One jacket – three outfits

When I was on vacation in Italy last August I didn’t want to do a lot of shopping rather enjoy the nature and old Italian towns. But I didn’t feel like sightseeing one afternoon so I went to Orio shopping center near Bergamo.

Usually I don’t go to Massimo Dutti as the prices are quite high but it was a period of sales so I dared to enter. And there it was, alone in the corner, last piece (literally last piece in one size – 38) of beautiful jacket in sand colour. I don’t wear 38 in jacket, usually I go for 40, just for the comfort but I tried it anyway and it fitted perfectly. I looked at the price tag and my eyes sparkled from joy. From 150€ down to 40€, I couldn’t leave it there. The quality is great, since I wore it, it is hard to go to cheap jackets, and they don’t feel comfortable anymore.

Anyway, the colour is unusual for me so I wanted to show you what I wore with it to work. I’m not the fashionista by any means so excuse me if the outfits seem to be too simple for your taste.

Special thank you goes to my lovely colleague, Alicja, who took these pictures.

Outfit n.1

Outfit n.1: 

Shirt: St. Oliver 

Trousers: Stradivarius (from this season) 

Belt: either Mango or H&M (there’s no brand name on it) 

Shoes: Luciano Barachini (sponsored by my mum, she didn’t want the shoes anymore so I took them) 

Ribbon: it was part of a blouse long time ago, you can buy it alone in some specialized shops

Outfit n.2

Outfit n.2: 

Blouse: Antea (I bought it during last year holidays in Mallorca) 

Trousers: Stradivarius (from this season) 

Belt: Carpesa (I don’t remember where I bought it, but it is pretty simple) 

Shoes: Nine West

Outfit n.3

Outfit n.3:

Shirt: Ralph Lauren

Jeans: Zara

Belt: either Mango or H&M (there’s no brand name on it)

Shoes: Mark & Spencer

Let me know what would you style it with; I’m open to new ideas.

How to find your fashion style

I have to confess I’m not extremely interested in fashion; I’m mainly makeup and cosmetics fanatic. However I cannot walk around all dolled up and wear just gym pants! Especially, since I work in an international environment and some decent look is required.

Some years ago I read about a good trick in some magazine on how to help yourself to sort out what clothes and styles you like and to shop accordingly. Basically, you create your own “fashion book” where you keep pictures from magazines and internet websites/blogs. Then, when you go shopping just look at the pictures and put a shopping list together. I use it not only for this but also when I get bored of outfits I’ve been wearing for some time already. I always come up with new outfits which is definitely good for my wallet. I started my fashion book in July 2010 and since then I collected 270 pages.

I usually get the urge to go shopping mid-season like now (January sales are longtime gone and July sales far to see…) and by finding new outfit inspirations I can actually restrain myself. This time I found 55 outfits I could create just by mixing different clothes I already have! No shopping here for sure! But of course when creating these new outfits I also created a shopping list (57 items) which I will keep till July sales:).

Here are the websites I cruise from time to time and print pictures for my fashion book:

http://www.collegefashion.net/
http://www.dulcecandy.com/
http://www.pennypincherfashion.com/ (recent discovery of mine, very much obsessed)
http://www.elle.com/fashion/street-chic/
http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/
http://www.whowhatwear.com/

If you have your favorite fashion blogs I should take a look at, please let me know!