Outfits

Where have I been? April in a nutshell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trousers: Reserved

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

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

May 6, 2019May 19, 2019

Allegra Caro12 Comments

Brunch outfit ideas you will wear all Spring long

Brunch

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Blazers and cardigans

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

3. Comfortable shoes

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

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

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

5. Keep make up minimal

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

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

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

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

Blazer: Axes Femme (old, similar here)

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

April 1, 2019April 3, 2019

Allegra Caro12 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

My fashion pet peeves

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

Trainers to tone down an all over classy outfit

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

2. Mixing patterns

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

3. The tiny handbags trend

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

4. Clothes on the wrong size

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

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

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

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

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

Pink Biker Jacket: Reserved

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

Earrings: Vintage (similar at Miu Miu)

March 25, 2019March 31, 2019

Allegra Caro25 Comments

Hello March: A transitional Winter to Spring outfit

If you are anything like me, there is a good chance you are kind of sick of Winter at this point. (And by that I mean if Winter was a person, I would probably punch him on the face.)

First, January lasted approximately 200,546,181 eons and then February was colder than a witch’s tit. In all honesty, at the time writing these words it is a gloomy Sunday morning and the prospect of yet another freezing walk is threatening my sanity. Suddenly, I find myself googling how many weekends in a row is it socially acceptable to stay indoors in pajamas. (Answer: as many as you wish, as long as you don’t admit it in public, duh…) But seriously, there is a point in which all the cozy and nice jumpers are not attractive anymore and you simply wish you could leave the house on a nice Summer dress.

And then, the city welcomed the arrival of March with a local festival last weekend. FINALLY! Oh boy, I was over the moon. I started anticipating the whole flowers blooming, Spring picnics and all the sunny outings… So of course, our friend Murphy’s law had different plans.

I must admit I was naively expecting about 15-20 degrees and a gloriously sunny day when I woke up on Saturday morning. And we actually got the nice sunlight. But that’s all it was, really. Temperatures, on the other hand, decided to fluctuate between 15 and about -1 million ℃ which made outfit planning, well… sort of interesting, indeed. But hey, sometimes you need to pick your battles so I thought I could make use of a transitional Winter to Spring outfit and get my way. As a matter of fact, I purchased these trousers back in the January sales and since then they have been sadly hanging in my closet, waiting for Spring to come. I felt bad for them, poor things, and decided to wear them at once.

Just to let you know, our first Spring weekend plans sounded great on my head. “Let’s play in the sun”, I said, “We will grab some coffee to-go or sit on a terrace sipping prosecco the whole afternoon, watching people pass by. Just the Parisian style”. Guys, I would slap myself on the face. I can tell you, there was nothing even remotely bohemian on the atmosphere of the day. One minute it was excruciatingly hot, and the next bone-chilling. Plus, it was windy. And I don’t mean the kind of breezy weather that you can easily transform into a stylish Nouvelle Vague-inspired photoshoot. No, I am referring to the kind that will transform you in a hot mess in about five minutes. Oh, and maybe make you get a cold too. Any fantasies of playing Anna Karina in a Godard film? Yeah, forget about it. At some point, I pretty much looked like a hangover version of Eliza Doolittle in the very beginning of My Fair Lady… Only with a BAD hair day. But I digress here.

By the time we arrived in downtown, it was crystal clear any terrace-related plans were out of the question. And after a quick cappuccino to-go and a very brief walk, we quickly moved on to the closest coffee place where we could stop fighting the elements and actually start enjoying ourselves.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a place where we had the chance to enjoy a proper Spring beginning?” I asked Sebastian with dreamy eyes, “You know? To enjoy the cherry blossom blooming and all that jazz?”

“Well”, he replied, “You would get the hay fever, anyway. Why worry then?”

And damn, he was right, guys. I guess it is not about living in a postcard, after all. Sometimes, you need to stop and smell the flowers (even if, like me, you get the hay fever…) So instead of feeling miserable, we went outside again and had some good laugh taking a few pictures. Then visited the closest bookstore and spent some time there, choosing our next read.

And you know what? It actually felt great.
After all, people at Nouvelle Vague films looked like a hot mess too and that’s totally fine.

Blouse: Metamorphose Japan (sold out, similar here)

Trousers: Zara (sold out, similar here and here)

Tote Bag: Ted Baker/ Sunglasses: Vintage / Shoes: Top Shop

Coat: Zara (old)

March 5, 2019March 24, 2019

Allegra Caro14 Comments

When blogging goes wrong

I am going to tell you something about nice sunny Winter days – they might be delightful and a great opportunity to be out and about, but in terms of taking outfit photos, they totally suck. (Yes, #firstworldproblems, I know.)

Like, can you see that slightly awkward expression in my eyes? It is all due to that ~~lovely~~ low sun we enjoy in the coldest months (hooray!)

In normal circumstances, I would have quickly returned to our apartment in order to pick up my sunglasses, but that was a bit inconvenient since we were about 500 kilometres away on a holiday weekend. Consequently, I spent most of our trip looking like a suspicious character from the Maltese Falcon (just for your information, my code name is Red Socks from now on. Remember that in case you need to contact me).

Even so, I could not really complain. I mean, I moaned all Winter long about the awful weather and the sun felt like a blessing after all. It was snowing for two months non-stop. And I am sorry but even after five years, I am not used to it. At ALL. (My usual hibernation strategy consists in hiding in a corner for the whole Winter feeling pity for myself and repeating “but it is SO unfair” on a loop. *Cries in Spanish*.)

So quite obviously at this point, it feels like a luxury to be able to have a long walk and not to freeze. As they say, it is all about the small things.

The day before these photos were taken, it was -5 °C and then Saturday was all shiny and reasonably warm. Hello, global warming! How are you doing?

Given the nice temperatures, we wandered around the Philharmonic House neighbourhood for a while and decided to go for afternoon tea afterwards.

Grand Hotel Continental is another Bucharest location which holds a special place in our hearts since it was where we stayed during our wedding weekend.

Everyday from 3 to 6 they serve a delicious afternoon tea complete with a lovely variety of delicious sandwiches and sweets. Unfortunately, at that point I was SO hungry I completely forgot grabbing the camera. And can you guess? I only came to realize once most of our refreshment was already gone (I can be a terrible blogger when it comes to food, folks). But OH MY WORD, it was absolutely delicious.

After that, the sun was mostly gone and the few attempts we made to take more pictures were pointless. In the end, I completely gave up and simply admitted the Internet would have to accept my awkward spy-face expression. Also, I slowly came to terms with a simple fact – sometimes blogging goes wrong.

You can do your best, surely: pick up an outfit you like, choose a nice location, shoot in the optimal daytime… And even so, Murphy’s law will be there to mess up with you.

If you are a perfectionist, there is a big chance you will lose your temper or resent your luck. But believe me, at the end of the day it is not worth it.

And hey, there are days in which is better to let go (and just have a spontaneous margaritas date with your husband). Did I mention how nice are cocktails when on a holiday?

Silver linings, people. Silver linings.

Jumper: Zara / Skirt: Chicwish / Bag: Chanel

February 26, 2019April 4, 2019

Allegra Caro15 Comments

Why Bucharest is the coolest city in Europe

There are a few images I link to Winter-time — the smell of a log fire at my grandma’s place, the taste of herbal tea on a rainy evening, a cat purring on my lap while reading a book.

But Winter (and by that, I mean real Winter) was a notion I only understood when my husband and I arrived in Bucharest five years ago. That was when we first became familiar with snow and long dark evenings and started seeing through the eyes of all those classic Russian writers we love. I vividly remember the first time we saw people skating on a frozen lake, Shostakóvich Jazz Suite № 2 flowing on the crisp morning air, and came to the conclusion we were now living on our own version of Anna Karenina (well, maybe without the wonderful costumes and all the drama, but you get the idea, don’t you?)

We started spending every spare hour outdoors, wandering, discovering the beauty of all those abandoned white marble palaces shinning under the golden rose light, like a million candles, asking ourselves why barely anyone knew there is another Paris hiding in East Europe. Because the truth is only a few outside Romania knows Bucharest nickname is Little Paris.

And it is not only about the incredible French architecture they imported, or the joie de vivre you can experience on a sunny afternoon sitting in any downtown terrace, it is about that catchy spirit which seems to infuse every aspect of the city: From the delicious food (some more notes on that very soon) to the awesome underground music scene; From the city art galleries to the countless tea rooms, second-hand shops and antiques markets — the Romanian capital never stops shocking you.

So, when last month Sebastian asked me how would I feel about having some days off for a city break there (we are currently living in Timișoara), I could only paraphrase Hepburn by claiming that ~~Paris~~ Bucharest is always a good idea (also, I might have danced Don’t Stop Me Now around the house, but that’s another story for a different time…)

And finally, last Thursday we took a train in the early hours and arrived just on time for lunch. That was on Valentines Day, so on our first stop, we granted a visit to our favourite tea house. Bernschutz & Co. is based on a tiny Victorian house, located in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods.

In Bucharest, it is not unusual to find the most charming and cozy restaurants inside renovated Art Noveau and Belle Époque buildings. It is awesome. Actually, scratch that. I mean AWESOME. Just imagine yourself having afternoon tea on the 19th-century old manor. You feel pretty much like a Downton Abbey character and that’s an experience I cannot recommend enough.

As I said, Bernschutz is my favorite, but options are countless: Casa Oamenilor de Stiinta (which used to be the home of the first worldwide traveler, the local Phileas Fogg, if you please) is an amazing Victorian house in the heart of the city, Hotel Continental offers a lovely afternoon tea with the same high quality standards The Ritz Carlton does.

Of course, we also spent some time visiting old town. The place is packed with some of the most beautiful buildings you can imagine, such as the National Bank or the National History Museum (in these pictures). Another national treasure can be found at Piata Victoriei, and it is the famous Romanian Atheneum (but do not worry, I am writing a little city guide and I will share it very soon).

Unfortunately, by the time we took these pictures it was kind of cold (and by that I mean it was about -5°C which made our hands to feel numb enough to finish the shoot abruptly and to run for our lives), so we decided to enter to the closest mall to warm up for a while. Probably, you are now thinking: “What! So, you are visiting the coolest city in Europe and you simply pop up to any mall? What is wrong with you?” And this is actually my next argument in favour of Bucharest — even the malls can be cool. We visited Victoria Shopping Center, a wonderful time capsule offering all kind of vintage goods: tailored clothes, new and second-hand jewellery, artisan gloves and hats… anything.

Now, I don’t need to tell you about how much I love vintage shopping again.

Bucharest might not be as crazy in shopping standards as Budapest is, but the wide variety of shops and markets is still quite amazing. So every time we visit the city, Sebastian is required to play his personal shopper/style consultant role so I manage to establish priorities and not to get aaaaall the goods… (Thanks, hun! You are so far the most patient of all my friends.)

So, long story short: If you are into beautiful architecture, awesome food, vintage and arts, please book your next holiday in Bucharest.

Now, tell me a bit about your last holiday.

Dress: H&M (sold out, similar here)

Scarf: Meli Meló (sold out, similar here)

Bag: Pinko/ Bracelets: Meli Meló / Boots: Deichmann

February 19, 2019February 19, 2019

Allegra Caro16 Comments

Fashion Lessons I learned in Japan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Statement coats are a MUST

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

2. Everything can be accessorized

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

3. Experiment more

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

4. Invest in some quality pieces

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

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

5. Above all, always be you

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

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

Coat: Juliette et Justine (vintage).

Necklace: Vivienne Westwood (similar here)

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

January 23, 2019March 14, 2019

Allegra Caro11 Comments

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

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