Meet Francesca B., she's an Italian-born style writer, self-described fashion activist, and author of  The Cheat Sheet of Italian Style: Confidence and Sustainable Chic in Ten Struts who now calls Miami, FLA home. She’s here today spilling the tea about staying true to what suits you and adding some of the “Italian way” to your everyday. 

It’s official - get ready to empty out the meaningless clutter, and curate an inspirational wardrobe while reclaiming yourself! My book, The Cheat Sheet Of Italian Style, transports you into a world of desirable glamour and rousing style, and shows you how to achieve the understated chicness Italians are recognized for, regardless of nationality, age or budget. 

ON TIMELESS

“Style is not aspirational and Italian style is a free falling experience. A brush of freedom with a patina of elegance and rigor, Italian style will percolate through the cracks of everyday life to become your own personal curator.”

SUSTAINABLE

“I frugally curate.” If you practice the exercise of ignoring trends, fashion automatically becomes less intimidating. Looking good and being well-dressed is a balance of taste and brains. 

CONFIDENCE

“What message (do) I want to convey with what I wear, and why I feel good when I look good. I firmly believe that a moment cannot be mass produced and that, the same outfit, worn on different days by the same person, never does look the same.” 

“Your own taste and sense of appropriateness, preferences, attributes, moods and current lifestyle come first and you need to own them with intelligence, passion, determination and a great dose of humor.”

QUALITY

Italian style doesn’t discriminate those who wear luxury from those who don’t, because one side of Italian style is extremely discreet and understated. Quality is what jumpstarts you to a mind of luxury. Luxury becomes a state of mind; it means owning your personal style, never regretting wearing something, feeling appropriate and at ease, regardless.

STYLE

Style has nothing to do with how much money you wear in an outfit, it moves hand-in-hand with personal taste. […] Form follows function: a genteel way of dressing doesn’t look affected.

5 Fun Facts About Me

1. I am the lucky one in the family who finds four-leaf clovers.

2. I tasted chocolate for the first time when I was 13 and never stopped.

3. Make sure I've had my first coffee before you talk to me.

4. It’s always Christmas time.

5. I am convinced in one of my past lives I lived in Downton Abbey, upstairs of course, most probably as Lady Violet.

I’d love to hear what you think about the book and wish you a fabulous and scintillating holiday season, 

Xoxo Francesca 

Social

For more from Francesca:

• Instagram: @chicfbdotcom

• Facebook: The Cheat Sheet Of Italian Style

• Click here to get your copy of her book on Amazon.

**This post has been updated and revised from one that appeared during Holiday 2018.**