Sandra‘s Closet

This summer there is one material you should really consider buying: Baja, a woven striped pattern, a classic surfer staple. Designers looked for inspirations to Mexico and the Californian beach scene.

So if you want something to really impress your friends, you need to get a pullover baja hoodie that will imbue your look with relaxed bohemian cool. The best ones available are by Tory Burch, Preonza Schouler and Sacai.

LoL, Sandra

It is the season now to wrap up warm and thanks to many designers we can do this in style. Fair isle sweaters, that used to be the dreaded gifts given by all unknowing grandmas, will be welcomed this Christmas with open arms.

Thanks first and foremost to D&G Dolce & Gabbana, where the traditional patterns had a major fashion moment on the F/W 2010 runway, the cozy knits are no longer just a ski chalet staple.

If you still think that it is a fashion faux pas to wear reindeer or snowflakes emblazoned jumpers, you are completely mistaken, it is almost a sacrilege not to do so. This season, they are officially fashionable. Mountain chic is coming to town.

Fair isle knit gets its name from a tiny island north of Scotland where the technique to arrange multiple colours in a pattern was first developed.

The secret to a stylish combination is to toughen up the sweet-as-shortbread sweater for example with a goregeous pair of leather hot pants.

Please enjoy this large variety I put together for you to update your winter wardrobe… in case that you have not already hidden some in your closet. Available at NET-À-PORTER.

I cannot wait to head down the fashion slopes of St. Moritz (may they be of ice or concrete) in my cozy pieces from D&G Dolce & Gabbana. I loved their collection for F/W 2010 so much. Finally a trend that really works in the cold weather! And aren’t those boots just to die for?!
For the store locator, please click here. Good news is that you might be lucky to get a gorgeous piece on sale.

To the Alpine glamour!

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

The Swiss based label Ginger Tea & Nuts has launched its online shop today.
Individual T-shirts, longsleeve tops and more for babies, girls, boys and mamis are available with cute little prints. Each piece is a one of a kind and can be personalized at your request.
Ginger Tea & Nuts offers worldwide shipping. Please send an e-mail to for further details.

LoL, Sandra

Tory Burch is an American fashion designer who launched her namesake brand in 2004. The label was an immediate success, filling the gap in the market for clothes that offered good quality to an affordable, accessible price.
Today, her fans include celebrities and fashion lovers all over the world. Her collections are available at her own beautifully decorated, unique Tory Burch boutiques, online at net-à-porter and in more than 450 select department and specialty stores worlwide.

One of her bestsellers are the Reva ballerina flats that have become a wardrobe essential. And they definitely deserve their cult status combining casual chic with unsurpassed comfort.

Recently at a birthday luncheon, I took a photo of two of my stylish girlfriends who wore by coincidence almost the same look.  They are like Tory herself mothers of three kids and like to be fashionable and comfy in one. Well done, girls!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tory Burch and © Sandra Bauknecht

I am a total yogini. I just love every bit of yoga. And while practising, I still like to look and feel good. Nike and Juicy Couture offer a great selection of yoga clothing along with some gorgeous accessories. Juicy Couture has some fun slogan tops that I truly adore and that work all day long.

In case you have not tried yoga yet, be brave and give it a chance. But be careful, it will depend very much on the teacher if you like it or not. So give several studios a chance. Believe me, it is worth it. Yoga can be a great workout and for all sportmaniacs, you can sweat a lot, too.
It will make your muscles nice, tight and long and will give your body a lot of flexibility while integrating the mind and your emotions.

In Los Angeles, I was very lucky to train with Steve Ross, the so-called Yogi to the Stars by Instyle, with his own show “Inhale” on the Oxygen network and retreat leader at Maha Yoga.

Steve with me after a training with no make-up and due to all the sweating with curly hair.

Conveying his message perfectly, he gave me a signed copy of his fabulous book “Happy Yoga”.

„Here’s the yogi truth: There’s nothing to worry about. You are whole, complete, perfect, beautiful, loving, and blissful, and you know everything there is to know.“ – Steve Ross

With this in mind, you will look fabulous each day!

In Zurich, I am also very happy to practice yoga on a regular basis with Vasili Vlachos, an amazing teacher of Greek origin that has received his essence of yoga while living and studying several years at the famous Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, India, the home to the living legend Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar (Guruji) himself.
Iyengar yoga uses props, such as wooden gadgets, belts, ropes, to achieve perfection in your asanas more easily. It has become my favourite way to practise.
If you are living in Zurich and are interested, please feel free to contact the Iyengar Yoga Center of  Maya & Vasili Vlachos.

Namaste!

LoL, Sandra

Can you guess where we are in time-travelling after my lastet posts about lace and rocking hot black leather? Yes, we have arrived in the `80s. For some people, the golden decade was the worst one fashionwise but since a few seasons designers have relied on some of the worth recycling styles. The leggings  and skinny jeans came back around 4 years ago and who would have ever imagined their ongoing success?! They have definitely conquered my closet and I never want them to vanish again as the modernized versions are stylish and comfy in one.

Designers have returned 20 years this F/W 2010 to find the `80s ma-ma-material beauty and so can you. Let`s begin!

You might feel like a virgin in a sharp leather pencil skirt, sequined blazer and fishnet stockings. Add lots of accessories like the iconic safety pins, stacked bracelets and big cross pendants for the ultimate killer look!

Balmain launched a real boom with the return of the shoulder pads. The last seasons, fashionistas have crazed all over the world for the must-have blazers and jackets. The hype is definitely not over yet! Party like it`s 1982 in those brocade and patchwork nightclub nostalgia pieces from the F/W 2010 runways. Absolutely screaming hot are red leather leggings, another must for this winter!


The `80s encouraged self-expression with eyecatching neon colours and rainbow dyes. I would not do the complete look but you can easily embed one sparkling bright piece into your daily wear. One thing I am not so sure is about the über-teased hair…. probably a little too much retro-style. But nevertheless the point of fashion is that girls just wanna have fun! So let`s start experimenting….

In case that you are looking for your personal Jesus, try black leather and fringes. So hot! Sequined leggings combined with a denim jacket would turn you also very fast back to the `80s without looking disguised.

If you want to find the fashion cure for this winter`s style heritage, you could opt for a goth look with an asymmetrical cropped sweater or some cut out off-shoulder-tops. And I am sure that this Friday, you will be in love.

My personal `80s-inspired object of desire is this gorgeous suede buckled V-neck dress by Balmain. Available from today at net-à-porter. This is rock glam chic at its best! Hard to beat it.

LoL, Sandra

Thanks to the remaining lingerie trend, lace is the connecting thread from boudoir to the office to the dance floor. The most oustanding lace designs were seen on the F/W 2010 runways with black being the dominant colour. The return of womanhood is one of the biggest themes this season and the delicate, sensual fabric is the perfect addition. It makes women feel and look very ladylike and sexy.

No worries, it does not mean that you need to go half-naked. Inject new season`s attitude into your wardrobe with just one ultra-feminine piece. A lace blazer like the D&G one for example makes a fabulous addition to your basics collection. Combine it with a pair of jeans for instant cool chic.

Those lace dresses are cut to create a defined silhouette and will make heads turn after you. These elegant cocktail and black tie pieces are an investment in timeless style. Wear one thing lace and accessorize minimally.

Accessories are always a great way to make a fashion statement. But just one or two at a time, do not overdo the lace addition. Too much is too much!
Stockings, leggings or gloves in the trend material are super hot. I am crazy for the handmade cuffs by Aurélie Biderman. They are made of vintage lace dipped in blackened silver or gold. So beautiful!

LoL, Sandra

Let`s travel further in time. A breeze from the `70s floated over the F/W 2010 runways when the designers brought the more sophisticated aspects of this decade`s fashion into the now. Indulging in reminiscences of young Jane Birkin, Bianca Jagger and Veruschka, nonchalance, luxe and subtlety are the catchwords fall embraces.

Camel is the colour of the season followed by a palette of browns, nudes, and greys.

The ever-stylish shade makes a great fashion statement in combination with the must-have outerwear this season, the cape.

I love the cape by H&M to the right.

Cut more generously than a coat, the dashing alternative allows more freedom of movement and works much better over shoulder embellishments and mutton sleeves.
It was a veritable explosion of fur on the runways so there is no need to shy away from those ueberluxe pieces. The soft cocoon embrace of a voluminous real or faux fur jacket (or vest) will be irresistible this winter.

As the mood is casual luxe for daywear, redefine power-dressing in buttery silk blouses with tie collars.

When it comes to trousers, opt for sleek or wide leg ones with a minimalist edge. Razor-sharp slimline Gucci pants or immaculately tailored like the ones by YSL are among my favourites. Naturally worn with a cashmere turtleneck, they are the most figure flattering throwback to `70s style.

Booties by H&M

To complement the look, you will have to tie the knot with a pair of lace up booties. They are must-haves for every shoeaholic.

Synonymous with luxe seventies style are the long-handled drawstring bucket bags. So no wonder they have made a much-welcome appearance.

Another bestseller will be the remake of Gucci`s 1973 line. Available in nappa, suede and exotic leathers like crocodile and ostrich, those bags are classic and beautiful enough to be safe investment pieces.

Hat by H&M, Stills: Courtesy of H&M

If you really want to get a head start on the boho wardrobe, look for a floppy hat or a knitted beanie.

You do not need to go overboard. Enjoy your fashion moments in traditional, timeless essentials and the overall effect will be more post seventies luxe than vintage hippie.

LoL, Sandra