Chic Files: Caterina from Not Just A Pretty Dress

It is my pleasure to present another very stylish lady on Chic Files today. Caterina, author of the blog Not Just A Pretty Dress. She is Italian, which might have a word to say in her great sense of fashion, her blog posts are always such an interesting read and her outfits, really inspiring-she effortlessly walks that perfect line between timeless and trendy. Welcome, Caterina!
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{Aquascutum raincoat, light yellow wool jumper (vintage
from my dad’s wardrobe), Shourouk Metal Jicky necklace, Carven olive
pleated-front cotton-blend skirt, Lanvin bag, Tod’s grey pumps}

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How would you describe your style? Clean silhouettes with quirky touches.

Who are your style models? There are many women from different ages and completely different styles that I truly admire: Phoebe Philo (for the creativity and the minimalistic chic designs), the Hepburns (either of the two, so elegant and iconic) and Parisian girls (they really know how to do the ‘décalage’ and look effortlessly chic).

Your signature day outfit: often a skirt and flat ballerinas, styled with a cardigan and a skinny belt, or a fitted jumper and a fancy necklace or scarf. The look is usually completed by a huge bag.

Your signature evening outfit: a dress, possibly knee-length, and a lipstick in dark shades.

Is there an item you don’t leave the house without? A necklace, irony and a smile.

Your favourite wardrobe item: Costume jewelry: they can make unique even the simplest of the outfits.

5 items a woman should have in her closet: a beige trench, a white shirt, a cocktail dress, a bold accessory and ballerina flats (I have a real love affair with Roger Vivier shoes).

What is the most underrated piece in a woman’s wardrobe that should deserve more attention? Tights (I recently wrote a post about their importance and I would also add gloves: in the last seasons we have seen a lot of beautiful coats with 3/4 sleeves and capes that give the opportunity to use this elegant piece more often.

{Rue Blanche navy cape, Zara light grey angora hat and red
jersey dress, Les Précieuses Richelieu necklace}

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Can you choose from these?

Flats or heels? Flats, despite my resolution of wearing heels on a regular basis.

Shoes or bags? Both. And a lot of them.

The 20s, the 30s or…what is your favourite fashion decade? The Art Deco period and the ’90s for the minimalism which saved us from shoulder-pads and big hairstyles.

Stripes or floral? Both, and if I feel experimental I would style them together.

Above the knee, knee-length or mid-calf? Knee-length.

Audrey or Marilyn? Audrey.

The LBD or other colour? Any colour but black. It does not really suit me.

Paris or Milan? Paris. But I might soon change my mind…

Hermès Birkin, Chanel 2.55 or Balenciaga City bag? The first two are great classics, but I think that it is important to dress appropriately for the occasion and according to your age, so I would wait for a Birkin until I turn 40. Currently, I would welcome in my wardrobe almost any bags designed by Phoebe Philo.

A style quote you live by: “It seems to me that invisibility is the required provision of elegance. Elegance ceases to exist when it is noticed” by Jean Cocteau in ‘Diary of an Unknown’

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Thank you, Caterina. It’s been a pleasure to feature you on Classiq.