Jewellery
Nonna’s Treasures – Vintage Costume Jewellery Style Secrets
Vintage costume jewellery from nonna’s jewellery box or the antique market: how to spot a quality piece, how to wear it now and how to look after it.
All stories
The archive
Earlier stories
Accessories
Vintage Faux Fur Ideas for the Opulent Enthusiast
Vintage faux fur and how to wear it: capes, stoles, colours, accessories and second-hand buys, with my hooded black cape on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.
My Style
Vintage Fur: Back at Fashion Weeks
Vintage fur is back at the fashion weeks. Who is wearing it, why it is the sustainable way to wear fur, what to check before you buy, and how to style it.
Clothing
Leather – Dry Cleaning Versus Home Cleaning
How to clean leather trousers at home, inside and out, with white vinegar or mild soap, so that they need dry cleaning less often.
Clothing
Clothes and Pathogens The Hidden Luxury of Cleanliness
Why vintage and new clothes should be cleaned before you wear them: washing, steaming, and the case for natural fibres such as silk and cashmere.
Shoes
Change Your Sole – The Bold Move to Bright Colours in Shoe Repair
When my Miu Miu heels needed new soles I chose bright red over brown leather. How to find a good shoe repairer and ask for a coloured sole.
Bags
Vintage Bags – The Louis Vuitton Obsession
How to tell a real vintage Louis Vuitton bag from a copy: the stitching, the monogram, the hardware, the lining, the date code and the smell.
Accessories
Shawl Chic: Faux Fur vs. Real Fur – Styling Tips & How to Spot the Difference
Faux fur or real fur for a shawl: how each one wears, how to look after real fur, and how to tell the two apart by touch, by the base and by the price.
Accessories
Salvatore Ferragamo Gold Charm Bracelet: Spotting 1980s Vintage in Tropical Style
My 1980s Salvatore Ferragamo gold-plated charm bracelet from the Arezzo antique market, and what I look for in vintage costume jewellery.
Eyewear
Dior Sunglasses – 1980's Vintage Luxury and Timeless Style
My 1980s Christian Dior sunglasses, made in Austria and bought on Vestiaire Collective: a small silver metal frame, and why I chose it over a new pair.
Accessories
Brooches – The Art Of Wearing A Vintage Brooch
How to wear a vintage brooch: on a silk scarf, a cardigan, a coat collar, a dress, a handbag, a hat or a lapel. There are no rules, and none is too big.
Shoes
Gucci Vintage – History, Craftsmanship And Elegance
Why I choose vintage Gucci scarves and shoes over new ones: the silk, the leather, my Tom Ford-era heels from Lucca, and advice on starting a collection.