Category: Fashion advice

Found the Holy Grail of Flats: Introducing You to VIVAIA Aria 5

(Disclaimer: this post contains a PR gifted item)

A long time ago, during what I like to call the B.L. age (a.k.a. Before London era…) I used to be one of those women who would wear ridiculously high heels everywhere. And by that, my dear friends, I mean everywhere: to the college, to work, to dinner dates, and even to go grocery shopping. Yes, pals, I was THAT girl. What can I say? (I have told you before but I will again: if you look for extra in the urban dictionary, my picture will come probably across…)

But then, I moved to the UK and was introduced to a terrifying new concept that still sends shivers down my back: London commuting. (If that’s not a horror story, I don’t know what is. I am fine with real crime TV shows and Stephen King books, but talk to me about London commuting and I’ll start shaking uncontrollably… ) Coming from a modest-size city, where commuting translates into a twenty-minute walk, I found myself trapped for hours to no-end in the underground system. And I can tell you one thing: that is a helluva amount of time! So, I said goodbye to high heels and got used to always carrying with me the most comfortable pair of flat shoes I could find.

Let me add, that was easier said than done. Yes, heels could be saved for the weekly office meetings and the occasional dinner date, but finding the perfect pair of flats is far tougher than I first thought.

Vivaia Aria 5 the most comfy flat shoes I have evert tried
Vivaia Aria 5 sneaker flats

While heels will hurt your ankles and feet when worn for long hours, ballerina flats can be hard on your back and feet’s sole. This is a lesson that I had to learn the hard way, though. I have mild scoliosis but after wearing the inappropriate type of flat shoes for a few hours, my back will start torturing me and there are days in which I only want to lay down. And that’s never fun, is it?

Over the last couple of years, I tried different things. I wore silicon soles to reduce the impact and help support the feet, I tested half-a-dozen shoe brands, and I even visited a physiotherapist to give me some advice but nothing was working for me. The last resource seemed to be giving up and wearing sneakers, which is quite a logical conclusion. Only, I HATE sneakers with a passion.

Actually, scratch that. To be more specific, I hate sneakers with the fire of a thousand suns!

(Before you all come on me, let me add there’s nothing wrong with wearing trainers. They just look terrible on me, specifically. When I dare to wear them, I look like a scrawny professional tennis player aspirant who never made it to the Wimbledon Tournament but still wears sporty clothes… Yes, it’s that bad. So you can now feel my pain when I say trainers were the last option available.)

The most comfortable flats in the market. Aria 5 by Vivaia

I was starting to feel quite hopeless at this point, and investing an insane amount of time browsing the internet and looking at shoe stores in search of the perfect pair of ballerina flats that would be fit for the job. I started feeling like Cinderella, only trying a thousand different shoes that were not the cristal slipper⁠—well, a modern Londoner version of her, for the matter. One with little patience for nonsense, bad hair days, and too much coffee in her system…

And then the miracle happened! A few weeks ago the good people behind Vivaia contacted me asking if I’d like to test their newest shoe model: The Aria 5, also known as the “sneaker flat”. I had never heard of them before but they caught my attention when I read they are an ethical shoe company, based on sustainability. As you may know already, this has been a topic concerning me for a long time now, and I’ve changed lots of my shopping habits as a consequence. Hence, I was genuinely interested in trying the shoes.

When I finally received them, the first thing I noticed is all the packing is recycled. Also, the shoes themselves are made out of more than six plastic bottles, which is quite impressive in my book! However, they are still washable, as the 3D knitted material is super resistant (which I could test when I accidentally hit a bin in the streets with no visible imperfections on the flats whatsoever).

The first time I wore my Aria 5, I realised the shoes are designed for increased arch support and the memory foam both in the heel padding and insole felt amazing.

Comfy flats for busy proffesional women

But let me make present my case. I wore the shoes from noon to eight in the evening. Sebastian and I went out with a visiting friend and walked through the Bank area to Spitalfields Market, and then to Brick Lane, London Bridge, finishing with a cocktails night at Bōkan in Canary Wharf. By the end of it, my feet were still feeling great and even most importantly, I had no back pain at all! Can I hear a Hallelujah here?

The people at Vivaia were so kind as to sponsor this post by offering this beautiful natural peach Aria 5 pair but, as we speak, I am already looking into their website and adding another pair in black to my shopping cart. Guys, I am serious when I say these flats have changed my life for the better.

So if you are looking for a shoe designed for the modern, professional woman, head to their website now and thank me later.

Are you a flats kind of girl? Or still a heels person? Let me know in the comments!

Allegra Caro7 Comments

How To Look Polished Without Breaking The Bank

As a frequent fashion forums reader I realised that, for years, the internet has been plagued with never-ending threads on the topic of how to look sophisticated on a budget.

At this point, it’s a bit like the sartorial version of the Saint Grail, and anyone trying to answer the question ends up trapped on a quest. Actually, I think we could change the title of this post to Indiana Jones And The Last Fashion Crusade and call it a day.

From my experience, I learned that looking at the big fashion magazines or the top influencers’ content will not help. These days, you can easily feel it all comes down to the latest IT bag, the thousand-pound shoes, or that super exclusive beauty treatment that will cost you the blood of your firstborn and can only be applied by seven fairy virgin maidens, under a blue full-moon… You get the idea, don’t you?

Fashion advice on how to look amazing on a budget.

But what happens to the average professional woman? Should we all throw a potato sack coat, hide our heads in a paper bag, and live unhappily ever after? As I wrote before, I don’t enjoy tragedies other than Shakespeare. So, I spent some time over the years looking at Pinterest, reading fashion bloggers, and small specialised publications, looking at high-end, high-street, and vintage stores. Eventually, I started drawing some conclusions. Then, I tried them all and I failed miserably. (Sorry to disappoint you but, with me being me, we all know chances of doing something successfully on the first attempt are… well, let’s go with minimal here). 

So I decided to start from scratch again by experimenting a lot and this is all I learned. These are my top tips on how to look polished without breaking the bank.

  1. Neutrals are the to-go formula for success. Guys, I love a colourful outfit. And by that, I mean I consider myself the human form of a sassy chameleon. But with that said, bold colours are not always the easier to pull. If you want to project confidence and a subtle aura of elegance, your best shot is going for neutrals. Cream, beige, camel, black, or grey are an easy way to look presentable without having to overthink it. If you still want to add a bit of interest to your outfit, play a bit with the accessories and pick a colorful bag or shoes. Believe me when I say it’s a fool-proof recipe style. Not even I can spoil it!

Tips to look elegant on a budget.

 2. Hair is far more important than makeup (and than any designer pieces, for the matter). A lesson I had to learn the hard way from my younger days is a good hair day is far more important than a good makeup day. On most occasions, you will be fine with a touch of concealer, mascara, and a natural-looking gloss. But bad hair, on the other hand? That will ruin even the most carefully curated outfit. Instead of investing in the hundredth red lipstick you don’t need, be sure you have got all the haircare and styling products you need. All I can say it’s Oraplex has made much more for my appearance than any of my designer bags…

3. Better quality materials (meaning natural fibers) will automatically elevate any outfit. Do you know what beautiful, fuchsia colour, fluffy jumper you got at Zara a couple of seasons ago and that got ruined after two washes? Please, make yourself a favour and throw it away. Even better, kill it with fire (but in an open space or you will suffocate with the toxic polyester fume). Yes, sister: I’ve been there. And that’s the reason why I am telling you this from the bottom of my heart. You do NOT need another mindless shopping spree on the sales. What you need though, it’s investing in a few good-quality pieces (think natural cotton, linen, silk, alpaca, or cashmere). Those fabrics will make you look effortlessly chic and they will be good for your wallet in the long run too.

4. Take care of the details. When was the last time you polished your shoes? And what about your manicure? The way we present ourselves is sometimes not as much about the lavish brands like the way we take care of ourselves. Keep yourself hydrated and nourished from the inside for glowy skin (and yes, this comes from someone who spent her university years feeding on pizza up to a point my husband started calling me Supermario. So I do know, what I’m speaking about here). Sleep enough, make some exercise. Fix those loose buttons from your favourite blouse. It’s about the small things, mostly.

5. A good quality bag doesn’t have to cost the Earth. Ideally, we should all have at least two good-quality handbags—one for winter, one for summer—,three if we have another one for work. I am not going to be that picky here. Forget about the four thousand pound designer bag. It’s great if you can get that one, of course, but I can tell you it’s not always about the big name on the tag. Let me illustrate with an example. In the last year or so, I fell in love with a Scottish brand called Strathberry. They produce luxury craftmanship leather bags for a fraction of the price you will pay at the big names (and you know what? when you compare quality, you can tell no difference). So my advice here is, make a bit of research, find a brand you like that makes long-lasting bags and you will never regret it. 

And these are my top tips on how to look polished without breaking the bank. Now tell me, what are your tips for me? Any advice you wish to share with our lovely community over here? (Scroll down for my outfit details.)

How to dress elegantly in an affordable way.

– OUTFIT –

Jumper, Coat, and Trousers (Zara) | Sunglasses (Chloe) | Shoes (Dorothy Perkins)

Allegra Caro3 Comments

The Most Beautiful Valentine’s Day Dresses Out There

Oh, it’s the most magical time of the year again! (And no, I’m not referring to Christmas this time.) Or at least, it’s the most magical time of the shopping year to me! If there is something I love about Valentine’s Day, it is the fact it gives us all a good excuse to go out and shop for dresses. And I don’t know about you, but I am all about that. YAY!

If you have been reading me for a while now, you probably noticed I am not a shopaholic. I buy very little these days, and mainly from sustainable sources, but as soon as VD approaches I feel a real kick for pretty dresses. Frilly dresses, cocktail dresses, bodycon dresses, little black dresses—any dresses, really! I totally blame the approximately 240,168 romantic comedies I watched in my teens. (Plus, I also blame them for the awful haircuts in my early twenties. I had to learn I was no Jennifer Aniston the hard way, oops…) Mainly, they set my silly expectations about going out on nice dates, wearing something beautiful. And that’s pretty much it, guys. As soon as February arrives, I start searching for cute frocks, so I thought I might as well share them with you this year!

I’ve never been a huge fan of trousers or skirts but, on the other hand, give me a cute dress and I’ll be the happiest human being in all creation. I don’t need an amazing car or a huge condo in the Maldives. A few cute dresses will do. Yes, I am that simple. What can I say?

But going back to the topic: Looking for nice dresses to wear on Valentine’s Day? Keep reading! I have you covered.

Red valentine dress on sale

1.The Sexy Little Red Dress. The first dress on my list is from House of CB and it’s this amazing berry-toned bodycon number in the softest satin fabric. I don’t know about you, but It gives me the old Hollywood femme-fatale/siren vibes. Spoiler alert: I think there is a solid 90% chance this is the one I’m wearing this year. Totally practicing my lines now: “Sorry detective, I never knew what happened to my husband…” I bet you watched that movie too.

2. The Lacey Black Dress. This one is from All Saints. If the previous one suggested old Hollywood glam, this one screams supermodel on holiday. (And OK, I know most of us are not aspiring models but a bit of glam never hurts, right? Let us have a bit of a fantasy.) It’s dressy, and still so easy to tone down—just add a nice pair of Chelsea boots and a biker and wear it for a casual date with your girlfriends. Or add a shovel to dispose of the aforementioned husband… Sorry! I’m still thinking of the dress above! Blame House of CB because I am #OMGOBSESSED

 

Dresses ideas for Valentine´s Day

3.The Sophisticated White Dress. This Tom Ford cashmere piece has something I can’t put my finger on. It has an indefinite aura, which is a bit of a mix between Amal ClooneTy, Meghan Markle, and that badass character from a science fiction movie who will save everyone and still have time to look amazing. Do you know what I am speaking about or did I just imagine this whole thing? Yeah, probably the latter…

Valentine´s dress idea.

4. The Cotton Candy Pink Dress. Guys, if there is perfection out there, that’s Miu Miu. Their little dresses never disappoint and this lovely pastel pink cutie is here to conquer. The pointed collar and smart cuffs are embellished to add a bit of glam and I can’t stop thinking about all the ways I could style it. If you excuse me, I need to take my notebook and start writing about that before I forget…

Valentine´s Day dresses shopping guide

5. The Italian Bombshell Dress. In my head, as soon as you put this Dolce dress on, you automatically turn into Monica Belluci in a perfume advertisement (and no, you cannot convince me otherwise). The cut is gorgeous, the floral pattern is the perfect balance between chic and quirky, and the colours are beautiful. If you order this, don’t forget to book an Italian holiday. You can thank me later.

 

The most beautiful valentines day dresses to shop

6. The Red Valentino Dress. This is the one I would wear as a conversation piece. Do you remember that amazing Versace Carrie Bradshaw was wearing at the end of SATC? Well, that’s what this Point d’esprit tulle midi dress is aiming for. But on a more wearable design. And like a thousand times better price…

And that’s it from today, guys. I have tried adding a bit of everything, but you do know I have a taste for fashion drama, so I might not be really neutral here. Feel absolutely free of sending me other dress suggestions you feel I need to know about! And of course, let me know if you found your perfect Valentine’s Day dress.

 

Allegra Caro4 Comments

How to Embrace Winter Style (And Feel Fabulous As You Do It)

When one thinks about seasonal weather Winter seems to be the ugly sister.

 

If you evoke spring, your mind will be full of images of pretty floral dresses and pastel colours. Summer recalls vaporous frocks and straw hats, and autumn inspires a myriad of rich tones and lovely knitwear. Winter, though? Winter always suggests boring parkas and Ugg boots.

In other words, if the cold season were a person, she’d be that poor girl in the teenagers’ movie who is never invited to the prom and cries her eyes out because it’s SO UNFAIR.

When talking about winter fashion advice, all the information out there seems to be focused on staying warm (and yes, I also wrote a post about it last year) but, there is very little guidance on how to enjoy styling winter pieces. Wintertime clothes feel a bit like an obligation we have to cope with, instead of something we can appreciate. And guys, I feel sorry for winter! Actually, I feel the urge to offer a hot chocolate to her, wrap her in a fluffy blanket, and tell her everything is going to be alright.

Winter style tips for women over thirty.

So, is it even possible to like winter fashion? I truly think it is, so keep reading if you wish to learn how to embrace winter style and feel fabulous about it.

The first thing we should talk about is the classic dilemma between beautiful and practical clothes. When you think about it, every casual conversation about the topic and every magazine article gravitate around this dichotomy. The conclusion is always the same: you must choose between staying stylish or staying warm. Period. And you know what? To me, that’s the biggest fashion fallacy ever.

Nowadays, most companies are busy producing lovely and high-quality coats. Not to speak about hats, boots, and scarves! Why do we keep insisting on that old-fashioned idea? This brings me to the first point.

  1. Statement coats are key. If like me, you live in a cold-weather country, you will be using your coats a lot. (And by that I mean there’s a chance you don’t remove it from the moment you leave the house, mainly because you don’t feel like freezing to death and becoming Jack Nicholson at the end of The Shining…) So given the fact most people will only see you in your coat, doesn’t it make sense it is as stylish as possible? And yes, I also own a long parka I use in the snow when the winter goes ugly, but if you can do it, pick a couple of nice coats in pretty neutrals you can easily mix and match. Or just go bold and pick up a statement piece. I own a variety of coats made in pure wool and in different styles (anything from military/regimental to quirky fits the bill for me) and those always add an extra something. Plus, I truly enjoy styling them with pretty accessories and that can never hurt.
Best winter fashion tips.

2. Satisfaction guarantweed! (I´m very sorry guys, I couldn’t help myself. I will skip dessert today as a reminder of my awful sense of humour…) One of my favourite fabrics to wear during the coldest months is tweed. It’s stylish, it warm, and it comes in a variety of shades and designs. No matter what’s your style, you will find a tweed piece you love if you look for long enough. Case on point? This stunning skirt I found in Zara a couple of seasons ago. It’s fun, it’s unique, and it’s versatile. In other words? A total winner. I’m leaving some nice examples of tweed pieces here for your reference. Please feel free to have a look!

3. With gloves and scarves go bold or go home. Don’t be afraid of investing in colourful high-quality accessories. One of my favourite winter style tricks is illuminating a neutral outfit by simply adding a pop of colour in the shape of long bright gloves or a fabulous scarf. They can be the cherry on top of the cake, elevating an outfit while keeping you warm.

4. Velvet can be a stylish alternative to jeans. So why not to treat yourself with a pair of nice trousers or a little dress? They are friendly with the office dress code, and you will feel fantastic too. Just because, as much as you might love your boyfriend jeans for casual days, having your ankles’ skin exposed at minus 5 degrees isn’t the brighter idea. 

5. A pattern will add some interest to your outfit. This is the season when most people opt for darker colours and plain textures, and that’s all well and good, but if you want to upgrade your outfit, patterns are the easiest way to do so. Houndstooth, Prince of Wales check, plaid, and dark rich florals are just a few examples. Don’t be afraid of experimenting and remember: add one pattern only to avoid distractions.

Best winter fashon styling ideas.

– OUTFIT –

Skirt and Blouse (Zara, similar here) | Bag (Chanel) | Boots (Deichman, similar at Tommy Hilfiger)

And that’s pretty much it! As you can see, adding a bit of interest to your winter outfit is not too complicated. It only requires a bit more creativity than spring and summer outfits.

Allegra Caro13 Comments

How To Dress For Winter Weather: Staying Stylish When It’s Cold Outside

Generally speaking, I enjoy a fashion challenge: scoring that It bag in a vintage store, styling an outfit on a budget, or getting a nice bargain for that dream-dress on the seasonal sales.

Actually, I even started a whole category in this blog dedicated to all those glorious finds I get when hunting for treasures. Yes, I love a fashion challenge that much. What I don’t like though, it’s the challenge of dressing up for extreme weather. And more specifically, I have always found it difficult to dress for winter.

Being Spanish, I grew up in a very humid and wet area—we have got North-Atlantic weather in my region—meaning it rains most of the year but temperatures are rather warm, even during the coolest months. Hence, as a child, I was never taught how to dress for proper cold.

How to dress stylish in Winter

Seven years ago, the husband and I moved abroad and for the first time ever, I found myself experiencing proper winter—and by that, I mean winter in capital letters, like the type the Stark family spent 8 TV show seasons warning us about and, of course, we knew nothing of because we were totally unprepared idiots sweet summer children. So, I had to learn. Quickly.

Looking back now, I can only feel the clothes I had for winter were unsuitable, to say the least (thermals? I was clueless about the meaning of that word…) and I had to spend a considerable amount of time and money making my research. And even so—for an embarrassingly long time—I was either freezing or making my best impersonation of a potato sack (while still freezing).

Since this is nothing but cold winter, I thought I would share with you all those little pieces of wisdom a poor clueless Spanish girl had to learn the hard way.

libertwindonshopping

Here you are: my top tips on how to dress for winter (and stay stylish).

 

01.

Thermals are your best friend

I am not gonna lie. It took me a while to realize there is a limited number of layers you can wear over your clothes. (Actually, it took me so long I am surprised to this day I didn’t end up like Jack Torrance at the end of The Shining movie…) The obvious solution is dressing from underneath and building up. A nice thermal tie and tights make such a difference, really. In my opinion, nothing can beat the Heattech line by Uniqlo. To me, it’s been life-changing since a friend recommended it. I can wear mostly anything with those and still feel like a human being. Guys, if that’s not the definition of success, I don’t know what it is.

02.

And a nice coat should be your second skin

I know, Captain Obvious to the rescue. However, for most winter all people will see is your coat. Why not to invest in something that will keep you warm but is still fabulous? Personally, I am all about statement coats: they add up to your outfit in a simple way while making dressing a lot easier. If you want to play safe, go for a neutral tone that goes with everything. There are plenty of options out there depending on your taste and budget but I think we all agree a coat is such an investment piece.

libertydecember

03.

Hats add the final touch to any winter outfit

I collect hats and berets in every colour of the rainbow and I can tell you it’s such an easy, inexpensive way to crown any stylish outfit. The one I am wearing in these pictures used to belong to my mother before she passed it to me and it’s about twenty years old. (You can tell I love a nice vintage piece, can’t you?) But the point is, a good hat will protect you from extreme weather, so why not to look for something you truly love?

04.

Natural materials can be twice warmer (and fabulous)

It took me far too long but, once I said goodbye to all of that artificial knitwear and hello to my trusted 100% wool and cashmere, life was never the same. While living in Spain, I always thought it was more of a question of taste on texture but once I moved to a place with proper winter, I realized there is a difference beyond the mere aesthetics. The high price tag is there for a reason, guys. In the past, I found very nice pieces at The White Company but I’ve been obsessed over Repeat Cashmere lately. They offer a wide range of pieces from cardigans to coats in every colour and style, and I only regret I didn’t get to know them earlier.

05.

When still cold, add pocket warmers

On particularly cold days when the temperatures drop below zero, I will wear my heavier coat but also add my secret weapon: pocket or hand warmers. In case you don’t know about them, they are a small device you heat and insert in your pockets to release heat for a couple of hours. There are several model types, including electric, gel-based, and even stone or carbon-based models, but they are an effective way to keep yourself warm during a cold wave.

And these were my tips on how to keep yourself warm this winter while staying stylish. What about you? Are there any tips you want to share?

libertyjanuarythesecond

Coat | Zara (old, nice alternatives at New Look and La Redoute)
Trousers | Zara (last season, similar model at Karen Miller)
Patent Ankle Boots | Reserved (old, amazing alternative at Russell & Bromley)

Hat | Vintage

Bag | CHANEL (Great opportunity to get it with a fair discount at Vestiaire Collective)

 

 

Allegra Caro23 Comments

Should you be dressing up these Christmas?

I think we could say, without fear of being mistaken, that 2020 has been a long, gloomy year. But just as December approached, we witnessed what I consider a Christmas miracle: the find of the Pfizer Covid jab. And guys, I don’t know about you, but I’ve been dancing around the house ever since then.

shouldyoudressupthesechristmas

Although Christmas will be strange this year, with the jab coming soon and the promise of an eventual return to normal life, they also look a bit sweeter. Still, the only social contact for those of us living in the UK will be our Christmas bubble.

Things are so different now that most of our usual festive traditions and habits seem to need a bit of a review, to say the least. We won’t be attending the annual corporative Christmas party, going out for festive drinks with our friends, nor hosting a twenty people Christmas dinner. We’ll be toning it down and, with that in mind, a question arises.

Should we dress up for Christmas this year?

should you dress up these christmas

In the middle of the whirlwind 2020 has been, this is for sure the last of our concerns.

However, as we approach the seasonal period and try to maintain as much normalcy as possible, it seems OK to ask ourselves to what extent is dressing up acceptable, adequate, or even relevant.

The answer seems to vary from person to person. Many people will be spending these holidays alone with their significant other, many with their closest relatives, and—sadly enough—many will spend them by themselves.

In our case, for instance, we were planning to go home (back in Spain) but with the existing quarantine protocols, it looks rather crazy to us booking a two week holiday just to spend it quarantined at our family’s place—and then repeating the whole process when back in the UK. Instead, we will stay, form a Christmas bubble with another household to celebrate, and then spend the whole thing speaking with our family via Skype. So, not the December we were expecting. (Or as The Rembrandts would put it: It hasn’t been our day, our week, our month, or even your year… No matter what, Friends philosophy always works over here, lately.)

shouldyoudressupthesechristmas

Every year, I will dress up to the nines for our Christmas Eve flamboyant dinner party but, without an opportunity to travel or host fifteen people in our miraculously roomy London apartment, the idea started feeling vacuous.

Would my family/friends look weird at me during our festive Zoom meetups? Would my Christmas support bubble be judging me? Should I give up and wear the ugliest Christmas jumper and pyjama bottoms all holiday long? Would anyone care at all?

I think it’s fair to say that, for most of us, these questions have come to our minds lately. And the reply was nowhere to be seen.

I’ve been thinking quite enough about self-love during the pandemic and how the small things and routines seem to affect our well-being. Even the smallest choices, such as the clothes we wear, have been playing a huge role in our mental health. And this is when all I have learned during the last nine months come into play.

Because the truth is the only person who cares is YOU. People are far too concern about real issues (no need to comment on how evident these are because we all know someone who has been put on furlough, lost their jobs, or even lost a vulnerable relative during this nightmare) to spend a minute of their time judging your personal choices about something as superfluous as clothing. So my advice is simply this: go with your gut.

 

Dress up for yourself, to have some sense of normality this year, to feel good. Or don’t dress at all and drink all the prosecco in your ugliest Christmas jumper and pyjama trousers. Dress up (or not) to claim the festive season for yourself. Just because you do deserve it.

You may have no control over the economic consequences, the permanent changes this pandemic will leave on all of us, or how quickly things go back to normal. And yes, if you are a control freak (hello bdudy, it’s two of us now!) it must have been bugging you for a while. What you can control though is the way you react. Try to take it easy by taking small decisions: choose the things that make you feel good. Love to wear a sparkling gold dress? Go for it. Love some jeans? That’s good too. You do you. Own your life and don’t let anyone or anything to convince you otherwise. Don’t even listen to me, for the matter. Always go with your gut.

Because you know? At the end of the day, we all had the strangest year and anything making it better should be welcome.

What about you, though? Are you dressing to kill these Christmas or toning it down?

 

callingsantafrombondstreet

Coat | Zara (last season, great festive alternative at L.K. Bennett)
Bag | Metamorphose temps de fille (vintage, similar model at La Redoute)
Scarf and gloves | Accessorize (last season, they have another scarf model on sale now. Nice gloves alternative available at Dune.)

 

 

Allegra Caro10 Comments

What I Learned About Style (And Self-Love) During The Pandemic

I am going to tell you something nuts—a few weeks ago, I found myself screaming at my yoga pants. If this was an American comedy (a film entitled The Honest Crazy Fashionista Diaries, if you please) it would be that in media res moment when we see the main character making something weird and hilarious just before we are told the story from the beginning. Let me explain how I got to that point.

Nine months ago, in the few first weeks of the lockdown, I was sent home to work remotely. Like virtually everybody else, I set my best intentions: waking up as usual, investing the extra time in a relaxing morning routine which would include yoga, morning shower, and healthy breakfast, and then dressing up as I would usually do for the office.

At this point, you probably know where this is going, right? Three weeks afterwards, I was wearing comfy pants 24/7, eating chocolate cake for breakfast, and dressing up from the waist upward for the occasional Zoom meetup—which wasn´t that often, anyway.

So basically, any sense of normality went out of the window in about five minutes.

autumnland2

I was struggling to sleep as usual, eat healthily, and having the necessary amount of daily exercise (I already wrote about that period over here) so, dressing up was the very last of my concerns. Indeed, the only moment I would open the closet was when picking some clean comfy trousers. Then, I´d look at my clothes and think how sad it was not to have anywhere to go… In other words, wild party over here guys.

As events unfolded though, it was crystal-clear this wasn´t one of those situations that would fix themselves in a few weeks´ time. Quite the contrary, Sebastian and I found ourselves cancelling any travelling plans (we said our farewells to my birthday city-break in Paris, as well as our yearly beach retreat family visit) and I didn´t even see the point in shopping any cute summer outfits because who in the world cared, really?

cutehouseavictoriapark

Victoriapark

And then, the unexpected happened and we were allowed to go outside again, even if it was in a socially distanced way. I remember the first Saturday morning we ventured outside. It felt surreal and exciting, even if it was just about going for a walk to the city centre. Every step outdoors was a bit like walking on the moon: it felt that strange.

But one of the strangest aspects was opening my wardrobe and looking for real clothes. Not yoga pants, or my university hoodie but actual, grown-up, outdoors clothes. And guys, that was a trip.

I hadn´t been more surprised even if an army of Oompa Loompas had paraded out of my closet singing. It was THAT weird. On the one hand, I felt super excited about the prospect of dressing up but, on the other hand, I couldn´t help but feeling dressing to the nines would be a bit inappropriate. Still, I missed the sense of normality linked with dressing in nice clothes. So there I was—trapped on a dilemma of my own creation. Thank you very much, you stupid brain.

So, I did what felt right and found a middle ground: I dressed up a bit without going over-the-top and called it a day.

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As we walked through Bloomsbury, I came to realize most people had chosen a similar plan of action. You could feel many people were making a bit of an effort (probably because, just like me, they were missing the chance to wear real clothes) but at the same time, trying to tone it down a bit. So, I went home thinking I wasn´t that crazy, after all.

Then, as summer progressed, I started getting used to normal clothes again and that new casual-chic-thing I was trying felt more and more natural up to an extent, I perceived it as the only acceptable way of dressing.

By the time my birthday arrived in mid-August, I was so used to it that dressing a bit fancier felt unnatural. And as much as I enjoyed the day in general, wearing my Chloé dream dress for high tea was strange. But the part that hit me like a bullet was the fact I was feeling slightly ashamed. I knew it was a special occasion when we were going to celebrate at some fancy place, and still, I felt guilty about it. I felt guilty to wear something nice, guilty to enjoy myself, and—on a deeper level—guilty to be perfectly healthy to enjoy a day that was nothing but perfect when many other people were struggling out there.

As stupid as this might sound, that guilt made me going back to my yoga pants for a little while. I felt I didn´t deserve anything nicer in the short-term. How could I be thinking about clothing, anyway?

autumnstylelessons

I returned to the comfiest clothes I could find on working days and toned it down even more on the weekends. In my head, that would make me invisible to any judgement coming from others—what I was reaching for was being invisible to my own judgement, though. And guys, I am Judge Judy´s severe sister when it comes to myself.

At some point and during one of my Skype chats with my sister, we talked about it, and something she said stuck with me: “Girl,” she told me, “this crap ain´t nobody´s fault and punishing yourself for doing whatever makes you cope won´t fix it. You know that, right?” And guys, I didn´t.

That was some food for thought, certainly. I began to realize every time I picked up my yoga pants, I was saying sorry, somehow: Sorry for being young, sorry for being healthy, sorry for having a job while others are being made redundant, sorry for laughing…sorry for being alive. It was time to let it go.

So, on a cold autumn morning, I found myself yelling at my yoga pants. Letting all the compressed rage go out. And you know what? I felt better immediately.

Because in the end, it wasn´t about clothing or style, really. It was more about self-love and acceptance and forgiveness. And that guys is something to remember.

Allegra Caro14 Comments

How to Wear a Tulle Skirt in 2020 (Without Looking Like A Ballerina)

Worried about the ballerina look outside of a performance of Swan Lake when wearing a tulle skirt? Not in my watch! I have you covered…

 

In the six years I spent watching Sex At The City, I learnt a few interesting lessons from the show: Manolo Blahnik will ruin your life, friends are family, and it’s probably better to avoid dating eccentric Russian artists. But most important, you can totally wear a tulle skirt and carry away with it. (Pun intended…)

Before SATC entered my life, tulle skirts seemed to be the epitome of a style faux pas—a capital sin capable of transforming someone chic into a clueless fashion victim. However, as my relationship with the show developed over its six seasons, I came to figure out a few things about the main style icon Carrie Bradshaw, including but not limited to:

  1. She sipped Cosmos the way you and I drink water (don’t try at home, kids. You will have to trust me with this one)
  2. Mr. Big was a not very nice human being but she had her own luggage too
  3. She could rock the hell out of a tutu

In terms of style, I felt like Carrie was reinventing the wheel! I had been living in a white and black world and suddenly discovered technicolour. In that old, dusty world tulle skirts exclusively belonged to ballet performers and maybe circus tightrope walkers. But not anymore! It was time to leave fear back and start experimenting.

how to wear a pink tulle skirt

Unfortunately, it took me a while to fully understand how to wear a tulle skirt in any situation.

As most experiences when walking my style path, it required a good dose of trial and error (I am a slow learner guys, what can I say?), as well as an embarrasing number of class-A fashion disasters—don’t make me ramble about the 2017 Christmas Eve tulle massacre. I would cry, you would cry, and we would never ever be the same really… But I like to think it was all worth it at the end. Eventually, I felt confident enough to wear them in public and adopt them as a part of my signature style.

So, what is the magic formula to looking great on a tulle skirt? It’s all a question of following a few steps. No secrets here!

Bear with me for the top five tips to rock a tulle skirt in 2.020

How to rock a tulle skirt in 2020

1.  Tone it down with a graphic tie

Look, tulle skirts are dressy and unless you tone them down a bit, it will look like you’re all set-up for an evening at the opera. Now, that’s all good and well but unless you have tickets for La Traviata, you might feel a slightly overdressed in most situations. The solution here is rather obvious: you need to tone it down. A few things scream casual as loud as a graphic tie does, so pick up a nice one and you are good to go. For me, it was this cute t-shirt I got last year at StarShinners, but there are plenty of chic options out there (like this cute one at River Island (already on my shopping cart) or this lovely one from Pretty Little Thing). And yes, I totally have got a thing for French inspiration t-shirts.

 2.  Mix it with stripes and get the Parisian chic look

Another of my absolute favourite options is mixing tulle and stripes. Personally, I feel it gives you all the Paris girl vintage vibes and you can’t wrong with that, can you? I mean, how could you say no to looking like a modern Brigitte Bardot, right? Can I hear the amen here? Choose a nice striped tie or sweater and you’re done! Case on point? This gorgeous Boden top: it has got that gorgeous boat neck, it’s soft to the touch, and absolutely chic.

rocking-a-tulle-skirt

3. Add a bike jacket to make it edgy

This is a simple way to add some interest to your outfit while making it edgy. Guys, I am not gonna lie here: I love a good old biker jacket over my tulle skirts, especially in Autumn and Spring, when you can make the most of the weather by adding a warming layer. (Actually, I love a biker jacket with mostly everything but that’s a different story for a different post. And I can guarantee that will be a long one.) The good thing about bicker jackets these days is they come in every colour you can think of, so you will be always able to contrast/match your skirt.

4. With a turtle neck for a classic look

A turtle neck is such a versatile piece, it goes basically with everything (a tulle skirt, nice tailored trousers, an astronaut jumpsuit… you get the idea). So it’s no surprise it is one of my favourite ways to style a tulle skirt. The combination makes any look sophisticated and yet wearable, no matter the ocassion. Personally, I like to add some texture with cashmere but the options are endless.

5. Make it special with some lace

Now, it is possible you are wearing a tulle skirt for a special ocassion like a date. So, the dilemma here is  how to dress it up and yet avoid the fatal ballerina looks. Easy-peasy: add some lace for a dramatic effect. Then, you can pair it with heels and some nice jewelry. I can guarantee you will look great.

And these are my top tips to rock a tulle skirt in 2020.

Have you tried any of them? Let me know and share your experience.

wearing a tulle skirt without looking like a ballerina

– OUTFIT –

Skirt | Chicwish (old, similar here)
Graphic Tie | StarShinners (now on sale at Wish)
Shoes | Dolce & Gabbana (old, beautiful alternative at La Redoute)
Bag | Chanel Boy Bag (available for a fraction of the price at Farfetch)

Allegra Caro22 Comments

The Killer Outfit Formula That Works Every Time (Even When You Have Nothing To Wear)

Fashion-wise, a few things are as annoying as waking up early on a Monday morning just to find yourself stuck in front of your closet for half an hour, with absolutely nothing to wear.

To me, that used to be a periodic drama I would represent every week—rain or shine. As time went by, this daily habit became a toxic routine which would make me feel nothing but anxious. Actually, the mere idea of getting dressed on a working day had the power to give me headache in about five minutes. Please, rise your hand if you’ve been there too… Yeah, I thought so.

I am not going to lie to you: it took me a while to recognize I was in desperate need of help (and by “a while” I mean a few years, really…) All things consider, I am kind of surprised my husband did not call for an intervention. Guys, it was THAT bad.

I truly got sick of it: sick of the morning coffee getting lukewarm while I stood there, wrapped on a wet bath towel after shower, stressing myself out over yet another #firstworldproblem. At some point, I started feeling like I had no energy for this. After all, Monday sucks even without all the fashion drama.

All I usually do when I encounter a style dilemma, I asked myself what would my favourite fashion icons do but it was far from helpful. (We all know Blair Waldorf would simply go for a shopping spree in Paris which is not very realistic here, is it?) So, I did the only sensitive thing—I trusted my fate to Google gods. After a bit a few weeks of online research about styling tips, I mixed the most useful advice and, as time went by, I developed my own quick-fix styling rules.

pindaylook

Picadilly

Let me tell you a secret: ever since I started using this outfit formula, the amount of time I spend dressing every morning has decreased dramatically.

This provides me with a time window to start my day more relaxed, have a nice breakfast, and get my day started smoothly. As this has been one of the life-changing adjustments I’ve made over the last six months, I decided it could be nice to share it with you all.

So here you go: the ultimate outfit formula that grants you always have got something to wear.

1. Choose a statement piece as the axis of your outfit

Ever time I start planning what to wear, I will select a central piece for the rest of my outfit to gravitate around. It might sound a bit strange, but it makes sense to choose a relevant piece to help you build the whole style for the day. It could be anything, basically—a dainty dress, a textured skirt or a nice tailored pair of trousers. It all depends on the occasion as well as the vibe you are going for. The important principle to keep in mind here is the piece should provide some interest to your outfit. Once you have made up your mind about it, the next step will be a no-brainer.

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studs-shoes

2. As as rule, tone it down with a basic

Style—as anything else in life—is a question of balance. That means you will need a muted/more basic piece to balance the whole thing gracefully. Let me explain with a simple image: imagine you go for a flamboyant pink tweed dress, you should avoid matching it with an over-the-top jacket, unless you want to look like an out-of-context modern Marie Antoinette. I am sure you see my point. For instance, if you choose a silky skirt as your axis, then you should select a simple top to tone things down a bit. This provides you with a nice contrast and is more wearable on a daily basis.

3. Add a piece you don’t need

When I want to upgrade a given outfit and unless I am in a real hurry, I will always add a clothing piece I don’t need. This way, I get sure the outfit makes an impact. It may be a hat I love, or a nice pair of statement designer stocking. Whatever it is, the key here is to put on some interest and relevance to your look.

pinkoutfitgrand

4. When accessorizing, stick to one metal colour

This might be one of my personal pet peeves but I believe that sticking to one chromatic choice when adding metal accessories/jewelry, will provide some cohesion to your outfit. Once I am dressing up—and with the only exception of my wedding ring—I will figure out what colours match my clothes better (silver, yellow or rose gold) and then stick to it. This, of course, depends on your personal taste although sticking to one colour only gives uniformity and keeps things neat.

5. Double check before you leave

Just before leaving the house, I usually take thirty seconds to look myself in the mirror. This last step is my ultimate mantra. As Coco Chanel famously declared once, it is good practice to take one thing off before you go out. This simple exercise is designed to keep things simple and nice—especially if, like me, you have a tendency to go a bit over-the-top. Trust me here: there’s no need to look like a Christmas tree, is there?

As a last tip and while getting familiar with this styling system, I would recommend putting your outfit together in the evening, while your mind is clear and you can take a few extra minutes to sort things out.

And that’s pretty much it! Simple, right? No more morning drama!

fashion good

Allegra Caro20 Comments

I am not adopting a capsule wardrobe and this is why you shouldn’t either

This blog was born with a single core value: to be honest with my readers at all times.

As you may or may not have noticed, that’s why the site’s motto is The Honest Fashionista Diaries, why I chose to publish this as my first post ever, and why there is an entire category called The Honest Fashionista Series. Openness is important to me and that (plus a pinch of humour) cannot harm the Blogosphere.

With that said, I believe there is a big difference between being sincere and blatantly regurgitating my unsolicited opinions at the earliest opportunity. After all, we have the right to hold off-record thoughts which we’d better keep for ourselves. As my grandmother taught me when I was very young: if you have nothing pleasant to say, it is better to say nothing. In other words, you don’t need to fight every battle or give your opinion about every topic on earth.

By nature, I am a peacemaker—one of my sisters refers to me as the O.N.U. family negotiator which never fails to make everyone laugh—and I try to avoid conflict when I see no good can be done. Summing up, I might be honest but I also know when to shut my mouth.

I am not adopting a capsule wardrobe and this is why

When the capsule wardrobe philosophy became a trend, I patiently read as many articles and blog posts as I could to have an informed opinion on the subject. What I found out though, didn’t resonate with me at any level, so I took a step back and kept my opinion to myself. Usually, this would be the end of the story—and it was for a couple of years—but a few weeks ago, I received an unnerving message via Instagram. The person who sent it was reacting to one of my outfit photos and felt the need to rave about how terrible I was as a person for posting pictures of me wearing my clothes, and what an awful example I was for every young impressionable person out there. People like me were, in her own words, a total disgrace and I should be ashamed for not promoting capsule wardrobes and sustainable fashion.

You can believe me when I say my first reaction was nothing but confusion. Mainly because:

A.  My Instagram is a small account that (luckily) receives zero hate.

B.  I don’t consider my content to be exclusively focused on outfits.

C.  You can easily see I wear my clothes more than once and I am very far from a serial shopper.

Once the original feeling of astonishment left me, it was replaced by disbelief and finally, an increasing outrage. However, I blocked the person and forget about the whole thing as soon as possible. Three days ago though, I received a new DM via Instagram which contained almost the same message, sent from a sister account. Again, she seemed disgusted by the fact I kept posting my “non-sustainable” outfits and NOT EMBRACING THE CAPSULE WARDROBE TREND.

If that person would have spent a single moment to visit this blog by clicking in the link on the bio, she’d have probably learned a thing or two about my style perception and the sustainability topic.

For starts, the main reason why I’ve never written about the capsule wardrobe philosophy before is that, from my point of view, it suffers from some serious inconsistency on its base principles. The main target is reducing waste and using the whole contents of your wardrobe, which can only be a positive thing per se. However, reducing to thirty-three pieces your existing closet makes no sense from a logistic perspective.

First, the continuous rotation of the same pieces will inevitably damage even the best-quality pieces, leaving you with the urgent need to replace them at the end of the season at the latest. Potentially, this means money and waste. Second, thirty-three pieces may help you to survive for a season if the given items are high-quality but you will need to add a new set when the season changes and pack away (or dispose of) the used stuff. This means buying four new capsule wardrobes a year which depending on your budget and previous shopping habits might not be that good all things considered.

After second thoughts, there is yet another aspect holding me back: the deep existent association between capsule wardrobes and uniformity. One of the main ideas, you see, it to achieve a very defined style, with all the pieces working together. Pretty much, like a uniform.

One of the things you don’t know about me is that I studied at a religious private school for a couple of years. I could write an interesting (and probably juicy) list of the lessons I learned over there but the main and most important one was uniformity is rarely a good thing. When you make people wearing the same neutral colours every day, looking alike, there is a certain point in which they start thinking and acting alike. And I have read enough dystopian fiction to be afraid of any form of hive mind (thank you very much for the nightmares, Mrs. Atwood).

To me, fashion is all about individual expression and I think that’s something wonderful.

So, am I openly admitting I don’t give a s@#€ about sustainability? As a matter of fact, nothing is further of the truth. Adopting a capsule wardrobe is not the only way you can contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. Instead, I prefer to explore other paths including but not limited to:

  1. Taking good care of your existing pieces, so their lifespan is extended

  2. Cutting down on your shopping habits and getting only the things you love

  3. Choosing clothes that are better quality and more durable

  4. Shopping second hand or vintage

  5. Supporting ethical brands of your choice

These might not look like life-changing rules but once you have been practicing for a while, you will realize they are. I have been shopping vintage, second hand and being more selective with my shopping habits for a while now (I think about five years and counting) and in the long run, you feel nothing but satisfaction and relief. Satisfaction because you love everything on your wardrobe. Relief because you can walk outside a shop with empty hands and feel good about it, anyway.

So, the next time anyone feels tempted to judge me for posting outfit photos online, please make me a favour and just unfollow…

 

 

 

Allegra Caro51 Comments
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