This is a trend that every fashionista will be rocking during those hot sun-kissed days to come: a pair of gorgeous black lace pants that will just reveal the right amount of skin. I put together the best ones available right now for you. Happy Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Floral-lace detail flared trousers by Proenza Schouler

Floral lace cropped trousers by Valentino

Flared lace trousers by Elie Saab

Floral lace tailored trousers by Dolce & Gabbana

Belted crystal-embellished cotton-blend lace flared pants by Alessandra Rich

Straight-leg floral lace trousers by Saint Laurent

Embroidered-lace sheer trousers by Alberta Ferretti

Embroidered lace-design trousers by Tom Ford

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Last night, the awards season officially closed with the 2020 Oscars. The biggest ceremony of the year, now in its 92nd year, was once again being held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Renée Zellweger in Armani Privé

Some of our favorite A-list nominees were all in attendance, in the hopes of taking home one of the industry’s highest honors: that iconic golden trophy. Renée Zellweger (Judy) in Armani Privé and Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) in the Stella McCartney suit he’s been wearing all season long, won the best actor categories this year.

Joaquin Phoenix in Stella McCartney

Phoenix was not alone showing his environmentalism. The entertainment industry’s push for a more sustainable awards season has made its way to the Oscars red carpet. Vintage dresses made an appearance, following past award show mandates this month, such as the BAFTAs, that have enforced a more eco-conscious dress code.

Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

Saoirse Ronan recycled part of her BAFTA’s Gucci dress for the 92nd Academy Awards red carpet.

Elizabeth Banks in Badgley Mischka

Pitch Perfect star Elizabeth Banks wore the same fire-red dress by Badgley Mischka that she had worn at the 2004 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. She just had removed the jewelry straps in the back.

Kaitlyn Dever in Louis Vuitton

Kaitlyn Dever supported the Red Carpet Green Dress initiative in a custom red Louis Vuitton gown made with ethically sourced and sustainable materials.

Jane Fonda in Elie Saab

Jane Fonda repeated her Cannes Film Festival 2014 outfit at the Oscars 2020 and she has a solid reason to do so. Dressed in an Elie Saab F/W 2013 Haute Couture gown, Jane, ethereal as ever, presented the Best Picture Oscar on stage at the Dolby Theatre. She also carried a red coat that has a deeper meaning behind. In 2019, Fonda, who had been a lifelong activist, had been arrested five times in Washington, D.C. for civil disobedience during her climate action campaign. While addressing the crowd, Jane had said that she will refrain from buying new clothes henceforth. This is why she repeated not just her Cannes outfit at the Oscars but the coat as well. «You see this coat? I needed something red and I went out and found this coat on sale. This is the last article of clothing that I will ever buy,» Jane had said on November 1.

And there was another strong message, Jane Fonda sent down the aisle this award season. When the 82-year old stepped onstage, there was something different about her: Instead of the Hollywood legend’s natural brunette, or the sandy blonde hair colour, her new pixie cut was a beautiful shade of silver. Fair or not, gray hair is not considered an option in La La Land. Going against certain beauty norms in regard to aging in Hollywood, this move is fitting considering the actress is as radical as ever.

Natalie Portman in Dior

Natalie Portman made another important statement about the state of Hollywood, that was stitched into her beautiful cloak. The actress stepped onto the red carpet in a Maria Grazia Chiuri designed embroidered Dior gown and matching cape that paid tribute to cinema’s female creators who weren’t nominated, such as Lorene Scafaria, Greta Gerwig, and Lulu Wang.

The craftsmanship of Portman’s Haute Couture gown is breathtaking. Have a look at the behind the scene photos below… investing in a beautiful piece of clothing and keeping it is a message I have tried to convey since ever. Sustainability was the one theme that ran throughout the Oscars while there was no shortage of glamour.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior, via Vogue/Getty

Today, we celebrate World Oceans Day to remind everyone of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. They are the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe. It is a day to celebrate together the beauty, the wealth and the promise of the ocean.

 «Gender and the Ocean» is the main topic for 2019, striving to build greater ocean and gender literacy, and to discover possible ways to promote gender equality in ocean-related activities such as marine scientific research, fisheries, labour at sea, migration by sea and human trafficking, as well as policy-making and management.

In front of an artwork that was for auction by Gao Xiaowu «Rebirth Evolution-Art».

Here you see me in Monaco at the Monte-Carlo Gala for the Global Ocean hosted by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. It was the second edition of this high-profile event dedicated to a sustainable future of a protected ocean. Among the prestigious guests were Orlando Bloom, Kate Perry and Adrien Brody.

My look: Ruffled georgette and lace gown by Elie Saab, Broadway lurex floral jacquard clutch and leather platform pumps, both by Gucci, Horsebit blue topaz diamond white gold ring by Gucci Fine Jewellery,  diamond ring and diamond bracelet by Vainard Fine Jewellery, rose diamond ring by Piaget, choker with evil eye symbol and blue earrings, both by Chanel, and Tonda 1950 clarity watch by Parmigiani Fleurier.

LoL, Sandra

Photos Gala Guests/Stage: ©Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco
All others: © Sandra Bauknecht
#WorldOceansDay #SaveOurOcean

When it comes to your waist, the golden rule is to keep it cinched. Belts have been making their presence felt on F/W 2018 runways — from Versace, to Elie Saab and Gucci. This little add-on packs a big punch when it comes to elevating your style while also slimming your silhouette into a flattering hourglass. When it comes to evening wear, the easiest way to change the look of a gown you sported before is to wear a belt. It is also the best alternative to altering.

Suffice it to say, the styling possibilities are infinite, as is the internet’s statement belt selection. Here, I’ve narrowed it down for you.

Le Fleur flower-embellished crepe belt by Adriana Degreas

Leather corset belt by Alexander McQueen

Velvet waist belt by Attico

Embellished silk waist belt by Saint Laurent

High waist leather belt by Alberta Ferretti

Amore bow belt by Dolce & Gabbana

Studded leather waist belt by Alaïa

Bejeweled belt by N°21

Elore crystal-embellished velvet belt by Isabel Marant

Heart embellished bicolour rope belt with tassels by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Studded leather belt by Elie Saab

My personal favorites are the ones by Dolce & Gabbana and Alaïa. They work for nearly everything.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

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

Today, the sale at NET-A-PORTER has officially started and I would like to share with you my personal favorites that you shouldn’t miss. Some of them are even marked down 50%. Have fun!

Fringed cotton-blend coat by Chloé (40% off)
A wonderful cover-up for a chilly summer night or the perfect piece to transition into the fall season.

Crystal, bead and felt clip earrings by Etro (50% off)
Nothing elevates a look better than a piece of statement earrings.

Pixie small suede and textured-leather shoulder bag by Chloé (30% off)
Already a classic that is here to stay – now on sale!

Sequined mesh knee boots by Dolce & Gabbana (40% off)
A great investment piece for the next holiday season.

One-shoulder stretch-knit jumpsuit by Stella McCartney (30% off)
One of my favorite pieces this S/S 2018 season, click here to see me wearing it.

Suede platform sandals by Miu Miu (50% off)
I love to dance the summer nights away in a pair of platform sandals. What else do you want to wear on the cobbled streets in St. Tropez?!

Tiered plissé-crepe, tulle and lace midi dress by Elie Saab (30% off)
Looking for an eye-catching summer dress? Here it is! It could be also perfect for a wedding celebration.

Polka-dot wool and cashmere-blend tank by Prada (50% off)
This piece works for many seasons to come. Don’t hesitate…

Happy Shopping! Doesn’t buying on sale feels so much better…:-)?!
TO SHOP THE FULL NET-A-PORTER SALE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

The legendary Vienna Opera Ball, that started in 1877 under Emperor Francis Joseph, is considered as the highlight of the social calendar in the Austrian capital and usually takes place on the last Thursday of the carnival season. The city of waltzes celebrates more than 450 balls each year but as far as glamour goes, the Vienna Opera Ball is up there with the BAFTAs and the Met Ball. For the event, the State Opera is transformed into the most festive, imposing and high-profile ballroom in the world where important politicians, entrepreneurs, royals, artists, and well-known celebrities from all over the world dance the night away.

 Each year, around 5.500 guests attend. Renowned designers are regularly involved in running the show: this year, Dolce & Gabbana designed the tiara for the around 300 debutantes, that will kick off the Opera ball. After they have finished, the master of ceremony announces: Alles Walzer! (All waltz!). When you hear this and Johann Strauss’ waltz «On The Beautiful Blue Danube», you know that you are allowed to enter the dance floor.

Nevertheless when it comes to the dress code, there is a huge difference. It is much stricter and more old-fashioned than compared to other galas.

The following dress code applies to the Vienna Opera
Ladies: Long Evening Gown
Gentlemen: Tailcoat

What sounds simple at first, is associated with some pitfalls, because if you do not follow the dress code, the access to the ball will be denied.

For the ladies:

long gown (at least ankle length)
no cocktail dress
wide skirt – no body-con dresses (very important)
cleavage: not too deep
no wristwatch – only a jewelry watch

For the men:

tailcoat (elegant evening suit with waist-short jacket and «swallowtail»)
no tuxedo, no simple suit
no tie
«Mascherl» bow tie (white)

I am so excited to attend this amazing event on the 8th of February this year and will practice my Vienna waltz dancing skills. Therefore I need a gown in which I will be able to move and which honors the dress code. Not so easy…

Here are my favorite choices, which one do you prefer?

Lace-insert pleated georgette gown by Elie Saab

Glen sleeved embroidered dress by Temperley London

Graphic floral-print organza-silk gown by Dolce & Gabbana
Draped front strapless fil-coupé and tulle gown by Delpozo

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Vienna Opera Ball, APA, © Swarovski

While you are reading this, I am on my way to the Oktoberfest in Munich with HUBLOT for an exclusive «Wies’n Gaudi» at the one & only Käfer’s-Wies’n-Schänke. The dress code? Of course «Traditional Bavarian»!

Is any other traditional dress as feminine, elegant and downright sexy as a «Dirndl»?
Any man or woman alive who has visited the Munich Oktoberfest would have to answer with a resounding no! As many other Germans, I am always looking forward to the festival season rolling around, to wear my «Trachten» and «Lederhosen» to celebrate in style.

From left to right top: Breakfast at Tiffany’s –  Dirndl Time – Oh Deer!
From left to right bottom: Pucci Goes Wies’n – Tyrolean Love

From time to time, I like to play around with the outfits and don’t opt for the traditional «Dirndl» but look for designer pieces in my closet that are inspired from Tyrolean or Bavarian styles.

Finding the right Dirndl can be quite expensive and choices are versatile. You can certainly look for less expensive ones at regular department stores, but then you’re quite likely to run into other women wearing the same style around town. In case it bothers you spending so much money on this occasion, I would like to inspire you with these designer pieces that you can wear all year long.

DAYTIME TRACHT: Misha embroidered velvet-paneled gabardine jacket by Vilshenko, crochet-trimmed lace-up broderie anglaise cotton blouse by SEA, velvet shorts by Pierre Balmain, appliquéd leather Chelsea boots by Charlotte Olympia, embellished wool-blend socks, Lucia watersnake-trimmed embellished brocade shoulder bag, crystal-embellished round-frame gold-tone sunglasses and gold-tone crystal clip earrings, all by Dolce & Gabbana.

DIRNDL CHIC: Lace and velvet-paneled pleated crepe mini dress by Elie Saab, faux pearl-embellished velvet headband and velvet shoulder bag, both by Miu Miu, velvet and gold-tone multi-stone choker by Etro, Elliot floral-print matelassé over-the-knee boots by Altuzarra.

BAVARIAN QUEEN: Embroidered cotton-velvet tuxedo jacket by ALEXACHUNG, Adriana lace-up velvet-trimmed crepe dress by Altuzarra, Klara lace-up suede ankle boots by Tabitha Simmons, Padlock small appliquéd studded leather shoulder bag, metallic crochet-trimmed embroidered cotton-blend socks and frayed grosgrain, bead and faux pearl brooch, all by Gucci.

O’zapft is! Happy Wies’n Shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

Here they are: the most important trends for the F/W 2017 season. Americana vibes, a powerful way to wear red, and vintage-inspired everything. Enjoy this comprehensive look at the pieces you’ll be wearing shortly. Deconstructed clothing is here to stay as well as florals and leisure suits. If you are looking at the new skirts, mid-length is the way to go.

I cannot wait for this beautiful season to arrive in stores.

LoL, Sandra

F/W 2017 TREND 1: POWER RED
Givenchy – Fendi – Max Mara

F/W 2017 TREND 2: FUTURISTIC SILVER
Saint Laurent – Chanel – Comme des Garçons

F/W 2017 TREND 3: NEW TRANSPARENCY
Calvin Klein – Miu Miu – Emilio Pucci

F/W 2017 TREND 4: WILD WEST
House of Holland – Balmain – Alexander Wang

F/W 2017 TREND 5: FOLKLORE
Gucci – Etro – Maison Margiela

F/W 2017 TREND 6: EVENING VELVET
Jason Wu – Alberta Ferretti – Erdem

F/W 2017 TREND 7: RETRO FUR
Louis Vuitton – Michael Kors – Loewe

F/W 2017 TREND 8: ’70s PLAID
Tory Burch – Marni – Hermès

F/W 2017 TREND 9: FEATHERS
Prada – Mary Katrantzou – Elie Saab

F/W 2017 TREND 10: LEISURE SUITS
Chloé – Marc Jacobs – Ashish

F/W 2017 TREND 11: BROAD SHOULDERS
Dries Van Noten – Jacquemus – Isabel Marant

F/W 2017 TREND 12: RECYCLING
Dolce & Gabbana – Moschino – Junya Watanabe

F/W 2017 TREND 13: LACE OVERLAY
Stella McCartney – Burberry – Alessandra Rich

F/W 2017 TREND 14: WALLPAPER FLORALS
Mulberry – Emilia Wickstead – Balenciaga

F/W 2017 TREND 15: DENIM SUITS
Sacai – Christian Dior – Esteban Cortazar

Photos: Via Vogue.com

I love the piano, it’s my favorite instrument. This season the piano keyboard has inspired many designers. Listening to a piano concert or even better playing yourself in this look is the ultimate fashion goal.

Get the look: Ruffled silk-georgette top by Elie Saab, pleated jacquard-knit skirt by Proenza Schouler, Dolce Box piano tote and embellished leather pumps, both by Dolce & Gabbana.

If you are thinking about getting a piano, have a look at my favorite one which is said to be the best one in the world: the MODEL D by STEINWAY & SONS. For over 160 years, the company has been dedicated to the art of piano making, setting the uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty, and investment value.

Do you want to be my play date?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Sandra Bauknecht