The Italian Essence

What Italy Taught Me About Saving Things for "Best" There was a time when I had clothes that hardly ever left the wardrobe. I had lovely dresses that I was keeping for that “special occasion”, the expensive perfume I thought I would never be able to afford again, so I kept it on my dressing table to be worn two or three times as year. We had a whole cabinet full of china we we were given for a wedding present, but only came out for dinner parties – which we rarely gave!

If you've ever wondered why Italian women always seem to look effortlessly elegant, you're not imagining it. After living in Italy, studying Italian fashion, and spending years watching women of all ages go about their daily lives, I've realised something surprising. It isn't because they spend more money, it isn't because they're naturally more stylish. And it certainly isn't because they're chasing every new fashion trend. Italian women understand something many of us have

If you've ever wandered through an Italian town, you may have found yourself wondering exactly the same thing. Why do Italian women always look so elegant? It isn't that they're wearing expensive designer labels. It isn't because they spend hours getting ready each morning. And it certainly isn't because they all have perfect figures. In fact, after living in Italy for several years, I've realised that the answer is much simpler—and much more inspiring. Why Do Italian Women A

“I didn’t go to Italy to reinvent myself… but that’s exactly what happened.” When we first moved to Italy, 25 years ago, I didn’t realise that I needed help with my style or my self-confidence. There were lots of factors that made us move out of the UK. Our son was only 4, we had horses and dogs that needed to come with us and we wanted to create a new life, not just an expat life – same values, same routines, etc, just a different place! Looking back I now realise just how

The Italian Way to Think About Comfortable, Elegant Shoes There is a very Italian way of thinking about shoes. It has nothing to do with chasing trends or sacrificing comfort for style — and everything to do with balance, ease, and quiet elegance. In Italy, women don’t separate comfort from beauty. They expect both to exist in the same shoe, the same outfit, the same life. And yet, for many women — especially after 50 — we’ve been led to believe we must choose. Either we wear

There is something quietly captivating about Italian style. It is rarely loud or complicated. And yet Italian women almost always look elegant, put together, and completely at ease with themselves. If you spend time watching women in places like Rome, Florence or Milan, you begin to notice something interesting. Their outfits often follow a very simple formula - not a rule in the strict sense — but a rhythm. I like to call it The Italian Rule of Three. It’s one of the quiet s

There is something effortlessly elegant about a beautiful pair of white trousers. They feel fresh, refined, and quietly confident. Yet many women stop wearing white after a certain age. Concerns about fit, practicality, or simply not knowing how to style them can lead to this timeless wardrobe piece being quietly pushed aside. In Italy, however, the story is very different. Italian women continue to wear white beautifully throughout their lives. Whether strolling through a pi

Somewhere along the way, we were told that brown belongs to autumn. In fact, one of my closest friends, who owns a wonderful boutique in the heart of Tarquinia, told me that she is "done with brown for this season" and won't be stocking it. But I am not quite ready to let it go - if I ever will! I love the fact that it is so versatile and goes with so many other colours. It also makes me feel good - which is after all the important reason of color!

Italian style isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about confidence, identity, and elegance at every age. For women over 50, embracing your own Italian-inspired wardrobe can feel transformative — and the good news? It doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your closet. In this guide, you’ll discover key Italian style principles, capsule wardrobe tips, and packing strategies that make dressing beautifully effortless, whether at home or on holiday.

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 s

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 mad

Brown for Autumn – How Groundbreaking! 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 al

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 mathe

Italian style for women over 50 - 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 abo

When we think of Italian fashion, certain words immediately come to mind: glamour, craftsmanship, confidence, la dolce vita . Yet one man reshaped all of this with a whisper rather than a shout. Giorgio Armani, often called Il Maestro of understated elegance, didn’t simply create clothes — he created a way of being. From Piacenza to the World Born in 1934 in Piacenza, a small town in northern Italy, Armani didn’t follow a traditional path into fashion. He began his career dr

Discover how Italian women wear red lipstick with ease. Tips for women over 50 to keep colour fresh, smudge-proof, and effortlessly chic. The Italian Secret to Wearing Red Lipstick with Confidence There’s something undeniably Italian about a red lip. Walk through the streets of Rome, Milan, or Florence, and you’ll see women of all ages wearing it – not just for special occasions, but as an everyday statement of confidence, femininity, and sprezzatura (effortless style). For

There’s something unmistakably elegant about Italian women. It’s not just the clothes — it’s the attitude . The way they move through the world with quiet confidence, unhurried grace, and a sense of self that isn’t swayed by trends. And while their wardrobes may vary — from Milan’s sleek minimalism to the romantic ease of the Amalfi coast — there’s one item you’ll almost always find hanging in their closets: A well-cut jacket. Whether it’s a softly structured blazer, a croppe

This morning, I sat in the piazza with my usual caffè, watching the daily wave of tourists spill into Tarquinia — sun hats bobbing, backpacks swinging, and cameras ready. My husband and I have a bit of a game we play: guessing where people are from based purely on their outfits. And trust me, we’re rarely wrong. It’s not about mocking — it’s actually fascinating. Clothing really does tell a story. And in Italy, it tells you everything . So what gives them away? Let me paint y

summer style for women over 40 I’ve always had a soft spot for a simple white T-shirt. There’s just something so effortlessly stylish about it — fresh, classic, and full of possibility. When I don’t know what to wear (yes, even stylists have those days!), I often reach for my favourite white tee, a great pair of jeans, and then… the magic happens. Add a fabulous jacket, some statement shoes, and a pair of oversized sunglasses — et voilà — instant Italian cool with minimal eff

There’s something about Roman women, isn’t there? The way they walk down the street—confident, polished, completely at ease in their skin. It’s not about chasing trends or wearing designer labels. It’s about presence . Effortless elegance. A sense of identity that shows up in how they dress. If you're an American woman living in Italy—or dreaming of it—you’ve probably noticed it, too. And maybe you’ve wondered how to tap into that same energy, especially if your own style’s t