about brown — perhaps because it connects us back to the earth. It’s grounding, reassuring, and quietly elegant. After years of minimalism and cool tones, there’s a yearning for something richer, more tactile, more human. Brown whispers rather than shouts, but it has presence, depth, and sophistication.


Unlike black, which can sometimes feel harsh against mature skin tones, brown softens. It flatters. It brings warmth to the complexion and pairs effortlessly with gold, ivory, cream, and the soft neutrals we naturally gravitate toward as the light fades.


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The Shades of the Season


This autumn, brown isn’t one shade — it’s a whole mood board.


  • Milk Chocolate: Chic and feminine, perfect for dresses or silky blouses.

  • Espresso: Deep, dramatic, and the perfect replacement for black in tailoring or outerwear.

  • Caramel & Cognac: Luxurious and Italianate — think buttery leather boots, belts, and handbags.

  • Taupe & Mushroom: Subtle, refined neutrals that transition beautifully into winter.

  • Rust & Chestnut: With hints of red and copper, these tones capture the glow of falling leaves and Tuscan sunsets.




How to Wear Brown Beautifully


How to wear brown in autumn. If you've always associated brown with the 1970s or school uniforms, it’s time to rethink. Brown today is modern Italian chic — think texture, tone, and tailoring.


  • Mix your shades: Don’t be afraid to wear several tones of brown together. Layering caramel over chocolate over taupe creates richness and depth.

  • Add texture: Pair leather with cashmere, suede with silk, or velvet with wool. Texture is what elevates brown from “neutral” to “luxury.”

  • Warm metallics: Gold jewellery, tortoiseshell details, or a hint of bronze shimmer make brown glow.

  • Contrast beautifully: Pair brown with cream, blush, sky blue, or even soft lilac for an unexpected twist.

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Italian Inspiration


In Italy, brown has never gone out of style. A Florentine woman in espresso-toned boots, a chocolate cashmere coat, and a camel scarf is the embodiment of understated confidence. Brown, when worn well, is effortless — it looks real, not over-styled. It carries that quiet, sensual warmth that Italian women do so naturally.


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Why Brown Feels So Grown-Up - how to wear brown in autumn


Perhaps that’s why we love it so much right now. Brown doesn’t try too hard. It’s not loud or trendy — it’s timeless, grounded, and quietly confident. It’s for women who know who they are, who’ve lived, travelled, loved, and learned that true elegance comes from ease, not effort.


So yes, brown for autumn — how groundbreaking.But this year, it really is.


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All clothes and accessories from Lemata Shop, Tarquinia @lematashop


Discover the Shades That Truly Belong to You


If you’ve ever wondered which colours bring out your natural radiance — the hues that make your eyes sparkle and your skin glow — it might be time to rediscover your essence through La Prima Immagine, my signature colour and style session.


Together, we’ll uncover your Italian-inspired Style Soul Profile and create a palette that celebrates who you are now — timeless, confident, and beautifully real.




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Style Tips For Women Over 50


How to Use the Golden Ratio in Dressing — And Why It Keeps You From Looking Frumpy


There’s a secret Italian women seem to know instinctively when they get dressed in the morning. It’s not about wearing the latest fashion, and it’s certainly not about having the “perfect” body. It’s about balance, harmony, and proportion.


The secret? The Golden Ratio.


What is the Golden Ratio?


The Golden Ratio (also called the “Divine Proportion”) is a simple mathematical principle that appears everywhere in nature — from the spiral of a seashell to the structure of Renaissance paintings. Our eyes are naturally drawn to it because it feels harmonious and balanced.


When applied to style, the Golden Ratio helps us create outfits that flatter the body, elongate the silhouette, and avoid that dreaded “frumpy” look that can happen when proportions are off.


Why Proportion Matters More Than Size


Often, women over 50 tell me they feel their body has changed and they don’t know how to dress for it anymore. The truth is: it’s not about size — it’s about proportion. Even the most beautiful clothes can look heavy or awkward if the lines and balance aren’t right.

How not to look frumpy? - When you use the Golden Ratio, you instantly create elegance — no matter your shape, height, or age.


How to Apply the Golden Ratio in Your Wardrobe - how not to look frumpy


Here are three simple ways to bring this principle into your everyday dressing:



  1. The ⅓ to ⅔ Rule

    Instead of cutting your body in half (which can look boxy), aim to divide your outfit into a one-third and two-thirds ratio.

    • Example: A cropped jacket (⅓) over a longer dress (⅔).

      Or:

    • A tucked blouse (⅓) with high-waisted trousers (⅔).This creates a longer, leaner line and feels instantly more elegant.

    Half and half can leave you looking frumpy
    Half and half can leave you looking frumpy

    1/3 on top and 2/3 on bottom - looks much better


  2. Play with Lengths

    Hemlines, sleeves, and layers can all follow the Golden Ratio. Try three-quarter sleeves instead of full length, or choose skirts and dresses that hit at visually pleasing points (just above or below or above the knee, rather than cutting at the widest part of the calf).


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  3. Accessories as Proportion Tools

    Accessories are powerful when it comes to balance. A longer necklace can elongate the torso, a belt can break up proportions at the right place, and a scarf can shift the visual focus.


Italian Women Do This Naturally


If you watch Italian women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond, you’ll notice something: they’re not dressing to hide, they’re dressing to celebrate their form. Proportion is the quiet magic behind it all.


They know that elegance comes from balance, not perfection.


A Gentle Reminder


You don’t need to chase trends or buy an entirely new wardrobe. Start by looking at what you already own and playing with proportions. Tuck, layer, belt, adjust — and watch how the Golden Ratio transforms your everyday outfits.


Because true style, like true beauty, is timeless.

Want to discover how the Golden Ratio — and other Italian style secrets — can bring your wardrobe back to life? Book your free Style Soul Snapshot with me today. Let’s explore the woman you are now, and the style that will celebrate her.


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Italian style for women over 50 -


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Why Style Coaching Goes Deeper Than Shopping


On Wednesday of this week, I met a client in Rome for a personal shopping session. It was the first time we had met in person, although we had already had a chat beforehand to get to know one another.


She wanted something special to wear to her son’s wedding in November, but wasn’t sure what exactly. Over a coffee (while we waited for a Roman downpour to pass!), she confessed she felt uncertain about what suited her now.


I took her to some of my favourite shops on Via … — always less frenetic than the historic centre. We found a few things she liked, but I could tell she wasn’t convinced. Each time she tried something on, she said, “I’m not sure I can get away with this.”


This is something I hear so often — and it’s the very reason I evolved from being a personal shopper to becoming a Style Coach™.


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From Shopping to Self-Discovery - Italian style for women over 50


I originally trained as a personal shopper in Milan and worked in Rome before Covid hit. But again and again, I saw the same pattern: women came shopping with the hope of finding something different, something exciting — yet they so often went home with versions of what they already owned.


Why? Because without a clear sense of who they were dressing for, or the identity they wanted to embody, new clothes felt unsafe.


I knew there had to be a better way. That’s when I discovered Style Coaching™ — a way of combining the psychology of self-image with the creativity of fashion. It was exactly what my clients were looking for, even if they didn’t yet have the words for it.


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A Different Kind of Shopping Day


So, with my new client in Rome, I suggested we pause the shopping and go for an early lunch. Over plates of pasta, I asked her to close her eyes and imagine herself at the wedding.


What silhouette did she see? What colours? Most importantly — how did she want to feel, and how did she want others to feel when they saw her?



Suddenly, the hesitation lifted. She began to picture not just a dress, but an experience of herself. We wrote her impressions down, and I encouraged her to create a Pinterest board to gather inspiration.


Two days later, she sent me a photo from a little boutique in Trastevere — the perfect outfit, aligned with her style, her identity, and her confidence.


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Why This Matters


Shopping is about more than clothes. It’s about connection — to yourself, to your identity, to the woman you are becoming.


That’s why I love working face-to-face with clients here in Italy. Yes, the shops are beautiful, but it’s the conversations, the discoveries, and the self-confidence that truly transform how you dress.


And that’s what Italian style is really about — not following trends, but embodying la dolce vita in a way that feels authentically you.



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If you’ve ever stood in front of your wardrobe thinking, “I have nothing to wear” — perhaps it’s not new clothes you need, but a new way of seeing yourself. That’s where style coaching begins.


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Image by Igor Oliyarnik
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