Straw bag

Posted on September 12, 2017

Transitional staple: The jumpsuit

Rocking that romper by Max and Co. Straw bag by Sicily Bag.

Phew, summer has flown by and now it’s time for the falling leaves, shorter days and chillier nights. It’s been super busy for me, settling into my new job at Amazon as well as finding my feet in Berlin. The move from London last year still feels so fresh and raw and being a foreigner in my home town has had its challenges!

When life gets busy like this, I’d like to grab comfortable yet stylish wardrobe staples. Taa da, meet the jumpsuit. It’s modern and looks pulled together without trying too hard. In summer, just wear it solo, in autumn, just throw on a blazer, a cardi, a denim jacket, a bomber jacket, a tuxedo, a leather jacket, I could go on and on. Dress it up or down, in sneakers or high heels. See, the options are endless!

I love my jumpsuits to be made of comfy jersey material that doesn’t cling to the body but drapes around it in a flattering way. I prefer dark colours as they are slimming and make the jumpsuit look elegant and dressy from desk to Happy Hour!

I’m wearing a two toned jumpsuit by Max and Co, sandals by Minelli and Sicilian straw bag by Sicily Bag.

Lace coffa straw bag by Sicily Bag.

Posted on February 28, 2016

How to wear a Straw Bag in Winter

Bags/ Featured/ Romantique/ Wardrobe

Most people associate straw and wicker with summer. But who needs rigid rules these days? So many looks have transcended their former boundaries – e.g. sequins are now part of regular office attire. Sneakers are worn with delicate jacquard dresses. So why not wear a straw bag in winter? They’re cute, chic and express a unique counterpoint that says “to hell with the cold – I feel warm regardless!”. The colourful poms poms, ranging in hue from soft pastels to deep turquoises and reds, are your best friend to combat the winter blues. Imagine the colourful, pom pom embellished Sicilian cofa straw bag with a pea coat and ankle boats! Or a more understated straw bag in subtler tones. I love Sicily Bag’s model “Claudia” with its signature honey comb pattern worn with pleated knits and a woollen hat. The possibilities are endless.

Crispy cold, sunny winter day? Free the pom poms and let them shine!

I’m wearing above: Pink bathrobe coat by Max & Co. Moccasins by AGL Attilio Giusti Leombruni. Straw Bag “Gig” in size medio by Sicily Bag.

All straw coffa bags are by Sicily Bag, my own web boutique I opened last year.

Every straw bag, handcrafted by Luigi and his family, carries history in its weaves. The age old Sicilian craft of embellishing straw bags is sadly fading. Luigi and his family are part of the last generation of artisans keeping this tradition alive.

I’m wearing: Sicily Bag “Gigi” in size grande. Caban sailor jacket by Max & Co, navy skirty by Claudie Pierlot. Sunglasses my Miu Miu.

I’m wearing a Sicily Bag in size piccolo. Gingham trousers by Max and Co. Lace collar shirt by Hallhuber. Beret by Seeberger.

Posted on November 3, 2015

Straw Bag in Golden Autumn

Bags/ Featured/ Rebel Alexa

I’m wearing: “Gig” Sicily Bag, Denim shirt by 0039 Italy, skinny jeans by Zara, leopard flats by BCBG, nude sunglasses by Celine.

Romantique and I are in love with Sicily Bag, the beautiful coffa straw bags Romantique discovered this year on her summer holiday in Sicily. In 6 weeks, she managed to set up a web boutique to share these artisanal wonders with the world!

As we’re moving into chillier but golden-sunny autumn weather, I wondered whether I’d still get away with carrying the richly embellished summer accessory. The answer is yes! As long as the weather is sunny and dry, the Sicilian basket looks stunning set against the oranges, yellows and deep reds of autumn.

Personally, I like to keep my outfit simple, with classic shapes and muted colours, and then have one accessory to pop, like Sicily Bag. In the pic above, I’m wearing a denim shirt, denim skinnies and leopard flats.

I’m wearing: “Gigi” Sicily Bag, Breton striped shirt by J Crew. Flats by BCBG.

I love simple Breton stripes for their versatility: Wear them with short sleeves in summer, or with long sleeves and in cosy materials like wool and cashmere in winter. Combine with Sicily Bag to make you feel like summer hasn’t left the building just yet. Love it!

Posted on October 13, 2015

London in Autumn

Featured/ London/ Romantique/ Skirts

After an atrocious summer, London spoilt us with lots of gorgeous sunshine and mild temperatues throughout September and October. I’ve been tanning it up on our balcony and have managed to push back the un-dusting of my winter wardrobe by a few extra weeks.

Autumn is one of my favourite seasons: The warm golden light, the rich and saturated colours of the leaves fallen from the trees and the first few hot chocolates of the season. London’s parks – Hampstead Heath and Primrose in the North, Hyde Park and Holland Park in the South – are the perfect escape to relax from the hectic pace of the city.

Wardrobe wise, , fall is the time to tone down the bright colours of the summer, seeing the return of opulent colours such as burgundy, forest greens and mustard yellow. These colours are not the most flattering on me, but I still love wearing them and like to freshen them up with a crisp white shirt.

I’m wearing: Burgundy skirt with suspenders by Claudie Pierlot. Since my French colleague at work told me about this quintessential Gallic brand, I’m hooked! Their style is romantically French consisting of classic staples with a girly twist. Think (plenty of!) Peter Pan collars, sailor stripes, classic shapes and a calm colour palette.

Love the pastel coloured houses of Primrose Hill

Classic penny loafers by Segabo. Embellished Straw coffa bag by Sicily Bag

Posted on August 27, 2015

Simple Chic: Jumpsuit in the city

Bags/ Featured/ Romantique/ Wardrobe

MAx and Co jumpsuit and sicily coffa bag strawbag Street style London

There’s something about the casual wearability of the jumpsuit. Far from a romper, it’s a quick style fix that can be worn for many occasions, dressed up or down, appropriate for the beach as well as the board room.

I’m wearing a black (always slimming!) Jersey jumpsuit. The flowing material flatters the figure whilst being super comfortable. The pinnacle of relaxed, Italian chic!

Dress it down with flats for Sunday brunch, or with a sharp blazer and heels for work.

The simplicity of the jumpsuit screamed for one of my decadently adorned Sicily coffa bags. Making it the perfect canvas to showcase statement shoes & bags.

Street style London, Camden. I’m wearing:

Black jumpsuit by Max & Co
Sicily straw coffa bag
Pointy ballet flats nno name by TK Maxx
Sunglasses by Prada

Posted on June 16, 2014

Summer essentials: Me and My Straw Bag

Accessoires/ Bags/ Romantique

Whether it’s lunch in the city, Aperol o’clock on an Italian beach or cocktail hour in the evening, my raffia bag goes everywhere with me in summer.

My Miu Miu basket purse is one of my oldest fashion investments I own: Almost a decade ago, I ordered this gem on American ebay. Clearly not having thought it through properly before feverishly clicking the “buy it now” button, I did pay heavy import tax on the bag for delivery to Germany. Fast forward ten years and I could not be happier with the expenditure. Long before French style icon Ines de la Fressange declared the little straw bag a summer staple, this little bag has been brightening up many of my outfits. Me and my straw bag are inseperable, like Jane Birkin and her little wicker basket!

In the pics I am keeping it girly & nautical with a navy broderie anglaise skirt and Breton shirt.

I’m wearing:

Straw bag with bamboo handles from Miu Miu
Breton shirt mariniere from COS
Broderie Anglaise skirt from Max & Co
Pointy Ballerina flats from Versace

Style inspiration from our favourites: Diane Kruger (left) carrying an adorbs wicker purse, accompanied with summer floral sandals, skirt and straw fedora hat. Jane Birkin (right) in the epitome of summer chic in the inconic movie “La piscine”: Gingham shorts and straw purse with ballerina pumps. Tres French, tres chic!

Posted on June 5, 2014

Must-have summer Accessory: The Panama Hat

Accessoires/ Romantique/ Wardrobe

Inspired by Rebel’s recent stylish post on Panama / Fedora hats and her insistence that this is a must-have item to jazz up my wardrobe, I finally gave in.

After a quick dash to our local TK Maxx in Wimbledon, I’m now in possession of my latest HG accessory, a soft straw panama hat, adorned with an obligatory grosgrain bow.

How to style the Panama hat?

After Rebel’s uber-cool outfit, pairing the hat with a navy, cropped Strenesse blazer, Zara cigarette trousers and quilted Chanel-esque ballet pumps, I had big shoes to fill!

For a casual day out in Wimbledon, I chose my trusted Breton shirt, a peachy boucle skirt with navy grosgrain piping and navy espadrilles.

I drew inspiration not only from Rebel but also from gorgeous Diane Kruger, pairing her hat with summer dresses and converse.

I am wearing:

Apricot boucle skirt by Max & Co
Breton shirt by Banana Republic
Panama straw hat from TK Maxx
Straw bag from Miu Miu

Posted on August 22, 2013

Strawberries and Summer

Accessoires/ Romantique/ Skirts

I’m wearing a fruit printed navy skirt from Zara, gingham checked shirt from Pepe, sandals from Spain and straw bag from Miu Miu. Sunglasses from Chloe

Strawberries and summer belong together like Aperol and soda, like London and rain! As a woman of pleasure, it’s only logic to translate my love for all things sweet into fashion by wearing a strawberry print skirt. With temperatures rising, all I need for a casual Sunday is a fruit printed skirt, a vichy checked top, my Miu Miu straw bag and flat summer sandals.

I’m a huge fan of fruit and chocolate infused fashion and beauty: My perfumes are gourmand scents, smelling of pannacotta (Signorina) By Salvatore Ferragamo or gummi bears (Mugler’s Angel). My jewellery depicts sweet Parisian deserts and gingerbread houses. I like my style to be fun and child like when I feel like it!

From left to right: Stella McCartney, Wunderkind, Prada

Which fruit are you? Lemon, cherries, strawberries or bananas?

Mmm good enough to eat - jewellery from N2 Paris from the AW 2014 "La Confisserie" collection

Mmm good enough to eat – jewellery from N2 Paris from the AW 2014 “La Confiserie” collection

N2 Paris is the quirky subline of my favourite French jewellery designer Les Nereides. Check out N2’s new AW2014 collection here.

Lounging about in Wimbledon Park’s luscious gardens

My N2 Paris charm bracelet made of tiny little knives and spoons, sitting on a yummy German spritz cake 😉

Posted on May 26, 2012

3 Ways to rock Vichy / Gingham Chic

Dresses/ Romantique/ Wardrobe

Temperatures finally shot up to 29 degrees this week in London! And how we deserved it after weeks of miserable rain!

Time to dig out my retro Vichy Gingham dresses, shorts & shirts!

I can never get enough of this summer essential, it’s an all time classic and you can style it cute or tough!

1. Wear Vichy / Gingham for work!

Above and below: My blue-white Gant shift gingham dress is classic enough for work. No excuse to not be fashionable at work!

2. Wear Vichy and Gingham girly like Brigitte Bardot!

Girly and cute is this 50s A-line skirt dress from Miu Miu, worn by Kirsten Dunst. Pair it with ballet pumps and a straw bag, irresitable!

3. Rough it up 50s style!

Go rock ‘n tough 50s with a Vichy checked blouse from Guess SS 12. Seen in British Glamour May 2012.

Posted on March 25, 2012

Chic straw bags

Bags

Straw bags are not only for the beach but are one of the 5 essential hand bag types described by Ines de la Fressagne in her style guide “Parisian chic”. This season, you can team them together with swinging 50s dresses, lace dresses, pastel colours, just about anything you feel like. Above: I’m wearing a small straw bag with a navy broderie anglaise skirt from Max & Co, espadrilles wedges and gingham shirt from Gant.

How to wear straw bags:

In the city on the way to lunch with your friends or shopping
In the evening for a touch of casual chic
While travelling

Dolce & Gabbana straw bag 2012

Small straw bags look best in their natural colours or in muted colous so you can pair them with the gorgeous pastel colours of the summer.

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