Sandra‘s Closet

Capes appeared on the fashion radar last year in full force, when an array of designers put their high-fashion spin on this classic cover-up. Personally speaking, I have been a fan of capes since forever because they are the perfect pieces to wear over voluminous shoulders, big sleeves or embellishments. The trend is thankfully still going strong and giving us good incentive to go hands-free when we wrap up this season. My advice, opt for a statement piece that will make heads turn. It can be inspired by the current ’70s bourgeoisie trend, come with a military vibe, be vibrant or knitted. Here are my favorite ones available with the power to elevate even the plainest of outfits.

LoL, Sandra

Eureka double-breasted camel hair cape by Max Mara

Pleated cashmere cape by Loewe

Asymmetric leather cape by Saint Laurent

Two-tone wool-blend cape by Chloé

Button-embellished double-breasted wool and cashmere-blend cape by Balmain

Reversible wool and silk-blend cape by Gucci

Double-breasted scalloped houndstooth wool-blend bouclé cape by REDValentino

Long single-breasted wool cape by Prada

Leather-trimmed wool-blend cape by Burberry

Organza-trimmed wool and silk-blend crepe cape by Valentino

Wool-blend cape by Valentino

Embellished silk-crepe cape by Givenchy

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Last Friday, I arrived in my happy place which is my old hometown Munich. Before the official start of Oktoberfest on Saturday, I went out with friends on Friday night wearing this quite daring dress. Unfortunately, it is always hard to find someone who is not only willing to take some photos and but also capable of doing so. This time, it was obviously a difficult task:-) – men can be so uncooperative – but I hope that you still enjoy this post.

My look: One-shoulder satin-trimmed crepe mini dress and feather cape, both by Balmain, black calf leather lace up Janis pumps by Saint Laurent, Satin Touch 20 denier stay-up stockings by Wolford, black and white grained leather bag with gold-tone metal details and single earring, both by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Speaking of shoe fall trends, there is no way not to be mentioning Prada. The heavy-duty combat boots we saw on the Italian fashion label’s F/W 2019 runway above are already poised for huge success, and they’re joined by similarly utilitarian styles from Fendi and Balmain, which I predict fashionistas will wear with floaty dresses or tuck their trousers into.

If you’re wise enough to make an investment now, shop the boots that speak to you the most (before everyone else does)… don’t say I didn’t warn you!

LoL, Sandra

Laser-cut leather and suede ankle boots by Alaïa

Ranger logo-debossed leather ankle boots by Balmain

Ceonene 40 leather ankle boots by Gianvito Rossi

Cruz studded textured-leather ankle boots by Jimmy Choo

Army lace-up leather ankle boots by Saint Laurent

Lace-up leather ankle boots by Prada

Freedom leather ankle boots by Fendi

Leather boots by Miu Miu

Rope-trimmed lace-up leather ankle boots by Balenciaga (50% off)

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

In July, I travelled with TOM FORD to Gordes in France for the launch of the brand’s newest unisex fragrance, LAVENDER EXTRÊME. An extremely beautiful scent that I fell in love with from the first encounter, different from everything I had smelled before. The iconic lilac flower is upended, translated from its storied origin in Provence and into a fresh subversion of itself. Different types of lavender are mixed together, developing diverse facets, from an adrenaline-pumping freshness to an amber-like facets and layered with Italian bergamot and citrus. For the base note, the relaxing scent of lavender gets a shot of electricity with a spicy, warm oriental tonka, and benzoin drydown. Extremely sexy, seductive and long-lasting – exactly what TOM FORD stands for.

For the social media campaign, I was honored to be part of this amazing shoot in the lavender fields close to Gordes, wearing this stunning outfit by TOM FORD.

My look: Light jersey mock neck cape dress, leather pumps with padlocks, vintage purple «punk»-style fur bag, silk-chiffon headscarf, and Linda sunglasses, all by Tom Ford,  leather and suede waist belt by Balmain.

Housed in an all-silver, sleek bottle, LAVENDER EXTRÊME is the epitome of understated glamour. In Switzerland available now at Jelmoli, Globus Zurich and Globus Geneva for CHF 340.00 (50 ml).

Enjoy more photos below and stay tuned for the make-up look coming up soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Virgile Guinard for Tom Ford / © Sandra Bauknecht

Balmain‘s Pre-Fall 2019 or David Koma‘s F/W 2019 collection are both boasting the animalistic trend with beaded ornates that curve from the hip up towards a single padded shoulder. Dragons or serpents, both are stunning examples of an opulent yet unfussy approach to design. Wear them with smoky eyes and your hair pinned into a bun to highlight the shoulder cutout or opt for the skirt with a turtleneck during the day.

One-sleeve crystal-embellished stretch-jersey mini dress by Balmain

Embellished cutout stretch-cotton velvet mini dress by David Koma

Embellished cutout stretch-cotton velvet mini skirt by David Koma

And as usual, here is a little tip to channel the season’s dramatic sense of glamour on sale:

Left: Snake-embroidered beaded velvet mini dress by Valentino (60% off)
Right: Snake-embellished tulle gown by Valentino (60% off)

Time to unleash your inner snake in the Garden of Eden and to transform into a fierce, yet seductive woman.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

You snooze, you lose… I don’t let my readers miss out on hundreds of items by Tom Ford, Givenchy, Jimmy Choo and more – all now in final sale.

Shop up to 80% off at NET-A-PORTER – plus enjoy 20% off all ‘Sale Must-Haves’! Here are the 10 pieces on sale you shouldn’t miss:

Silk-chiffon headscarf by Tom Ford
A piece that will elevate every look to new heights and will be your friend on a bad hair day!

Asymmetric gathered stretch-crepe gown by Givenchy
A runway piece that moved like a flowing waterfall as it made its way down the S/S 2019 runway. An investment piece for a great piece that works for all seasons.

Dolce Box crystal-embellished acrylic clutch by Dolce & Gabbana
A clutch decorated with glistening crystals in a striking leopard pattern will never come out of fashion.

Maureen 85 leather-trimmed zebra-print satin mules by Malone Souliers
Zebra print is THE trend among animal prints for the F/W 2019 season. This is your chance to get ahead of the fashion tribe!

Love 100 glittered checked leather pumps by Jimmy Choo
Another great transition piece. A must for winter!

Belted marbled intarsia-knit jacket by Balmain
A wonderful cardigan for cold summer nights and a daily companion for winter.

Gold-tone clip earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane
Would you have guessed that those earrings are now Marked down to less than €30?

Fringed jacquard-knit wrap by Etro
This wool-blend jacquard wrap is exactly what you want to reach for on chilly days.

Loulou medium leather and jute-trimmed quilted printed cotton shoulder bag by Saint Laurent
A seasonal but fun piece you shouldn’t miss! Bohemian luxe at its best.

Printed silk-twill scarf by Versace
A classic that makes a great gift as well.

Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Today is Independence Day (colloquial: the Fourth of July), a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. So here is my round-up of patriotic but fashionable pieces to wear to all those Fourth of July parties or of course all year around. Luckily, designers have found plenty of ways to transmute the classic stars and stripes motif into something fun, and dare I say elegant.

1 Embroidered apliquéd leather bomber jacket by AMIRI (50% off)
2 Chuck Taylor All Star 70 logo-print canvas high-top sneakers by Converse + JW Anderson
3 Storm rubber and ribbed-knit thigh sock boots by Givenchy (40% off)
4 American flag-intarsia wool-blend sweater by Saint Laurent (40% off)
5 American flag-appliqué cotton baseball cap by Vetements (50% off)

6 American Flag T-shirt by Polo Ralph Lauren
7 Flag print dress by Polo Ralph Lauren
8 Eagle print iPhone X cover by Palm Angels
9 U.S.A. print T-shirt by Balmain (50% off)
10 Flag print hoodie by Calvin Klein Jeans

Happy Fourth of July!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands,
Runway Photo in Collage: Viktor & Rolf F/W 2000

The retro one-piece swimsuit feels so right again. Better than ever, those new offerings are really fun, and could double as bodysuits. You can style them with pants or tailored jackets to the office or with hot pants to the next festival.

In the end, they will accompany us through the summer, reminding us of beaches we’ve lain on, and boats we’ve jumped off. Enjoy and channel your own Baywatch moment.

LoL, Sandra

One-shoulder ruffled printed swimsuit by Johanna Ortiz

Wrap-effect button-embellished printed swimsuit by Balmain

Printed swimsuit by Gucci

Lacy swimsuit by Cynthia Rowley

Amari Swiss-dot tulle-paneled ruffled swimsuit by Zimmermann

Old Smoky Moonshine embellished cutout swimsuit by Johanna Ortiz

Scared Heart print swimsuit by Dolce & Gabbana

Printed swimsuit by Balmain

Printed swimsuit by Fendi

Leopard-print swimsuit by Dolce & Gabbana

Sparkling swimsuit with zebra print by Gucci

Mare striped sequined swimsuit by Missoni

Dakotta slashed swimsuit by Agent Provocateur

One-shoulder button-embellished cutout swimsuit by Balmain

Printed swimsuit by Versace

Ruffled swimsuit by Emilio Pucci

Allia floral print swimsuit by Zimmermann

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Saint-Tropez is definitely the place where the wild things are happening. After yesterday’s post about CHANEL’s ephemeral summer boutique in the picturesque Riviera hot spot, I thought you might like this outfit shot in the harbor last Saturday. CHANEL accessories are always a fashion-forward addition to create some pretty daring looks. Here you see me wearing some new S/S 2019 pieces combined with vintage ones that elevate the all black outfit into new heights.

My look: Feather cape by Balmain, Natalie keyhole mesh jumpsuit by Hervé Léger, cutout leather platform pumps by Saint Laurent, mini boxy flap bag, lambskin belt with rhinestones, logo earrings, and pearl bracelet, all by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
Black & White Photo: © Rian Davidson

For this year’s Easter weekend, I flew to São Paulo and I cannot wait to share my experiences from this amazing, vibrant city. Here you see me at Zurich airport stretching a little before the long flight. When I am flying, I love to stay comfortable and in this case, I also went for a shirt with pockets to store the most important things close to my body. Everybody warned me how dangerous São Paulo is going to be but I have to admit I experienced it completely differently. Clean and safe. More to come soon….

My look: Fringed wool-jacquard cardigan by Etro, black oversized jersey dress by Miu Miu, oversized cotton military shirt by Balmain, Helda stretch-scuba leggings by The Row, Soho mini textured-leather shoulder bag by Gucci, vintage Muse Large leather tote by Yves Saint Laurent, and Triple S sneakers by Balenciaga.

Flying for 3 days to São Paulo and back can be challenging for your skin. My avid readers know my secret weapon: LA MER’s The Concentrate that helps with all sort of skin irritations. If you are shopping on the Swiss website, don’t forget to use the promo code sandralamer that has been extended until April 30, 2019. If you spent more than CHF 150, you will receive a LA MER Pouch with a Deluxe Soft Cream 7ml (CHF 45.00) and a Deluxe Cleansing Foam 30ml (CHF 30.00). PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE ONLINE SHOP DIRECTLY.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht