12-14-2025 MY INSPO: clothes call

 so many outfit ideas squeezed into one week. this week i'm mixing and matching art and haute couture, layering everything and anything, and predicting what 2026 fashion trends may emerge. alas - let's not constrict ourselves with trends but rather ring in the new!

lessons in layering

from the start of this blog (february) until mid may i bitched and moaned about ohio weather. then we got a break from my usual commentary, and here we are again. back to the bitching about cold weather and often feeling stuck with frumpy and last-minute looks just to stay warm.

paperdoll sammy came into the rescue with her lessons in layering inspired by british vogue. 

1. a slip dress layered over jeans

2. an unexpected mix of textures

3. a going-out top worn over a t-shirt

4. a twist on tailoring with a shirt dress worn over trousers

5. when in doubt, add an extra shirt

6. wear a scarf as a belt

7. keep it simple with a knit and shirt combo

8. break up suiting with a slip dress added as an extra layer

i'm really excited to add these small tricks and revamping my otherwise straightforward and almost expected looks into something more fun and exciting. i'm always curious to find a way to incorporate my spring/summer into fall/winter, and vice versa. for example, i think moto boots in summer are sickening good. my challenge will be getting these slip dresses out of their dust bags (only waiting for weddings) and add them into my everyday fits.

renaissance to runway to... my room?

i'm still enamored by the beauty my eyes witnessed at the art museum last week. renaissance to runway: the enduring italian houses, is currently on display until february 1.

here's a bit of what the exhibit entails, according to the website, featuring some photos i snapped while visiting.

fashion as a medium undeniably addresses ideas that transcend time from the past into the present. through the majestic creations of more than 100 modern and contemporary italian fashions and accessories in dialogue with Italian fine, decorative, and textile arts from the 1400s to the early 1600s, renaissance to runway: the enduring italian houses examines the art historical inspirations that fuel recent creative italian lexicon, expanding fantasies of the renaissance, mannerist, and early baroque periods. 

more than 500 years ago, families, or “houses,” who ruled the states across the italian peninsula, such as the medici of florence and the sforza of milan, used fashion as a form of power and influence, from dictating fashionable styles that were immortalized through painted portraits to controlling textile production as a form of currency. conversely, since the turn of the 1900s, rising italian fashion companies, also called “houses,” have been founded by prolific individuals and families who dominate global style with unmatched design craftsmanship, quality fabrics, and enthralling aesthetics. From versace and valentino to ferragamo and capucci, these houses have interpreted italian early modern–period aesthetics to develop fresh perspectives throughout the fashion landscape. 

this exhibition illustrates how fashion, in all of its change, is a continuous thread that uncovers history’s complexities as it materializes contemporary beauty.

here's some looks that i attempted to recreate from my closet. is this contemporary renaissance enough? most looks are color-coordinated to match, or have some texture similarities.

 

max mara resort 2025.
focused on turban hat and robe-like coat. loved the giant tassles, but instead of using my graduation tassels, i opted for a belt in a similar shade. to make it a full fit, i added a top with shoulder pads and gold brooch, and armani collezioni jeans (enduring italian house). 

giorgio armani f/w 2018
how does one translate this flamingo fabulousness into an everyday look? i chose a floral lace top and mesh wide leg pants (the exhibit look had lace pants). to complete the look, i added a violet pearl bracelet and rose tote for the bouquet, and steve madden bratz style boots.

diesel. 
i smell a trend: fur meets denim? a double denim look with a faux fur vest. added oxford heels, hat, and opulent jewelry in non-invasive shades. a pop of color with the tweed purse. 

pucci 1.
to honor this exhibit ensemble, i made three different pucci-inspired looks. what would the modern three fates look like nowadays, telling your fortune in the bathroom of good night johnboy while paying 5 dollars for one cigarette? alberta ferretti one-shoulder dress (enduring italian house), gianni bini baby pink kitten sandals, and a powder pink tweed blazer. for a pop of blue - sunnies and some jewelry, and for the cutting edge, tights and leather purse

pucci 2.
a work appropriate look with staggering color blocking. dusty blue top with a violet pencil skirt, cocooned in a bubblegum pink raincoat. leather bag and croc imitation boots, and some cream and pearl additions (vivienne westwood necklace, knit tights, and hair clip).

pucci 3.
a transitional look, more casual than the first two: crisp white button-down shirt, denim shorts and classic converse, with a cold tone pink parka (for rainy spring days, or cooler late summer nights), john lennon electric blue sunnies, two tone coach bag and some violet jewelry.

valentino ss2025
full of sequins and florals, this one i interpreted by color, and opulence. i opted for this magenta dress, with a pastel purple coat, and gold heels and accessories. magenta purse to match. the dress itself is sparkly, closest thing to sequins in my closet.

alberta ferretti.
bestie vic and i laughed at the impact high-low dresses had on teen girls from 2012-2016. while it's not high-low, i found a gown with extremely similar shade and design. black lace with glitter, would style with my wool cape coat, black heels with gold hardware. would stick with black and gold jewelry and accessories.

gucci.
a sporty twist on a renaissance vibe. i tried to color coordinate this look, with a ralph lauren pink jersey dress, and white jacket to substitute the cape. coral puma shoes and uniqlo bag, and purple bangles instead of the gloves.

blumarine ss24
i enjoyed this interpretation, using a mesh top with cherubs under a white cotton dress. bcbg platform heels (realistically i doubt i'd last more than 20 minutes in them), replica tote, and white jewelry with these gold earrings that almost resemble wings.

roberto capucci 1989
when i planned to do this style segment, i instantly thought of my floral talbots blouse for this exhibit look. matched with desigual knit skirt and added vintage floral purse. 

finally, as an homage to these enduring italian houses, i found my italian brands to celebrate them as well. are we even surprised, considering i was italian-obsessed just a month ago in croatia?

a bold statement that praises italy through and through. top purchased in high school during my trip to italy, paired with calzedonia tights and marni skirt.

alberta ferretti dress, calzedonia tights

ring was a gift from italy, armani collezioni jeans, emporio armani top, fendi sunglasses

oscar de la renta sweater, versace sunglasses, armani collezioni jeans

diesel top, marni skirt, calzedonia tights, gucci heels, prada necklace

max mara bodysuit, armani collezioni jeans, gucci heels, oscar de la renta  sunglasses

what to give, what to get

it's the holiday season, and the stores are in full frenzy. whether it's the local mall or walmart, even the antique stores are popping off. it feels slightly overwhelming. the least fave part of the holidays is gifting stress.

i hate buying tchotchkis that will be donated or unused. i hate giving people trash. but sometimes i'm stumped, and a generic, safe gift is necessary.

here's some ideas in the realm of diy and purchases that i'd recommend.

- travel flower press 

- vintage silver accessories - you can find lots of silver items at the thrift, they just need some polishing to get back to their initial shine

- goodies in a thrifted tray or platter

- recipe card + utensil + ingredient - cute idea for cocktails, but can go beyond

- diy calendar - working on one as we speak, shh...

- recipe book

- custom or diy bookmark + book - thrift stores often carry wonderful bestsellers, or go to your local library to see what they have in their sale corner

- coloring book diy project - if you're artsy, you can make a coloring book by drawing or outlining different pictures for a friend. customize it, make it personalized, or if you want to make it low effort, make it silly too! 

- diy ornament - use clay, papier mache, anything really. last year i made some with cardboard, scrap fabric, and broken jewelry. 

- decorated lighter - for your smokers/ "gardeners"

- personalized deck of cards

- gift baskets -  lindt has a great selection. go to local gourmet stores or world stores too. grandpa's cheesebarn and malley's for some ohio choices.

- perfume candle/diffuser - i have a candle making kit and want to try using actual perfume as a scent (anyone have insight to whether this would work?), if not, sometimes designer websites have a cheaper gift section with unique gifts.

- personalized self-care items - embroidered robes or slippers, fancy hairbrushes or combs, chic mirrors

- quality winterwear - puffer scarves, earmuffs, leather gloves, don't break your bank, but look for sturdy and high quality, something long lasting.

- new hobby/sports gear - splurge on some nice lounge/sportswear, or accessories that could feel luxurious - yoga mat, towel, a block, resistance bands, new racquets, etc...

- eclectic jewelry

- vintage sweaters/sweatshirts - bonus points if you score vintage team sweaters and sweatshirts for a fan in your circle.

- diy accessories/jewelry - one of my coworkers makes poured paint pendants and necklaces, and they're one of my favorites to wear.

- gardening decor - paired with a cute plant, something like a bird bather, bird feeder, or cute decor that matches your friend's little paradise.

when in doubt, go to therealreal, etsy, vinted, facebook marketplace, and ebay. go past the temu dropshippers and you'll find a spot for some really cool items for those you love. as obscure as it can get, it's a treasure trove. happy holiday shopping!