What Italy Taught Me About Saving Things for Best
- Elinor Salter
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
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!
I had a wonderful handbag we bought from a small Artisanl shop in Sienna, which stayed in its protective bag as the cost and the memories were so precious to me and I didn’t want it ruined.
Do you recognise any of that?
Many of us grew up believing that the nicest things should be protected. Saved. Preserved for one day... when life became worthy of them.
Then I moved to Italy and slowly, almost without noticing, something changed.
What Italy Taught Me About Saving Things for Best -
Italians Don't Wait for Special Occasions
One of the first things I noticed was that ordinary life seemed to matter.
Women would walk to the local café wearing a beautiful linen dress or a fabulous suit. Neighbours would stop to chat wearing polished shoes rather than old trainers. I used to drop my son off at school first think in the morning and the other mums would be in full makeup and sparkly clothes!
Families would sit outside on a weekday evening with proper glasses, fresh flowers on the table and good food – not to celebrate anything other than being together.
Nobody seemed to be waiting for permission to enjoy the life they already had.
But it wasn't about showing off and it certainly wasn't expensive. It was simply an attitude that said:
Today is worth making beautiful.
"The Good Things" Are for Living
It wasn't just clothes - it was everything.
The good olive oil wasn't hidden away for visitors. The beautiful crockery wasn't locked in a cabinet. Fresh flowers appeared on kitchen tables for no particular reason. The nice handbag went to the supermarket. The favourite earrings were worn to buy bread.
It made me realise how often I had been postponing joy and saving things for a future version of life that might never arrive.
We Sometimes Save More Than Objects
As women over 50, we often don't just save clothes - we save confidence.
We save dreams.
We save holidays.
We save learning Italian.
We save wearing red lipstick.
We save becoming the woman we'd like to be.
"When I've lost weight."
"When I retire."
"When the children have grown."
"When life calms down."
"When I have somewhere special to go."
But what if this ordinary weekday is the special occasion?
Italian Style Isn't About Impressing Anyone
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about Italian style.
People often think it's about designer labels, perfect tailoring and luxury brands.
Of course, you'll find those. But what I see far more often is something quieter.
Women dressing with care because they respect themselves.
Putting on a necklace because it brings them joy.
Choosing a beautiful scarf because it brightens an ordinary day.
They aren't dressing for other people. They're dressing for themselves.
And that changes everything.
Stop Waiting to Wear Your Favourite Outfit
I often tell my clients that the best outfit in your wardrobe should also be the one you wear the most.
Why?
Because clothes aren't museum pieces.
They're part of your life.
If you've bought a beautiful linen shirt, wear it.
If you've found the perfect handbag, carry it.
If your favourite dress makes you feel wonderful, don't wait for a wedding invitation.
Life is happening now.
The Real Luxury
Living in Italy has taught me that luxury isn't necessarily buying more. Sometimes luxury is simply enjoying what you already own. It's slowing down enough to appreciate it.
It's lighting the candle.
Using the good plates.
Putting on the silk scarf.
Choosing the earrings.
Making Tuesday feel just a little bit more beautiful.
That, to me, is one of the greatest lessons Italy has ever taught me.
I is not to save life for later - but to live it well today.
A Little Invitation
This week, choose one thing you've been saving.
Perhaps it's the dress you've never worn.
The perfume you've been keeping for "best."
The handbag that's still sitting in its dust bag.
Use it.
Not because today is extraordinary, but because today matters.
Because if Italy has taught me anything, it's this:
The best things in life aren't meant to be saved. They're meant to be lived.
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