Sandra‘s Closet

Battle fall`s chill in the must-have fabric of the season: shearling. The natural sheepskin has been highly popular on the F/W 2010 runways and designers have come up with some pretty amazing warm and stylish fashion items from trapper hats to cozy coats. And even Hermès’s famous Kelly bag won`t be freezing this season…. love that fur version!

The It-piece of the season is definitely the cropped shearling jacket. Burberry Prorsum did best with the combination of leather and shearling for their aviator versions. These pieces with oversized collars make fashionistas drool all over the continents for their Top Gun moment.
And ladies, you will get a workout in those. They are very cozy and warm, but also sooo heavy which is actually kind of great, lifting weights and being fashionable in one! Believe me, I tried them on!

There are many models to select from this season, but not all are spectacular. The colour, the trim and the style make a world of a difference so take a peek at my pre-selection above. Those cropped shearling jackets work great with this season`s maxi skirts.

If you are petite shaped, you could get swallowed up, so toughen up the look with some tight pants and stiletto boots.

Especially luxe is shearling when fused with shoes. Ohmygod, finally I will have warm feet during winter and high heels on! Yippie!
I am so longing for those Marni clogs….

Give shearling a warm welcome!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

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

During the next week, we will do some time-travelling through different decades and their impacts on the F/W 2010 collections. One of the most important ones to influence your fall wardrobe, is the era of the late fifties. It is a celebration of women with the return of the curvy silhouette. Forerunner of the mid-century modern look is Miuccia Prada that surprised once more with her first time focus on the breasts with ruffled  pointy-bra tops. But there is nothing vulgar about her designs. When nostalgia catches up, Marc Jacobs cannot be far away. In the same vein as Prada this season, his collection for Louis Vuitton accented the womanly figure via corsets, belted wasp waists, petticoated skirts, fitted tops and deep cuts.

The looks could have come straight out of the most popular American TV show of the moment, Mad Men. The Emmy and Golden Globe winning series is set in the late fifties/ beginning of the sixties in the world of New York advertising. Its visual style is highly acclaimed and has inspired many designers for fall.

The mood is very fresh feminine with an uptight but sexy secretary note. The full skirt that had reigned until the early 1960s as the emblem of the 1950s woman celebrates its comeback with a charming Frenchified accent.

The hair is scraped back into high, bouncy sort of Brigitte Bardot ponytails or preferably worn in high chignons, held by tight headbands. The make-up is very Dita Von Teese, sort of clean and all about eyeliner. If you like, you can add a red pout. This look will stay for Resort 2011 as seen beautifully at Dior.

To accessorize your Stepford Wives look, here is what you need:

First a pair of spiked little kitten heels, Those very pointed shoes are comfy and because of their short height, you can still look up to the stronger sex.

Secondly, a top handle bag that shows discreet elegance.

And last but not least, a pair of cat-eye sunglasses. You can choose from sharply exaggerated to sweetly retro, just unleash your feline side.

Can you write in shorthand “chic”? I am convinced that now you can…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Me in the Haight area wearing black leggings by BLUMARINE, military shirt by BALMAIN, top and pink-khaki scarf by LOUIS VUITTON and suede clogs by MIU MIU

Last week, I spent a few days in San Francisco. Haight Ashbury is the famous intersection in the area that gets its notoriety from the “psychedelic” culture and the 1968 “Summer of Love”. Today, you can still feel the hippie vibe with its fragments of flower-power.

When I was walking around the district, I got so inspired by the gorgeous bright coloured houses, so-called Painted Ladies. The term refers to Victorian and Edwardian buildings painted in three or more colours that embellish their architectural features.

Adopting that idea and transferring it to fashion, I styled some beautiful outfits in different colour combinations. You will see how stunning some shades can look together. Most people tend to wear a more neutral palette along with black. There is nothing against this. But today, I want to challenge you a bit and demonstrate how wonderful a little mix with some bolder tones can appear without looking like a clown.

It is again all about that special twist. Carrie in Sex and the City might be the perfect example: Patricia Field, the show`s stylist, opts very often for something that looks kind of strange in the beginning, but then so surprising and interesting that you cannot take your eyes of it.

Experiment with your own style! That is the thing that is so hard to copy and will earn you lots of admiring glances.

Spare for a little hug?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Oh you pretty thing! Soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo stars in the new advertising campaign for Giorgio Armani underwear and Giorgio Armani jeans. I thought that this is a lovely eye candy for you on a cozy Sunday afternoon along with the great outfit that would make a perfect weekend look. Love the embellished sweater by Markus Lupfer, the wool and jersey-insert leggings by Julien Macdonald combined with the stunning grey flats by Chloé and the clutch by Jimmy Choo. Skull print scarf by Alexander McQueen and lace lingerie by Elle Macpherson Intimates. Something that the guys would love…and who would mind waking up next to those abs?!

By the way, Happy Father`s Day!

LoL, Sandra

Camilla Skovgaard F/W 2010

High heeled, stilettoed, up to the thigh, those boots are insane and definitely to become the hits of the season. Just imagine your legs in them! Those jaw-dropping models from the F/W 2010 collections will make you speechless and others green with envy.

The overknee is going to stay for another season, love the Burberry ones. You could feel a saloon-girl approach in detail and line at Balmain or Givenchy, lace-up and mid-calf, you are ready to dance the Can-Can. But no worries, it is a very modern look, not at all disguised.

Architecturally amazing are the soles of Viktor & Rolf, even if they seem to be a copy of Camilla Skovgaard`s signature style (see left).

Buckled, fringed – there are certainly no rules, experiment with such a variety of shapes and models. I am sure that there is already one that has conquered your heart! To be in stores soon…

LoL, Sandra

Some of the most memorable looks on the runways for F/W 2010 impressed with the comeback of the season: Fur in all variations. From Karl Lagerfeld`s take on the full faux fur polar bear look to Versace`s colourful interpretations to shearling lamb footwear.

The emphasis was one the most luxurious finishing details you can imagine. The designers were using more fur than ever. I am wondering why PETA was so absent during the fashion weeks. They could have totally made an example.

Herewith you will find a gallery of the most desirable shoes and bags for the upcoming season. I am crazy for Chanel `s Nanook of the North fake fur boots with the icicle heels and the matching chain strap bag. Totally stylish are also the fur-trimmed boots like the ones by Hermès or YSL.

Another must-have for winter is a thick fur-covered tote, for example by Dolce & Gabbana or Christian Dior to name a few.

Love it or hate it, fur is one of the biggest trends.

LoL, Sandra

Summer is here, but fashionwise winter is knocking at the door. During the next weeks I will tell you all about the rising F/W 2010 trends. You will be up-to-date before the looks will be present in the fashion magazines. So enjoy the first one:
Spotted a lot on the runways once more were animal prints with leopard and ocelot up front! Add just one item to your wardrobe and your seasonal definition will be ensured. My absolute favourite is the stunning coat by Gucci, my must-have!

Mixing purple, yellow, red and green in one outfit, sounds probably quite shocking to you. But have a look for yourself, it makes a pretty awesome fashion statement.
Combining bold colours can look amazingly stylish and not at all clownesque. The key is to add an accessory that has all the colours of the look in it like the Alexander McQueen silk scull print scarf in this set.

Happy experimenting!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands