<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[The Italian Essence]]></title><description><![CDATA[Elinor Salter is a Style Coach and Empowerment Coach and helps women over 50 find who they once were and be the best version of themselves.]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2026 14:19:19 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.elinorsalter.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Forget the Rules: How to Dress for a Wedding and Still Feel Like Yourself]]></title><description><![CDATA[Have you ever walked into a room at an event, wedding or party and realised that you are dressed completely incorrectly? Maybe you have mis-judged the dress code, or maybe you have something on that doesn’t feel anything like the real you – or maybe you weren’t told that the dress code had changed! When I was in my early twenties, I had this happen to me.  I was invited to a party with my then boyfriend.  It was for a group of his friend who had moved into a loft conversion in London and the...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/forget-the-rules-how-to-dress-for-a-wedding-and-still-feel-like-yourself</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ad117600614f4092f294cef</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2026 13:50:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_d288599698b7455c8b61ff6c4d142402~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sprezzatura: The Italian Secret to Looking Effortless]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sprezzatura: The Italian Secret to Looking Effortless There is a wonderful Italian word that has been borrowed by the fashion world for years. Sprezzatura. It is often translated as “effortless elegance” or “studied nonchalance”. But I think those translations miss something. Because sprezzatura isn't really about looking as though you haven't tried. It is about knowing exactly what you are doing — and then making it look as though you haven't.  And that, to me, is one of the most fascinating...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/sprezzatura-the-italian-secret-to-looking-effortless</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a907772400cc523027ff0fc</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:08:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_c2d61e8cd86440b9b7e2c716df2c1338~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Italy Taught Me About Saving Things for Best]]></title><description><![CDATA[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...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/what-italy-taught-me-about-saving-things-for-best</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a734062101ab9175ce7df91</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:05:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_269a37b9628c494ea50d63a02ca40da8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[7 Italian Style Secrets Every Woman Over 50 Should Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 forgotten: style...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/7-italian-style-secrets-every-woman-over-50-should-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6b6edc3e0c16484fefa4a2</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:04:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_41237d9943344b3480effebb887cf6fa~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Do Italian Women Always Look So Elegant? (It's Probably Not What You Think)]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 Always Look So...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/why-do-italian-women-always-look-so-elegant-it-s-probably-not-what-you-think</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a60d579c1270e7e21ed710b</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:46:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_3b820b79bfed42368eec38735c4985b3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Italy Taught Me About Style, Confidence &#38; Starting Again]]></title><description><![CDATA[“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 brave I was!  We...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/what-italy-taught-me-about-style-confidence-starting-again</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fa09495caf4ed272bd4f5e</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><category><![CDATA[Body, Shape & Confidence]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 14:49:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_dbbdcf49ec524c2dbd550808b012465a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Shoes the Italian Way: Elegant, Comfortable and Effortless After 50]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 something...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/shoes-the-italian-way-elegant-comfortable-and-effortless-after-50</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c5230c32544deac1e7a045</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:45:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_2ff331c0fb8d4870b69b986305cf0011~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Italian Rule of Three: Effortless Italian Style After 50]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 secrets behind...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/italian-rule-of-three-effortless-italian-style-after-50</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b1c15bb888d78955e4d346</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:38:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_86fcac8d38b64a6e82a33a52aa1d336e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[White Trousers Over 50: 5 Elegant Ways to Wear Them (Inspired by Italian Style)]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 piazza, enjoying...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/white-trousers-over-50-5-elegant-ways-to-wear-them-inspired-by-italian-style</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69aae6543d55bb08f2a9d918</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:59:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_fa58e4798d0a4b288b3e3a968190abda~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Wear Brown in Summer (And the Colours That Make It Sing)]]></title><description><![CDATA[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! ]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/how-to-wear-brown-in-summer</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a16a37aac6e7cda9161450</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:35:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_43046338f31742f48ffbc3d7648eea81~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Dress Like an Italian Woman Over 50: Timeless Style &#38; Confidence]]></title><description><![CDATA[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.

]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/how-to-dress-like-an-italian-woman-over-50-timeless-style-confidence</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699834d3b8ed19d28375c449</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:01:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_fb3425fe70084f2586015e707e9b6f21~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Choose the Right Shoes for Every Outfit: Italian Style Secrets for Effortless Elegance]]></title><description><![CDATA[In Italian style culture, footwear is not an accessory. It is the foundation of the outfit. The right shoes influence posture, proportion, confidence, and how the entire look is perceived.



If you’ve ever stood in front of your wardrobe thinking, “I love my clothes, but something still feels off,” the answer is often on your feet.]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/how-to-choose-the-right-shoes-for-every-outfit-italian-style-secrets-for-effortless-elegance</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697a02beb3cf8ba238457275</guid><category><![CDATA[Shopping & Accessories]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:12:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_094c288d989a4d1dba11beb593b9bda0~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_954,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sweaters Worth Keeping | Italian Style, Quality &#38; Elegance]]></title><description><![CDATA[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...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/sweaters-worth-keeping-italian-style-quality-elegance</link><guid isPermaLink="false">696fa0778067b29f7ce566e0</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:58:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_0896ae4ab16349efbe2ed80e06c47358~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Italian Beauty Wisdom: Choosing the Right Make-Up for Your Colouring]]></title><description><![CDATA[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...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/italian-beauty-wisdom-choosing-the-make-up-for-you-rcolouring</link><guid isPermaLink="false">695e54635fb122c21647512b</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:05:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_644c47483545617257464d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Very Italian Christmas: What to Wear for Christmas Parties, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day &#38; Boxing Day - Italian-Inspired Christmas Outfits for Women 40+ | Style Guide]]></title><description><![CDATA[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...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/italian-inspired-christmas-outfit-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691cc28894197a139e716aa4</guid><category><![CDATA[Seasonal Guides & Tips]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:34:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_8834d8b71ecb4e45aa2a40c0017ed2bf~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Morning in Italy: The Beauty of Everyday Rituals]]></title><description><![CDATA[This morning was one of those mornings. You know the kind — everything that could catch, does. Everything that could fall off a shelf, or out of your bag, finds a way to do so. You leave the house only to realise you’ve brought half of what you need. And then, of course, the universe adds a touch of drama with a dose of road rage. But one of the things I’ve learnt whilst living in Italy is the art of bella figura . This isn’t just about looking good or being your best — although that’s part...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/a-morning-in-italy-the-beauty-of-everyday-rituals</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6914bb2832f607f092b5fdd2</guid><category><![CDATA[Lifestyle & La Dolce Vita]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:16:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_71cca547c6ae4275bb6b8636c7c720c2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Layer Clothes in Autumn for Women Over 50 – Italian Style Tips]]></title><description><![CDATA[As the air turns crisp, the light softens, and the leaves start to fall, it’s time to rediscover the art of layering clothes for autumn . For women over 50, layering isn’t just a practical way to stay warm — it’s an elegant expression of who you are now. When done the Italian way , layering becomes a beautiful balance of comfort, sophistication and effortless style. If you’ve ever wondered how to layer clothes in autumn without looking bulky or how Italian women make it look so easy, this...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/how-to-layer-clothes-in-autumn-for-women-over-50-italian-style-tips</link><guid isPermaLink="false">690b38f0988cdeb684f844fe</guid><category><![CDATA[Seasonal Guides & Tips]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:01:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_4900eec61fdc4a2ba01150eb9eb7f059~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Style &#38; Soul Retreat – A Journey Back to Yourself - Style retreat in Italy]]></title><description><![CDATA[A Retreat for Women Who Want to Feel Beautiful, Confident and Themselves Again There’s something life-changing about giving yourself space to pause — to step away from the noise of everyday life, breathe, and reconnect with who you truly are. For many women over 50, this moment marks a turning point: a time to rediscover confidence, beauty, and joy — both in how they dress and how they live. That’s what the Style &#38; Soul Retreat  is all about. Set against the timeless beauty of Italy, it’s a...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/the-style-soul-retreat-a-journey-back-to-yourself-tyle-retreat-in-italy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ff52be064dd83bede5d0f6</guid><category><![CDATA[Personal Style & Identity]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:17:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_a4072d2ad0a1442da17397e879dec23a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Wear Brown This Autumn: The Chic Italian Way to Embrace 2025’s Most Elegant Colour Trend]]></title><description><![CDATA[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 all its delicious...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/how-to-wear-brown-this-autumn-the-chic-italian-way-to-embrace-2025-s-most-elegant-colour-trend</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ef62a72f5af0b1a897951f</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:49:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebcc43_fed811f08f154b208744a1355f7ffc33~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Not to Look Frumpy]]></title><description><![CDATA[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...]]></description><link>https://www.elinorsalter.com/post/how-not-to-look-frumpy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68da52e7a9706ca893191c4c</guid><category><![CDATA[Italian Style & Fashion]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:35:37 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Elinor Salter</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>