Head back to work with a winning look. Yours.

I know what you did this summer. It took you a few days to truly unplug. After which, you indulged in slow breakfasts, repeated naps on the beach and sunset strolls. And as the end of the holidays approached, your passion for planning was reignited. I know, because it happens to me too, and because the more I talk to people, the more I realise that September is the real New Year, with its return to work, to school, in short, to routine.

The moment you got back to the office, you renewed your Pilates membership, and you tackled your unresolved emails while waiting at the gate for your delayed flight. It’s the best strategy: not taking advantage of the post-holiday momentum would be a waste.

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My advice is simple: make the most of it. Let's take your office look: maybe you went a little over budget in August and plan to save money in September, but is it really wise not to invest in items that you’ll be wearing for hours every day?

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When I work from home, I make a point of sitting at my computer dressed with a measure of decorum. Not that I walk around in a crinoline and stiletto heels – although sometimes I may wear heels for an important call because they give me strength and patience, even if it’s only my cats who see them.

I find that wearing a light blue shirt with a shiny collar over well-cut camel trousers makes it easier to get into the right frame of mind. It's a way to show respect for my work. And when I go out for appointments, I really enjoy rummaging through my closet looking for the right dress. I realise that working in the fashion world is an added incentive, but I haven't yet met a woman who doesn't feel gratified when she pays attention to what she wears. It's not about adhering to a principle, there is just a single aim: taking care of yourself. Do you feel good in a trouser suit? I can't wait to see how you interpret the mood this year.

Do you have a passion for bright patterns? You have my blessing, I'm crazy about them too, along with colour blocks for a grey October day. For sensible shopping, here's my advice for September. Choose by listening to your body, your sensations, your inner voice. The one that intuitively tells you when you’re in front of the mirror: “You look great. Come on, let's get out there and explore the world".

Lavorare nel mondo della moda è uno stimolo in più, me ne rendo conto, non ho però ancora conosciuto una donna che non si senta gratificata quando presta attenzione a ciò che indossa.

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Cristina Manfredi: Who is the pen behind the Marina Rinaldi New Fashion Journal?

Originally from Biella and Milanese by choice, she is a fashion, lifestyle and society journalist with a vibrant, upbeat attitude. She worked as a journalist for Milano Finanza Fashion before moving to Vanity Fair, later resigning to focus on personal projects, including writing, tango, running, and spending time with her beloved cats. Today she is a contributor to Vanity Fair, L’Officiel, Marie Claire and the Style Magazine - Corriere della Sera.