11-09-2025 MY INSPO: a finalized style report in croatia

 style report: dalmatia fall/winter 2025

in the two and a half weeks of staying at "home" #2, i did my due diligence, and observed in cafés, and on the streets - what are the croatians wearing this fall?

trench coat + wide leg jeans

the trench coat was ever-present, the moment my feet landed on european soil. hell, even i was wearing a trench coat?! simple, effortless and timeless. this fall, dalmatians are pairing the trench with wide leg jeans, but your possibilities are truly endless.

business casual

are blazers back - due to the recession? i've seen more blazers at the local cafe than at jcpenney. even my mom was getting hip with it, as she demanded we buy her a navy and a grey one! a navy blazer is actually on my to buy list. now i truly need it. while most blazer looks were impressively well put together, it was getting too much - i saw a teen girl wearing a white one paired with grey leggings. i was left speechless, and not in a good way.

jeans with turned up hems

jeans are a classic, but the twist are wide, turned up hemps. it's okay if i get jeans that are too long, sib can just hem them for me. no need for cutting and wasting fabric. it's the style.

high ponytails and high buns

the hairdo of the season, and perhaps always, is a sleek bun or a high ponytail. a classic still during my middle and high school days - yet with my extremely straight hair, one would assume i could master these looks. nope, my hair only listens when i leave it be (and even then it's questionable).

the cropped leather jacket

sib and i both fell victims to the cropped leather jacket. sib bought a black one, i bought the red bomber one, and our mom got a zara cream one, secondhand. whether minimalistic and wide, or sleek with metallic details, this is a great way to elevate a casual fit for afternoon coffee. it even looks good with a sporty set - if that's your cup of macchiato.

manicured nails

one needs to have a regular nail salon (thank god there's plenty to choose from) and nails need to be done.

the dog culture

westernization is prevalent by the amount of "dog friendly" spaces - boyfriend saw a guy with a dog taking a shit in the middle of the mall.

our future looks bright - and well put together

the older population and our lovely senior ladies show that just because you're close to retiring, even a simple walk to the local farmer's market means you need to be dressed your best. beautiful suit sets, brooches, scarves, and wonderful glasses (sun- or not). this was one of my most refreshing observations. not saying american seniors can't be stylish - this is a next level kind of thing.

men's fashion

while your typical dalmatian guy sports a beer belly, skinny legs, man purse, armani exchange or hugo boss, other looks contain skinny jeans. a swap has happened. the girls gave the skinny jeans to their boyfriends. 

tote bags for backpacks

a trend not as common in my time, but something among the younger generations - the high schoolers dumped their sporty backpacks (like the converse ones i begged mom every year), and swapped them for sturdy michael kore or hermes looking totes. simple, usually black leather, these girls balance notebooks and their tote, in a very chic way. oh to be a teenager again...

long puffer vests

outerwear as a layering accessory is a clear go-to, as i mentioned other items before. long puffer jackets (bestie victoria mastered some great looks with her own) are a casual go-to for the weather that changes as much as ohio (cold foggy mornings, sunny and warm afternoons, then early cool evenings). i'm a fan of short vests, and have multiple, but perhaps it might be time to invest in a longer piece?

mini longhamp bags

longchamp is a great quiet luxury fashion brand. i bought a vintage large le pliage - nylon in camel color, and it has been my fave work bag (y'all have seen it many times), as well as travel bag. this fall, croatians enjoy the mini le pliage, many adorned with charms, and long crossbody straps too. as a fan of micro purses, i could justify this as a cute mini investment, trusting longchamp's durability and quality.

fashion according to ok je ok!

i read the teen magazine ok je ok!, and they always have a plethora of fashion news. this month, they shared their own fall fashion trends, and i can see some similarities to british vogue's trends from a month or two ago.

the segment called tiktok fashion hits shares the following:

this fall the fashion crew from the famous social media suggests a few cool trends... you can choose one, or combine more in one combination!

animal print

"the trend that returns every year, is back this fall. of course, it's not about real leather or fur, but rather pleather and the style that is found in the animal kingdom!"

here's three items from my closet (now mix between cro and america), with some animalistic vibes:

a peacock print skirt, black top, and startas sneakers. leather cropped jacket, black beanie, and some metals meet leather.

next up: cheetah print scarf. all black outfit - simple black skirt and top, leather knee high boots, some gold jewelry and a leather coat with a subtle croc design

snake bracelet from betsey johnson. not completely animal print, but animal theme. here's a shiny galactic look - bcbg asymmetrical top, sequin skirt, and pvc boots. faux fur coat and some other accessories.

feminine polo

"if you're the sporty type, there's something for you! popular polo shirts with collars are now the main stars of the fall, but in a more feminine edition!"

i have about 4 polo tops total, so here's what i would do with three polo looks:

a white st john polo from my croset - paired with a tartan skater skirt, and i would match it with a britght red kate spade purse, add edge with steve madden platform boots, and smooth it all out with my trusty trench coat

cropped american eagle in sage green, courtesy of sib's closet. i would also feminize it by adding high waisted camel colored denim pants, matching color ralph lauren heels (with a subtle croc design - there's that combination!), van gogh tote and gold jewelry.

finally, lady hagen white polo with no buttons. a cute summer look with denim shorts, sunnies, strappy heels and betsey johnson bag.

boho chic

"the style that combines bohemian and elegance is inspired by the fashions of the 60s and 70s, but in a modern way. here belong flowy dresses, materials like leather, linen, and knits, layered looks, earthy tones, and accent jewelry!"

this trend was found in the british vogue list, and here's some more recent interpretations from my closet:

a boho pattern skirt, and leather boots that could bring out the boho. a wool sweater and tons of jewelry and a woven mini purse.

desigual skirt and a simple blue top, matched with floral tights, moto boots, and leather jacket. 

a cottage core blue dress with floral print, would be matched with leather bracelets, asymmetrical sunnies, old converse in various shades of blue, and this tote bag with wooden handle.

the great blue

"the color blue shouldn't be reserved just for summer months, it found its place this fall in tones that remind us of the ocean!"

 i personally love seeing pops of blue in fall decor at home, blue velvet, blue corn, and dusty shades in fall decor or for thanksgiving.

denim midi skirt, classic blue, matched with simple knit old navy top. accessories between off-white cream and staggering blue vans and tie dye baseball cap

a turquoise dress, paired with leather bag and jacket, lacquered heels and some colorful jewelry - for a fancier event

blue jeans, bomber jacket paired with a white tee, gold jewelry, tweed purse and black turban hat and low heel boot.

jeans and diamonds

"the glamorous "glam rock" got a new life. it's about a trend in which denim is pared with a high luxury accessory like opulent diamond jewelry or an expensive coat. thanks to this new trend, jeans can be found even on the red carpet!"

as a lover of everything high-end, but also avid thrifter, i often adore pairing something thrifted or secondhand with an investment piece. i think this dichotomy is (crazy) perfect.

here i paired secondhand zara jeans with a secondhand tube top, a new yorker bomber jacket and purse (both brand new), gold earrings, vintage silver sing, gold necklace with rose pendant, chrome cole haan loafers and oscar de la renta sunnies

here the investment pieces are the vintage leather jacket, diamond stud earrings, and vintage silver purse - paired with mango jeans, crop top (secondhand but originally from sheen - don't judge, at least it's not in landfill). asks heels, some sunnies from croatia, and red jewelry.

zara jeans were paired with a simple, inexpensive old navy top, some jewelry (topaz ring, and other jewelry thrifted), silver gianni bini heels, blazer upcycled with brooches (it will be getting additions as i brought back more brooches from croatia), and vintage magazine clutch.