Styling new looks with old clothes – a festa spirit with statement necklace

Today is the family lunch to celebrate Xmas and thus a spirit for festa would be necessary. For the first time this winter, I was wearing a dress. And the statement necklace brought out just the holiday charm.

Brown dawn coat: bought in Italy in 2011
Wool leopard scarf: bought in China in 2011
Long boots: Geox, bought in Vicolungo outlet in 2012
Belt: bought in Shanghai in 2007
Hand bag: bought @ one euro in local flea market in 2012
Black dress: Xmas present from Granny Lilli in 2010
Cashmere sweater as intimo wear: Andrew Maurice, bought in Italy in 2010
Leggings: bought in Italy in 2010
Belt string: vintage item of my mother-in-law at her youth in 1970’s
Statement necklace: bought in local market this winter

Styling new looks with old clothes – Le Rouge et le Noir

Another endeavor of mine to bring some lively color to the black tone of Italian winter fashion.

A few years ago when I first moved to Italy, my mother-in-law used to judge my style of fashion, for example when I was using a green color bag in winter to carry laptop. Then I did observe the street styles in the high streets in Milan, and guess what, it was unexceptionally BLACK!

I do respect the rules of fashion in Italy. But all black through the entire winter? Come on! Especially the winter lasts a long time here in the north. Well, today let’s go for the red and the black!

Dawn jacket: Husky, bday present from hubby in 2010.
Red pants: Mango, bought in Cannes in 2011.
Hand bag: Salvatore Ferragamo， bought in Vietnam duty free in 2007
Purse: Lancel 1950’s vintage, present from hubby in 2011 in southern France
Ankle boots: the seller, bought in Italy in 2013
Cult Belt: bought in Shanghai in 2006
Silk scarf: Mango, bought in Italy in 2010
Wool cardigan: Benetton, bought in Italy in 2013. It was a very simple and plain piece but I love the cutting. So I hand sewed the recycle pearls at the collar as chic decoration.
Earrings: bought in Luoyang, China in 2013.

Styling new looks with old clothes – the charm of beige

Beige is a classic color for all seasons. I must say I feel happily unique of dessing in beige when being overwhelmed by the black tone of Italian winter fashion.

Dawn coat: Duvetica, bought in Venezie designer outlet in 2013
Cashmere cardigan: Andrea Maurice, bought in Italy in 2010
Brown cotton shirt: Karean style, bought in Shanghai in 2006
Corduroy pants: Benetton, bought in Itlay this winter
Cashmere scarf: Burberry, a surprise present from my dear friend Richard Li in Shanghai in 2009
Long boots: Geox, bought in Vicilungo designer outlet in 2011
Vintage bag: bought in local antique market in 2012
Pearl necklace: tailor-made in Shanghai in 2006

Styling new looks with old clothes — Deep Purple

The paring of deep purple is meant to bring some reviving colors to the dark tone Italian winter fashion. And to salute to the legendary English Band Deep Purple even though I didn’t really enjoy their concert in Shanghai dated back to year 2004. Hardcore just has never been my thing.

Wool coat: bought in 2001 in Shanghai
Sweater: bought in 2010 in Serravella, Italy.
Pants: bought in 2004 in Shanghai. Just love the flowers on the knees!
Slight taper is in nowadays so that I recently sewed this pair of pants from the inside to make them tapered slacks. Now it goes with all my boots and UGGs!
Purse: bought in 2005 in Shanghai.
Boots: Geox, bought in 2012 in Vicolungo, Italy.
Earrings: recently bought in local market
Pins: the purple Mosaic one bought in local antique market in 2013. The pearl one bought in Shanghai in 2008.
Cashmere purple scarf: Andrea Maurice, present from bestie Anna in 2014

Lookbook: deep purple

 

 

Styling new looks with old clothes – winter 2014

“Styling new looks with old clothes” is a series of selfie photos “diary” to show my GREEN attitude for style and fashion:  everyone can dress stylish like a super model without excess consumption.

I have always loved to dress like a super model. After receiving Master degrees of educations in the UK, living in Shanghai and working in senior position in HSBC for corporate real estate，did allow me to indulge in the so-called ‘material world’ for years – hoarding old clothes in the closet and never stopping buying new stuff in order to be ‘stylish’.

It was until in late year 2009 when I moved to Italy after marriage, my view about life started to change — partially because of reading the book “Walden Lake” by Thoreau. I realized life was much more than being driven and slaved by material desires, and our world can never get better unless everyone of us starts to consume less and be more cautious of treating our environment greenly.

Through years I have managed to minimize the desires for shopping in general, and take real good use of what I have got.  It wasn’t easy — I used to drive to outlets every week when I first moved to Italy because I just couldn’t control the urge. I have forced myself to do a few “cut shopping campaigns” (zero shopping for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months etc), and be creative in matching what I have got in my closets as a result of shopping in my wardrobes only.

Now I rarely shop fashion items, but I am gorgeous everyday by styling new looks with old clothes. My life goal of beauty and fashion is, regardless of my age, looking like a never-off-the-stage super model with minimum material consumption. Now my consumption behavior is rather rational and I only buy those truly necessary items — for example shoes do get worn out, don’t they? But of course in the view of Thoreau, none of these are truly the necessity for life.

I want to prove to people around me and the world that everyone can dress stylish like a super model without excess consumption, as long as they have the attitude of green and fashion.

I think the global fashion world does need a touch of Green — more creative ideas and less consumption, because this helps to make our earth a better place to live not only for us, but more importantly for our children.  The green attitude of fashion is that,  being dressed well does not necessarily require excess consumption.

  

Minnetonka lovers in Milan

With my bestie Anna, wearing the exactly same Minnetonka boots, we spent a great fun day in Milan.  Delicious Chinese food for lunch, a stroll of shopping in the high streets,  numerous selfies and many gigglings in front of the marvelous Duomo cathedral!

Friendship Strong and True

– Anonymous

“Friends will come
And friends will go
The seasons change
And it will show
I will age
And so will you
But our friendship stays
Strong and true!”

A fabulous shopping in Serravalle

Serravalle designer outlet is about 40 minutes away by drive. Today is the last day of “private sale” and with my bestie Anna, of course we wouldn’t miss the chance.

The whole day of strolling didn’t get us too far for finding nice stuff, but we did buy fabulous items from Liujo, an Italian upper middle brand famous for being fashionable and chic. For me, a Jeans shirt; and for Anna,  a sweater and a pair of pants.

The time is always relaxing and fun when two best friends are together. In addition I must say the dinner we had in the restaurant specialized in Naples food from southern Italy is absolutely stunning.  The waiter suggested a pasta dish with an entire piece of fish, fresh and exquisite. I also had a glass of white wine to serve the dish, a typical white wine from Naples.

I can’t remember the name of this restaurant although we have eaten there for a few times. But it is in the corner opposite to the shop of Liujo, close to the temporary shop of Gucci. You won’t miss it if you would like to have a nice break by enjoying the fine Italian cuisine apart from being buried in the numerous hours of shopping in Serravalle.