Sandra‘s Closet

I’ve never believed that style should come with an expiration date. If you feel good in something, wear it. If it gives you confidence, even better. Fashion isn’t about age. It’s about attitude. That’s why I called this post Break the Stigma. We spend far too much time discussing what women should or shouldn’t wear at a certain age. I’ve never followed those rules and I’m not about to start now as you can see.

One of my favorite places in Saint-Tropez is Le Café. You can have dinner, dance, step outside for a quick game of pétanque, and then go straight back to the party. Effortless, joyful, and completely fun.

Wear the sparkles. Dance a little longer.

Also worn in Episode 71 of MY STYLE ROCKS SEASON 1.

My look: Crystal-embellished lace jumpsuit by Stella McCartney, feather-detail double-breasted blazer by Valentino, Hourglass crystal-embellished suede shoulder bag by Balenciaga, metal crystal CC long drop earrings by CHANEL, and beige leather Angel T-strap platform sandals by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography and @kazmva0
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Some backdrops are simply made for fashion. And L’oscar London, with its theatrical baroque interiors and that extraordinary butterfly wall, happens to be one of them. Before heading out to celebrate my dear friend Monica’s birthday, I took a moment in my hotel to capture this look, and honestly, the setting did half the work.

There is something deliciously dramatic about L’oscar London. The décor is bold, layered, and unapologetically opulent, the kind of place where every corner feels like a stage set. That butterfly wall in particular is pure magic, both whimsical and grand at once. The perfect mirror for a night that was about to unfold in equally spectacular fashion.

My Chicago girl chose The Berkeley for her London birthday celebration, and what a celebration it was. The kind of evening that reminds you why dressing up matters, why effort has its own reward, and why the best friendships are the ones that make you fly across cities without a second thought.

So yes, a social butterfly in every sense. Not the restless kind who flits from surface to surface, but the kind who transforms, who shows up, who makes the moment.

And the outfit? Very much part of the story.

My look: Rachel black jumpsuit by Nadine Merabi, Angel platform sandals by Gucci, VSLING mini top handle handbag in black with sparkling embroidery by Valentino, silver-tone crystal clip earrings and crystal-embellished snake necklace, both by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / @georgiashane
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Tbilisi, the city that stole my heart, calls for colour, so I showed up in a full rainbow. I rode the funicular up to the Mother of Georgia statue, lost myself in the colourful Old Town, and walked every inch of Rustaveli Avenue where Georgian fashion proves it belongs on the global stage. The Bridge of Peace over the Kura River is simply spectacular, the sulphur baths of Abanotubani utterly iconic, and a sunset boat ride along the Kura sealed the deal.
Tbilisi is non-negotiable. Put it on the list!

My look: Cardigan in GG multicolor, Ultrapace mid-top sneaker, GG Marmont Multicolour small shoulder bag, and aviator-style metal sunglasses, all by Gucci, Felix sweatpants in storm grey by Alice + Olivia,  Oyster Perpetual 36 Celebration by Rolex, and «Look at Me» tank top by JW Anderson.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Family Time 🤍… some things are just universal. A day in Boston with my daughter Anouk, my favorite kind of time. We ended it with Peking duck at JIANG NAN – Chinese Fusion, simple and perfect.

Wearing Alice + Olivia – I love how the brand creates pieces that feel playful, bold, exactly my style and with a fit that feels made for me.

And every time I watch the stories of Stacey Bendet, I can’t help but smile, the way her daughter Scarlet captures her, the little comments, that mother-daughter rhythm… it feels so familiar. Alice + Olivia was founded in 2002, the same year Anouk was born. A full circle moment.

My look: Bradley stretch cotton equestrian cardigan, and gorgeous corduroy jumpsuit, both by Alice + Olivia, Paris metallic leather ankle boots and Monogram fringed shoulder bag, both by Saint Laurent, cat-eye sunglasses by Gucci, and crystal-embellished clip-on earrings in gold by Alessandra Rich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may also earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

A rare moment in Boston: me in jeans and frizzy hair, stuck in an underground garage due to heavy rain, called for: beauty queen of the force of nature.

Bright orange, against concrete. That was the situation. Later at Puttshack Boston, indoor mini golf, part game, part spectacle. Caution: I was unstoppable.

My look: Dioriviera cashmere sweater «Mykonos» (S/S 2022) by Dior, butterfly embroidered jeans by Valentino, ruched belt with butterfly buckle (Gucci Garden), and  Screener sneakers by Gucci, orange red mirror quilted runway shield sunglasses (S/S 2016) by CHANEL, «All Aboard» bandana silk scarf 55 in orange / white / black, and Evelyne 16 mini canvas shoulder bag in Clemence leather in Orange Minium, both by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Beauty and the Bag: Gucci introduces a new campaign starring Kate Moss for the Gucci Borsetto and Emily Ratajkowski for the Gucci Giglio

Gucci unveils a new campaign centered on the endless appeal of the House’s handbags, exploring the instinctive connection that forms between object and desire. The campaign reflects a singular idea: when a bag becomes part of one’s world, it occupies the mind completely.

Captured by Mert and Marcus, the campaign images feature Kate Moss with the Borsetto and Emily Ratajkowski with the Giglio, in portraits that center on the connection between each individual and the bag they carry. The Borsetto appears in GG Canvas, brown suede, and black leather, while the Giglio is presented in dark brown, black, and classic GG Canvas. Appearing in Gucci ensembles that echo the identity and feel of each bag, the styling moves from minimal to full GG across garments and accessories. The campaign continues through videos directed by Bardia Zeinali, where the narrative shifts into motion and the presence of the handbags builds, surrounding the protagonists in an endless, almost dreamlike accumulation.

The campaign highlights the essential role of the Gucci bag within the wardrobe. Materials, surfaces, and silhouettes repeat across images and film, returning again and again to the bag at the center of it all.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Gucci
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Happy St. Patrick Day with moments captured on Killiney Hill, where the wind doesn’t ask, it decides. Freezing, wild, and impossible to style against. My hair? Completely taken by the elements, and honestly, that’s the point.

Later, in front of a perfectly green door, I paused for a photo. It opened. Within seconds, I was invited inside. No hesitation, just that quiet, unmistakable Irish warmth. Effortless, real, rare.

The clover charm on my sweater felt like more than an accessory, a small lucky symbol, a subtle homage to a country that wears its spirit so openly. Ireland has a way of staying with you, quietly, honestly, and a little like the wind: you can’t quite capture it, but you never really lose it either.

My look: Vintage green velvet blazer, cashmere sweater with clover charm, Linea G 2 leather-trimmed canvas shoulder bag, and sunglasses with golden frame and burgundy lenses by Gucci, Beautiful jean by Alice + Olivia, «Coaching» Forever Scarf 90, and scarf ring 90 Régate, both by Hermès, and leather platform ankle boots by Versace.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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The spontaneous plan was a romantic countryside escape, the kind you picture in soft focus. The reality? Saturated fields, silver skies, and a chill that lingered in the air. Atmospheric, yes. Forgiving, absolutely not.

Which is precisely why the look had to deliver. I chose bold, insulating layers with real fashion authority, engineered for shifting temperatures yet unapologetically polished. A waterproof layer disappeared seamlessly into the styling, proving that practicality can – and should – look luxurious. Wellington boots, cut so elegantly they read more riding boot than rubber, grounded the outfit with quiet confidence.

Because true style does not rely on perfect conditions; it creates them. The weather may have challenged the romance, but arriving impeccably dressed restored the magic. Consider this your reminder: book the spontaneous countryside weekend, bring the statement layers, and treat every muddy path like your runway.

My look: Patch fox fur vest (2009) by Miu Miu, brown waxed cotton coat (2008) by Gucci, rib wool-cashmere funnel neck sweater, and black skinny jeans, both by Polo Ralph Lauren, eyelet-embellished wool, silk and cashmere-blend scarf by Chloé, Harlowe wool-felt fedora by Eugenia Kim, mini Pocket tote bag by Burberry, and black rubber Wellington boots by Givenchy.

LoL, Sandra

Photos:© Sandra Bauknecht /  Sinbad Phgura @sinbadphgura
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Last week, on a sunlit day in Henley-on-Thames, I wore this knitted ensemble by Loewe for the first time. The 13th century market town is considered one of the most beautiful towns in England, and I couldn’t agree more, the river, the light, the ambiance are special. Henley is known for the Henley Royal Regatta, when style becomes bold, competitive, and visually charged. Even outside of that spectacle, the town carries a sense of quiet elegance, a perfect counterpoint to a look that commands attention.

And speaking of which, the Loewe knit was anything but understated. Heavy, sculptural, and unapologetically luxurious, the kind of craftsmanship that doesn’t blend in, it asserts itself. I wore this ensemble straight through the day and onto my flight to Boston. A reminder that true luxury doesn’t need to be toned down to travel, it carries its presence wherever it goes.

My look: Ribbed wool-blend cardigan in green, and ribbed wool wide-leg pants in green, both by Loewe, Nama suede-trimmed leather platform sneakers by Chloé, Multi Pochette Accessories in monogram canvas by Louis Vuitton, pearl necklace by CHANEL, Couvertures et Tenues de Jour Forever Scarf 90 in Crème / Rouge H / Bleu / Multicolore, and scarf ring 90 Régate, both by Hermès, Aquanaut Luce in khaki green by Patek Philippe, and oval frame burgundy sunglasses by Gucci.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Following the recent Instagram trend, I decided to dive back into 2016, when fashion went full volume. Before quiet luxury, before restraint became aspirational, 2016 was about impact.

This was the era of Vetements energy, Balenciaga proportions, and Gucci maximalism. Oversized silhouettes pushed to excess, hoodies and bombers worn like armor, chokers framing the neck with intention, distressed denim taken to extremes, thigh-high boots paired without hesitation. Logos weren’t whispered, they were declared.

Streetwear and high fashion didn’t just meet. They collided.

The current return to 2016 isn’t accidental. It follows a widely discussed ten-year cultural cycle, a moment when fashion and internet culture begin to reject hyper-curation and visual restraint. As the polished, controlled aesthetics of the early 2020s lose momentum, there is a renewed appetite for excess, imperfection, and emotional immediacy. What resurfaces isn’t a replica of the past, but the attitude of it: fashion that allows scale, provocation, and unapologetic presence.

For me, 2016 wasn’t a reinvention. It was a moment of alignment, when the dominant fashion language finally mirrored an intensity I had always embraced. Gucci’s eclectic maximalism, Vetements’ provocation, Balenciaga’s scale: the visual vocabulary of that year allowed fashion to be excessive, expressive, and unapologetically styled.

What followed didn’t soften. It intensified.

My style didn’t pivot after 2016, it escalated. Proportions became sharper, contrasts more extreme, statements more deliberate. Not in response to trends, but through a long-standing instinct to push silhouettes further rather than edit them down.

This post is a curated edit of my favorite looks from 2016, a year defined by volume, attitude, and fashion without restraint. If you like to see all the details of the respective looks, I invite you to visit the previous post MY FAVORITE OUTFITS OF 2016.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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