ootd

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

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

Where have I been? April in a nutshell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trousers: Reserved

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

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

May 6, 2019May 19, 2019

Allegra Caro12 Comments