Sandra‘s Closet

It is weekend. Time to get cozy. If you have been looking for stylish clothes you could also relax in, I have the perfect solution for you: The beautiful Lounge Lover collection. Founded in 2004 by Belgian designer Sylvie Gabriel, the line focuses on easy chic loungewear, from soft cashmere pants to well-shaped tops and comfy wraps. Those ultra-luxe essentials work well around the house or for Sunday brunch. The perfect upgrade for your off-duty look!

Travel Babe

After the huge success of Sylvie’s Travel Babe set, there is going to be another great special edition:
Yoga Babe.

Folded away in a soft poem-embellished drawstring pouch you will find a metal grey support tank top with raw hem, completed by a stirrup legging with faux button fly.
The material has this wonderful velvety “second skin” feel. Available this November exclusively at net-à-porter for £149.-.

Two Lounge Lovers: Sylvie Gabriel and me

Those babes totally meet my fashion mantra!

Once a Lounge Lover, always a Lounge Lover.

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!

Above you see a complete outfit for a busy and sophisticated urban woman that would provide her with 24-hour relaxed chic.

Hope that you like it!

LoL, Sandra

Since a few season, we have been seeing slim, slouchy, harem-style gray sweatpants on the catwalks and designers have not yet become tired of them. One of the reasons might be that we love the comfy luxe loungewear look during the day so much that everybody is holding on to it. Combined with a pair of sharp high heels, the former gym attire transforms into a real statement fashion must-have.

Rihanna shows how fierce the sporty look can be in her studded Stella McCartney sweater and sweatpants that she wears with ultra-sexy shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood.

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

It might be on short notice, but definitely not too late to get your hands on a gorgeous pair of leather shorts. An absolute must this summer that will stay trendy next winter.

My favourites are the lace-up ones by Alexander Wang with zippers on the side, available in brown or black. Combine them with a boyfriend blazer, an embellished top and stunning wedges (see above). Add a feodora hat for that certain twist or just wear them with cowboy boots and a little cardigan for your urban days off-duty like I did this week.

Here are some gorgeous versions from the S/S 2010 collections available at Net-à-porter or Browns. Do not forget, sale will be starting soon…. in the US it is already on!

3.1 Phillip Lim, £465.-

Fendi, €1060.-

Helmut Lang, €586.-

Or wait for those ones below from the F/W 2010 runways. Salvatore Ferragamo showed many different versions in suede and nappa leather.

Get ready to wow!

LoL, Sandra

Last year, when I was convinced that skinny jeans couldn`t get any tighter, designers came up with a match made in heaven: The combination of leggings and jeans, so called jeggings. The new term is already wait-listed to receive an entry into the Oxford English Dictionary. From me, they have already received an entry into my closet.

They are comfortable like leggings and stylish like skinny jeans. Moreover, you never look like coming out of the gym which can happen with a leggings look. It is such a great trend that works so well for young Mums because of their extreme flattering but cosy fit. Hollywood stars have been spotted all over in the new must-haves.

Adriano Goldschmied, who has been in the denim business since many years, could be called the “godfather of the jeggings”. His label Gold Sign was one of the first ones producing them in a super elastic and soft material. Those ones are amazing!

Celebs like Victoria Beckham (Victoria Beckham Denim) or the Olsen Twins (The Row)  included jeggings in their own collections and have been parading them everywhere.

The jeggings are a trend that should definitely remain for a long time and it looks like they will. Here are some pics from the F/W 2010/11 lookbook by Superfine. Applications seem to be on the rise. Update yourself!

If you are not sure yet, I will recommend to find yourself a fab pair at H&M. I got myself one and the fit is really great. The fabric could be softer, but for CHF 29.90 (wow!) I don`t want to complain! Go with the trend, there is no doubt you will be making a fierce statement in those!

LoL, Sandra

My look to the left:
Jeggings, hat and jewelry by H&M, tank top BALMAIN,
shoes CHLOE and FENDI Peekaboo bag.

Since Balmain`s relaunch in 2006, Christophe Decarnin is at the helm of the old French fashion house. He is an amazing designer and I am truly in love with his tough-chic looks. Decarnin is the leader of the disco. This season his military chic is again influencing the chain stores wherever you look. Four seasons in a row Balmain is on fire for me, so so so hot!!! All the pieces I got are my favourites. As I am very petite, the tiny dresses and the amazing jackets with extremely tight sleeves and embellished shoulders seem to be made for me. My trophies this summer will be the destroyed jersey shirt and hot pants. This is perfect combat chic with an easy feminine edge to it.

But let`s face up to the facts his collections are extremely expensive. Therefore I spotted something to avoid the red-hot price tags. Have a look at the Loha Vete collection available through www.luisaviaroma.com and www.matchesfashion.com. You can find similiar T-shirts with lace inserts that are approximately € 210.- and have a good quality (the Balmain one is about € 800.-). The distressed pants are also looking pretty cool.

The least expensive alternative would be to do it yourself. I would recommend using scissors and probably a nail clipper for the small nicks. Take a tee, cut holes into it and poke at some of them with your fingers to enlarge the gaps. Enjoy!

Decarnin is keeping the wheels of fast turning fashion. But let`s see how long this will last… hopefully a long time!

LoL, Sandra