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Life in the sunny, stormy, humid and luscious Southern Riviera is beautiful, we have it easy in comparison with our friends that endure months of snow and temperatures below human reach.

I must say that two decades in Miami may have smoothened some of my Italian corners, but, as my friend puts it, “I am so Italian I don’t even know how much” yet for my family I am l’americana.  

People are drawn to the Italian lifestyle, la Dolce Vita, speaking with the hands and eating gelato, Florence, Venice and Portofino. 

Like in the late 50’s Renato Carosone, a music composer from Naples, was singing “Tu vuo’ fa’ l’americano” (You wanna be American), here I am going to tell you how to be Italian.

(breakfast at Cafe Florian, www.cafeflorian.com) 

1.   Il caffe’ is sacred and any time of the day is good for one, but il cappuccino is only for breakfast, it doesn’t come after a meal.

2.   The tailor and the cobbler are two essential members of your contacts folder, ideally on speed-dial, you would drive miles to reach them when they are good and you rarely share their number.

3.   Flip flops are for … never

4.   You have a favorite opera composer, you are either team Verdi or Puccini and you have your reasons, memory or anecdote to.

5.   Sit down, dress the table and even if you are alone set the mood and enjoy a plate of spaghetti alle vongole for lunch. Don’t feel guilty or think at how many minutes of treadmill you will have to endure later, which brings to n.

6.   Don’t work out

(Capri 1948 -  Photo by Ralph Crane / Time Life Pictures / GettyImages)

7.  Set trends, don’t follow them, you know your style, don’t emulate

8.   Be 5 to 10 minutes late, always (yes, that includes a collection of trains and airplanes missed)

9.   Wear linen in the summer and indulge in porcini in the fall

10. Leave leggings for the gym

11. Lingerie is meant to make you feel naked 

12. Take suntanning meticulously, no lines allowed or white chalky 80 SPF 

13. Don’t take yourself too seriously: too long to explain here, my book has a whole chaper dedicated to it, meanwhile irony is your best friend.

About Francesca Belluomini

Francesca is a fashion writer, brand consultant and a style buff. Born and raised in Tuscany, Italy, she has been living in Miami long enough not to blink at peacocks crossing the street, yet, too Italian for an American, too American for any Italian.

Her book “The Cheat Sheet of Italian Style” (September 2016) spells the secrets of dressing the Italian way, the quintessential seal of being pulled together with insouciant elegance.  Because Italian style goes beyond frontiers and encompasses all facets of life, she believes anyone can achieve it regardless of age or location, and she’ll convince you too.

Meanwhile, you can head over to chicFB.com to read her cogitations on fashion and style.

In addition, Francesca is a contributor for Social Miami with a column called Style Encounter and a featured-to-be author at Trusted Clothes

Everything else happens on her Instagram