Outfits

Five Things Saving My Sanity During Lockdown

I think we can all agree 2020 was a helluva year. Happily, and as far as we know, in 2021 things are looking a bit better. The vaccine is finally here, most vulnerable people are receiving immunisation, and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel (and guys, let me tell you that was a pitch-dark, long, ugly tunnel).

However, we are still in the middle of that last effort before things turn for the better. We are experiencing what will probably be the last big lockdown but we still need to deal with a lot of time at home. At this point, even couch potatoes like me are starting to feel it’s all a bit too much and run out of ideas on how to get ourselves busy AND sane.

Now, I am a hundred per cent aware I am one of the few privileged people who were able to keep working from home full-time through the pandemic and who didn’t even have to experience the added struggle of balancing work and home-schooling. To all the people out there who had to go through furlough or take care of children without the extra-support of school, nursing, or parents all I can say is this: you are heroes. Period.

But even being in such a good place, this experience has been hard to an extent I couldn’t have predicted when things went wild last March. I have already written about all the ways this has been difficult but I thought it could be positive sharing all those little things making the whole lockdown, if not fine, at least slightly more bearable. Like in, “Hey, at least I did not shave my head or something” kind-of-bearable.

So, let me share with you five things saving my sanity during Lockdown.

01. Daily bubble baths

I know, I know. It sounds like such a cliché. However, it works for me. Usually, I am tired and anxious after a long workday stuck in the house and I need something to make me switch from work-mode to personal life-mode. Through this year, bubble baths have proved to be a simple way to unwind at the end of the day. I love choosing a nice essential oil, get a book or magazine, and the occasional glass of prosecco. It is like magic—especially during wintertime when it’s pitch-dark about 4 in the afternoon and far too cold to venture for a walk.

02. Practicing ballet at home

January last year, I started attending ballet lessons for adults at a local dance studio. Learning classic ballet had been on my bucket list forever so I decided to give it a go as a part of my 2020 New Year resolutions (and will you Universe let me complete at least one of those once in a while? Thankyouverymuch…).

Unfortunately, London went into lockdown in March, meaning all the gyms and dance studios closed temporarily. This was something that truly took a toll on me: dancing was my weekly ritual to release all work the tension and socialise (not to mention it was the only actual exercise I practiced at the time). So I found myself stuck in the house and not exercising at all. I could see things going down the plughole in a blink and decided to stop it.

About mid-April I found a couple of nice Youtube channels teaching ballet lessons for beginners and transformed my kitchen counter on a ballet barre. And let me tell you that’s probably one of the best lockdown decisions I have ever made. It is crystal-clear I’ll never become an Anna Pavlova but I feel great. So morals are simple here: practice exercise. Any exercise. I think we can all agree we need as many endorphins as we can possibly get at the moment.

03. Stopped wearing yoga pants all the time

I already wrote a blog post about the time I ended up yelling at my yoga pants but to sum it up, wearing the same clothes over and over will make you feel like you are wearing a prison uniform. These days, I will occasionally wear comfy clothes while staying at home but most of the time, I try to make an effort and wear proper work attire. It makes me feel good, it increases my productivity, and it also creates a sense of separation between the working day and my spare time. Win-win situation here.

04. Thematic Netflix marathons

Let me tell you something about the lockdown: we’ve been milking our Netflix subscription like CRAZY. In the beginning, we would just watch random stuff. In the last few months though, we have organized a series of thematic marathons. Let’s say we feel like watching dystopian fiction. We look for a list of genre movies from the Netflix catalogue and then organize them in terms of author, actor, or year and watch them. In the meantime, we love to comment on them (yes, we are THAT kind of people… don’t hate us) and even make a list giving them star points. I don’t need to mention the type of nerds we are, do I?

As silly as it sounds, organizing these little marathons has been our weekly highlight and a lovely way to entertain ourselves while avoiding cabin fever. Popcorn anyone?

05. Online socialising

This year has been the one with all the online socialising: weekend Zoom catch-ups with friends, Sunday morning and mid-week evening Skype coffee dates with family, daily Instagram community chats—you name it. To me, Internet has made the difference between feeling lonely and having a taste of a normal social life (even if it was a socially-distanced one). I can say it has been the one tool saving my sanity during the pandemic and I can’t even imagine how things would have been without an Internet connection. I will neever be grateful enough about that.

So tell me: what are your secret weapons for well-being during lockdown?

Any tips you want to share?

January 25, 2021January 25, 2021

Allegra Caro6 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

01. Thermals are your best friend

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

02. And a nice coat should be your second skin

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

03. Hats add the final touch to any winter outfit

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

04. Natural materials can be twice warmer (and fabulous)

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

05. When still cold, add pocket warmers

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

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

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

Hat | Vintage

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

January 11, 2021January 10, 2021

Allegra Caro23 Comments

Should you be dressing up these Christmas?

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

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

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

Should we dress up for Christmas this year?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 14, 2020December 13, 2020

Allegra Caro10 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 1, 2020November 30, 2020

Allegra Caro14 Comments

A Chic Outfit Under A 100 Pounds? Challenge Accepted

Although we took these pictures back in late-September, it feels like a thousand years ago. I am tempted to play your grandma here and say they were simpler times, when you could leave the house freely and have a nice walk under the autumn sun. That’s how odd things have gone.

At the time of writing, we’re not allowed to leave the house except for essential reasons which can make blogging and content creation a challenge, and although I do know that means nothing in the big scheme of things, it means a lot to me. The positive side here is Sebastian and I anticipated a second lockdown at the end of the Summer and we started creating batch content, which is the reason you are able to read me here once a week (plus, the reason why I keep updating my Instagram page regularly) and why many of my photos are a bit older. Case on point, the ones in this post.

But getting straight to the point, the week before we shot these pictures, I was spending some spare time browsing through one of my favourite online fashion forums when I encountered a thread where people were discussing the average cost of clothing these days, and more especifically, how expensive it is to dress on a stylish way.

Although it might sound fair enough initially, the problem with that premise is most users identified dressing decently with couture brands. Hence, they wrongly assumed that style is all about an expensive price tag. And I think that’s a huge mistake.

It is true that most couture brands produce high-quality clothing but it’s no longer the monopoly of these companies. These days, you can find attractive prices under different shapes: high street stores, vintage shops, and even second-hand couture markets if that’s your jam.

Since most people will think it’s easier said than done, I thought I would take the plunge and finding a nice outfit for less than your average price tag.

A chic outfit under a hundred pounds? Challenge accepted!

So first things first: the moment I decided to try this, I knew shopping resposibly was the main angle to me. I didn’t feel like going outside and shopping for new clothes on some random fast fashion place and then forgetting about them forever. Don’t get me wrong, I am not judging other bloggers for doing that, but I don’t feel comfortable about it. Hence, the first thing I did was thinking about the outfit in terms of my actual wardrobe gaps and using the chance to fill some of them. For me, shopping sensibly is a must.

I keep a document on my laptop containing a shopping list with specific pieces I need to get at some point (things like, let’s say, a good-quality camel coat or a long-lasting neutral bag). So, I opened the list and after determining what was next, I made a bit of shopping research… AND BINGO! I found the exact brown mid-length pleated skirt I had been looking for a while on the final summer sales. I ordered it online and crossed the item from my list. As for the price? I paid only twelve pounds for it. Win-win situation, people.

For the next piece of my outfit and keeping up with the sustainable principle, I wanted to use an item from my existing wardrobe. One of the most interesting points about sustainability is elongating the useful lifespan of your clothes by taking proper care of them. And guys? I am sucker for that.

After checking my closet extensively, I chose this off-white Zara turtle neck from last season. It is perfect for autumn weather and it looks great. The original price was about fifteen pounds at the time I bought it and, although it’s not available anymore, I found a nice alternative for you here. Let’s go with the next piece!

This is probably my favourite part of the outfit (a.k.a. SHOES). In the last year or so, I have become a total convert (and by that what I truly mean is I’ve been possesed by an evil spirit who will push me to buy the most gorgeous pair I can find, day or night…). I used to be quite practical —and a bit boring, if we are being honest here— when it comes to shoes but not anymore. Right now, I feel like filling the gaps on my shoe collection and I’ve been having some fun by doing so. And speaking of that, I got obsessed with the Gadly Court Shoes by Dorothy Perkins last Summer, which made me buy them in tan as well as in yellow. What can I say? I am no saint. But the point is, these lovely pumps were in my closet already. Total cost? Seventeen pounds. I know, CRAZY.

As for the accessories, I wore this cute vintage carved ivory box from my collection. It was a gift from Sebastian but the price in the antiques shop was about fifty pounds, which is a steal. The belt was another lucky find at ASOS (I got it for five pounds in the final sales too). I am not including the sunglasses here since they were another present my husband purchased for me at Chloé for a special ocassion (I am truly sorry because it’s a bit like cheating, really. We all know you can find inexpensive sunglasses out there without any hussle, though…)

But it’s time to do the maths!

Skirt | H&M Value: 12 GBP
Sweater | Zara (old) Value: 15 GBP
Belt | Asos Value: 5GBP

Bag | Vintage Value: 50 GBP
Shoes | Dorothy Perkins Value: 17 GBP

TOTAL COST | 99 GBP

Final thoughts: I did dressed up for less than a hundred pounds (leaving out the designer sunglasses, obviously) which is great, all things considered. I would say it is totally possible to dress on a classy way as long as you carefully curate your pieces and take care of your exisiting clothes. To me, planning this outfit did not feel hard. I simply had to be witty with my choices and give it some thought.

So tell me, what do you think about style on a budget? Are you into sensible shopping too?

November 25, 2020November 24, 2020

Allegra Caro9 Comments

The Ultimate Yellow Trench Coat: Fashion Find Fridays

There are a million things I love about London: the architecture, the food variety, the people… But among them all, a favourite of mine will always be the local pre-loved/vintage market.

During the last six years as an expat, I’ve had my fair share of travelling around, so I know a bit about vintage shopping at this point. Budapest is simply amazing for antiques hunting, while Tokyo second hand luxury market is to die for. But London is something else—a refreshing oasis for all the thirsty thrift lovers.

Only in London, the pre-loved offer seems to be never-ending: From flea markets to antique boutiques, and from designer outlets to charity shops. The party is never over.

By wandering around the Kensington and Notting Hill areas, I’ve been adding high-quality pieces over the last year. I feel like these shops are sort of a fashion black hole, where you can loose the track of space and time while browsing through piles of stunning dresses, bags and accessories. I am sure one day I will enter just to emerge in 2040 or somethig. I will do it flawlessly dressed, though.

Being a slow fashion fan, I can only describe the last twelve months as amazing. Every time we enter a specialized shop I will find at least one piece I love. I am not joking guys: the quality is usually so good, even Sebastian will chase me around the shop in question, bringing me one piece after another. “LOOKZ!” he will invariably say, “It´s a designer skirt! In burgundy! You need to try it now.” (And I usually will, mostly because burgundy is my personal cryptonite and I can’t say no, really.) But back to the topic, let me introduce you to the newest addition to my Fashion Find Fridays portfolio…

The ultimate yellow trench coat!

Oh, she’s my pride and joy! Look at her, isn’t she just gorgeous? Although it seems like a lifetime ago now, there was a time when I used to dislike trench coats (I know, CRAZY). But things are different these days and I can’t get enough of this beauty.

She is the perfect shade—somewhere between lemon and butter— which makes this trench the perfect match for all those vibrant spring and summer outfits. It does help that I’ve been developing an insane taste for the colour since last year and it’s basically flooding my closet these days.

Also, the fabric is light to the touch and yet warm enough to wear it in September. Win-win situation here. As for the cut? It’s truly quite a structured piece, with well-tailored shoulders, a flattering waistline, and lovely details in the form of a nice satin trimming and over-sized buttons.

Since I bought it back in June, I’ve got lots of compliments and questions about it. So, I feel like a million dollars every time I wear it. The best part? It costed about twenty pounds and it was brand new!

About one month after the purchase though, I found these amazing yellow satin pumps at Dorothy Perkins (which by the way, are now on sale: you’re very welcome!), and had to buy them since they were the exact same colour. How often does that even happen? I can tell you I am over the moon about it!

But let’s go with my favourite part: the five stars points system!

I am going to give four stars and a half to my fashion find this week, mostly because the fit was slightly big for me (I am between sizes) and had the waist tailored in order to reduce some inches. Even so and overall, I am truly happy with the purchase and I would totally but it again. I think this has been one of the most interesting additions to my wardrobe this season.

Although this is a vintage piece, I have looked for some beautiful yellow trench alternatives for you. All the links are below.

-OUTFIT-

Trench coat | Vintage (similar alternatives at Farfetch and Asos)
Shoes | Dorothy Perkins Yellow Gladly Satin Court Shoes

Watch | Olivia Burton Marble Florals and Grey Lilac Leather Strap 34 mm watch

Blouse | Max Azria (old, lovely alternative at Lilysilk)
Laser-cut miniskirt | Zara (last season, brilliant option at Revolve)

November 20, 2020November 19, 2020

Allegra Caro8 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Tone it down with a graphic tie

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

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

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

3. Add a bike jacket to make it edgy

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

4. With a turtle neck for a classic look

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

5. Make it special with some lace

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

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

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

– OUTFIT –

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

November 12, 2020November 11, 2020

Allegra Caro22 Comments

The Chloé Dress: Fashion Find Fridays

I have got a confession to make: I am into hunting. I don’t mean living things, of course (far from it!) but to be more specific, I am into style hunting.

To me, a few things can compare to the pure excitement I experience when finding a clothing piece I love. Although I don’t consider myself a serial shopper at all, I spend a considerable amount of time browsing through my favourite fashion websites and apps, visiting vintage shops, antique markets, luxe and high street boutiques. As I have defended previously, the main secret behind an awesome wardrobe is time investment.

From my middle-twenties on (when I finally stopped drinking cheap rosé, making very questionable style choices, and being a total Zara shopaholic) I developed a healthier relationship with clothes. I had no words for it at the time but looking back now, I realize I made a transition into slow fashion, and as a result, my life quality improved a lot. Like in Carrie Bradshaw-finally-stopped-buying-designer-shoes-and-got-out-of-debt kind of improvement… Yes, guys—it was that bad.

The main consequence of my shopping habits change was a healthier savings account, but also a progressive closet upgrade. As time went by, less quantity mostly meant better quality. And I thought it would be a nice idea to start a brand fresh blog series, featuring all those astounding pieces I find out there.

Case on point, this amazeballs Chloé dress. This beautiful velvet-trimmed silk-crepon dress had been in my wishlist FOREVER. Partially because the initial three thousand pounds price tag was intimidating (and a bit of a cooler) to say the least, and partially because at the time it seemed to be out of stock mostly everywhere.

A few months ago and just as we entered lockdown here in the UK, I was checking my Vestiaire Collective app and browsing through the Chloé category when I suddenly found the dress. Now, for those of you who are not familiar with it, VC is a pre-loved and vintage website which specializes in the couture and luxury markets—and just so you know, it is my BFF these days (or it would be if it were a person and I could invite her over dinner or for cocktails every week, that’s how good she is…). But where was I…? Oh, yeah, THE dress.

As it happened, I found this marygold number in mint condition and with no visible signs of usage. As far as I know and given the fact it looks like brand new out of the store, it was probably only tried on or wore once and then sold. The best part? I only paid four hundred pounds, which is not even close to the original retail price!

The gown is pure silk, light and soft to the touch. As for the shade, it’s vibrant and yet delicate. The cut makes me think of all those gorgeous pieces I used to drool over while watching Downton Abbey. It feels like a second skin and it’s truly comfy to wear in warm weather. In one word, we are speaking perfection here folks. So let’s roll-on and proceed with my favourite part…

Time to introducing the five stars voting system!

In this occasion, I am giving this Fashion Find Friday five stars. Not only was the dress amazing in terms of condition and price tag, but the shipping was surprinsgly speedy. Vestiaire Collective has a wide selection of items stored in their central warehouse in Paris and it takes only a couple of days to reach you when shopping from Europe. Also, they check every item to be sure you are getting only what you pay for (no designer knockoffs there). What else could you ask for?

– OUTFIT –

Dress | Chloé (now on sale at My Theresa in capuccino colour option)
Bag | Vintage (similar Cult Gaia & Aspinal of London Hat Box Handbag)
Shoes | Deichmann pumps (last season, similar Reiss Paula Gold Leather Strappy Sandals)
Accessories | Accessorize Starburst Pearl and Crystal Headband

November 6, 2020January 3, 2021

Allegra Caro24 Comments

My Autumn Fashion Uniform (An Infallible Outfit Formula To-Go)

If I had to pick a transitional weather piece I can’t live without, I’d always choose the humble biker jacket.

The biker jacket, you see, it’s pretty much the Erin Brokovitch of the autumn clothing: she might have umpresumptous origins and a not-so-chic background, but she will work hard to deliver every single time. In other words, she is a champion.

I like to think of TBJ as a good friend—she will always come to the rescue when you are in trouble and fix every casual outfit (or help you burying a body in the desert at three in the morning for the matter, no questions), which is the reason why I am obsessed. For months now, I’ve been captivated by the pink one I got in the sales last year, so I decided to look a bit around and add a classic black piece to my collection. And that’s when I stumbled upon this beauty by chance.

Once in a while, I pay a visit to my favourite pre-loved clothing stores around the Portobello and Kensington areas. I LOVE the idea of charity shops here in the UK, where you can find little treasures with a small price tag and your money will go to a good cause. It’s inexpensive, it’s charitable, and it’s sustainable. What else could you ask for?

A few weeks ago, Sebastian and I met a friend in Portobello after one of our photoshoots and decided to go for some second-hand treasure hunting. While carelessly browsing through the clothing racks, my dear friend asked for my attention. “Weren’t you looking for a biker jacket?”, she said, holding a brand-new Zara specimen (the original shop tags still on). It happened to be my size and a ridiculous price too, so I knew it was meant to be.

The universe can work in such misterious ways: some people will lose ten pounds only to find fifty on the street, some people will find the love of their lives while saving a never-ending queue. As for me? Well, I am not that ambitious. For me, it’s all about those unexpected, sustainable fashion finds that bring me joy.

Next Saturday, I decided to take TBJ out for the first time. I matched it with this gorgeous last season Zara dress and guys, it was love at first sight: both items seemed to work together naturally. I am happy to report they are having an affair here, (and they are not planning to end it any time soon).

As a consequence, I found my brand new autumn uniform outfit formula consisting on a biker jacket plus dress—the flufflier, the better. It’s easy to put together, casual and comfy.

Since these pictures were taken at the end of August, I’ve been repeating the formula non-stop (until the extent that the husband thought he was experiencing a déjà vu, and then I had to convince him he was not suffering a stroke, but only got a wife with a fashion OCS). You might find it funny but I can assure you he didn’t… Even so, I love this seasonal outfit formula so much, I have been planning to add some more pieces to my jacket collection. (Please, feel free to send me your recommendations for colourful biker jackets: I am currently looking for pieces in burgundy, green, or red, preferably vegan options). I can see an autumnal season filled with colourful outfits.

But back to this outfit: to round things up, I added these cute patent ankle boots from Reserved and the polka dots tights from Calzedonia. As dark shorter days get closer, I enjoy playing with little perky details to provide some texture and fun. (There’s nothing putting me off as quickly as a boring autumn/winter outfit. To me, they feel like that awfully bitter sirup your mother made you take when you were a child. As you can guess, I was never great for that, really.) Dark textured outfits, on the other hand? Yeah, they feel like eating your chocolate dessert before lunch.

Unfortunately for me though, the specific day I chose to wear this temperatures dropped from 20 to 10 °C overnight—meaning that, by the time we finished out photoshoot, my lips were blue and I was shaking uncontrollably, making my best White Walker impersonation. Although the jacket was very warm, my legs felt numb in no-time and we had to seek refuge in the V&A for the rest of the day (which is one of my favourite places on Earth, anyway). The other silver linning apart from all the glorious art was that my autumn uniform works either for a casual coffee date or a day in the museum. So we had a win-win situation here.

Well, since things got a bit out of hand here and I just wrote about eight hundred words about biker jackets, I think I should be leaving it here. However, I would love to hear it all about your own seasonal outfit formulas.

What is your autumn outfit formula?

– OUTFIT –

Dress | Zara (last season, similar style at Chi Chi London)

Tights| Calzedonia

Biker Jacket | Zara (thrifted, nice option available at Asos)

Ankle Boots | Reserved (last season, designer option at Matches Fashion)

Bag | Michael Korrs Mercer Gallery Leather Satchel on sale here

October 14, 2020

Allegra Caro20 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Add a piece you don’t need

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

4. When accessorizing, stick to one metal colour

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

5. Double check before you leave

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

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

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

September 30, 2020September 30, 2020

Allegra Caro20 Comments