Ciao from Italia!

dispatch from my summer holiday

Hello Dear Friends,

I’m sending a quick dispatch from Italy, where my husband and I are spending some time in the Puglia region to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

It’s my first time writing a newsletter directly from my phone - very cool that the platform is able to do this but also, apologies in advance for any typos or weird formatting!

Straight off the plane at 6 am and into the city for a day of exploring, still in my plane outfit. It’s not an overseas trip if you aren’t waiting hours for your room to be ready!

I’ll be back next week with a full outfit diary but for now, sharing some quick highlights of things I captured on my phone!

Leave no pasta or spritz behind…

consuming all the carbs and aperol/campari spritzes we can! (and I rarely drink sodas but sometimes a Coke Zero after a day of exploring when it’s sweltering out just hits right)

The best travel case set…

I’ve posted about these in previous travel newsletters but the Cadence travel case has really been great for trips. It takes up less than half the space of my older case, the capsules can fit so much, and it hasn’t once spilled through multiple plane and car rides (or the banging of the suitcase as I stroll it down the street!) What I really like about the case is that it opens up like a tray so everything is contained and you can just grab what you need without having to reorganize. It also lays flat so you can stack things on top of it in your suitcase or on the vanity.

An Èpice bag sighting…!

My very chic friend who we met up with was randomly carrying a bag from the brand Èpice Paris which I shared in last week’s Monthly High-Five. Completely not planned but looks like it’s going to be an Epicè Summer! She said she got hers like a decade ago while traveling and had rediscovered it while packing for this trip. They are so lightweight, packable, and brings an instant dose of personality!

Italian Pajama Dressing…

I hoped to squeeze in more window shopping while in Rome to share back with you but it was a quick stop at the beginning of our trip. The one store I was able to get to was the one I was most curious about, Schostal Originals. And it did not disappoint. The brand was founded in 1870 and is still going strong in the center of the city. I stopped by twice in the span of 24 hours and both times, chic locals and out-of-towners were strolling in and out selecting lightweight cotton pajamas and separates. Grandparents, young couples, little kids all choosing their favorite styles and patterns.

Walls of organized clothing. You aren’t allowed to touch anything. The reps guesstimate your size, you try on to see if it fits, and then they pull all the colors and prints available in the style and sizes you want.

The store had all these old photos and memorabilia showcasing their rich history in Rome

Some of the boxer shorts and pajama bottom patterns I pulled

A Donni-esque pattern story but make it Italian!

The pattern I ended up leaving with…the perfect shade of Green. I immediately wore them the next day for our travel day which is always a good sign! The cotton is incredibly light but not sheer.

Age is just a number….

I saw some great style inspiration in the streets but what stood out to me the most were how the older local women carried themselves, whether it was in the city or in a small town. I think sometimes (or maybe a lot of times) we tell ourselves self-imposed rules and restrictions on how we should dress — “I’m too old to wear that” or “I shouldn’t get so dressed up…it’s just dinner with a friend on a Monday”.

These women were more dressed up than the “younger” women around town but no one cares because when you take the time to get dressed for yourself, people notice as that self-confidence radiates!

I’m the worst at capturing style photos in passing…by the time I grab my phone, the person is long gone so these were just a few that I managed to capture in time.

a woman we passed walking to dinner in a small town called Lecce…her suede platform heels, the tapered pant, the personality accessories!

I have friends and clients in their 30s and 40s who feel like they are too old to wear spaghetti straps and I always tell them, you can wear anything if you feel good in it! Two women walking around in skinny strap dresses, bare shoulders and arms, and looking beautiful. One in a jewel green satin dress with simple cool beaded jewelry. The other in an airy and playful polka dot dress with ties…I thought it looks so nice with her hair color and tan and I loved that the dress was a bit sheer.

Ok worst photo ever as we were driving away but this woman looked SO good. Beautiful white hair, bold red lips, personality glasses, an embellished dress that pattern mixed with her bag, and simple ballet flats.. She reminded me a bit of Iris Apfel. Her partner looked great too with his classic sunglasses and simple outfit, allowing her to shine. (Note, I saw a ton of fun personality glasses on women of all ages…it really is such a great way to show your personal style!)

I hope you don’t mind this shorter freestyle newsletter for this week but I promise next week’s will be full of outfit ideas!

Thank you for being here and see you next Sunday!

xx,

Angie