Italian women have style. I know that is what we say about French women but there is something in the way the Italian woman carries herself that is quite elegant.
I have just returned from a visit to Florence, Italy where I enjoyed people watching. As I sat at a cafe overlooking a piazza in the city, I was struck by the self-carriage and assurance of Italian women. It wasn’t a question of wardrobe, although some of the fashions were lovely, it was more that the outfit suited the particular woman. I am not sure that makes any sense but that is what is seemed to be.
One woman caught my attention as she slowly walked her Bernese Mountain dog by my window. Even the dog walked with a certain elegance. The woman, dressed in a camel cape, with a Florentine patterned shawl drapped from shoulder to shoulder, wore camel pants tucked into stacked heel boots. She was a woman of “an uncertain age” as we like to say, and had the bone structure of an exquisite marble statue with high cheek bones, a prominent brow and full lips. I wanted to photograph her but did not want to spoil the moment.
I spoke with another woman sitting in front of the Bartolini Palace with her Corgi. ( I know you think I was attracted to the dogs.) Again, she was older but elegant in her demeanor. She had distinctively Roman features, and wore an elegant jacket and pants cut short to reveal patterned socks and beautiful Ferragamo shoes.
The lesson I learned is buy less and not clothing because it is “in” but find clothing that suits your personality and temperament. It also helps to look like Sophia Loren as we age!
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