The Reasons I Dressed
Today we walked through the centre, stopped in for a nice lunch as a family and then headed to the historic Ex-hospital “Sant’Agostino”.
I really wanted to see the photography exhibit for one last time and be inside of this incredible building before they close it for another 4 YEARS! The ex-hospital is under-going one of the most important redevelopments in European history and this actual hospital, built in the 1700s, is becoming Europe’s biggest centre of cultre. Tomorrow I will be posting all about the redevelopment because it will quite possibly become my favorite place in Modena once it’s complete!.
What I Wore
I’m happy to say that if you’ve invested in plaid this winter you’ll be in-style next winter! Plaid along with all “heritage” fabrics (as they are being coined by the fashion trend websites) are going to be huge next fall and winter along with tweeds. Read all about the trend at Harper’s Bazaar here!
I think that’s just great since a month or two ago I bought this great orange plaid scarf from a thrift market stall for 2 euros (STEAL!). I love it, it’s cozy, it’s bright and it goes with most of my coats.
The #100dayshoppingban
I haven’t made much of a big deal about the fact that I am participating in a 100 day shopping ban that ends on April 5th, but you’ll hear more about this in the next few weeks as I prepare for spring. In March EVERY FRIDAY I will be dedicating my Friday’s Fashion Foresight posts to SPRING outfits I create with WHAT I OWN to get them as close as possible to what the designers are showing for this spring.
If you’re not familiar with my whole Fashion Foresight™ thing, I share my strategy for getting next season’s “in” looks by shopping the sales. In this case I’ll be “shopping” my closet!
This 100 day shopping ban was the idea of a very stylish UK blogger named Rachel who blogs at Rachel the Hat, and I commend her for doing this. Rachel is at the half-way mark of her self-inflicted no spending and you can read all about her reflections on how she’s been handling it here!
It’s not easy talking (blogging) about fashion and limiting yourself to buying nothing because you can get caught up in the cycle of wanting to have fantastic outfits for your readers, but ending up with just too many things (that then become painfully out of style!)
Real women need encouragement to look into their closets and fall in love with what they already own.
My “Robe” Coat
I love my coat! It’s been my new staple coat this winter (on mild days) and I pretty much wear it non-stop. It is by the Italian brand Stefanel and I bought it (promise) before I started my shopping ban along with a few other things from Stefanel. This was actually bought online here and I paid half of the original price, if you want it, it is still available !
If you read my Real Mom Street Style post from yesterday you know that “Robe Coats” will be really big next fall. I personally think this is a trend that will stick around for a few more winters, and I attribute it to the success of the Louis Vuitton Fall 2013 collection designed by Marc Jacobs that was basically a whole collection inspired by pijamas and the “budouir”!
We want comfort, we want our clothes to feel comfortable and who doesn’t look good in a robe? … well….. OK, let’s say, who doesn’t look good in a robe when their hair is perfectly coiffed and they are wearing makeup and a nice pair of heels?!
If you love my coat you can find it here for 53% off its original price. If you can’t quite bring yourself to use a little Fashion Foresight™ and buy now for next winter Stefanel also has this spring version blazer in “blush” that I ALSO LOVE for 51% off available here (regularly priced at $154 now on sale for $79!).
Or maybe you’re like me and are doing a self-imposed shopping ban. In that case you are kicking yourself that I am right now because I REALLY want this blush blazer! ugh….but I digress.
My Boots
If you’ve been following my style posts you may remember when I wore these boots for a stroll in Bologna. I bought them as a wardrobe investment!
I have a fashion philossophy that I live by, where I try to invest in exceptional quality shoes, bags, coats and leather accessories so that the rest of my wardrope can be ….well….cheap. Not cheap quality but at least cheaply priced!
These boots are by the brand Peter Flowers, a 100% made in Italy ARTISAN brand. They are a perfect fit, with amazing supple leather and even though they are probably a brand you’ve never heard of I can guarentee you they are either the makers of your favourite designer shoes or the designers of them! I’ve written a bit about why you should invest in unknown REAL Made in Italy here to get the most bang for your buck.
I bought my boots discounted here, and they are no longer available. Instead, if you’re into leopard (which for some reason I am into these days) then you may appreciate this pair on sale from $695 (SIX HUNDRED AND NINTY FIVE … OH MY GOODNESS!) to $215 found here. They are the same shape as my boots but they aren’t over the knee. Peter Flowers can be found in-stores and online at boutiques like Luisa Via Roma, who sell this brand at full price.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this look. Tomorrow I will be posting about the Ex-hospital that is being converted into Europe’s biggest cultural centre located in Modena’s centre. In the meantime feel free to look around, comment (I love your comments), and hang out for a while.
