Fashion

January favourites: Rogue & Rouge edit

Hello February, you gorgeous thing!

I was really excited to meet you at once. Please, don’t be shy and come in: January cannot tell when is time to say goodbye and go home…

Really, people: Is it just me or it lasted approximately 250000 years? Because I was starting to fear I was trapped in my own version of The Groundhog Day (only without Bill Murray and an added worrying quantity of quick trips to the corner store to buy yet another pumpkin seeds pack to ruminate while watching Netflix. Dark times, my friends, let’s never talk about them again).

Earlier last month, I was still in Spain visiting my family. I feel like that happened last century though. Yes, I have been doing my best to scare the January blues away but I must admit it was far tougher than I initially anticipated. I would try literally anything to keep me going: Yoga, reading, long nice walks, riding a Hippogriff… but nothing seemed to work. At some point, the pitch-black evenings had an effect on me which could only be slightly relieved by compulsively stalking dresses online. In all honesty and as materialistic as it might sound, the sales were a bit of a fix (yes, I know you are not supposed to admit this publicly but c’mon, we all have been there…), with some of my most recent favourites on the beauty, fashion and entertainment departments popping out all through the month.

Don’t get me wrong, January was not a shopping madness period. I managed to buy on a budget and save up quite a reasonable amount in relation to average price. Personally, I think that the better quality the product is, the more you are saving. In the end, you get better value for all those hardly-earned pounds.

But long story short, these are my January 2019 favourites.

Beauty

NARS Blush in Orgasm

I have been following NARS for a long time now but they have been only available in Spain very recently. So, one of the first things I did when on holiday was visiting the closest high-end mall and going straight to the NARS counter. Orgasm blush was in my bucket list for ages and after I tried the tester I knew it — Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. And I was completely right – I don’t think you will see me wearing another product for a while…

CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle

It is no secret I am a CHANEL perfume lover. Coco and Coco Noir are two of my favourites but Mademoiselle was my first love and will always keep a special place in my heart. My last bottle was finished a couple of months ago, so I proceeded to get me a new one and has been my best friend all January.

NYX Lip Lingerie in Lace Detail

Lately, I have been searching for a flattering nude lipstick to wear in the mornings to avoid my natural paler-than-a-white-walker complexion (which is a completely accurate description of my skin tone during Winter, in case you wonder). I saw a blogger I like praising the Lingerie line and decided to give it a try. Now, I was so fascinated by their colours palette, it took me some effort not to buy the entire range. I am happy I chose Lace Detail though since it lives on my handbag now, always ready for duty. And speaking about handbags…

Fashion

PINKO Love Bag in honey (similar model here)

Have you ever fallen in love at first sight? Because that’s exactly how I feel about this purse. Just look at that beautiful mustard/honey tone and little brooch details. Isn’t it the cutest thing ever? If this was a boy, I would totally have a crush. Now that I come to think about it, you can totally have a crush on a bag, right? RIGHT?

Entertainment

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Like many people, I only discovered the novel after watching the movie and immediately felt curious about it. Now, I am not joking when I tell you this book saved me from the aforementioned January blues in the evenings. It is a wonderfully fun, witty and acid critic towards social class, cultural relativism, and gender roles. Don’t even bother to finish reading this post. Go and find the book. You can thank me later.

You (Netflix)

Another fiction work which saved my mental health from the darkest days in the year (although speaking about mental health might be slightly ironic here). I am not going to spoil the fun here but YOU is just genius. A bit like Hannibal and The Perfume having a child together. Are you looking for plot twists? Psychological impressionism? A good cast? I think I’ve said enough.

And this has been my first favourites monthly round-up. Thank you so much for reading and please, let me know if you have any suggestions or comments on how to improve this new section.

What have you loved in January?

February 6, 2019February 6, 2019

Allegra Caro2 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, 2019February 3, 2019

Allegra Caro9 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

A Winter holiday outfit: homeland

Last Christmas, my wish list was slightly different than usual – forget about Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu or YSL: I did not ask for the usual suspects, but a nice warm Winter holiday in the north of Spain. In other words, I only wished to go home for Christmas (sorry about the cheesy cliché, but that’s the raw truth.)

All I dreamed about was some quality time with my family and friends (logging off almost completely), and a bit of old good sunlight. As an expat, one of the things I frequently miss is the privilege of warm weather during the coldest months. Don’t get me wrong: I do appreciate a lovely white landscape in the late December days, but there is something charming in the eternal promise of a golden Winter evening. The little corner of the world I was born in can be kind of rainy. Like, The Universal Flood kind of rainy. (Actually, while writing this I am not in our cozy family house anymore, but counting animal couples in a boat. Now, if you excuse me, I must chase an inattentive racoon…) But the point is that, even under all this rain, you can still see the sun once in a while.

Last week and after a couple of stormy days, the glorious sun raised and we took the chance to go for a walk. It is worth mentioning that our homeland is crowded by ancestral stately houses, where the local nobility established their homes centuries ago, surrounded by miles and miles of wild forest, carefully crafted gardens, and hunting parks. The general vibe is quite similar to the Scottish landscape, filled with beautiful castles made of stone. This may look like some random coincidence, but it is due to the ancient connection between the Celtic culture and the North of Spain (we are proud to be one of the five Celtic nations.)

The property in these pictures is a 17th century castle, rebuilt in the XIX and early XX fashion. The original tower was burnt down after a long war conflict with Portugal started in 1641. The new castle was finished in 1670 and named Pazo de Castrelos (Castrelos Palace.) As a result, the architecture is an interesting mixture of different European styles.

When wandering through the gardens Sebastian and I experienced the feeling of time travel – the silence and peace, only interrupted by the birds singing. At some point, we even started thinking we would cross our paths with Jaime Fraser any time since this place gave us such a huge Lallybroch atmosphere. And YES, in case you are wondering, we have been binge-watching Outlander season four ever since we started our holiday two weeks ago. I will neither confirm nor deny we are calling each other Sassenach these days…)

There is something unfamiliar about visiting homeland when you are an expat, as you begin looking at it through foreigner eyes. To us, this beautiful little corner of Spain magically turned into a greenery paradise, whose stunning landscape packed with mountains, rivers, woods and a wild seaside looks now a bit more like an exotic postcard – a bit less like home.

Fashion-wise, I should probably clarify I am very far from proficient when it comes to dressing up for the countryside. In my too-long-recorded-history-of-dressing-for-the-secenery-mistakes, I have frequently found myself wearing slip dresses on a farm, and knit on a warm July morning, and mortified myself afterwards. However, I like to think I am a bit wiser these days. Usually, I would choose some comfy boots or wellies, but the place is just ten minutes drive from the city centre, which made unnecessary any special arrangements. So instead, I went for a nice skirt and wool shawl to keep me warm ( I swear any reference to Scottish tartan was merely accidental.)

Also, as you might have noticed, red and black is one of my favourite colour combos. By adding a bit of tartan and a touch of gold I felt the outfit was slightly more festive, but still comfortable. This was quite convenient if you take into account we foolishly ignored the Winter schedules and had to rush in order to avoid getting trapped in the park lands but still practical enough to make it through the remotest garden paths.

Our Holiday is over now and it feels a bit too short, but I guess that is the signature of a truly relaxing break. After all, as they say time goes by fast when you are having fun.

Skirt: Steady Clothing

Turtleneck: Zara/ Shawl: Natura (similar model in Burberry)

Bag and cuff: Chanel / Necklace: BB (similar one at Missoma)

January 8, 2019February 4, 2019

Allegra Caro16 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

My signature style: The Famous Red Trench Coat

When I was a child, I had a dream: I wanted to be an old Hollywood actress.

Yes, I know. You are not allowed to be one unless you have got a time machine, right? Well, that is only a little insignificant detail when you are eight years old. And as Scarlett O´Hara once said, I used to repeat myself: I’ll think about it tomorrow.

Unlike most children, I did not wish to become a ballerina or an astronaut but to be like one of those glamorous ladies on the movies my mother watched every weekend. I was fascinated by Anne Baxter in The Ten Commandments, and Dietrich in Shanghai Express.

I loved everything about them: their elegance, strength, expressiveness… and of course their style. I held my breath when they wore silky dresses, berets, or those iconic forties trousers, and I naively thought that someday I would look just like them. Oh, the youth foolishness!

The funny part is, as much I liked everything from the ’20s to the ’50s, I LOATHED everything from the ’60s onwards. And I especially disliked trench coats with a passion. To me, they were old pretty things Brigitte Bardot would wear in some sad French film. Nobody would style them in a classy way in the twenty-first century, though – and consequently, they were pointless.

Many years afterwards, while living in London, I frequently spent my cold October mornings navigating through South Kensington on my way to V&A, where I would happily wander for hours. There, I crossed paths with many chic Londoners who were completely proficient on the trench coat styling department. I slowly started realizing it was not required to be a Bardot – or a Dietrich, or a Hepburn for the matter – to look good on a trench coat (hey, who would have guessed, right? Mind-blowing!)

And one fine day I entered Debenhams, tried on a very nice one… and had the biggest disappointment EVER. I am quite sure this is not what you were expecting, but it is what happened. The aforementioned trench coat, so elegant and flawless on the hanger, looked like a potato sack on me and the rich camel tone made my skin look like sour milk someone forgot on the kitchen counter for about two weeks… Such a lovely image, isn’t it? Needless to say, I left the shop at once and never came back.

And then, approximately one year ago, I was Vintage shopping in Budapest with my husband: on a certain second-hand shop, there was a women trench coat section with some nice designer pieces and I decided to give them a second chance. I found a decently preserved Dolce and Gabbana specimen, and although I did not buy it due to the size being slightly too small for me, I finally fell in love with the concept.

Actually, I changed my mind so much about it that any time we find a trench coat while shopping I adopt an entirely new personality. Sebastian refers to it as Possession, though… “LOOKZ!” I would invariably say, “It´s a trenchcoat! Can I have it? Can I?” And I would keep repeating so until my I would try it on or leave the place for good.

Last year I started incorporating new elements to my style on a still work in progress process to define it. One of the finest investment pieces I decided to add was this red trench coat which I love to wear with a black pencil dress. It is versatile, it can be toned down with some flats for a casual look, and the pop of colour makes any outfit interesting enough. It can be worn in a classic/retro way, but it is truly timeless. Plus, it is RED. Like, the perfect poppy colour tone I die for.

I am still not an Old Hollywood actress (C’est la vie, I guess) but I am quite sure that most of them would approve the trench coat.

Trench Coat: Heidi Klum (old). Similar one at Burberry.

Dress: Poema/ Shoes: Top Shop / Bag: Deichmann

December 5, 2018December 5, 2018

Allegra Caro25 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

The lingerie Morals (Why wearing fine lingerie doesn’t make you dummy)

We like to think of ourselves as modern and sophisticated, but we apply double standards on how we perceive designer lingerie.

While fashion media proclaims luxury underwear as the quintessence of femininity, the cherry on the cake of seduction, most women simply frown on the sight of a suspender belt. Not so long ago, a co-worker of mine embodied the commonplace in one sentence, “It looks pretty on magazine models. I would never wear such a thing, though”. Implied by these words, the hidden truth — no femme sérieuse will be taken like one by openly admitting she has a soft spot for Lise Charmel.

Many years ago, still a literature student and not a spare penny to spend in high-end bras, some friends and I were discussing the topic over cheap rosé. At the time, Gossip Girl was big on TV and we were simply breathless at how beautiful Leighton Meister looked in Agent Provocateur. However, there was some discomfort over conversation since none of us wanted to say we felt both inspired and maybe a bit jealous.

But then again, why did we react like that? By looking back now, a bunch of reasons comes to my mind. As the typical Humanities Bachelors in their twenties, we all considered ourselves as clever, original, and wittily critical with society, which made us unable to be more honest. In our defence, it could be argued that we were young and restless: therefore, a bit lack of experience, as well as a bit prone to the holier-than-thou nonsense (probably derived from a consistent diet of endless European cinema soirées, and the influence of the unavoidably pseudo-intellectual male acquaintances, who enjoyed mansplaining mostly every possible thing to us).

The point is we said many stupid things I will not reproduce here, but also talked about the over-sexualization of Victoria’s Secret angels on stage.

Like many other women, we felt intimidated by this unreal image of sensuality which unequivocally entails a passive gender role. We did not want to represent any of the associated parts — the virgin, the slut, the bombshell. By accepting these we would surely lose control of our bodies, our identities and least but not last, our lives.

At some point though, one of my friends introduced a twist-plot in the chat. “Why do you assume lingerie is just for men?” she said, “Why do they even need to know you are wearing it?” That, for a start, was an interesting question.

As much as we were hard trying to deconstruct our vision of the world, we would not stop focusing the whole thing on male vortex. After listening to a good hour of moral preening, she got sick and kindly explained an obvious but game-changing idea to us, the revolutionary concept of start enjoying ourselves just for the sake of it.

Lingerie could be fun if you simply looked at it as another form of joy and self-expression. She suggested — and this is something that has walked with me not only in my twenties, but also all through my thirties — to wear it, if we pleased, as an invisible armour. Her exact words were to get dressed from the inside. I gave it a thought, understanding that even if I had a lazy old jeans and t-shirt day, I could cheerfully wear my best undies as well. It could be like painting my nails red on a blue Monday, or reading my favourite author while drinking coffee in a nice quiet place. And what was the best part? — Only I would know.

There are still many things I do not buy about the whole lingerie business conception.

I will never be comfortable about how the VS angels are presented, or about how much transparency a single clothing piece can display on such compromising areas. Nevertheless, I truly share the whole new concept many brands have developed: from Dita von Teese to What Katie Did, some are now paying more attention to what we feel like, reinforcing body positivity in the process. This is for sure a feminist contribution: no more slut shaming, body shaming, or any other moral implications.

I bless the fact it is more about us women now, and a bit less about them. And I bless the fact that another woman was able to make me change my mind.

If you are reading this dear, you know who you are.

November 22, 2018February 3, 2019

Allegra Caro9 Comments

Guía Vintage de Budapest

Si alguien me preguntase sobre el tema, probablemente le diría que Budapest es un poco como la típica chica de las películas de los 90: al principio nadie le hace caso, pero luego resulta ser la más interesante del instituto y termina por ligarse al capitán del equipo de fútbol.

La apodada “perla del Danubio” es la meca estival de miles de turistas cada año: europeos, japoneses y australianos peregrinan ordenadamente para maravillarse pero, por alguna razón poco clara, sus encantos siguen siendo desconocidos para la mayoría de españoles.

Hace poco, una amiga y yo atendíamos a nuestra cita semanal online –costumbre que seguimos desde que ella se mudó a Berlín y que con frecuencia aprovechamos para comparar nuestras impresiones como expatriadas delante de un cappuccino–, cuando salió el tema de las últimas vacaciones. Una de nuestras aficiones en común es la moda (y más específicamente la pasión por el vintage), por eso me sorprendió bastante cuando, tras anunciar que mis próximos planes incluían pasar cuatro días buscando tesoros en las tiendas húngaras, ella frunció un poco el ceño: “¿Pero no estuviste ya el año pasado?”, preguntó extrañada. De hecho, no sólo estuve el año pasado, sino también el otoño anterior y una vez más antes de eso; y todas y cada una de ellas he tenido que poner cuidado en no exceder el límite de la tarjeta y terminar el mes sustentándome de conservas y sopa en lata (sólo por si acaso, será mejor que nadie asome la nariz a mi alacena este mes…)

El caso es que, tras explicarle superficialmente una retahíla de razones por las que como amante de los años 40 y su memorabilia no podía dejar de visitar la ciudad, pensé que era una lástima no compartir algunos secretos sobre los sitios que nadie debería perderse, así que al volver a casa me puse manos a la obra. Si tú también eres un adicto a la segunda mano, éstas son las tiendas que no puedes dejar de visitar.

Las cinco mejores tiendas vintage de Budapest:

1. Ludovika Vintage

Esta tienda de dos pisos en el número 15 de Rumbach Sebestyén define su atmósfera como un híbrido entre Las vírgenes suicidas y Annie Hall. Lo que es indiscutible es que su oferta de ropa rescatada de los años 70 es muy difícil de superar. El local, limpio y ordenado, expone una variedad poco habitual de bolsos, zapatos y kimonos importados de Japón. Incluso si – como yo– no eres un gran fan de la década, el mimo que han dedicado a la selección del material no deja de impresionar. Ludovika está situada además en el sofisticado barrio judío, donde puedes tomarte tu tiempo en algunos de los mejores cafés y restaurantes en la ciudad.

2. Retrock

Para los acquicenses más trendy ésta es la favorita indiscutible. La boutique, situada en el populoso Anker köz, exhibe una muestra curiosa de ropa deportiva de los 90, vestidos de fiesta (no olvides pararte a echar un vistazo si eres fan de Alicia Silverstone y sus secuaces en Fuera de Onda) y accesorios de fantasía. Retrock cuenta también con el atractivo de ser probablemente la tienda más espaciosa del sector.

3. Szputnyik

¿Lo tuyo es mezclar lo viejo y lo nuevo? En Szputnyik encontrarás una miscelánea interesante de blusas de los 80 y los 90, accesorios y faldas de tul. Además, con algo de suerte, puede que también encuentres piezas de diseño en una de las dos tiendas que hay en la ciudad. Tras rebuscar durante unos 20 minutos en un baúl como el disciplinado perro sabueso que soy, me llevé a casa una estola prácticamente nueva de John Lewis y un colgante de Anna Sui por algo menos de 12 euros, así que recomiendo visitarla sin prisa y hacer una pausa para café si es necesario. A lo mejor sales de allí con un botín que no te esperas.

4. Alterego

La línea que divide las prendas thrifted o de segunda mano y el vintage es muy fina, y en Alterego las combinan a la perfección. Esta discreta boutique escondida en unas galerías de la céntrica calle Erzsébet tiene el mérito de contar casi exclusivamente con ropa y accesorios de marca: Vans, Prada, Converse, Tokyo Jane… La lista nunca se acaba. No recomendaría esta visita si estás buscando antigüedades o alta costura, pero si lo tuyo es el estilo urbanita no dejes de reservarle un hueco durante tu viaje.

5. Szimpla Design Shop

He dejado para el final la que es, probablemente, la mayor sorpresa de todas. Szimpla se encuentra en un bajo de la famosa calle Kazinczy y el local que ocupa es conocido por haber albergado un célebre pub underground; desde fuera, no ofrece un aspecto evocador: se trata de un local pequeño, en una esquina algo apretujada y polvorienta. Al descender por las estrechas escaleras, uno esperaría encontrarse con un sótano mohoso, sin mucho que ofrecer… y no podría estar más equivocado. Encontrarse de pronto en medio del maravilloso caos ordenado que reina allí es como transportarse directamente a un desván secreto repleto de tesoros variopintos: más de 50 diseñadores, antigüedades y ropa de segunda mano comparten espacio. Si como yo, tú también perteneces a esa especie de rara avis formada por los rastreadores de curiosidades, no puedes dejar de visitarla.

Hay, desde luego, muchos más establecimientos especializados que pueden resultar interesantes –por no hablar de los mercados de pulgas, que merecen su propio capítulo–, pero si necesitas priorizar tu tiempo o simplemente visitas la ciudad de escapada un par de días, el material más interesante lo encontrarás en alguna de estas tiendas con toda seguridad.

Recuerda, eso sí, no exceder el límite de tu tarjeta: no me responsabilizo de que termines el mes sustentándote de sopa en lata…

November 19, 2018November 18, 2018

Allegra Caro5 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.

This has been the first chapter of Prêt-à–Porter series.

In the next chapter: How to dress like Dita Von Teese! Coming soon…

November 11, 2018January 13, 2019

Allegra Caro5 Comments