The Alps are Alive with the Sound of Dirndls
by NokaMy favorite time of year has come. Oktoberfest buzz is ringing in every shop and on every corner. One of my favorite parts about Munich is its ability to converge the modern with the traditional. In no other area is this more apparent (and relevant to me) than Dirndl fashion.
Dirndls are taken quite seriously in Munich, especially during the Oktoberfest as it is the place to see and be seen. This year, we’re seeing a few new trends, however I think that the intended effect can be summed up in one word: Regal. Silks are big and in eye popping colors! Turquoise, sky blue and magenta—they’re attention-grabbing and beautiful.
Match a beautifully colored silk apron that compliments without over powering your dirndl. Of course, cotton dirndls are always in fashion, with this year leaning towards the classic and strong red, soft green and light blue.… [read more]
Summer Vacation in Greece
by ArgieMy summer vacation to Greece this year was a surreal experience filled with amazing beaches, scrumptious food, and eclectic boutiques. One of the highlights of my trip was staying at the St. George Hotel-Athens located in Kolonaki. Kolonaki is a very upscale neighborhood, which has some of the best shopping in all of Greece.
You can find designer name shops such as BCBG, although I preferred going to the quaint little places where I found one-of-a-kind items, such as this handmade floral belt.
I also took the tram to Mount Lycabettus, the hill, which is 908 feet above sea level. At its peak is the Chapel of St. George, a theatre, and restaurant where you can see the most breathtaking view of the Acropolis.
I made many new friends on my trip. One of them being a wonderful woman named Nantina,… [read more]
Brighton Bliss
by KateAugust is nearing to a close, summer is almost over and autumn is literally just around the corner waiting to pay us a visit. Last week I had a little holiday getaway to one of my favorite places down south…none other than the city of Brighton!
Just under an hour away from the UK’s bustling capital, Brighton has quite romantically been dubbed “London by the sea”. This little city is thriving with vibrant culture, scenic parks, cosy pubs, boasts over 350 quirky independent retailers and an ace pebbly beach that stretches for miles…everything and anything you could possibly need on your doorstep!
With so many attractions in Brighton, donning some casual layering was the sensible ideal for me. The perfect compromise of style and comfort: a pair of vintage loafers, jumpsuit, bright silk scarf and cropped silk jacket ensured to invite any sunny spells and warn off the… [read more]
Seafarin’ Styles: Victorian Vacation Destination
by MelodyI have decided that, among many other qualities about my persona that make my nomadic tendencies an asset to life’s passions, my chameleon-like love for blending into the scenery certainly has it’s perks. Working as a singer on board a cruise ship, I am afforded the opportunity the hop on board a floating vessel in one destination and awake the following morn to open my cabin’s portholes and witness a decidedly different display.
Somehow, these territories and all of their trends never fail to weasel their way into my wardrobe. When traveling through the Panama Canal, it was my sole mission to acquire every bangle made of Costa Rican tree stumps, Columbian tortoise shells, and Guatemalan forks (it seemed sensible at the time). Travels through Istanbul found me haggling over half a dozen harem pants, and I simply could not depart the Greek Isles without a “Mama… [read more]
Hot Austin Style
by ToscaI recently spent a week in Austin, soaking up the sun–and the style! One of my favorite things about the capital city of Texas is its combination of friendly people and daring fashion sense. (The great happy hour prices weren’t bad, either!) I wore my Silence + Noise one-shouldered romper one night to the Oasis on Lake Travis, and I even had a few women come up to me at the bar and compliment me on it! That rarely happens in SF, where the people are a bit more reserved.
Romper fever at the Oasis in Austin
I wish I’d gotten a picture of this one girl I saw at the famous Salt Lick BBQ, but I was too shy (and hungry), so let me recreate her sexy southwest style for you.
Denim cutoffs:
Start with sexy cutoffs
Boyfriend tee:
Add slouchy v-neck
Cowboy boots:… [read more]
Mix-n-Match with Parisian Vintage Accessories
by TheadoraCalling all Anywear-Girlfriends! I’ve always been a big fan of the wardrobe mix-n-match. For the love of juxtaposition and money, who isn’t? This year, when the shops in Paris were bombarded with both the equestrian and nautical looks, it made perfect sense to marry the pair quickly, then gild the lily with a twist of my own. So let’s saunter on to my favorite vintage accessory hunting grounds at the Porte de Vanves Flea Market.
Giddy up!
If you only have time for one flea market jaunt during your trip to Paris, I suggest hotfooting it to the Porte de Vanves either on Saturday or Sunday morning. The flea market opens at 7 AM, and the dealers start packing up to leave around noon. So get your beauty rest, and arrive early! Carry cash and a sturdy bag for your finds. By the way, just beyond… [read more]
Achtung, baby! Berlin style
by ToscaA city that was literally reborn in recent history, Berlin encourages and embodies serious artistic expression, and that sentiment extends to its approach to style. Berlin fashion isn’t frilly or frivolous, but it’s still fun.
If you’re headed to Berlin, don’t miss Alte Schoenhauser Strasse in Berlin Mitte. It’s on this stylish street that I saw these hand-distressed boots:
The industrial edge of these boots is consistent with what I saw of Berlin style this spring. Except for the shirt on my own back, I didn’t see a single ruffled item on any of the locals or in the stores. However, I was happy to express my style with these thigh-high legwarmers I got at the Prodanse shop (on the same street):
Oh yes, and Converse of all styles and colors, are a staple of Berlin style. I saw them most often with seriously distressed dark… [read more]
Ciao, bella! Inside Venetian style
by ToscaThe quiet, classic loveliness of this city is reflected in its approach to fashion. In Venice, fine details are everywhere. A classic Italian brand, Valentino epitomizes the delicately feminine styles of Venice. This year’s nude trend was beautifully executed in chiffon:
As a California girl, I found myself toning down my style a bit on my visit this May. The body-baring fashions of the West seemed out of place, so I found new ways to express myself, like with these demure tights from the Italian legwear brand Omsa:
The detailing on these is exquisite, with a pattern that looks like a garter, but is simply built in to the knit.
Rain or shine, scarves were a staple on stylish women of all ages. Worn loosely wrapped, it’s an elegant way to accessorize any outfit.
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Roman Holiday
by ToscaI just returned from a spring trip to the Eternal City, where I soaked up the local style (and plenty of gelato, too). If you’re planning a trip to Rome or just want to add a little Italian flair to your look, read on!
The one thing I saw on almost every fashionable woman (even on warm days), was a classic bomber jacket, like this one:
The biggest style surprise for me was how many women wore flat shoes, often metallic flats, but after a couple of days on the cobblestones, this started to make perfect sense. Lacy socks or patterned tights were a sassy, and unexpected combo for fun footwear.
On the other end of the spectrum, there were these fantastic Fendi platforms in satin:
I was pretty sure that I’d never see those on any of the locals, but the very next… [read more]
