Fashion advice

What to pack for a Bucharest weekend city break

I don’t know if this happens to me only, but every time I hear the words “city break”, I always think about Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. She is the perfect epitome of off-duty elegance in that film and for that very reason, I never feel satisfied with my own looks when on holiday. Yes, I know it sounds crazy and it is not something I do consciously but still, it happens. Every time I stare at my reflection in a hotel mirror I think “Hey, this is not Hepburnesque at all. Shame!” Now, I am obviously exaggerating here. (It is not like I am expecting to walk around head to toe in 1950’s Dior, right? Although, couldn’t we consider the possibility for a second? No? I thought so…) But the truth is, I tend to experience some dissatisfaction with my outfits choice when I am on a trip.

Frequently, I over-pack only to find out I have nothing to wear. And guys, I HATE that. This usually happens for a reason – I did not consider outfits. In the past, I found myself with a case full of dresses and skirts, and not a single outfit to wear. And here, as much I am hesitant to admit it, is where we should start discussing capsule wardrobes. First, I should state that in my (not very popular) opinion, capsule wardrobes are boring. OK, that is it, I finally said it. I can be officially expelled from the fashion bloggers club now. I will return my blogging camera and Starbucks membership at once…

But the thing is, I find they leave little room for creativity. However, there is one exception to this rule: they are really handy when it comes to traveling. Abroad, you don’t need 5,487,337 pairs of shoes. What you need though is a range of clothes you can mix and match. I must admit it took a bit too long for me to accept this idea, but it has proved to be efficient ever since.

Personally, I am more into skirts and dresses, and so is this capsule wardrobe. Also, I have decided to reduce the chromatic palette to three/four shades only which is, well… one of the main points when it comes to a capsule wardrobe, isn’t it?

Something you need to consider when traveling to Bucharest during the cold season is the weather. And I am going to tell you something, it can be FRIGID. Forget about light clothes and think about layers: cardigans, sweaters, coats… anything that can keep you warm enough. You should also add a scarf, a pair of gloves and maybe a hat or two. And please, don´t be afraid to pack some thermal tights too (and I am talking about 100 denier if you wish to walk around and enjoy your trip, so let’s be sensitive). Regarding shoes, I would definitely advise going for boots.

During our trip two weeks ago, we arrived on Friday afternoon and after checking-in, we went straight for a little walk and sightseeing just before dinner at our favourite place in town. I was far too tired to take any pictures but the jumper and skirt I wore were totally OK for the weather. Consequently, here you go my personal suggestions for a Friday afternoon and evening plan.

Sightseeing can be exhausting when you visit a big city. (I have got a shoes-related horror story from a trip to Vienna a few years ago and since then, I always choose my shoes wisely…) But Bucharest public transport is a great alternative to cover the biggest distances, don’t be afraid to use it. Personally, I prefer to add a pair of comfortable shoes to my luggage and I usually wear them for day tours, while I change from flats to heels in the evening. This tip also applies to shopping: please, do wear comfy shoes. You can thank me later.

Our Saturday was spent on some more sightseeing, food, and shopping. All followed by a late-evening concert in a town center club. Once again layering saved my life and let me enjoy the whole experience, so here I leave you some inspiration for your Saturday outfits both day and evening.

On Sunday we took it easy, had a late brunch and visited the old town to take our last trip pictures. Afterwards, we booked for a nice afternoon tea. Since usually, Sundays are the more relaxing day, I will suggest one versatile outfit which you could adapt to most activities on your last day in the city.

And this is pretty much it! I guess most of us will never look like Hepburn on Roman Holiday but that’s OK. It is not 1950 after all…

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

Allegra Caro3 Comments

The High Maintenance dilemma: is smartness underrated?

Raise your hand if you are familiar with this scene: you have just arrived at the office after a good hour in the commute surrounded by too many people, made it all the way in stilettos from the suffocating underground to the company building carrying your take away coffee, laptop and birthday cake for Amanda from the accounting department, and then logged in on time to collapse on your desk.

This morning you had to skip Yoga because your child did not feel like dressing up and husband had the flu. Even so, you managed to make yourself presentable. You managed to dress up for you, to feel good. Then, Tom and Claire from the Creative Editing team say hello and absently comment on how nice your dress looks and, you know, how hard it must be to get ready every morning because well, it is SO hard maintenance — and aren´t you actually sick of spending some much time just to get ready in the morning when you have much more productive things to do, surely?

The thing is, you see, Tom and Claire do not mean IT is high maintenance. They mean YOU are. Déjà vu, anyone?

Shockingly, it seems to be socially acceptable to comment on other people appearance these days, especially women’s. With social media blooming, everyone spends a lot of time leaving opinions on posts to perfect strangers (“What a stunning outfit!” “Is that your husband?” “But have you gained some weight lately?”) and the scope of this phenomenon has naturally transformed our daily interactions. People seem to feel entitled to comment in real life too, just as they would on Instagram, and not always out of kindness. If you take a minute to scratch the surface, an interesting patina of tones appears underneath — the complete palette of social prejudice. Misconceptions die hard, even in the age of political correctness.

One of my personal pet peeves is related to criticism towards smartness.

Very frequently, people will frown at the sight of a nice dress, coat or bag, and discreetly let you know they don’t approve. The succession of reasons provided will pour like rain over you — it is too expensive, impractical, pretentious. But where is this perception coming from? And is elegance considered a disgraceful quality these days?

It might sound crazy when you read all those articles on the flamboyant latest catwalk designs from Paris Fashion Week, but in my experience, most people do not appreciate that kind of stylishness anymore, since they cannot consider it as an integrated part of ordinary life. While maintaining discussions on the topic, they will argue that several factors need to be taken into account. Frequently, the first ingredient they will bring into the conversation is classism. I don’t know about you, but I take class discrimination seriously and I don’t like it to be used on a frivolous manner.

Let me illustrate with an example. A few years ago, still a penniless humanities student, I found myself having a coffee with a recent acquaintance I’d had just been introduced to. By then, I would combine my college classes with a part-time job teaching foreign languages to kindergarten and school children. My allowance was very modest, and I carefully saved up and prioritized my expenses. I started spending some time hunting for good quality bargains at vintage and online shops. As a result and given the circumstances, my wardrobe grew up slowly but successfully. The girl I met that evening did not lose the chance to let me know she liked my dress although she would not understand why would I spend “so much money” on it. “It must be nice”, she said, “to get your expenses covered by your very understanding family, right?” Then she made a gesture with her hand, vaguely pointing out my clothes and manicure (a manicure that I would give myself at home every time). She shamelessly implied my family was rather wealthy. And I was far too shy to correct her rude judgmental statement. Then she proceeded to complain about the hard time she was having to find proper accommodation for her next holiday in Austria. I swear God I am not making this up.

My point is this person (as many other) linked dressing in a certain manner with a well-off economic and social status. And of course, she disapproved. Paradoxically, she was doing far better than me then. There is a big difference between dressing on designer pieces head to toe and carefully crafting your style. Still, many people don’t see it that way. If you are able to gather a luxury couture wardrobe, good for you too! I see no reason to shame anyone here.

Next argument detractors hold against smartness is practicality.

We all know how crazy life is these days: we find ourselves rushing on a daily basis and sometimes we don’t even take a minute to enjoy. Now, I am as busy as the next person (just as much as you probably are) and always try to wear clothes which easily adjust to my daily activity. I work in the comfort of an office, but flats will win three out of four times when it comes to commuting.

However, since I have not much time to stop and smell the flowers, I like to do some small things to indulge myself. They do not need to be big impressive things, necessarily: cooking something nourishing, buying a nice book to read in the evenings, dressing up a bit. They are the small everyday pleasures I use to comfort myself and to keep inner balance. Even so, there will be always people judging you. Do not listen to them. As our friend Taylor Swift once taught us — haters gonna hate.

But my favourite plot is the high maintenance one.

Because well, you know, if you are wearing nice clothes it obviously means that you are some kind of spoiled creature, right? In the course of years, I have been seen people repeatedly gossiping about women who make an effort with their appearance. “But look at her!”, they would say, “She thinks she is some kind of queen, doesn’t she? I bet she even needs a maidservant to get dressed in the morning”. Do you think I am exaggerating here? I wish I was. I literally heard someone who used to talk behind my back calling me “a duchess”. In case you’re wondering why my only sin was to dress up for a casual outing with some friends… No need to say I have heard similar comments about friends, siblings and work colleagues.

Probably, the most unfair factor here is the insane amount of misogyny lying behind the question. Women are judged twice harder than men. If a man is smart, he will be usually praised for it. On the contrary, if a woman develops a taste for fashion, she will be considered frivolous. They will say she is wearing too much makeup or dressing up to catch men attention… However, if this fictitious woman freely decides to wear a bare face or comfortable sports clothes, she will be considered sloppy and lazy. Pick your poison.

Double standards will never let us women win and that is the reason why we need to stop contributing to the problem by criticizing other ladies and start fighting in the sorority team. I know it is not always easy, as we have been all raised on prejudice and socialized on a system whose deeper structures work against individualism. Every time we choose to deconstruct these ideas and stop the gears, we are placing ourselves in the line of fire. It is a conscious decision and it takes guts to do it. Still, it is the right thing to do.

Next time Tom and Claire make a passive-aggressive comment to your office colleague in front of you, do not look the other way. Let them kindly know it is not OK to express unsolicited opinions about other people looks. Maybe they are not conscious about being inadvertently rude. If they are though, you will make them notice this kind of behaviour is not welcome around the place. At the end of the day, we are all people who deserve some respect, no matter what are looks, beliefs or origins are.

And this was another episode of The Prêt-à-porter Series. In the next chapter, we will have a talk about some basic tips to dress up for a Brunch.

Stay tuned for more style advice!

February 4, 2019March 14, 2019

Allegra Caro9 Comments

Fashion Lessons I learned in Japan

“Let’s never come here again, cause it would never be as much fun.”

During my eleven hours flight to Tokyo last year, I deliberately watched Lost in Translation and could not help but feel Sofia Coppola got it right ‒ it is not about the inexpensive sushi or the massive LCD screens displaying music videos in Shinjuku, it is all about your memories.

Like most tourists, I brought a full case of souvenirs back from my trip.

Withal and as much as I enjoyed shopping around Asakusa area for traditional items with an authenticity flavour, I found out the best keepsakes were insubstantial ‒ playing a flâneur during the peak hour at Shibuya, the occasional matcha cup on a softly enlightened coffee shop, small talk with my sister while window shopping at Omotesandō, the beauty of a dusty pink kimono sight in the golden hour… Life, like a dragonfly, crystallized on amber.

As a millennial, there is no need to say I grew up loving all things Japanese.

I belong to the generation which raised Sailor Moon to the modern mythological category.

When I was a teenager, pop culture news from Japan arrived slowly and to us (poor Western children!) fell like rain in the desert. Street Fashion? J-Pop? Manga? You could burn down the cathedrals, we had our own religion. Even after many, many years, the serious woman with a nine to five office position who was boarding an overpriced flight noticed a shiver of the purest childish emotion: there I was, after all this time, finally visiting the oasis of my teenage dreams. Then my sister, a talented artist living in Tokyo, greeted me at the airport and that was the beginning of our best adventure up to today.

Do not get me wrong, I would gladly return to Japan tomorrow morning but a small part of me knows the experience would be completely different. Maybe a bit more tangible. Maybe a bit less surreal. After all, you cannot see things for the first time twice, can you? The process of discovering a new country resembles childhood, somehow. Every little detail catches your attention and remains there forever, floating like the scent of good perfume.

To me, it was about everyday beauty ‒ a moment of perfection shinning in the ugliness of a pavement metropolis. I can close my eyes and still see that old lady on gold and black furisode, standing on a crowded train wagon. I can smell the freshly baked taiyaki on a cold morning.

Unlike the characters of Coppola’s film, I did not experience a moment of enlightenment.

However, after intensive exposure to Japanese Street Fashion during our walks through Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ginza, I learned a bit of style wisdom I would like to share here. Japanese ladies are some of the more stylish on the planet, although their achievements are frequently underrated and I find it truly unfair. So in order to honour them, these are the fashion lessons I learned in Japan.

Statement coats are a MUST

Winter might make nearly impossible to show up that gorgeous outfit you have been planning for hours but Japanese ladies do not care about it. Instead, they pay much more attention to their coats than we European ladies do. A statement piece, you see, can make all the difference when it comes to transforming meh into yay. Their usual cold weather day look usually includes an awesome colourful coat paired with some nice shoes/boots and a designer bag. Following their example, I purchased the coat I am wearing in these pictures on a well-known Takeshita Dori vintage shop. Price was awesome for the quality and design, and I do not regret a thing to this day.

2. Everything can be accessorized

Maybe you think Western women know a thing or two about accessories, right? Forget about it! In Tokyo, fashionistas take the game to the next level. During one of my day trips to Ginza department stores, I fell in love with the newest trend consisting in adding wild silk and organza flowers to your plain boring coat buttons. Genius! By such a simple trick outwear looks instantly chic. This is just an example of how creative you can be, so do not be scared. Sometimes less is not more.

3. Experiment more

Pink hair? Neon pants? Transparent mini bag packs? Welcome to Tokyo. Japanese Street Fashion is well-known for a reason ‒ people are all but scared to experiment. Some of their trends are frequently discovered and imported to the Western market, via haute couture. My piece of advice is to follow their example and experiment a bit. Do you like it? Then own it, babe.

4. Invest in some quality pieces

I have recently written about how consumerism has become a tidal wave in Japan.

However, the main Japanese immanent style accomplishment to me is the ability to wear an investment piece as a part of an everyday outfit and make it look natural. Personally, I have always been a bit hesitant about wearing my best pieces on a daily basis. After my trip, though, I understood that you can only justify the price tag by actually wearing it. You know it makes sense.

5. Above all, always be you

Fashion is all well and good but sometimes we forget about our better judgement in its favour. Style should all be about finding what YOU like. Style shifting every season like a snake changes its skin can be kind of exhausting (not to mention expensive). Tokyo fashionistas discovered this fact many years ago and they tend to develop their own signature style. It is completely inspirational to me and a rule to swear by.

But the most important lesson I learned was style is a universal language. You cannot get lost in translation.

Coat: Juliette et Justine (vintage).

Necklace: Vivienne Westwood (similar here)

Dress: Stradivarius/ Jumper: Zara / Boots and Bag: Deichmann

January 23, 2019March 14, 2019

Allegra Caro11 Comments

Five stunning dresses on sale you cannot miss

Dear reader,

If you have been feeling the most undeniable lack of enthusiasm lately, expressed by a never-ending string of sighing and grumble that even the occasional morning smoothie cannot fix, do not worry: it is not you – it is the January blues knocking on your door.

Let´s admit it at once: with the Christmas chocolate leftovers far gone and the gloomy weather view through the office window, there are not too many reasons to be a January fan. Abandon hope all ye who enter here… And STILL, I try to search for silver linings. In the first month of the year, we celebrate my husband birthday, the opera and ballet season is in full swing, and the weather is cold enough to wear some of my favourite coats.

Also, there is another big bonus – the January sales! If that´s not a reason to beat the January blues, I don´t know what it is. Since the snow season is being quite harsh this year, I have found myself spending a lot of time indoors, scrolling through my favourite online shops. So I thought it can do no harm to share a collection of five stunning dresses on sale we should all admire (and yes, probably buy).

To add a pinch of salt, I decided to describe them according to what I call The Cinema Verité Method™. So basically, I will tell you how I imagine myself wearing them on a film and then, what it would probably happen, like… in real life.

Five stunning dresses on sale you cannot miss.

The Gossip Girl one (Conscious by H&M)

Isn´t this a dress Serena Van Der Woodsen would totally wear?

Or in this case, let´s say the episode guest star, a.k.a. me in case you did not guess… (As IF I could be in Gossip Girl show, LOL). Let´s all pretend I could play some mysterious Spanish friend Serena made during her European adventure in season two. I imagine myself all wrapped in tulle, wearing matching Jimmy Choo to enter the ballroom… and then falling down the big staircase. Because I don´t know about you guys but I cannot, for my life, make a slow-motion grand appearance wearing high heels AND a long dress. My character would be in the show about five seconds and then die of a skull fracture. The dress is gorgeous, though.

2. The Downton Abbey one (Claudie Pierlot)

Just look at this beauty: it is a simple tea dress, still elegant and with a vintage vibe.

Personally, I think this is a gown you could see in the upcoming Downton Abbey film (please, tell me you are as excited about it as I am. Otherwise, we cannot be friends.) Well, this is for sure something I would wear to have tea with the Dowager Countess of Grantham and Lady Edith, most likely plotting against Lady Mary – because come on, we are all on Lady Edith´s team, aren´t we? And although I would be glad to be a guest at the Abbey on a regular basis, I can only imagine my character lifespan would be rather short once again, especially considering I feel a deep connection with horses but my riding skills are a twelve years old (because literally, that is the only period of my life I tried to learn). “It is so distressful, lady Grantham! Didn´t you hear Miss Caro fell down the horse this morning? The poor soul broke her neck instantly.” Er… maybe I should start being more careful, after all.

3. The Great Gatsby one (Zara)

Before I start, I should probably tell you I have quite a thing for slip dresses.

They always make me think about old Hollywood glamour, the pure awesomeness of Galliano collection for Dior in 1998, and the effortless majesty of Keira Knightley in Atonement, which is probably the reason why I keep about a dozen of them in the closet.

Now, I believe this is a dress a party girl would wear at The Great Gatsby. Even if (like me) you don´t really love the most recent movie adaptation, you must recognize the costumes are quite awesome indeed. So yeah, I would pair this with some YSL and maybe the well-known Miu Miu tiara, and drink champagne all night long. However, my social agenda is much more unattractive (Oh! Alas…) There are many chances you find me wearing this with an oversized jumper on a Saturday evening. Probably eating a pizza. The modern glamorous life of the plain and infamous!

4. The Mad Men one (Phase One)

I love this dress so much, I am only one click away to buy it.

It is a bit like the holy grail of the Winter dresses: it is made of silky velvet fabric, the colour is the perfect emerald green, and the shape is undoubtedly flattering. As an added bonus, it also happens to have a certain je ne sais quoi that reminds me of Joanie in Mad Men. Well, I might not be Christina Hendrix for sure but I do enjoy a nice dramatic gown as much as the next girl. So if you excuse me, I think I will hit the buy button and then plan to which of my absolutely fascinating outings to the closest Star Bucks I will wear it to…

5. The Devil Wears Prada one (H&M)

I don´t know why but to me this dress could be the perfect affordable option to Hathaway´s most iconic daytime looks in the movie. Add a pair of nice long boots and a trendy hat, and it could totally make the trick. And it costs only a fraction of the price tag! Can I hear a double hooray here, please?

If I were in that movie though, I would probably end up with a giant coffee stain in the dress and a snappish anxiety attack while running through Manhattan streets. Personal assistant life is probably not for me.

These are my five favourite dresses on sale right now. I would love you to share your own sale crushes too. Show me all the gorgeous gowns, skirts, coats and bags in your own wishlist.

And remember, wearing dresses can be dangerous: Don´t try this at home!

January 21, 2019January 20, 2019

Allegra Caro14 Comments

How to dress like Dita Von Teese

Fun fact: Not many people know that the etymology for the word glamour seems to have its origins in the Scottish term gramarye, meaning magic or spell.

(Well, maybe it is not SUCH a fun fact – I am sure you will excuse my pedantry, this is what happens when you spend too much time surrounded by books and not by real human beings, especially being the kind of an introvert who would rather eat her aforementioned books than talk to a total stranger for five minutes… Please, do not punch me with a book on the face… But I was trying to tell you a story, surely?)

Once a naive English language student, I learned this etymology by heart and immediately started associating it with a very personal memory: all those rainy Saturdays of my childhood, when my mum used to make us hot chocolate and play an Old Hollywood classic movie on TV.

Those actresses on them – ruthless, fierce, awesome – had nothing to do with the cute beauties in the 80´s or 90´s films. They were, I was and still am convinced, the quintessence of glamour.

The point is, glamour is indeed a sort of spell – you don´t really need to be gorgeous, but to become kind of a human magnet. It is more about personality than about beauty.

And then, about the same period, I heard Dita von Teese on a late-night show, saying glamour is not about youth, age or race. This idea truly resonated with my own perception on the matter. To me, iconic figures such as Bette Davies, Marlene Dietrich or Mae Wong represent this concept, but they did not fit the classic beauty standards at all. Just as Dita does not fit them.

The reason why people are fascinated by her is the way she represents herself in front of the others. The persona she has carefully crafted and created. More than once she has declared she started as a plain-Jane from Michigan. However, she managed to tailor herself a charm armour no-one would be indifferent about. To me, this is the whole point on glam. She found out her own thing and went ahead.

Now, when I suggest the topic of this post, I am not telling you to turn yourself into a Dita wannabe.

As she did, we should all go and find our own thing. Nonetheless, there are some outfit formulas she relies on which I find universally approachable and stylish, and this is what I really wish to share with you.

How to dress like Dita von Teese:

Outfit formula 1: The Sophisticated Lady

There is something indefinitely elegant on the combo formed by a well-tailored circle skirt and a simple turtleneck. Pair it with some nice heels and fine accessories and you get a look which can be used for any smart event, day or night.

Outfit formula 2: The Naïve Girl

Same skirts can be used with a nice blouse or cardigan and flats for a more casual look. It allows you a bit more movement freedom for daily errands (count me in for this, always), plus it can be always toned up with a couple of fancy earrings or a quality bag.

Outfit formula 3: The Bombshell

Well, most of us might never see the red carpet closer than we do on the MET gala pictures, but if are going out for a date this outfit formula totally counts. A pencil dress is a classic we usually underestimate, but with the right shoes and accessories, we can all experience a bit of that vintage glam Dita likes to share.

Outfit formula 4: The Librarian

Looking for an everyday look? We have seen the burlesque queen wearing a simple pencil skirt and cardigan frequently. You can match them with a nice scarf and glasses too for an easy daylight outfit. Clean, simple and classic – a combination which never fades.

These were some ideas on how to bring a bit of old school glamour to your wardrobe. Which of them would you adapt to your own style? Have you got any favorites?

In the next chapter of The Prêt-à-porter series…

The High Maintenance Dilemma: Is elegance a bad thing today?

Stay tuned for more monthly style tips!

December 10, 2018January 15, 2019

Allegra Caro18 Comments

Cómo encontrar tu estilo personal (sin morir en el intento)

Audrey Hepburn, Frida Kahlo, Dita von Teese.

Probablemente estés pensando qué tienen en común estas tres mujeres tan dispares entre sí. Si nos preguntan, la mayoría estaríamos de acuerdo en que todas ellas han destacado en su campo profesional de manera brillante, y en que todas ellas se han convertido también en iconos de la moda.

Sin embargo, resulta paradójico que ninguna se preocupase por seguir la estética predominante de su época, ni adaptarse a sus corrientes stricto sensu.

¿Por qué se las considera iconos entonces?

Al proclamar que estas mujeres son iconos de la moda, lo que en realidad queremos decir es que son iconos del estilo. Pero ¿cuál es la diferencia?

La moda, podríamos argüir, es el arte del vestido y una de sus principales características es que su naturaleza es cambiante. Seguir los dictados de la moda significa renovarse en cada estación. El estilo, por el contrario, es de naturaleza perenne.

Una persona con estilo evoca la imagen de un uniforme: no me refiero a una bata blanca, claro, pero hay algo inequívocamente identificable en el aspecto de alguien estiloso.

Si hablamos de Audrey Hepburn, nos vienen a la mente un flequillo, vestidos de vuelo, bailarinas y pantalones Capri; al pensar en Frida imaginamos colores brillantes, flores exóticas, cuentas de madera y elaborados chales bordados; si sacamos a colación a Dita von Teese, pensamos en una singular combinación de vintage, stilettos, y labios rojo sangre. Cada una de ellas, por tanto tiene su uniforme.

La ventaja del estilo frente a la moda es que no exige una continua transformación. En lugar de ello, se trata de celebrar las cosas que te hacen ser quién eres.

¿Pero cómo puedes encontrar tu estilo personal?

Si eres como yo, probablemente te has encontrado en algún punto con un armario lleno de ropa y absolutamente nada que ponerte. Esto ocurre cuando renuevas tu vestuario regularmente pero no eres selectiva. Alguna gente nace con un instinto natural. A las que no somos tan afortunadas nos toca trabajar en ello, pero hay algunos pasos que pueden hacernos la vida más fácil.

1. Organiza el armario

Empieza por sacar TODO lo que hay dentro porque vas a necesitar probártelo. Sí, ya lo sé. Dependiendo de cuánta ropa hayas acumulado puede parecer una tarea hercúlea, pero la manera más rápida de saber qué cosas te gustan y te favorecen requiere el esfuerzo. Al hacerlo, te darás cuenta de qué prendas llevan colgadas una eternidad sin que les des ningún uso. Puede resultar un poco desalentador, pero por mucho que gastases en ese vestido o esos zapatos, si no te los has puesto una sola vez, es mejor decirles adiós y hacer sitio para ropa que sí vayas a usar.

Tómate tu tiempo en analizar qué prendas te gustan, cuáles odias y, sobre todo, cuáles te hacen sentir “tú”. Al terminar este proceso estarás un paso más cerca de entender mejor qué prendas básicas echas en falta y qué errores no deberías volver a cometer.

2. Pinterest es tu nuevo mejor amigo

Personalmente, considero Pinterest una fuente inagotable de inspiración, ya que puedes guardar lo que otra gente ha posteado, pero también material de referencia que hayas encontrado online gracias al botón que puedes instalar en tu propio navegador.

Crea un tablero para ideas de estilo y guarda en él todo lo que te guste o llame tu atención (por si tienes curiosidad, puedes seguirme aquí). Cuando hayas acumulado las suficientes imágenes, te recomiendo sentarte con una taza de té y comenzar a analizar tus pines. Al cabo de un rato probablemente te des cuenta de que hay un patrón: quizás haya guardado una gran cantidad de looks formales, o casuales, o prendas de un mismo tipo. Yo por ejemplo caí hace un tiempo en que guardaba gran cantidad de vestidos lenceros, faldas de tul y looks que se podrían definir como “sofisticados”. Cuando hayas encontrado el patrón, es posible que estés lista para pasar al siguiente punto de la lista…

3. Hora de comprar

Saca bolígrafo y papel (o el teléfono, o abre un documento en Google Drive) y haz una lista de las prendas básicas que echaste en falta al organizar el armario y de las que consideres clave tras analizar tu tablero de Pinterest. En este punto te recomiendo hacer un poco de trabajo de campo. Investiga diferentes tiendas online, compara precios y calidades. También deberías establecer un listado de las tiendas que se adaptan mejor a tu nuevo estilo: si eres minimalista quizás deberías echas un vistazo en Zara, si te gusta el retro, googlea Top Vintage, si buscas saldos de marca puede que te interese Zalando… y así sucesivamente.

4. Apps especializadas

Ahora que has invertido tiempo, dinero y esfuerzo en reformar tu fondo de armario, probablemente no quieres ni oír hablar de caer en los viejos malos hábitos. Para prevenirlo, una solución es instalarte algunas de las aplicaciones especializadas en gestión de vestuario. Mi favorita es Your Closet, pero hay gran variedad de aplicaciones similares que te permiten escanear el contenido de tu armario y después elaborar conjuntos con estas prendas. No sólo te ayuda a organizarte mejor, si no que te permite visualizar la totalidad de su armario sin tener que abrirlo siquiera.

5. La cohesión lo es todo

Puede que de vez en cuando te encapriches de alguna pieza que se sale del estilo que has establecido. No pasa nada. No se trata de establecer normas rígidas, y si realmente crees que puedes integrar esa prenda en tu vestuario no hay ningún inconveniente. Sin embargo, el consejo más importante que debes recordar es la cohesión. Cuando desarrollas un estilo personal, las diferentes prendas se combinan casi por sí mismas, lo que se hace tu vida mucho más fácil y te ahorra tiempo y dolores de cabeza.

Si has continuado leyendo hasta aquí, quiero darte solamente otro consejo: desarrollar un estilo personal, debería ser siempre divertido y algo completamente ajeno a cuestiones tales como la presión. Experimenta y no tengas miedo de equivocarte porque es parte de la totalidad del proceso.

November 26, 2018January 13, 2019

Allegra Caro7 Comments

How to achieve the designer look on a budget

There is something undeniably mysterious about haute couture: it is breathtaking on the catwalk, but if you are lucky enough to cross paths with someone wearing it in real life, it’s pretty much like seeing a unicorn — you can only freeze and stare at it in awe.

For most of us, couture fashion seems out of reach. We can for sure follow every Paris Fashion Week religiously, buy every Vogue issue and even spend dozens of hours a year looking at those flawless red carpet actresses wearing Dior or Escada (Er, am I the only one with a slightly weird obsession about the MET gala pictures? I am not, right? RIGHT?), but too frequently for us, poor souls, that’s all there is to it.

An average professional woman may be able to invest in a designer bag as a nice form of emancipation self-indulgence, but will she spend thousands on her closet regularly when the car insurance bill pay, or the latest kindergarten payment arrive? Most likely not. So, should we then assume that middle-class women must simply give up and start dressing in rags — a modern Charles Dickens parody, with office workers window shopping clothes they cannot afford —, forever doomed? Well, I don’t like tragedies other than Shakespeare´s.

So, how do you glam up? Is it possible to achieve the fashion couture look on a budget? Or even get designer clothes for less? (Spoiler alert: it is.) After a few years of rights and wrongs, these are the lessons I have learned along the way.

1. Shop second hand

One of my sisters, who is also the biggest French couture fan ever, once said to me: “Do you know what looks like Chanel? Exactly, Chanel .” Yes, I know. Captain Obvious reporting for duty! But before you stop reading and click away, please let me explain. What she actually meant was you might have no budget to grant a quick trip to Les Champs–Élysées for a brand new Gabrielle Hobo bag, and that’s OK. But there are other options out there. Have you ever considered second-hand market, for instance? Nowadays, the internet is riddled with specialized apps where you can find virtually anything. Including designer clothes. My personal favourite is Depop (just don’t tell the others, they are jealous…), but the list is never-ending.

2. Don’ t miss the sales

This is another one that goes without saying. Check the designer website sales regularly. If you pay attention enough, it is not difficult to find huge discounts during the appropriate seasons. It is possible to make 70% off, and even more in the last items. Just make your research with a good cup of tea and remember to thank me afterwards (or simply buy something gorgeous, that’s fair enough, anyway).

3. Commission tailored clothes

Find a nice dressmaker locally who can honor your figure and personal tastes. It is not necessarily expensive, and nothing fits better than custom made dresses. Or you can just drop that brand new dress to the seamstress to make it fit like a glove. Usually, it requires a few adjustments only to transform a decent dress in the most fetching piece. This is something I do myself frequently, and an easy way to upgrade your closet quickly. Do you know want to look like Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s but without debt in your bank account? (Well, and maybe without that weepy scene, looking for your cat under the rain. I don’t know about you, but I prefer not to lose my cat…) Then go for it.

4. Find quality shops in the high street

This might sound to you a bit like the quest for the holy grail, but I promise is not. It may require a bit of patience and research, sure — the effort is totally worth it, though. When I first moved to Bucharest five years ago, I noticed women wore what it looked like designer clothes. However, I knew the national average salary was not that high. Where were these ladies shopping, then? The answer came to me quickly: the capital was full of little boutiques where you could purchase fancy coats, dresses, and bags for a fraction of the haute couture prices. In no time I became kind of an expert to be out and about, entering every shop, selecting the most affordable quality pieces. Not only my closet is thankful for it, but also my account balance.

5. Make your research.

Some time ago, a friend asked me: “How can YOU afford your clothes?” By this, she meant how could I afford a nice wardrobe given my modest salary. I replied without missing a beat: “I invest time.” And it was true. Whenever I had some spare time and felt like going for a walk, I would take the chance to visit some shops and see what they could offer. I would compare prices and quality. I am still doing so nowadays. Patience and time to make your research is the best advice I can give you. Go outside once in a while, get a coffee to go, do some window shopping. At some point, you will start figuring out what works for you and your budget.

And a last piece of advice in the shape of a bonus: just experiment. You do not necessarily need that coat/dress/handbag that makes Blake Lively look like the ultimate it girl to feel good (for a start, most of us haven’t got her hair or personal stylists, have we?) So don’t push yourself too hard. In my case, it is a lot of Vintage, and I don’t really care if people might think I look a bit extravagant (or even a bit out of a time capsule, for that matter). After all, style should be fun. And like Cindy Lauper very kindly pointed out: Girls just want to have fun.