Sandra‘s Closet

Regardless of the season, fashion’s attraction to denim is resolute. Designer jeans went from oxymoron to fashion fixture in the ‘80s, and this winter season, there is a distinct ’80s mood, and with that comes a looser, taper-leg trouser style.

 Personally speaking the piece of the season is this one by Alaïa. Pieter Mulier explored «sculpture through clothing» for the Maison’s F/W 202323 collection, and that’s exactly how I’d describe these jeans. Defined by their exaggerated proportions, they sit high on the waist and have balloon-like tapered legs. The light-blue denim has been stonewashed and faded by hand to give them a worn-in effect.

High-rise tapered jeans by Alaïa

Below I have rounded up the top denim pairs that are elevating your closet staple this season. Some come with more exaggerated proportions, some with less. It is now up to you to choose which one is your favorite.

LoL, Sandra

Horseshoe high-rise boyfriend jeans by Citizen of Humanity

Vetan tapered jeans by Isabel Marant

Metallic high-rise tapered organic jeans by Ganni

Cutout high-rise wide-leg jeans by Maison Margiela

Sanna Slice cutout high-rise tapered organic jeans by Agolde

Long Barrel high-rise tapered jeans by Frame

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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Arriving perfectly dressed for the new season, the F/W 2021 Prêt-à-Portea collection at The Berkeley Hotel in London showcases couture cakes inspired by designers from Ganni to Gucci. A contemporary twist on afternoon tea, this playful and stylish edit is set to become another favourite for sweet-toothed fashionistas.

This season’s collection opens with a striking ensemble from Balenciaga Couture – reimagined as a velvety mandarin cheesecake, topped with an oversized chocolate hat. While a delicately spiced and intricately iced biscuit – complete with red lipstick and oversized glasses – is our pastry team’s fitting tribute to fashion icon Iris Apfel’s 100th birthday.

Seasonal flavours are firmly on the menu, with the cassis mousse with blackcurrant jelly, depicting Stella McCartney’s psychedelic jumpsuit. A Pink Lady apple pavlova is a refreshing nod to Giambattista Valli’s avant-garde look, and a hazelnut dacquoise with salted caramel sees cult Danish brand Ganni make its Prêt-à-Portea debut.

The season’s centrepiece is a made-to-share red velvet mascarpone mousse, finished with a chocolate truffle riding hat – straight from Gucci’s 100th anniversary collection.

As always, your tea also includes elegant canapés and sandwiches, with a selection of loose-leaf teas from our extensive collection.

Until 2 January 2022, festive Prêt-à-Portea will be served only, from £79 per person. This will include our fashion-inspired delicacies, as well as festive treats and your choice of a mocktail, a glass of champagne or a glass of mulled wine.

From 11 – 14 Feburary, 26 & 27 March and 15 – 18 April 2022, the seasonal Prêt-à-Portea will be served only, from £79 per person. This will include our fashion-inspired delicacies, as well as seasonal treats and your choice of a glass of champage or a mocktail.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Berkeley and Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored.

«Add a collar» is the new «belt it»… a styling hack that converts even the dowdiest of tops into a zoom-ready look is the detachable «faux collar». With waist-up dressing still on the agenda, it is the perfect way to transform even your PJ into something new. I recommend getting different ones so that you look different every day. Think turbo-charged, XL collars that protrude past shoulders, and are repleted with ruffles and fashioned in tartan, gingham, florals and even leather. Below are my favorites. To shop, click on the highlighted product description.

LoL, Sandra

Broderie anglaise-trimmed cotton collar and cuffs set by Paco Rabanne

Check organic-cotton blend seersucker collar by Ganni

Ruffled leather collar by Ganni

Leopard-print organic-cotton collar by Ganni

Horse-print organic-cotton collar by Ganni

Crochet collar by MSGM

Logo embroidered collar by Dsquared2

Sequinned collar by Vivetta

Embellished silk collar by Isabel Marant

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

Not sure what to do over the weekend. Here is an idea. Start watching the new Netflix series «EMILY IN PARIS» that launched last Friday. I swear, you will be daydreaming about living in France, eating chocolate croissants, and falling in love. I have become immediately addicted. Thank God, my fiancé is half Parisian, haha. I know the reviews are not the best, ranking from «too cliche» to «embarrassing series, completely wrong image of Paris», but honestly I am absolutely loving it!

Left: Lily Collins Emily in Paris – Right: Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City

No other than Darren Star, who was also in charge of our favorites such as «Beverly Hills, 90210» (1990–2000), «Melrose Place» (1992–1999), and «Sex and the City» (1998–2004) created this American comedy-drama web television series. It stars Lily Collins as the titular character, Emily, an American woman moving to Paris for a job opportunity and better life. There she struggles to succeed in the workplace while searching for love and experiencing culture clash wth her «boring» Midwestern upbringing.

«You look American. Are you from Indiana?» asks Mindy (Ashley Park, right), when she first meets Emily, who has lunch alone in the park, wearing a fabulous Ganni silk top and dress, a Rag & Bone belt , combined with a Patricia Field Canary Bag.

Personally speaking, I have so many reminiscences with Emily. I used lived in Chicago, where she is from, and my first job experience was also in Paris. I worked at Sonia Rykiel at their ready-to-wear design department where I also experienced some funny moments and cultural clashes.

On her first day at the office in Paris, Emily wears an Alice + Olivia Eiffel Tower shirt, a Re/Done crop top,  snakeskin-print Ronny Kobo miniskirt, an Aldo bag and Christian Louboutin Gorgona booties, emblazoned with «Paris» and airmail stickers.

Emily in a green CHANEL (her favorite French brand) jacket from the Cruise 2020 collection combined with a checked Kangol hat.

The best about «EMILY IN PARIS» are the costumes. Behind them is my favorite stylist, Patricia Field, who became famous for her work at the set of «Sex and the City». We owe all those iconic Carrie Bradshaw fashion moments to her. Emily is like the Carrie Bradshaw for the next generation, with a wardrobe you wish you had yourself, and a growing Insta account you’d love to emulate.

An homage to Audrey Hepburn: Emily in a Christian Siriano dress, vintage fur and purse, La Compagnie du Costume jewellery and Cosmoparis shoes.

Don’t blame me, if you won’t leave your apartment this weekend and will be binge-watching all 10 episodes. And here are some Instagram accounts, you might one to follow after to get the details of the looks: @emilyinparis, and @emilyinparisfashion.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Netflix

What makes this season’s vibrant hosiery so interesting is that those bold stockings are being paired with relatively straightforward clothes. Update a simple sweater and miniskirt with blue tights or elevate your evening dress with sexy lace hosiery. Those Balenciaga logo tights might look extreme at first pass, but under a trench coat they read almost normal. If we’ve learned anything from the trends this season, it’s that being just left of center feels so right and designer tights seem so much more tempting…

1 Flocked tights by Balenciaga
2 Metallic lace tights by Gucci
3 Floral stretch-lace tights by Dries Van Noten
4 Ribbed stretch-silk tights by Prada

5 Jacquard-knit tights by Gucci
6 Lamé-coated metallic tights by Gucci
7 Swedish Stockings leopard-print 60 denier tights by Ganni
8 Intarsia fishnet tights by Gucci

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands, Photo: © Gucci
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Holiday season is over but we all want the party never to stop. Depending on your budget, here are really amazing pieces to include some iconic classics as well as some new trends into your wardrobe. Decide for yourself if you want to go splurge or steal.

LoL, Sandra

Inject your wardrobe with this season’s must-have hue and shop one these cocktail dresses, both with a deep V-neck, front closure and in a deep emerald hue.

Splurge (left): Iconic Karolina crystal velvet mini dress by The Attico (my favorite! – the cut and the embellishments are divine, good news is that it is marked 40% off)
Steal (right): Isabella floral-jacquard mini dress by Rat & Boa

The perfect artsy dress for your next art gallery opening or museum reception, sophisticated and stylish in one.

Splurge (left): Lovers-print silk-georgette dress by Valentino (marked off 40%)
Steal (right): Statue-print dress by Zara (marked off 65%)

Polka-dot prints were making waves on the S/S 2020 runways. Get ahead of the style game and order your gown for your next black tie gala.

Splurge (left): Tiered polka-dot organza gown by Carolina Herrera
Steal (right): Antonia polka-dot off-the-shoulder dress by Rat & Boa

Animal prints have become a fix wardrobe staple with leopard leading the way. Go for the iconic Dolce print if your budget allows it.

Splurge (left): Leopard-print silk-blend midi dress by Dolce & Gabbana (the original one is now marked down 40%)
Steal (right): Ruched leopard-print stretch-mesh mini dress by Ganni

The LBD is always a great alternative for party dressing. Trending now are cuts that play off the traditional elements of a tailored blazer such as pockets and embellished buttons.

Splurge (left): Double-breasted wool blazer dress by Balmain
Steal (right): Dress with jewel buttons by Zara (marked off 40%)

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands, Collages: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

’90s-inspired hair accessories have been everywhere recently, and those pieces below will add just the right amount of retro style to any outfit. From scrunchies to hair clips, and hair bows, all  look equally as good with a high bun as they do with a messy low ponytail. Here is your chance to satisfy your inner tween without letting her take over completely.

LoL, Sandra

Vintage logo hair barrette by Chanel

Crystal-embellished silver-plated hair clip by Dolce & Gabbana

Vara hair clip by Salvatore Ferragamo

Vintage CC hair barrette by Chanel

Kennedy bow-shaped cotton-faille hair clip by Emilia Wickstead

Velvet hair bow by Jennifer Behr

Set of two Kelly glittered resin hair clips by Valet

Pearl logo hair tie by Chanel

Mallory floral-print silk-twill hair crunchie by Eugenia Kim

Rockstud leather hairclip by Valentino

Charron check scrunchie by Ganni

Velvet hair scrunchie by Jennifer Behr

Satin headband by Prada

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Guess who didn’t bring flats or socks, but managed to pack the peep-toes? This has probably lost you a few friends in past days. But those times are over.

For fall, we’re going up — to the mountain that is. Hiking boots are one of the biggest footwear trends of the season and they’re giving traditional western, motorcycle and knee-high boots some competition.

Flashtrek leather high-top trainers by Gucci

The boots have certainly gained traction in the past few months. There’s Gucci’s Flashtreck sneaker  which is flying off the shelves and there’s Off-White’s collaboration with Timberland, which spawns a pair of gorgeously stompy velvet boots, a unique take on the classic footwear staple.

Velvet Timberland boots by Off-White

How to style them: Fashionistas all over the globe don’t save them for days with severe weather warnings only. They wear them year-round with everything from jeans and corduroys to silk dresses.

Here are some more of my favorite «Duke of Edinburgh–worthy hiking boots» available at the moment:

Black heart desert platform boots by Louis Vuitton

Two-tone textured-leather and suede ankle boots by Proenza Schouler

Mad 70 spiked quilted leather ankle boots by Christian Louboutin

Edna shearling-lined leather and suede ankle boots by Ganni

Leather-trimmed suede ankle boots by See by Chloé

Rockstud leather hiking boots by Valentino

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and Getty

Casual days at the pool, comfy evenings at home, today I would like to present you the most exquisite versions of the basic slip-on sandals.

1 Embellished slip-on sandals by Chloé
2 Ode embellished slip-on sandals by Fendi
3 Slidy Viv leather slip-on sandals by Roger Vivier
4 Kerenn flat shearling mule by Chloé
5 Egg shearling and mink fur slip-on sandals by Anya Hindmarch
6 Velvet slides by Dolce & Gabbana
7 Beth slip-on sandals by Ganni
8 Isle Slide embellished slip-on sandals by Tory Burch
9 Printed slides by Givenchy
10 Embellished slip-on sandals by Fendi

Aren’t those Dolce & Gabbana velvet hotel slides hilarious? A funny sense of humor…

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of the Brands