Sandra‘s Closet

This S/S 2020 season, designers have revisited the denim skirt. A tribute to the ’70s and ’80s – think asymmetric hem that’s frayed for a distressed look. Wear those long versions with a chunky knit and some cool ankle boots.

LoL, Sandra

Frayed denim midi skirt by Givenchy

Asymmetric denim skirt by Alexander Wang

Asymmetric frayed denim skirt by Loewe

Asymmetric frayed denim skirt by Michael Kors Collection

Asymmetric frayed denim skirt by Marques’ Almeida

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands / Net-à-Porter
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A very dear and stylish friend of mine with whom I just spent two amazing days in London on a girls trip asked me where she could find a black tulle skirt. Thank you for the inspiration to write this post! (To see the complete look that I am wearing in the collage, click here please).

Versatile, comfortable and stylish – a black tulle skirt looks great with sneakers during the day and absolutely stunning with glamorous attire at night. You can even wear it for a black tie event if it is long enough. I love the combination with a white blouse – classy, sophisticated and feminine.

Here are my favorite pieces available right now. To shop, just click on the highlighted text:

The classic one:
Full layered tulle skirt by RED Valentino

Sophisticated with contrast stitching:
Long tulle skirt by Dorothee Schumacher

Trending: sheer tulle!
Lace tiered tulle skirt by Dolce & Gabbana

Like a ballerina:
Tiered tulle skirt by Brunello Cucinello

The embellished piece (best value for money!):
Lumiere embellished tulle maxi skirt by Needle & Thread (60% off)

The puffy one (something I love):
Tiered jacquard-tulle midi skirt by Needle & Threat

The fun one:
Flamingo patches tulle skirt by Olympiah (40&% off)

Ruffles are always an option:
Tulle tiered maxi skirt by Milla Milla (30% off)

Ready for the next black tie event:
Embellished sheer maxi tulle skirt by Elie Saab

A vintage piece from 1980 (It might have imperfections!):
Full length vintage tulle skirt by William Vintage
(By the way: William Vintage London is the world’s most beautiful haute couture vintage store. Totally trustworthy! The place to go if you like to find treasures from past decades.
2 Marylebone St, Marylebone, London W1G 8JQ,  Phone: +44 20 7487 4322).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

For Resort 2017, MIU MIU launches the ‘pareo’ skirt. Inspired by a journey, this infinitely adaptable and audacious design represents the rejection of formality and the independent spirit of the Miu Miu girl as she travels the world broadening her knowledge and experience in the pursuit of personal freedom.

The ‘pareo’ skirt is available in three variations: in cotton voile Vichy or ‘planet’ prints and in a crêpe de chine check. All are universally recognisable, democratic and as optimistic and light-hearted as the woman who chooses to wear them.

Beloved by continents as diverse as Asia and Africa, the charm of the ‘pareo’ skirt lies in both its simplicity and immediacy. It is at once familiar – worn equally by men and women across the globe – and highly individual – no two people need ever wear it in quite the same way. In that sense, the ‘pareo’ skirt is transformative, the ultimate expression of the liberating qualities of the contemporary woman’s wardrobe.

Available from selected Miu Miu stores worldwide, each ‘pareo’ skirt comes packaged in a special soft fabric envelope stamped with the iconic Miu Miu name, sold at 390€.
Perfect for your next trip to the beach or to layer your next fall look.

TO SHOP MIU MIU ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu

Pleated maxi and midi skirts are a fashion favorite right now, they are being worn everywhere from the streets to the red carpet. Though they have been around for some seasons, they got this fall a style upgrade. Accordion-pleated for beautiful movement as you walk, they are designed to create the illusion of a longer silhouette. Most stylish in metallic hues, like this pleated magenta silk-blend lamé skirt by Christopher Kane, you should definitely get one for your own closet.

Here are my favorites:

1 Felicity pleated printed georgette maxi skirt by Issa
2 Pleated lamé and silk-blend midi skirt by Loewe
3 Pleated satin midi skirt by Gucci
4 Katz pleated metallic silk-blend maxi skirt by Alice + Olivia
5 Pleated silk-blend lamé skirt by Christopher Kane
6 Pleated metallic cotton-blend midi skirt by Lela Rose
7 Pleated crepe de chine maxi skirt by Barbara Casasola

Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Patrick Houi, Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

Pleats are a must this season, spotted at the S/S 2014 runway shows of Haider Ackermann, Victoria Beckham, Proenza Schouler and Dries Van Noten. But how do you wear this trend without looking too conservative? Actually, it is very easy. Calf length skirts are the way to go. Preferably they come with some metallic details to add a little bling to your look.

The three pleated skirts of desire are this summer:

1Plissé cotton-blend midi skirt by Dries Van Noten
2Snake-print pleated crepe maxi skirt by Dries Van Noten
3 Foil-paneled pleated cloqué maxi skirt by Proenza Schouler
(I couldn’t resist this one…).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dries Van Noten, Proenza Schouler and © Sandra Bauknecht

In the mood to shop the floral trend for S/S 2012?
Here are the best pieces available at the moment.
Just click on the highlighted text to be transferred directly! Happy Shopping!

DRESSES

1 Floral-print silk crepe de chine dress by Dolce & Gabbana
2 Floral-print silk crepe de chine dress by Sonia Rykiel
3 Floral-print silk-chiffon dress by Jason Wu

SKIRTS

1 Floral-print silk-georgette skirt by Proenza Schouler
2 Embroidered tulle skirt by Marc Jacobs (my personal must-have)
3 Floral-print ruched silk-chiffon skirt by Jason Wu

TOPS

1 Floral-print jacquard blazer by Etro
2 Rose-print silk blouse by Prabal Gurung
3 Shay floral-print silk scarf by Jimmy Choo

GOWNS

1 Lucietta floral-print silk crepe de chine gown by Erdem
2 Draped floral-print silk-chiffon gown by Roberto Cavalli

LoL, Sandra

Zara has this months some amazing pieces giving you the opportunity to include some of the new season’s must-haves as well as some solid classics into your wardrobe. Decide for yourself if you want to go steal or splurge. Those styles are both ways great.

I always recommend to understand and recognize quality materials and craftmanship, not only a designer label. With this in mind, you will invest with confidence and mix with less expensive pieces to create your own individual, so hard-to-copy look. But be careful! Your shoes and bag should always be of good quality.

For all Zara pieces click here for the webshop (not available in all countries) or visit the nearest Zara store.
For all designer pieces you just have to click on the label in the text to be transfered directly.

One of the It-pieces for Resort 2011 is Stella McCartney’s ivory wool-twill tuxedo jacket with black and white lapels above.

Animal prints like cheetah (Azzedine Alaia) or leopard (Chloé) are very trendy at the moment. Spotted on an A-line swinging skirt combined with a leather top (Derek Lam) shows the real fashionista. Suede pumps (Jimmy Choo) are always a good investment.

The basics are your wardrobe’s building blocks. A bow-tie blouse (Balmain) combined with a pair of wide-leg pants (YSL) is a truly classic look. The colour combination of black and white always in style. Those items will last for years. Shoes by Gucci.

Of course, no list of basics is complete without the ubiquitous LBD (Little Black Dress) This season has been all about leather and this is going to stay. So why not indulging yourself in the trend material and adding a striking, sizzling touch to the classic piece (Bottega Veneta; Maje). Suede wedges (Bottega Veneta) give another modern, edgy touch.

Happy Smart Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

So long, miniskirts! Say hello to longer hemlines as they swing their way back into our closets this fall.

Interesting to know is the hemline theory which says that when hemlines go up, it is a sign that stock prices rise. When the knees are seen, it is a bull market. When the skirts get longer, it is a bear market, and prices will fall. Is the longer hemline an indicator for a global recession? Can fashion explain today’s erratic swings in the stock market? Will see…
Probably the reason is that during bad economy, ladies do not want to spend their money on cellulite cream and hair removal. The longer hemline works then to their advantage and so the theory would be correct.

During F/W 2010 fashion weeks last spring, editors were almost tripping on their skirts, taking boho to the max and they were absolutey right.

Inside on the runways, the long skirts made their comeback to daily life, from floor-sweeping to still showing a bit of leg, but most importantly keeping it well below the knee.

Above, you will see my pre-selection of gorgeous long skirts that are all available at the moment.

Love this look: Skirt and scarf by LOUIS VUITTON, worn with a coat by CELINE, a belt by HERMES and boots by FENDI. Photo by Phil Poynter for German Vogue September 2010.

If you go for the trend, I will recommend pairing it with a cropped jacket, tucked in blouse or a belted-top for a nice silhouette. Especially if you are small-framed, you have to make sure that you are not swallowed by the floor grazing skirt. If you like you can also opt for the “Olsen Twins look” with a long knitted cardigan on top, but still try to get the proportions right.

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing the economy through the eyes of a fashionista!

LoL, Sandra

During the next week, we will do some time-travelling through different decades and their impacts on the F/W 2010 collections. One of the most important ones to influence your fall wardrobe, is the era of the late fifties. It is a celebration of women with the return of the curvy silhouette. Forerunner of the mid-century modern look is Miuccia Prada that surprised once more with her first time focus on the breasts with ruffled  pointy-bra tops. But there is nothing vulgar about her designs. When nostalgia catches up, Marc Jacobs cannot be far away. In the same vein as Prada this season, his collection for Louis Vuitton accented the womanly figure via corsets, belted wasp waists, petticoated skirts, fitted tops and deep cuts.

The looks could have come straight out of the most popular American TV show of the moment, Mad Men. The Emmy and Golden Globe winning series is set in the late fifties/ beginning of the sixties in the world of New York advertising. Its visual style is highly acclaimed and has inspired many designers for fall.

The mood is very fresh feminine with an uptight but sexy secretary note. The full skirt that had reigned until the early 1960s as the emblem of the 1950s woman celebrates its comeback with a charming Frenchified accent.

The hair is scraped back into high, bouncy sort of Brigitte Bardot ponytails or preferably worn in high chignons, held by tight headbands. The make-up is very Dita Von Teese, sort of clean and all about eyeliner. If you like, you can add a red pout. This look will stay for Resort 2011 as seen beautifully at Dior.

To accessorize your Stepford Wives look, here is what you need:

First a pair of spiked little kitten heels, Those very pointed shoes are comfy and because of their short height, you can still look up to the stronger sex.

Secondly, a top handle bag that shows discreet elegance.

And last but not least, a pair of cat-eye sunglasses. You can choose from sharply exaggerated to sweetly retro, just unleash your feline side.

Can you write in shorthand “chic”? I am convinced that now you can…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Fall patterns took a traditional turn with highland tartans and madras checks. Plaid has continued its raison d`être as one of fashion`s favourite fabrics for F/W 2010. But this season is not about the lumberjack shirt, the designers went a little further with plaid dresses and pants, plus the absolute must-have: The kilt-inspired skirt!

If you want to work a touch of heritage-chic into your cold-weather wardrobe, I recommend starting now with those super-cool skirts below. From mini to pencil, from draped to pleated, those versions are catering for all tastes. Update your capsule wardrobe with a piece like that and you are all on for new-season cool. Prices can vary depending on the country you live in.

In case you are worried to look too preppy-back-to-school, juxtapose this classic fabric against something with a bit more edge. I put an outfit together to show you what I mean:
The classic skirt by Chloé works perfectly with a corset top and asymmetrical sweater, both by Alexander Wang. Team with a must-have cape by Stella McCartney and stocking-attached ankle boots by Givenchy and finish off your modern, sexy look with a floppy hat by YSL. This is anything but conservative!

Like I always say, keep your stuff, there will be a time that you can wear it again! My outfit is completely from previous seasons and looks very up-to-date this fall.

Plaid skirt by Gucci, leather biker jacket by Ralph Lauren Collection, red boots by Prada, bag by Chanel and hat by H&M.

There is always a time for a kilt! And you can spare the underwear…

LoL, Sandra