Author: Allegra Caro

Ten elegant style problems

If you have been a regular reader for a while, you know I wrote a statement piece about the amount of prejudice that people with a polished style tend to encounter on a daily basis. However, that specific article does not necessarily depict the most frequent ups and downs when you are into classy fashion.

Let me exemplify here: while visiting Madrid back in June I experienced quite an unpleasant episode related to someone judging my appearance. On our second day in the city, Sebastian and I went for a nice walk to El Retiro and we decided to take the chance for some pictures as a memory of the trip. At a certain point, we went into the Glass Palace and started shooting. Just for a bit of context, the place is a touristic point of interest – hence, every visitor was taking photos as well, most of them with high calibre cameras.

After about ten minutes, one of the security team members approached us to tell us we needed to stop it. Obviously, that was quite of a shock and we shyly asked what was the reason. Where we inadvertently breaking any rules?

 

zaraslipdressoutfit

The guard seemed quite embarrassed and hesitated to provide an explanation. Then, he said that I was “far too well dressed” for their standards and they could not guess whether that was a professional shot or not… Even more confused, we looked around and pointed out the higher calibre cameras other people were using (which were more professional than our very middle-ground Canon), and the fact that we were only a couple taking our holiday pictures. We were not using any kind of lamp, reflector or specialized technical material. Nothing of it seemed to make any difference, though.

At the end of a very short conversation, we left the place but I could not help but wonder how many times would I have to stand people prejudices and let them affect my life. Was I forever doomed? Was there a way to see it with a bit of humour? Then I thought about the blog and how I could possibly share the most common issues when your style is smart.

summerzaraoutfit

These are ten problems every elegant style person will understand

 

01. You need at least a couple of hours to figure out what to wear

When you want to look your best, there is not such a thing like throwing some jeans and carrying on. Most of the time, you will end up choosing your outfit the evening before just to regret your choice the next morning because…

02. You are a perfectionist

Which means chipped manicure or dry lipstick are NOT an option  (not to speak about wrinkled clothing. If by any chance your neat skirt gets creased in the car, you will have a difficult day.)  Do you want to speak about anxiety crisis? What about the day I lost a button from a designer jacket?

03. People will assume your only interest is fashion

Also, that you are unable to hold an interesting conversation. I recall a specific evening in which my husband had to “confirm” I have got a major in English just because the idiot I was talking to thought I looked nothing like the bohemian type. Consequently, my opinions on Virginia Woolf work were to be understated. Not need to say I never spoke to that person again.

04. Unless you wear jeans, people will also think you are overdressed

But if you do wear jeans, they will think you feel sick or something. No, there is no emergency here and my house didn’t burn down letting me with only a pair of jeans in stock. It’s called laundry day. Thank you for your concern.

05. You will be frequently mortified by your family about the value of your designer bag

It doesn’t really matter you are a professional with a decent disposable income and a good savings account. They will keep playing Can You Guess the Price… in front of you.

06. Your neighbour will always comment on how fancy you look today and then ask about the occasion

Is it rude to reply that being alive is the occasion? Because it is, really.

07. Your dry cleaner monthly expense is C.R.A.Z.Y.

Because that’s what happens when most of your clothes are made of interesting textures and materials (a.k.a. delicates) and there is nothing you can do about it. (Well, maybe you could stop buying nice clothes altogether. Or sell an organ in the black market. Just your call…)

08. You always have something to wear to Wimbledon

Only thing is… you are never invited to Wimbledon. Or to a yacht trip to Capri, for the matter. Yes, lifestyle can get on the way when you try to justify that gorgeous Valli dress price tag. But hey, you only live once, right?

09. You find office attire boring

And no matter how much of an effort you make to look at it on a more positive vibe. Still boring.

10. Most of the time, people will make you feel self-conscious.

Seriously, how much time is it socially acceptable to stare at someone on the commute? I am sure your social media feed is far more interesting than my outfit, so please gaze at your telephone screen instead. The good part is you can always look back at them blankly until they feel slightly uncomfortable. It is a bit like a Far West film, only with better attire.

Tell me, have you experienced these or any other style problems?

 

 

Summer Madrid guide

wearing

Slip dress: Zara

Bag and cuff: CHANEL

Shoes: Zara (old, similar at Gianvito Rossi)

 

 

Allegra Caro7 Comments

Inadvertently shopping Valentino

Until very recently, when someone told me they are lucky at shopping, I rolled my eyes.

Not out of jealousy but of mere disbelief: being good at shopping is a bit like being good at winning the lottery, isn’t it? One cannot exactly trust the odds. There are, for sure, some factors that may help you to be successful – investing some time in checking your favourite shops on a regular basis, for instance. But being simply lucky? It never sounded real to me. Actually, it always made me think of Carrie Bradshaw: someone who has a lovely old-rent apartment in the town centre and a walk-in closet full of Manolo Blahnik shoes. Just too good to be true.

As it frequently happens when you hold a prejudice, Father Universe was determined to teach me I was wrong.

 

A summer outfit featuring Red Valentino

Summer outfit bag

Velntino skirt details

Last week, I woke up on a cloudy morning: it was too chilly to be tempted by the pool club we usually attend, but still nice enough to leave the house and enjoy a little walk. Since Sebastian was busy with work and I had no plans for the day, I decided to be spontaneous and booked the day for some second hand and vintage shopping. The city we currently live in is on the small size side, however, there is a complete neighbourhood consecrated to outlets and flea markets of all sorts. In the past, I have found a decent quantity of fast fashion brands (Zara, H&M, Mango… you name it) for a fraction of the price and in mint condition, as well as some one-of-a-kind interesting bits and bobs.

On the first shop, I managed to rescue a couple of cool pieces in the shape of basic sundresses for the upcoming seaside trip in July. Nothing out of the ordinary. Then, I moved to the next one. The aforementioned shop is slightly more expensive than your average vintage business because they operate like a brand-only store, meaning most of their stock comes from Inditex outlets.

Now, I am not such a big fan of fast fashion brands to justify paying close to the original tag price for last season items. To me, fast fashion is a reasonable alternative for basics and the occasional nice dress. Notwithstanding, if I am about to splurge some extra money, I prefer to get a valuable piece from my designer wishlist. (Please, notice that I don’t intend to be judgemental about anybody’s personal preferences here: I mention this so you can see I was feeling rather lazy about getting inside that specific store on the first place.)

Happily, for some reason, I did.

 

Summer casual outfit with a Valnetino skirt

Vlentino outfit for Summer

I checked the first floor quickly and was quite decided not to buy anything when a glimpse of a wonderful red shade caught my attention. It was a lovely skirt, with scalloped details over the waist and a light touch. From the very first moment, I LOVED the colour. I quickly checked the price tag which was a bit high for a little outlet shop of the sort but still very reasonable. So, I decided to go into the fitting room.

 

During the whole process, there was something in the back of my mind, telling me the cut and colour looked familiar. It was something I had seen before, surely. Then, I looked at myself in the mirror, loved how the skirt seated on my waist and hips and decided it was meant to be. The Déjà vu was still there, though. When I took the skirt off it slowly dawned on me that I hadn’t seen the label yet. Who was the manufacturer? I must confess I held my breath for a second when I read it – yes, it was Valentino.

Have you seen that episode from The Simpsons in which Marge accidentally finds a CHANEL suit on a second-hand store? Because guys, that’s exactly how it feels.

I went straight to the counter, asked the shopping assistant if the price was correct, she confirmed it was, and I handed her my credit card without a blink.

Well, I guess that’s the way the universe tells you not to be a cynic. After all, who knows? Next time it can be you.

Tell me, have you ever found a hidden treasure while shopping?

 

Valenino couture outfit

wearing

Skirt: RED Valentino (sold out, similar here, shorts version here)

Blouse: Saint Tropez (sold out, similar styles here and here)

Hair clip: Versace / Shoes: Zara (old, similar at Gianvito Rossi)/Lipstick: Kat Von D

Other accessories: Off brand

 

Allegra Caro2 Comments

Game-changer Summer skincare (that actually works)

My 2019 Summer skincare regime

The arrival of Summer means sandals, sundresses, and for the most favoured even eating gelato by the seaside in Capri – but unfortunately, it also means that our skin goes all the way down to Dryland. Fun times, aren’t they? No need to mention every potential reason: the burning sunlight, together with the exposure to swimming pool chemicals is enough to quickly spoil the results of our careful skincare regime during the cold season. But what can you do to improve your general skin condition over the warm months?

Especially, if your skin belongs to the dry type Summer may become a challenge and not of the best kind. For years, it has been my Achilles heel but with a good dose of patience, experimentation and yes, some investment, I am happy to say I have managed to find products that really work for me. Hopefully, they will work for you too.

This is my game-changer skincare routine in 2019.

 

Clinique moisture surge

Clinique dramatically different moisturizing gel

Moisture is king

This should be obvious, shouldn’t it? And even so, quite frequently we don’t pay enough attention to such a basic step. Finding a product that works for your specific skin type and needs is everything. Guys, I am not gonna lie: It took me a number of rights and wrongs to find something which could keep my Mojave dessert-dry skin hydrated all day long but once I did, there was no way back. My absolute two favourite products happen to be Clinique.

  1. Moisture Surge, 72 hours auto-replenishing hydrator

To me, this is like magic. I tend to apply it either as a five-minute mask or just before my makeup routine. Not only smooths the skin but it also feels shooting for a long time. The product is supposed to target fine lines and although I cannot confirm on such a radical difference, after only a few uses it became one my forever-in-rotation basics.

    2. Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

Raise your hand if you are looking for a 12 hours moisture barrier fix. Because that is exactly what you are getting. I apply it first thing in the morning and the skin feels fresh, and flexible until my evening routine. Yes, in Summer too. Over the years, I have tried many different solutions but for me, this is the one.

 

Le lift creme CHANEL

Anti-aging

Since skin hydration levels go down during the warm season and sunlight is harsh, the chances to get fine lines do increase. As a consequence, I take more precautions during this period. A few months ago, my sister kindly recommended Le Lift Créme by CHANEL to me. It doesn’t only treat lines but also improves firming. After almost half a year using it, I can confirm that my skin feels far better in both departments and no new lines have appeared.

The ordinary Lactic Acid

Peeling and eye puffiness

Since my skin is more exposed to the effects of the external factors, I try to keep up to date with a rigid peeling program once a week. On Sundays, I usually stay indoors so this is a good occasion to apply acids.

  1. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

Is it legit to marry a beauty product? Because I am totally marrying this one (with the permission of Louboutin Velvet Matte of course), I don’t care what you say. I like to mix two/three pumps with my moisture gel in the morning and let it do its thing. After about four weeks of usage, I started seeing an obvious difference in the texture on my skin. And not even Mr. Summer can change that.

    2. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Another collateral effect of hot weather is that my eyes tend to look a bit puffier than usual. Fortunately, when consistently applied morning and evening, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution reduces any signs of redness around my eyes – and also sorts out dark circles, win-win here.

And these are my personals tricks for better skin during Summer.

Have you got any holy grail product secrets you want to share?

 

Game-changer summer skincare

Allegra Caro2 Comments

A Colourful Revolution: Mary Quant, the V&A retrospective

 “London was dead. Fog permeated everything. Fog was a smell. Fog was a colour.”

In the context of a grim, black and white post-war London, the work of Mary Quant bloomed like a Winter Rose – an unexpected crimson brush-stroke in the snow.

No one in that colour-blind world could have foreseen it but when the suburban Goldsmith schoolgirl opened her first experimental shop in Chelsea, she was meant to start a vivacious revolution. Back in the day, couture embodied the rigid war generation mindset, deeply related to subjects such as traditional gender roles and a narrow elite class access to fashion.  Baby boomers not only failed to empathise but also refused to do so: they were eager for freedom. “Fashion should be a game,” Quant wrote once, a motto an entire generation lived for.

When wandering about the V&A halls at the Mary Quant exhibition, one can easily come across ladies who look at the dresses with a nostalgic smile. “I had a dress very similar to this one,” 73-year-old Mary Brighton says, “I was only 14 then. My parents didn’t like it but they hadn’t much to say. I would work every Saturday on a tiny Carnaby Street shop to save the money.” Her friend Betty Wilkes nods her head: “Everything was grey then: the rain, the streets, the boring schooldays… And suddenly, she showed us the idea of hue. It was a bit like Technicolor, only better.”

 

Mary Quant OBE dress
1966 OBE dress

This image deeply resonates with Quant’s work. Chromatism was used wisely as a part of an elaborated concept – to deconstruct British tradition by empowering women. Significant examples (sometimes, in the form of iconic dresses; sometimes, in the shape of lustrous raincoats, shoes or tights) are visible: if you take a minute to visit the ground floor, the OBE Dress must be admired. In 1966, the designer was appointed Officer of the British Empire, a medal awarded for her contribution to the UK fashion export trade, supporting the national economy. For the occasion, Quant created a bright cream gown to stand out in the crowd in a gloomy November afternoon. Her beret was designed to look like an English schoolgirl hat, the entire outfit recalls the Victorian boarding school institution but she gave her a fresh and modern twist. The short skirt shook Royal protocol.

Another quintessential example is to be found on the first floor. The 1967 tartan dress was deliberately made on Victorian-inspired patterned cloth and conservative bodice. However, the new hemline, as well as the usage of synthetic materials such as rayon with Lurex thread, helped to create a sparkling party dress – The Swinging 60s paradigm.

Although Quant is mainly credited for making mini-skirts popular, it could be argued that her most impressive achievement was the capacity to anticipate and capture the new age sensibility. Hence, it is no shocker that other visionary legends of the period like former Vogue creative director Grace Coddington (then a promising model) embraced Quant’s philosophy and wore her pieces.

Quant tartan lurex dress
1967 Tartan Lurex dress

But what makes Quant work bewitching is her own fascination about modernity. When new materials first came out, she was eager to experiment with them. “One day, a new fabric appeared on the scene,” she said, “PVC was shiny, waterproof, and unlike anything I’d ever seen before.” Her revolutionary usage of plastic for the 1963 Wet collection was a turning point in fashion. She conceptualized practical clothes to brighten gloomy weather days, sure, but the choice of a watery material and a simple, natural pattern has a lot to do with her early prediction of the deconstruction process: By rejecting perpetuation of the highly structured Dior silhouette, Quant seems to anticipate Zygmunt Bauman’s liquefaction concept. The 50s corseted designs are inevitably connected to highly hierarchically organized structures such as family, social class, and gender roles, all of them early refused by the Baby boomers generation who started moving from a solid, heavy society to a more fluid one.

Mary Quant PVC raincoat
1963 Wet Collection

It is quite significant that the V&A team decided to hold Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams and Mary Quant exhibitions at the same time, confronting both visions. On the subject, Quant once declared: “I always designed clothes from a very young age because I didn’t like the way they were. They were paralyzing; they were stilted.”

Paralysis is deeply connected to the topic, indeed. Women were frozen, a dragonfly on amber, trapped in a forced passive role conceived during the Old Regime times. With the second wave of Feminism in the 60s, themes such as reproductive and work rights became socially relevant. By giving women freedom of movement and rethinking gender stereotypes (her androgyny designs are worth to mention still today), Quant significantly contributed to the new cosmological vision. Hence, we can shamelessly affirm her work transcended the mere fashion substance to achieve a cultural patina of grandeur.

Certainly, Dame Quant also owned a natural genius for marketing and audience understanding: among many other fascinating moments, the exhibition portrays her elaborated plan to promote London as an avant-garde destination for the emergent American cosmopolitan class, while visiting New York in 1965. The Youthquake tour not only put London on the map but also succeeded to create a fan phenomenon over the brand, which sold out collections overnight.

 

Mary Quant tuxedo dress
Overdraft waistcoat and cheque book skirt (1967)

Curators Jenny Lister and Stephanie Wood have worked hard to bring together more than 200 pieces for the exhibition, many of them never displayed before. This is the result of a brilliant strategy: a public call-out to track down rare Mary Quant garments. Through hashtag #WeWantQuant people are still sharing their experience on Instagram. Many of the original owners’ stories are presented –together with their gowns– on a memorabilia masterpiece which is a page in the fashion book, as well as in the English history.

Now you have the opportunity to experience it: the exhibition opened on April the 6th and will run to March the 8th, 2020.

When leaving the V&A building, springtime drizzle falls across the grey London streets and a few colourful umbrellas pop here and there. And at the end of the day, the 21st-century woman writing this cannot help but bless Mary Quant for that.

 

Allegra Caro3 Comments

The Honest Fashionista Series: Shopping at Giambattista Valli x H&M pre-sale bloodbath

When H&M unveiled its 2019 designer collab on May the 23rd, middle-class fashionistas from all around the world went crazy.

The Giambattista Valli x H&M collection was meant to be the most glamorous one thus far, being artfully revealed at the amfAR gala in Cannes. Always a bandwagon-kind-of-girl, the unavoidable Instagram tidal wave caught me by surprise during the coffee break when, with a cappuccino y one hand and my phone in the other, I learned that a limited stock pre-sale was happening on the 25th before the official release on November. Hallelujah!

For a bit of context, I should probably clarify that my romantic story with H&M designer collections has been quite a tragic one: during the 2015 Balmain launch I somehow managed to mess up the dates and miss it; the 2017 Erdem collection was sold out before I had the chance to get one of their flowing Pre-Raphaelite gowns. In both occasions, I ended up feeling so sorry for myself, I would spend my days sighing and out of spirits – the vivid image of the Brontës heroines, Catherine Earnshaw in the moorlands moaning for lost love dresses… Oh, alas. Hence, I was determined to succeed this time.

Giambattista Valli for H&M

Giambattista Valli collection for H&M

A big believer in the Go big or go home motto, my initial impulse was buying one of the dreamy tulle extravaganzas, but as Sebastian kindly reminded me, the last cocktail dress I purchased is still hanging on the original plastic cover, not a chance to wear it. After all, how many opportunities has got the average professional woman to wear something that excessive a year? One, maybe two, if you are lucky. I could for sure wear my new flamboyant Valli to go to the groceries as Crazy Rich Asians character muse Heart Evangelista notoriously said once, right? But in the end, I decided to be a bit rational this time and buy something that would certainly work better with my current lifestyle. Well, most of us bloggers are not Chiara Ferragni, are we?

With this mind, I checked the collection and immediately thought I could manage to fit the necklace in my existing wardrobe without much of a headache. On Saturday, I woke up early, prepared myself some tea and checked the launch time again. It was being released at 10:00 CET, so I entered the website at 9:00 a.m. and saw that the page showed a banner confirming the release at the expected time. At this point, I started feeling slightly nervous and texted a friend to see if she was already connected to the website too. Just to reassure me. Yes, I am that kind of person, what can I say?

Giambattista Valli and H&M collaboration

At 9:20 a.m. and after the second green jasmine teacup, the initial butterflies in my stomach were more like that Mothra creature from the Godzilla films. Sebastian came back from his Saturday morning basketball game to find me still trying to play cool (as if…). “Just chilling”, I painfully lied, “Waiting for that H&M thing to be online, you know?”. Yeah, he knew. “Not nervous?”, he laughed and then he went for a shower.

At 9:45 a.m. I left any concealing strategy (and all hope) behind. It was my third cup of tea in a row and I was kind of worried I could start hearing the colours any time. Because a theine overdose is just what you need to start your weekend the right way.

I maniacally started refreshing the website at 9:55 a.m. During the 2017 Erdem doom-day, that was the main reason I wasn’t able to add the dresses to my shopping cart in time. It was not happening again, folks.

At 09:59 Apocalypse Now OST was playing in the background. Sebastian was kind of scared at this point and scrupulously keeping the P.A.S.D (Panicking Allegra Security Distance) at all times. That´s my man…

H&M collection with Giambattista Valli

Then it was 10:00 a.m., 10.02 a.m. and 10:05 a.m. and the website was still loading. You are totally rightful to guess I was now on a state of sartorial red code. It didn’t matter how many times I would refresh, the catalogue was not updated yet. I tried my luck with the Spanish website at the same time. Nothing. I suddenly began thinking the page or server collapsed due to the number of people connected at the same time and totally panicked.

At 10:00 a.m. the collection was still loading. I was legitimately considering to drink all the limoncello in the freezer.

It was 10:11 a.m. when the website finally went up: “We have visual contact, sir!”, I announced to Sebastian a bit too loud, “I repeat, we have visual contact”.

I quickly added the necklace to the shopping cart straight away, didn’t even bother to look at the other options. Then I proceeded with check out and payment. The whole process took me less than a minute. Yes, I guess it is some kind of useless superpower. I am just waiting for Doctor Charles Xavier to knock on my door any day now. I opened my email searching for the order confirmation and once I verified everything was alright, I decided to breathe and make myself some lime blossom tea. I can assure you shopping is literally my cardio.

By the time I had my cup ready, I sat down again to see what else was still available on the website. Out of mere curiosity, if you please, and there it was: all the collection was gone for good in about ten minutes.

The necklace arrived four days later, packed on a lovely box and covered with silk paper. I was truly surprised on the effort the actually did with the presentation. Not bad for fast fashion production at all. The piece itself is beautifully designed although the locking clip is far from couture standards. However, it is worth to keep in mind that this is just a collaboration and not an atelier piece. Overall, I would say I am quite satisfied with the purchase – a light impression on how it feels to be a Valli girl.

For those of you who didn’t manage to grab your pieces in time, the full collection will be released on November the 7th. May the shopping odds be ever in your favour!

Allegra Caro2 Comments

My experience in Vogue: Studying at Condé Nast College

I was only twelve and trapped on puberty drama the first time a Vogue issue fell into my hands.

Since then, the magazine and I were involved in a long-term relationship: we dated, we broke up and as time went by, we came to terms. In case you wonder, we enjoy a healthy friendship now — the sort you have with your oldest school days comrades.

But leaving romantic metaphors aside, the truth is that the publication has been present for most of my adult life. Once I matured, I shared my attention with other mags: Vanity Fair and The New Yorker started catching my eye, since my interests fluctuate from fashion to arts and literature, and their editorial line is designed accordingly. However, Condé Nast was always the benchmark for me, no matter what. Some of their best articles live on a special folder on my laptop, where I can come back to them for reference.

voguehouse

voguehousevisit

meatvoguehouse

A few months ago, already involved in my current blog project, I discovered that Condé Nast College was offering a wide range of new courses, including intensive seminars for fashion writers. The point is, I had been considering to extend my formal education on creative writing with some specialization on journalism and this looked pretty much like the perfect opportunity. So, I finally reunited the courage to enroll and booked tickets for London in April. (Or so I like to repeat myself because the truth is that I panicked, decided to go ahead, and panicked again before I really booked my place in the seminars. Performance anxiety anyone?)

But let’s focus on the essential: How was to study in such a celebrated editorial institution? What about visiting Vogue House? In short? It was a blast. That’s it. You can now click away (just joking). But let me tell you the story from the beginning.

The first day of classes, I arrived early and the staff kindly proceeded with my registration. The building is located in the heart of Soho which made it really easy to find it (even if, like me, you are awful at Googlemaps skills…), as well as convenient in terms of commuting options. I would love to provide you with some more details on my first impression of the place but I was so nervous I can’t even remember whether it was sunny or gloomy.

Afterwards, I was given a tote bag containing the latest Vogue issue, pens (in case I wanted to write notes), and some mineral water, which was very kind of them. Then, all the students were introduced in the main conference room for the welcome and orientation chat. It was nice to see that everything was organized in a timely manner.

The first thing that caught my attention was the incredible international environment: I had the privilege to share the classes with a great group of people from the most diverse countries: Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Turkey, Switzerland, The Emirates… Everywhere. I feel this was one of the most enriching factors from the whole experience since it allows you to have a glimpse of other cultures and perceptions by sharing a genuine passion.

vougecourses

vogueconferenceroom

voguelibrary

After the introduction discussion, we proceeded with the first journalism lecture, mainly focused on providing basic notions. To be completely honest, I should point out that my personal interests lay in practical classes and creative writing seminars. Hence, maybe this first session was not my favourite one. I am quite sure other students found it relevant and useful, though.

However, the best part was to arrive on the second day. Early in the morning, we enjoyed a very useful seminar with the Philippa Morgan, Planning Editor at Vogue International. Listening to someone who can provide you with some serious insights into the industry is probably one of the most awesome things that can happen to you.

But this wasn’t the only highlight of the day: after lunch, we were kindly invited for a group visit to Vogue House at Hanover Square. Our group was welcome to the press room, where we could listen to specialists in the different departments, instructing us on a variety of topics, from copywriting to edition, and from photography to production. It was truly informative as a whole, and it was inspiring to hear that many of the professionals in this editorial group made it through effort and will power. After a good hour of chatting, questions, and comments, we left the place. The only part I missed from the whole experience as a writer was the chance to have a glimpse of the editorial department since I was truly interested in seeing the work-flux on a normal working day. Nevertheless, I understand the staff must be very busy on a daily basis to attend students, so I was OK with that.

The next few days were a bit of a whirlwind constituted by master classes, creative writing workshops and even more importantly, specialized human resources advice which provided a unique glance on what skills and profiles are frequently targeted by the industry.

We engaged in some group projects as well, working for long hours in the amazing library. In there, we could enjoy the read of hundreds of books dedicated to the story of Haute Couture, as well as getting access to an unlimited number of magazine issues from their archive. I only wish I could have spent some months there, feeding my curiosity with all of that wonderful bibliography. But, oh alas, time passes by quickly when you are having a good time, and before I realized it was Friday and our final project was delivered on time for the closure session.

condénastgroup

As a sum-up I would say the seminars were the most interesting part (especially those about conducting interviews, creative ideas development and catwalk reviews writing, which I found truly specific and helpful). Teachers were nothing but brilliant and they assisted us with feedback and advice at all times.

But as much as I learned from the whole academic experience, I would say that my favourite part was to be able to make new acquaintances and contacts from all around the world. After all, I was expecting to wide my perspective and that is simply the best way to do so, isn’t it?

Allegra Caro9 Comments
Spring proffesional outfit for women

Where have I been? April in a nutshell

Hey, hello there! This is Allegra, that Spanish expat you used to read about in here.

In the remote case you are anything like me and an obsessive Sherlock Holmes reader, there is a chance you already called Scotland Yard to report my disappearance. Good news! You can drop your loupe, pipe, and overcoat now. Apologies for the non-announced hiatus but April has been super hectic and side projects completely took over. Yes, it was a bit frantic and in some moments even exhausting, but to be honest it was truly gratifying too.

Since I am not the kind of person who likes to do things in halves, it felt reasonable to press the pause key until May. Just to be back with batteries fully recharged. Let’s start things off then with one of my absolute favourite post styles – a good old monthly highlights post, featuring the hallmarks from the past four weeks. Shall we?

The trip to London. Obviously, this had to be the first bullet point in the list, right? On April the fifth, I took an evening flight to London. The reason? I was visiting one of my oldest friends but the trip was not merely playful this time: I enrolled The Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design for an intensive one week course, focused on fashion journalism. For a few months, I had been considering to extend my formal education on the writing field and Condé Nast looked not only like the optimal option, but also the logic one. After all, who could teach on a better level than the professionals behind legendary publications such as Vanity Fair, The New Yorker or Vogue? To be completely honest, the decision was also slightly influenced by the fact I am kind of fangirl too (oops…) and been offered with the chance of visiting Vogue House headquarters was beyond tempting… So, as you guessed, there is some solid content coming your way and fully documenting the whole experience. Stay tuned!

Spring suit outfit for women

profesionaloutfit

Easter floral festival weekend. There are a few things that scream Spring! as loud as a floral festival. Mid-April was the witness of a lovely weekend when the city was literally covered in flowers – and we are speaking about more than 200 different species here. So, Sebastian and I took the chance to call some friends and mix with the locals. Let’s say this was nothing but well-deserved rest. Especially for him, since he is preparing not one or two, but THREE of his research books to be published this year which is, well, quite demanding to be diplomatic. Somehow, it was just what we needed. The weather happened to be glorious, our friends were absolutely the best, and the whole weekend was the final touch for a great month.

Cinecultura International Film Festival. One of the brightest highlights in our cultural diary is the annual celebration of the city film festival, a week’s worth of movies soirées. Being a cinematographic gluttonous, I could only join when the opening night arrived. It is not the kind of event that requires white tie –no red carpet photos of me this time, damn!– but that naturally translated into a great opportunity to wear something nice, socialize a bit, and then watching a bunch of good films.

Easter break. At the end of the month, we finally enjoyed the orthodox Easter break, a well-deserved holiday. Since I was just back from London, we decided to simply stay and take the time to cook nice nourishing food, go to the movies and chill a bit. I know it doesn’t sound spectacular but sometimes, all you need is to wind down.

And this is all I did in April. I know you will excuse my absence now you know how hectic life was, but as I said, there is a lot of nice content coming your way. Silver linings, people, silver linings.

Spring proffesional outfit for women

wearing

Trousers: Reserved

Blazer: Vero Moda (sold out, similar here and designer version here)

Blouse: Zara/ Shoes: Top Shop (sold out, similar here) / Cuff: CHANEL

Allegra Caro12 Comments
Tips for nervous flyers

My story as a nervous flyer: five tips to beat the fear

When Amelia Earhart said that the lure of flying is the lure of beauty, she wasn’t thinking about nervous flyers.

At the time writing this post, it is a glorious Friday morning and although 5th Piano Concerto ‘Emperor‘ is playing in the background, and the sunlight caresses the white kitchen walls while I wait for my coffee to be ready, I can’t feel any serenity. The reason? I am taking a flight to London in about seven hours, and the mere thought compresses my stomach. Yes, you guessed it: I am a nervous flyer.

For starters, I should probably clarify I am not one of the most severe cases ever. To me, the main trigger is boarding alone, rather than the flight itself. Hence, I only experience this kind of anxiety in the few occasions I need to travel all by myself.

Over the years, I tried different techniques to relieve my stress levels but since most of the international flights in Europe last two-three hours tops, I never took the time to search for real solutions. Last Winter though, Sebastian and I booked an eleven hours trip to Tokyo, and I immediately knew I would need to find a fix to make it sane to the other side of the globe.

It was a long process and it took a good deal of trial and error but at the end of the day, I managed to figure out a bunch of relaxation techniques which can make a difference in the way you experience a flight. In all honestly? It was enlightening. Just imagine to be able to block most of the negativity and reduce it to the extent that you are able to be functional again.

But how do you do that?

These are my  five tips to get over flight anxiety.

 

Tips for nervous flyers

1. Embrace a simple but revolutionary idea: you are NOT in charge

And do you know what? That is totally alright.

Our natural instinct is trying to control any situation. If by any chance you are a control freak (hello there old soul mate!), you will have a hard time on a plane surely. Try something new instead: follow the air crew instructions, take a deep breath and accept you are not in control – not here, not now. Embracing the chaos might sound like a silly cliché, but I find it truly comforting.

2. Instead of thinking about the flight duration as a punishment, treat it as a well-deserved rest

I know, it is difficult to see any in-board time as a luxury when the eternal promise of a noisy seat neighbour is floating on the air like a threat to your mental integrity – but please, believe me when I tell you that it is all about your own attitude. Don’t reach for your work laptop or tablet. Instead, use the time to eat something delicious (avoiding crappy tourist class food can be a good idea) or watch a nice film on your laptop. Catching up with some  beloved podcasts is a personal favourite of mine but you should be able to find something to treat yourself.

3. Block as much unpleasant ambient noise as possible

Children crying, repetitive coffee announcements from the crew, motor noise… Personally, I can’t stand those. Since I was a child, I suffer from a light form of Mishophonia that can be aggravated on stressful situations, so blocking any unpleasant sound is a must. Last year, I started packing some headphones on my cabin luggage and so far, it has proved life-changing. Ear plugs are a great option if you wish to go for a cat nap too.

If you are a frequent flyer though, you might consider investing in some noise-cancelling headphones. My current best-loved are the Beat Studio 3 Wireless Headphones (they are foldable, wireless and they offer up to 22 hours of battery), but there are plenty of options out there.

4. Get yourself comfortable

It could be argued that long flights main issue is the lack of comfort: limited personal space and sturdy seats are a terrible match for sure. Nonetheless, there are a few tricks you can use to improve your rest. Have you ever thought of spending some cash on a memory-foam travel pillow, or even an Ostrich Pillow model (my own choice)? Wrapping yourself in a nice, soft cardigan or jumper is also a good idea since it will help you to sleep better if needed.

5. When things go wild, turn to rescue remedy

It might be anything from a lavender soothing spray to a luxury spa hand-cream. Take some time and search for a few products which essence and consistency will immediately make you feel safe and relaxed. Then prepare an emergency kit and pack it in your cabin luggage. In case you are curious about it, I personally trust Rosa Centifolia Hand Treatment Cream and La Creme Main Texture Riche to make me feel in a spa when travelling but any nice scent product will do.

 

 

 

Allegra Caro6 Comments

Brunch outfit ideas you will wear all Spring long

Ideas for Spring brunch outfits

Brunch

noun [C] Perfect state of grace achieved by the successive viewing and consumption of a decadent feast, frequently composed of avocado toasts, benedict eggs and rosé on a glorious Sunday morning. Also refers to a general peaceful mindset.

Let’s talk about brunch. If by any chance you are a Gossip Girl fan (and let’s be honest, we all are, aren’t we?), you can’t help but think of perfectly arranged silver trays crammed with smoked salmon and ruby red fruit, people wearing white, and a pinch of snobbish tedium floating in the afternoon atmosphere. That is all well and good but personally, I am not that much of a Vanity Fair character: Once in my wild early twenties, I accidentally discovered that a quick shower followed by a sushi-based brunch was the best hangover fix and, although my party girl days were left behind, the Sunday brunch habit remained to this day.

Brunch is a natural way to recharge my batteries after a long week – a sort of regenerating ritual. Sometimes, I will simply tie my hair in a knot and wear sunglasses. Sometimes, I will enjoy the chance to dress up a bit. To me, it is all about having some quality time but I believe you don’t necessarily need to take style out of the equation.

Spring brunch outfit ideas

Outfit for Spring

Easter outfits ideas

I don’t consider styling (or even a fashion interest, for the matter), to be a synonym of high-maintenance. Instead, I see it as an integrated part of people who enjoys being creative through clothes. With the arrival of nice weather, dressing up is easier and also a bit more interesting, so I thought I could provide you with some basic tips on what to wear for a Spring brunch. Of course, none of these are completely fixed but general recommendations, rather than rigid rules.

  1. Printed dresses (and yes, we can include Spring florals this time)

Generally, I am not the biggest fan of seasonal florals but I must admit they are quite cool for an early lunch date since they make you look fresh and cheerful. Let’s make a concession and welcome them to our wardrobe for once. In case you don’t like pastels or shiny colours, there are plenty of other options. Burgundy is timeless and a total winner for me, but any shade will do.

2. Blazers and cardigans

You can pair your dress with a nice chunky cardigan or a blazer to keep yourself warm and cosy. A favourite of mine is this lovely velvet private school-style jacket I got in Paris a couple of years ago. The main point about blazers is they make you instantly chic with about zero effort. Win-win situation here.

3. Comfortable shoes

You might feel like dressing up but Sunday should be a day of rest. Forget about those Blahnik stilettos and choose some flats instead. After a long working week, your feet will appreciate the gesture.

4. If you go for trousers, Capri pants are your friends

Not into dresses? No problem. Capri pants are chic, still comfortable. You can pair them with a nice white shirt or Breton top and get those instant Parisian style vibes. Untuck your blouse and enjoy that extra room for all the crispy bacon and dreamy bagels.

5. Keep make up minimal

There is no point in losing some precious minutes by applying makeup on a Sunday morning. In case you feel like using some of your favourite products, just tone it down. After all, it should be all about enjoying the off time to rest. Also, your skin will be happy to breathe for the whole day and take advantage of all the delicious nourishing food properties.

Thank you for reading my latest The Prêt-à-porter Series installment. The next episode will be opened for suggestions so, in case you are interested in any specific topic style-related, please feel free to leave a comment in the box below.

Let me know what are your personal preferences for a Spring Sunday brunch.

brunchoutfit

wearing

Dress: Vintage Chic for Top Vintage (sold out, pencil skirt version here)

Blazer: Axes Femme (old, similar here)

Handbag and shoes: Deichman/ Sunglasses: Vintage / Cuff: CHANEL

Allegra Caro12 Comments
Pink biker jacket for women

Personal Fashion pet peeves (which will make you burst into laughter)

Pink biker jacket spring outfit

Spring biker jacket outfit for women

A couple of weeks ago, I was having one of my recurring online cappuccino dates with a friend. While casually discussing trends, she told me she hates monochrome outfits with a passion. She confessed it was one of her personal fashion pet peeves, something which annoyed her so much, she would immediately scroll down on Pinterest when encountered.

I was quite curious about the fact she felt such displeasure and when she kindly asked me what were my own style pet peeves, I gave her an involuntary puzzled frown. The fact is, I never thought about it and couldn’t even tell if I had a thing about any trend at all. To be honest, my mind went completely blank, and we ended up shifting towards a different topic. However, I would not let go and spent the next couple of weeks raking over it. My brain did not cooperate and at the end of the day, I had to admit maybe I had no pet peeve of my own.

A bunch of days later, Sebastian and I were out for dinner and run into a colleague who was wearing a beautiful floral dress. Although the gown was truly beautiful, I found myself muttering afterwards. “Florals for Spring? Groundbreaking!” And there it was – I was like everyone else, after all.

Grey and pink spring outfit

A cascade of ideas flooded my mind in that very moment, the entire collection of my own personal style obsessions. And then, I concluded it would be nice to share them with you out of scientific curiosity if you please. Just to compare and check if it’s only me who cannot stand the points in the following list. So here you go…

My fashion pet peeves

(Disclaimer: these are my own personal opinions and they are meant to be read in a humorous tone. Please, do not take me too seriously.)

  1. Trainers to tone down an all over classy outfit

I know I am probably alone with this one but really, NOPE. To me, sport shoes will never look casual, but sporty. That’s the whole point about them, isn’t it? So, when I see one of those very nice grammable photos in which the girl is wearing a perfectly polished outfit just to “tone it down” with trainers, I want to cry. Are you playing a tennis match or going to an opera evening? My robotic mind displays the Logic Not Found error message every time. Sorry. It is not about you, people. It is about me. Give me flats anytime, but sport shoes are my kryptonite.

2. Mixing patterns

Let’s. Stop. This madness. I still remember when I opened a magazine to see a street fashion shot of a woman who was wearing camouflage print and tartan on the same outfit. My eyes burn to this day. Just like Phoebe’s in that Friends episode in which she discovers Monica and Chandler affair. Please, if I can make a wish, let’s leave patterns separate and use solid colours instead. Thank you.

3. The tiny handbags trend

Excuse me, did I die and went to Hell? Because that’s the only way I can make sense of something this illogical. Carrying your stuff around is the purpose of a bag, so what is the point of a miniature purse which cannot even keep your car keys? Seriously. What is the point?! It makes NO SENSE (hyperventilates on a paper bag).

Spring outfit biker jacket

4. Clothes on the wrong size

Know your size people, pleasie, please. When in doubt, just ask the shop assistant or check the sizes chart. There is nothing worse than poorly tailored clothes. Too baggy? Awful. Too tight? Even worse. You don’t want to look like a tacky version of a Marvel superhero, right? Something like Captain Clerk, the unfortunate hero whose powers come from the second cup of morning Ristretto… I thought so. Well, I have written about this before, but you can totally drop your new suit to the closest dressmaker if needed. I promise it is worth every penny.

5. Nude dress, nude shoes, nude tights… nude you

To me, too matchy-matchy is an A category fashion disaster which develops into a hilarious mess when it comes to nude tones. Without a pop of colour, a head-to-toe nude outfit makes you look… yes, you guessed it: NAKED. Please, don’t show yourselves naked on the streets. It is bad for you, it is bad for me, it is bad for all those fluffy koala cubs out there. And you don’t want to hurt the baby koalas, do you?

And this is it, folks – my own personal nightmares fashionwise. Since I am a bit nosy, I would love to learn about yours too, so just let me know!

Pink biker jacket for women

wearing

Dress: Poema (sold out, similar at Alexia Admor)

Pink Biker Jacket: Reserved

Handbag: CHANEL/ Sunglasses: Vintage / Shoes: Top Shop

Earrings: Vintage (similar at Miu Miu)

Allegra Caro25 Comments
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