Outfits

5 style lessons I learned in my first 5 weeks as a Londoner

Let me quote a universal piece of wisdom: Time flies when you are having fun.

Last Thursday, it was five weeks since Sebastian and I moved to London. And in all honesty? I still can’t believe it. I feel like we just arrived last night although we managed to do a lot during this hectic period: arranging our legal residence permits, unpacking all our belongings, and organizing our new apartment took some time and energy. (Please, feel free to send more ginseng, thank you.) However, I am glad to report most details are fixed and we are ready to become proper Londoners now.

Over the first few weeks, we took the chance to explore the city and start experiencing that famous London lifestyle. From trendy street food markets to majestic art galleries, and from cozy tea rooms to vintage stores—London never stops surprising you.

One of my favourite things about being an expat is discovering the local fashion style: Tokyo taught me everything about chic, while Budapest certainly deserves to be acknowledged as the new capital of shopping. It was rather ineluctable to learn something valuable from Londoner street fashionistas too.

Throughout my now five weeks of living in London, I have probably learned more lessons about style than ever before in my life. Today, I want to share them with you.

So, what have I learnt so far?

1. Sh#& Rain happens: Get yourself a statement trench

If you are remotely familiar with the British weather, you might know it is rainy. Like, cats-and-dogs kind of rainy. You’ll get used to carrying an emergency umbrella with you at all times and even start wondering how was life before that (or how did you look with neatly arranged straight hair, for the matter). But that’s OK because you will also learn to love a nice trench coat. Actually, I already loved them before we landed here, but my affection has gone deeper ever since: Hobbs, Burberry, Mulberry, Céline… the options are endless! You might certainly think a statement piece is expensive but here is where the second lesson hits.

2. The best fashion finds often come from charity shops and vintage stores

No, I promise I didn’t drink an entire bottle of prosecco before writing this (maybe later, but let me finish this post first). Many charity shops in London receive designer donations. Checking their branches regularly improves your chances to find a treasure in the shape of a Prada handbag or a pair of Chloé trousers. So far, my Max Azria collection—fan girl here!—has increased dramatically. I truly recommend paying a visit to stores around Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, Marylebone and Kensington areas since they often receive the best stock in town.

3. Chelsea boots are life (and you can’t change my mind)

We all know how important it is to dress sensibly, but too often we don’t pay enough attention to footwear. London is not only a city but a huge one, even with the brilliant public transport network you will walk quite a lot. No need to say wearing the wrong shoes can easily spoil your day. (Please, raise your hand if you learned this lesson after years of poor and painful decisions too. Heels on cobblestone pavement? What could possibly go wrong?) When we first arrived, I would only carry some replacement flats in my handbag but then, as the weather started cooling, Chelsea boots became a natural ally—they are comfy, they are stylish and the epitome of British style. What else could you ask for?

4. Blazers are not for office only

Look, I have been there too—limiting blazers to the office ecosystem is very tempting. But, believe it or not, they can be fun too. One of my favourite things about Londoners and their style sense is the way they incorporate blazers on a weekend outfit without losing that effortlessly chic vibe. On a personal note, I love a good slip dress & blazer number but the options are countless: adding a nice pair of jeans, or even a knit dress can fix those Saturday brunch outfit plans. And speaking of knitwear…

5. When in doubt, just throw an oversized jumper

As simple as that. It doesn’t matter if we are speaking about a lazy at home Sunday or an office Monday morning, really: most of the days a note of wool can make all the difference and save your outfit. Reuniting a great quality collection has been in my fashion to-do list FOREVER (when I started that list back in the day, commercial transactions were still paid with wooden tokens and we used to adore volcanoes… good old days!), but coming to London has been the push I needed. Cashmere and Scottish wool are wonderful high-quality materials that may add value to your existing wardrobe. Plus, they will keep you warm during the long cold months.

And these are the five foolproof style lessons I learned over my first month in London.

Fashion Find Alert: This Must-Have Fall Skirt Is More Affordable Than You Think

The very moment September hits, I start hoarding all things burgundy.

There’s no denying my Autumn closet is mostly monochromatic: from the deepest shade of mahogany to the richest currant tone, every single burgundy hue is represented there. And while I am always happy to test other tones in the seasonal palette—mustard, forest green, and gingerbread are some of my favourites—I owe my loyalty to burgundy.

For some reason, I find this colour to be universally flattering: It looks great on almost everyone, but also looks great with mostly everything. It is the ace in the matching-outfits card game. Think a second about it—burgundy pairs well with forest greens, navy blues, rich browns, jet blacks, and even some shades of pink! To be frank, it never stops to amaze me how much wear I get out of it.

Hence, it is no shocker I fell in love instantly with this must-have Fall midi skirt.

But let me tell you the story from the beginning.

When we first landed in London four weeks ago, my luggage was packed with sundresses, perky shorts, and sandals. Unfortunately, I didn’t consider that the weather here in London was “slightly” cooler than the 35 ‎°C we were experiencing in Timișoara at the time. (And by that I mean my legs turned blue on the first attempt to leave the house in shorts. You can call me Smurfette from now on.) As a consequence and until our belongings arrived seven days afterwards, I found myself with nothing to wear. Fun times, right?

Obviously, I did the only sensible thing: Shopping!

After a couple of hours at the closest mall, a nice pair of leather trousers and some decent knitwear made it to my shopping cart. Then, I went to Primark looking for inexpensive velvet hangers and was absolutely amazed when I spotted this glorious satin skirt (I know! Who could have guessed?). It was the perfect wine shade and the fabric felt surprisingly nice to the touch.

I have always been an advocate for stocking up on the items you know you’ll wear on repeat. Once you know your style inside and out, you can easily recognize those items you’ll wear to death. In the past, for instance, I have told you about my personal obsession for slip dresses and this totally extends to satin skirts too (I am a total sucker for delicate fabrics). In my experience, the price range for decent quality pieces goes from 30 to 60£ or more. This beauty was less than 15£ though! C-R-A-Z-Y. Since I could already predict I would restyle it countless ways (for cool Autumn evenings, I love to layer satin and silk with a good chunky sweater and ankle boots, while a nice blouse and blazer is my to-go choice for office), I didn’t give it a second thought.

Because let’s be honest here: there’s nothing that gets me more excited than finding a luxury vibe item with an affordable price tag. This perfect satin midi skirt not only delivers that decadent expensive look, but it’s also burgundy. Win-win situation here!

After a few weeks of anticipation, I finally decided to wear the skirt and guys, I am so glad I bought it. For our first visit to Notting Hill (the first of many to come, surely) I went a bit over the top by pairing the skirt with a lovely high-neck sheer top, and the most comfortable Mary Janes on Earth. To finish things off, I am wearing Dior Rouge in Fifth Avenue, my beloved Gucci belt, and the newest addition to my bags collection: the Michael Kors Mercer bag!

Once we took some pictures in the neighbourhood, we moved to Portobello market for brunch and I couldn’t believe the number of compliments I received on my skirt. In all honesty? I felt like a million dollars.

I am a firm believer in the Anna Wintour philosophy of mixing-up designer and inexpensive pieces. It gives your outfit some flavour and you prevent the risk of looking like a living brand advertisement. So now you know: when looking for a versatile skirt to add your Autumn closet a bit of glamour, pay a visit to the closest Primark shop. It will only cost the price of a Costa latte and muffin. You’re welcome!

What is the last amazing fashion find you have made?

Skirt: Primark (available in stores only, pink version here)

Sheer Blouse: Asos (sold out, similar at Nordstrom) / Belt: Gucci / Bag: Michael Kors

Mary janes: Deichman (sold out)

September 30, 2019October 6, 2019

Allegra Caro9 Comments

What to do in Budapest: Designer shopping at Andrassy Avenue

In the many years we’ve been together, Sebastian and I have started a bunch of family traditions: there is the one about the Christmas Day pancakes extravaganza and the one with my youngest sister staying with us for holiday every Summer. Three years ago, we visited Budapest for my birthday and we enjoyed the experience so much, it became a tradition of its own automatically.

Usually, we take the chance to go for a long city break, spending about three-four days in Budapest. In case you are not familiar with the Hungarian capital and its many charms, let me tell you it is worth a visit — the food is delicious, with a plethora of high-end, Nouvelle cuisine, and traditional restaurants to choose from, and don’t even make me start about the beauty of the urban landscape.

But the thing is, you can already read about it all out there, since there is plenty of information online. Instead of telling you how much I love the sunset by the Danube or writing another endless post about visiting Budapest Castle, I thought it would be much more interesting letting you know about other not well-known activities. Let’s talk shopping, for instance.

In Budapest, one of the best kept secrets is the quality and variety of the local shops: from luxury to vintage, and from handcrafted to the high street, you name it. Every year, I pay a visit to my favourite boutiques religiously, in search of one seasonal bargain or two and the city never disappoints.

Of course, this year was no exception. On the second day of our trip, we had a late breakfast at Muvesz Kavehaz in the opera district, and then proceeded to go for some window shopping at Andrassy Avenue — hello, did someone say shopping awesomeness?

Unfortunately, the Gucci and Burberry shops close on Sundays but LV, Pinko, and Michael Kors open to the public on the weekends. By mid-August many of them were still holding seasonal sales (now, that’s what I call a birthday present), which was the perfect excuse to splurge on something nice. Who can say no to a beautiful designer bag on sale, after all?

At the time, I was looking for a good quality leather bag in burgundy or wine to complete my Autumn collection so, as soon as I entered Michel Kors and saw this beauty, I was sold to it (do not worry: there is a proper bag review coming your way). I asked to the very nice shop assistant to let me try it and then I knew it was the one. Sebastian, on the other hand, said it was quite obvious the bag was going home with me based on the way I was holding it and mumbling “My Precious!”, which totally sounds like me to be fair…

Once we left the store, we had a nice long walk all through the neighbourhood. Sadly, the Opera House was closed due to some renovation works on the façade, so we skipped the planned visit and enjoyed the rest of our morning wandering around. And let me tell you that, every single time, we are amazed on how gentle and warm are people around the luxury district, specially while comparing with more popular destinations like Paris: we can only say good things about the working staff in most shops, who are really helpful and welcoming. Definitely, Andrassy Avenue does deserve a visit while in Budapest.

Shortly afterwards, we left the district for our booked tea time appointment at the Four Seasons Hotel but that is another story and shall be told another time…

Have you ever visited Budapest?

If so, what are your favourite shopping locations?

Dress: Poema (sold out, skirt version here)

Shoes: Zara (old, similar at Gianvito Rossi)

Bobby pins: Anthropologie (sold out in their website, some stock here)

Other accesories: Off brand

September 11, 2019September 12, 2019

Allegra Caro10 Comments

Does fashion blogging even make sense anymore?

Unless you have been hiding under a rock for a couple of years, there is a chance you are aware of that obsessive anathema regarding the alleged death of fashion blogging.

The rumour has been written in forums, shared, and even printed in t-shirts as a catchy slogan: “Fashion bloggers are dead!”, they say, “Long live Instagram!” This tagline might sound like seasonal news material — a form of objective information, if you please —, once you come closer though, a mild vindictive flavour can be appreciated.

For a long time and as a relatively new industry, blogging aroused suspicion and a great deal of controversy. Certainly, it took some time for the public to understand that blogging was nothing but a digital version to fashion editorials, curated by anonymous people who shared their personal approach to style. In the beginning, there was nothing aspirational about it: most bloggers were mothers, students, or corporate ladies living their lives while blogging for fun.

On a deep level though, it could be argued that it turned into sort of a sisterhood, where normal women could partake of the fun and stop feeling like “Plain Janes”.

This was the starting point from which the blogging empire ascended.

As in any other field, some bloggers started taking a more occupational direction: blog layers were endlessly edited, while outfits became more and more polished. Some started suggesting that authenticity was sacrificed at the expense of professionalisation — a topic stirring passions that would require a post of its own.

The same people (and conservative media) who criticised early authors for their lack of expertise, began resenting their new attitude. Even so, the industry was growing, with a few top bloggers gaining status as respected experts and making a six-figure income.

There was no point in denying reality anymore: fashion blogging was here to stay.

Once bloggers grew into brands and household names, blogging became mainstream. As in any popular industry, the market was suddenly saturated. Many even suggested that the cooperative spirit between bloggers vanished overnight. The same industry which gained momentum as the anti-establishment of fashion, they pleaded, morphed into the materialization of its nemesis.

This was the defining moment in which Instagram was introduced too: a simpler platform that would allow people to post their outfits without the nuisance of composing an entire article around it. Naturally, many saw it as the perfect way to save-up countless hours of writing and editing and dropped off their websites in favour of Instagram. After all, why to spend days working on a blog post when you could easily share your outfit in real-time?

Back in 2016, Tavi Jennison (who became famous by sitting front row at NYFW as an influencer at the age of 12) famously stated: “Yikes, what is the function of this blog anymore? Everything is basically on my Instagram…!”, a sentence that embodied a whole new worldview.

At that point, the question became quite obvious: was fashion blogging dead?

A recent study shows that the Millenial generation prefers social media as an advice resource and the decreasing number of style, outfits and fashion trends blogs seems to provide enough evidence. At the same time, the progressive abandonment of the term blogger in favour of content creator can’t be ignored as a clear indication of this process.

But then, should we all quit our blogs in 2019 and go home?

Personally, I am an optimist: yes, the market might be saturated and highly competitive, and yes, it might be hard to become six-figures income blogging royalty these days (pretty much as hard as becoming a dazzling movie star), but I do believe people are still interested. Nowadays, many blog readers value them as a way to unwind after a hard working day — a certain detachment from social media hectic pace. Maybe, the secret of blogging survival lies in this quality time dimension. Surely, only time will tell. As for now, let me close this article with a good wish:

Long live fashion blogging!

Cami top: Zara / Sailor trousers: Vivienne of Holloway

Sunglasses: HM (old, similar here) / Straw bucket bag: Primark (similar at La Redoute)

Other accessories: off brand

August 14, 2019August 15, 2019

Allegra Caro31 Comments

Why black is a great colour for Summer

Let’s talk about fashion clichés: you are not supposed to wear white after Labor Day, florals are for Spring, and black is a big no-no in the Summertime. Classics, right?

However, that doesn’t mean they are commandments carved in stone. The thing about clichés, you know, is that very frequently, they are based on old ideas and misconceptions. Even so, some of them die hard — and no, it doesn’t matter how much you try, your aunt Mary will not change her mind.

My favourite line in the rule book is probably that one about dark colours and warm weather: we all know they don’t mix well. Except, is that really accurate?

By nature, I am a curious person and, as weird as it might sound, I enjoy reading on cultural assumptions. Sometimes, from a scientific angle. (Thank you Wired for the countless hours of interesting reading!)

During one of my endless pool-side mornings a couple of weeks ago, I read an online article claiming that most of what we mindlessly repeat about colour and weather is wrong. After all, thermodynamics don’t lie (sorry, I always wanted to have an excuse to write that. Actually, this entire post is just a pretext to do so. Let’s just pretend it is not…)

But back to the topic: Which colour is more suitable for Summertime, black or white?

White is claimed to be the best option — not only it is chic but will also keeps us cool in the warmest season. Or so they say. Actually when we look at white colour, we are seeing the combination of all existing light, meaning that the sun’s rays are reflected. And yes, that is perfectly right. Although, it is incomplete information too.

The heat comes both from the sun and our bodies. When all that body heat reaches the white clothing, it gets reflected right back towards the body. Hence, when we wear white, we cook ourselves.

The best color to keep cool in the heat, it turns out, is black.

Black absorbs the solar radiation, true, but it also absorbs the body heat without reflecting it back. Hence, the helpfulness of black clothes will depend on finding a fabric that is similar to those summery white clothes. It is quite logical, isn’t it? Atmospheric conditions play a leading role: once the heat is absorbed, if there’s a little wind, the tissue will radiate it away. That was unexpected, wasn’t it?

(Actually, this whole science-nerd moment was quite unexpected too. Please, don’t tell the cool fashion bloggers out there…)

Personally, my to-go warm weather uniform on its darkest shade consists on a sheer blouse and shorts, or fine skirt that will allow air circulating. Natural fibres such as pure cotton and linen are completely awesome to keep the heat at bay. I am a big fan of investing in Summer black — actually, black for all seasons.

For this look, I went for a a boredom-proof monochromatic Summer look by simply adding an organza ruffled blouse with dramatic sleeves. The shorts, on the other hand, are quite simple which help to balance the outfit. It can be styled both with heels or flats, (which I usually carry on a tote bag in case I feel too tired after a long walk, as this was the case).

What is your personal favourite colour in Summer?

(For more articles on The Prêt-à-porter Series, you can visit this link).

Blouse (Vintage. Very similar looking alternatives available at Chicwish )

Shorts (Old Zara, current option here)

Shoes (Asos) / Bag (Deichmann, sold out)

August 7, 2019August 14, 2019

Allegra Caro26 Comments

Tulle skirt Summer uniform (and that ridiculous ice cream photo shoot)

Oh, Instagram! That wonderful platform where real-life physics do not operate — cities are covered in vibrant sparkling colours, there is a floral market in every corner, and you always get that perfect ice cream shot that screams Summer.

Last Wednesday, Sebastian and I went for a morning coffee break, and I thought it was the chance to make an attempt to get my own flawless ice cream photo. Because, what could possibly go wrong? (Lol. Like… everything?)

In my mind, we would reach the shop early in the morning — when the heat was still tolerable — and then happily take at least a dozen pictures of me making a pose with my flamboyant pink tulle skirt and appetizing gelato. Fashion editorial style. I could even take a couple of additional photos of my hand holding the ice cream in front of the shop placard to upgrade my Insta feed. Easy peasy, right?

Guys, if I could step back in time, I would slap me in the face.

Sebastian (who knows about photographic conditions a bit better than I do), tried to warn me it would not be that easy. Did I listen to him, though? Instead, I enthusiastically arranged my outfit the previous night: that new silky cami top I am loving so much at the moment, and my favourite Carry Bradshaw-ish skirt.

Yes, we left the house early in the morning. Yes, we arrived at the Italian ice cream parlor in no time. And yes, it was still closed. Apparently, for some unknown reason, you can’t get decent ice cream in this city before noon.

At that point, we started feeling that external factors were aligning against us (feel free to start calling us John Snow since we know nothing), but decided to shoot some pictures in the meantime and wait for the shop to open. Sometimes, you need to be a bit flexible with blogging after all.

And so we did: we took a few photos, made some errands too, and came back as soon as they opened. And let me tell you that, by twelve o’clock it was effing hot. Actually, scratch that — it was sun-surface kind of hot. So yeah, we felt like eating ice cream. We chose something we liked, went out and started taking phone photos of my delicious hazelnut gelato, which started melting in about one minute.

We realized we had little time before there was nothing to photograph, so Sebastian did his best to capture the moment which was… ahem… let’s say interesting.

What it should have been a flawless Instagram momentum with a chic girl enjoying a cheeky Summery treat, turned into a messy scene with a not-so-chic girl trying to do some serious damage control. The keyword here is trying.

summer tulle skirt outfit — What it should look like versus what it actually looked like…

Envision a crazy fashionista fighting to get a photo, while cleaning the mess with a napkin between shots, and laughing hysterically during the whole process. Charming.

After a few attempts, we decided that the perfect shot was not happening at ALL. Instead, we started laughing about how stupid we are because, c’mon, we’ve been doing this whole blogging thing for a while now and we should know better. So, we order a second ice cream (delicious, really) and sat down to enjoy it as normal people would.

At least, no tulle skirts were harmed in the making of this post.

So tell me, people: what’s the silliest thing you have done for a blog post or Instagram picture?

Cami top: Zara / Tulle skirt: Chicwish (old, similar model here)

Shoes: Asos / Bag: CHANEL

Earrings: Vintage (similar at Miu Miu)

Bracelet: Antique / Pendant: off brand

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019

Allegra Caro12 Comments

How to boost your self-confidence and feel good in your Summer clothes

Few things scream Summer quite as loudly as gingham does, an evergreen classic that comes back every June. Its sacred status quo partially originates from a simple idea: the fabric is supposed to work for just about anyone. At least, that’s what I thought when I saw these shorts in Zara last Summer.

This tale starts like any fashionista love story — a girl who falls for an item of clothing in a heartbeat and reaches for the cash desk. But love is not all wine and roses, is it? Once I arrived home, I tried the trousers immediately (I only trust the natural light in my bedroom), and was nothing but disheartened. Those shorts totally cheated on me!

Horrified, I double-checked myself in the mirror: every flaw and insecurity, showing in every inch of exposed skin. I must admit I felt so bad, I didn’t even dare to return the trousers to the shop and simply threw them in the deepest part of the closet, banished forever. Then, I forgot about their existence.

Like any other women, I frequently feel self-conscious about my appearance and Summer turns into a cyclic challenge. No matter how resilient you are most of the time, the warm season with its demands of body confidence can take its toll. I lost track of how many times my husband repeated every woman has cellulite, or freckles, or small depigmentation patches because the truth is, the only voice you can hear in such junctures, is the one in your head. And guys, that’s not a nice voice.

Over the last half a year I was in a bad place, mentally. Work stress, hormonal changes, and some insecurities related to our next destination made me feel overwhelmed at times. And I had to work my ass off to leave that dark place. Because if there is one thing I can say about myself without hesitation, it’s I am a stubborn fighter who will not give up.

So, I started thinking, what can I do to feel better? And eventually, I started applying these thoughts to my body image too. I am not going to lie — it took work and will, and I am still fighting every day. But overall? It was worth it.

So, these are my 100% honest tips on how to boost your self-esteem this Summer.

1. Distance yourself from your body-conflict one second and analyze actual biologic factors

Is your monthly cycle affecting your body shape or perception? Are you stressed or dieting? When your hormones are out of order, this affects your mood. The reason can be found on the imbalance between Oestrogen and Serotonin. Likewise, if you’re currently dieting, there’s also a chance that your brain is in starvation mode. At that point, it conserves resources for survival which can leave you less capacity to think in a flexible and objective way about the way you look.

2. Focus on your strengths

None of us is made of flaws only. Think about your best physical qualities. Are your arms firm? Have you got a glowy skin? What about your eyes or your hair? We all have some charms and they are there, waiting for you to discover them.

3. Feed to nourish

Look, we have all been there, even the skinny type ladies: emotional eating is a fact. Instead of obsessing over the perfection of all those fitness model-like influencers out there, try not to compare yourself with them. Be generous and instead of restricting calories or food groups, try to nourish. You might know already that brain-friendly foods include coconut oil, oily fish, nuts, dark leafy greens, etc. And as I previously mentioned, most of our body-image issues are related to brain starvation mode.

4. If you need professional help, ask for it

We would never judge anyone for going to the dentist, so why to judge those going to therapy? This is certainly a taboo we need to kill. If you feel a therapist might be the solution to your problem, do not hesitate to make an appointment. Mostly everyone needs professional help at some point and that’s fine.

Just to finish the story, while cleaning my wardrobe last Spring, I found those infamous gingham shorts and decided to give them another shot. The patches, freckles, and cellulite were still there, but my mind was in a better place now.

And you know what? Life is too short to care.

Blouse: Zara / Gingham shorts: Zara (last season, very similar here)

Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana (old model, alternative here)

Bag: CHANEL / Sunglasses: Zara (Old, Dolce & Gabbana option here)

July 30, 2019July 30, 2019

Allegra Caro11 Comments

Ten elegant style problems

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

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

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

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

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

These are ten problems every elegant style person will understand

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

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

02. You are a perfectionist

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

03. People will assume your only interest is fashion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

08. You always have something to wear to Wimbledon

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

09. You find office attire boring

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

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

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

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

Slip dress: Zara

Bag and cuff: CHANEL

Shoes: Zara (old, similar at Gianvito Rossi)

July 12, 2019July 11, 2019

Allegra Caro7 Comments

Inadvertently shopping Valentino

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happily, for some reason, I did.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other accessories: Off brand

July 9, 2019July 15, 2019

Allegra Caro2 Comments

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