Valeria Arizzi (34) lives in Bergamo, Italy, and documents her outfits over at Coco et La vie en rose. She enjoys sporting colour and neutrals, and does pattern well. Our 5’4″ blogger is an eclectic dresser who wears it all, from girly, fashion-forward and playful to rock chic, boho, dramatic, retro and sporty luxe. 

“Since I started blogging I have become more daring in styling my outfits and I’m enjoying experimenting with new fashion trends. However, I like to think that I’ve stayed true to an idea of understated elegance no matter what I’m wearing.”

A cosy Fall outfit in a soothing soft colour palette. Valeria’s lightweight wool coat with asymmetric zipper is the star of the show. The large florals are dramatic, while the shades of brown, oatmeal, marsala and burgundy create a romantic vibe. The faux fur collar adds retro appeal and textural interest. So does the boho hobo bag that matches the colours and pattern of the coat brilliantly. Cream leggings tucked into two-toned ankle boots are the perfect low-contrast backdrop for the statement topper. Valeria finishes off the look with big sunnies and vibrant poppy red lipstick.

For this elegant Modern Classic look, Valeria has tucked a diagonal sleeved blouse into a crisp pleated linen skirt. Keeping the top and bottom in the same colour palette makes it easier to pattern mix items. And with the vertical feather pattern on the blouse it’s almost as if our blogger is pattern mixing two kinds of stripes. Fun! Ankle strapped footwear can create a horizontally cutting line, but here the tucked top and shorter skirt lengthen the leg line. Valeria’s stone shopper bag echoes the colours of the hybrid espadrilles with their sky-high heel and dainty leather straps. A wide bracelet with pretty pearls is the accessory of choice.

Hot weather Sporty Luxe with pretty lace and big sneakers. The lace detailing on the sleeveless Summer frock runs in two different directions, giving it the appearance of a two-piece dress. The curved high-low hemline and see-through effect adds structure to the midi length, which works well with the sci-fi metallic high-top sneakers. The footwear dresses down the look and gives it a playful urban vibe. Notice how the sequins are picked up in Valeria’s bag. Two dainty necklaces complement the square neckline of the dress. Our blogger’s pastel floral patterned bag is the romantic finishing touch.

Valeria is wearing a fringed blanket scarf as a poncho. Pairing the big scarf with midi culottes, and buckled ankle boots with peek-a-boo socks makes for a fashion-forward look that is just flattering enough. Opting for shades of grey all over prevents the dramatic volume on volume from overwhelming our blogger’s frame. The heeled footwear and crisp pleat on the culottes structure the look. The buckles on the booties add edge, the black patent leather adds polish. A small boxy light grey bag with patterned inlay completes the outfit.

“My Winter staples right now are culottes and turtlenecks. Culottes and ankle-length trousers are a super hot trend that make your outfit instantly cool. You can style them differently depending on the occasion. Turtlenecks are a staple in my Winter wardrobe: I’ve always found them terribly charming and they comply with my stay-glam-without-catching-pneumonia concept.”

Hollywood glamour paired with retro flair. From the wide-brimmed hat and faux fur stole to the chic skirt and double ankle strap pumps, doesn’t this outfit scream 1940s elegance. Valeria knows her way around a good colour combination! Here she’s paired a dusty rose blouse in a soft material with a marsala stole and dramatic light mauve hat. All of the colours are cleverly repeated in the beautiful floral pattern on the elegant midi skirt. Tucking the blouse and sporting low-contrast nude patent pumps elongates the leg line. A dramatic dark red lip and strong penciled eyebrows fit the mood of the outfit to a T.

A casual Rock Chick outfit with plenty of attention to detail. Valeria combines a light blue button-down tunic shirt with black faux leather leggings and block-heeled black booties. The curved high-low hemline on the voluminous tunic creates flattering proportions with the leggings. I love how Valeria has popped the collar and casually draped the long animal print scarf around it. Her cropped leather jacket tempers the tunic’s volume. The edges are adorned with silver chains and white pearls. Quite the statement piece! Finally, the rust suede bag complements the brown in the scarf and adds a Boho Chic touch.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of Valeria’s wonderful eclectic style. You can browse the rest of her outfits on her blog, or find out what inspires her on Pinterest.

This outfit is a combination of two recent Friday ensembles. One combined cropped jeans with an asymmetrical top, and the other was about casual pearls. The smart casual outfit formula has become both a fast fall back outfit and uniform for me in Winter when temperatures are above freezing. It’s practical for our rainy weather, and adequately warm with socks or knee-highs, and woolly layers.  

This particular rendition of the uniform is representative of my evolving style in a few ways. First, there’s the trendy cropped straight leg jeans, which are both a wardrobe essential and workhorse. The soft girly blouse has taken over from my masculine button-down shirts. The ‘60s mod elements of the jacket and boots provide a retro touch. And the pearls are back with a vengeance after a five year hiatus. 

Modern Retro is the trend that I’ve been most excited about since the Prada and Bally Ready-to-Wear collections last February. Exploring it further this year is a style goal. I’m enjoying current pieces that were inspired by the glam ’60s, ‘70s and ‘80s fashion eras and combining them with a trendy support act to create a Modern look. In a way, my style is coming full circle because I used to have a strong retro streak to my outfits and wore pearls almost every day. 

After purchasing many, many solids for what feels like forever, my more recent wardrobe additions have been patterned pieces. I guess I needed the change. Topshop’s check bomber with faux fur collar caught my eye because of its strong late ‘60s vibe. So it ended up under our Christmas tree as a gift from my boys. I LOVE this jacket and wear it a lot, but only with the faux fur collar because that’s prettier to my eye. (It looks too masculine without it). I like the cropped length, blousoned back silhouette complete with yoke and pleat, check design and circular zipper trim. It’s a fun piece to look at and wear.

The checks of the jacket blend to look pink from a distance, but they’re actually cream and bright red. That’s why I chose to wear a poppy blouse — or good old tomato red as I call it — with it. But I also like pink worn with red, so it doesn’t matter that the checks play tricks with your eyes. 

Ruffles, frills and flounces look fresh amidst a sea of flat, oversized slouch, so I’ve had the new ruffled blouse on my radar for a while. I snapped this one up in my colour from Banana Republic because I liked the round hem and interesting placement of the ruffle. The blouse looks best in motion when the ruffles flounce with playful delight. 

The cropped straight leg jeans were a NAS purchase and my first of a trendy denim silhouette that I have come to adore. Their straight leg creates a subtle flare above the ankle, which is my favourite type of cropped bottoms style. Cropped flared legs seem a little wide and cropped skinnies aren’t as dramatic. I want these in white for Spring and Summer, and will be looking out for a pair. 

I couldn’t believe my luck when I found the perfect white heeled high-shaft booties at Zara. Zara is not my go-to place for footwear, but every so often they make the perfect shoe. The leather of these boots is pearlized and super soft. The block heel is stable and manageable. The round square toe is Mod and trendy, and the higher shaft is a great fit for my narrow ankles, and closes the gap when worn with cropped pants. I wore them all day shopping with a client and they passed the comfort test right away. What a win. 

• 1 Apple Green Specs
• 2 Ruffle-Front Blouse — $89.50
• 3 'The Cropped Straight' Ankle Jeans — $198.00
• 4 Block Heel Leather Ankle Boots
• 5 Check Bomber with Faux Fur Collar — $125.00
• 6 36 Inch Costume Pearls
• 7 White Clutch
• 8 Michael Kors 'Bradshaw' Chronograph Bracelet Watch — $275.00

Custom Find

by Angie

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Nordstrom

Topshop Check Bomber with Faux Fur Collar

$125.00

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15

Banana Republic

Ruffle-Front Blouse

$89.50 $49.99

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12

Nordstrom

Current/Elliott 'The Cropped Straight' Ankle Jeans

$198.00 $79.20

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3

41

Custom Find

by Angie

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6

Custom Find

by Angie

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Nordstrom

Michael by Michael Kors Michael Kors 'Bradshaw' Chronograph Bracelet Watch

$275.00 $164.90

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19

Zara

Block Heel Leather Ankle Boots

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Go to Outfit Collection Page

There are many leg shortening horizontal lines in this outfit because of the high contrast between the boots, jeans, top and jacket. It’s the opposite of creating a lengthening column of colour from head to toe. Yet, small details like the curved hem of the blouse, the short length of the jacket, the small as opposed to wide flare of the jeans, and the more cropped length of the jeans provide subtle elongating and structural outfit details that make the combination just flattering enough. 

I finished off the outfit with green specs, darker lippie, gold watch, wedding ring, AND MY PEARLS. I have many pearl necklaces, so shopping my closet for them is easy and cost-effective. I twist and knot this 36 inch strand to shorten the length and create an organized messy visual vibe. They are quite dressy and dramatic for the casual outfit, yet feel so right. I forget that I am wearing them, which is a good sign. That means I’m neither self-conscious about them, nor are they getting in the way of the tasks at hand. Gosh! How I have missed my pearls. 

Anthropologie is a great resource for casual, smart casual and dressier dresses. It is a go-to destination for many of my clients because the dresses are interesting and colourful, and because they cut across dress codes. Here is a roundup of the ones that caught my eye in their current range. Some of the dresses are short and could work as tunics over leggings, skinnies and bootcuts. Be sure to browse all the colour options. 

• Moth Cashmere Turtleneck Swing Dress: Comfy, cozy and extra soft. Slouchy in fit but sufficiently structured at the hem. Fits most body types if the high neckline tickles your fancy. Quite the statement in cobalt blue.
• Knitted & Knotted Saone Sweater Dress: A mixed media sweater dress with alluring transparent sleeves. Different! Not overly clingy and great with over-the-knee boots. Read the rave reviews.
• Holding Horses Lexington Shirtdress: An arty piece with lots of volume and drape. You have to be at peace with the expanse of fabric and very loose fit. An excellent piece in motion. Runs big.
• Isabella Sinclair Sylvan Plaid Shirtdress: An interesting arty plaid shirt dress for Team Tall. I love it styled with heeled high-shaft booties and the sleeves worn down. Best on a broader shoulder and/or larger bust.
• Bordeaux Viridis Cowl Dress: Slinky but not clingy. Dressy. Classic. Chic. Gorgeous colour. Best on a curvy figure.
• Burning Torch Circe Silk Wrap Dress: A stunning kimono dress with surprise back colour block detailing. You must be able to fill out the dress in the bust or/and the shoulders. It's a little darker in person.
• Holding Horses Pieced Denim Dress: A sheath with retro flare. The vertical lines and V-shaped waistband draw the eye vertically and narrow the waistline. Great on both a curvy and straight figure. A shirt or blouse layered underneath the frock could be a fun look too.
• Maeve Drawstring Midi Shirtdress: A breezy shirt dress for Team Tall. The back drawstring provides a hint of waist definition.
• Maeve Drawstring Midi Shirtdress: A breezy shirtdress for Team Tall. The back drawstring provides a hint of waist definition. The curved hemline adds structure to the length, which looks great with flats.
• Petaled Henley Dress: A super frock for an inverted triangle shape body type. The dropped waist is great on a short waist.
• Bailey 44 Gathered Stripes Petite Midi Dress: A fab hot weather frock. It's very flattering on a curvy figure if you like the shape of the neckline.
• Bailey 44 Gathered Jersey Dress: A slinky yet not too clingy frock with sleeves. Excellent on a curvy hourglass. I like the sheen and Grecian drape of this dress.
• Marc Bouwer Photostat Floral Dress: Pretty, versatile, covered, comfortable and elegant. Read the rave reviews.
• Maeve Turtleneck Swing Dress: A cozy sweater dress with handkerchief hemline that is an easy pull-on-and-go with tights and boots. A few patterned options.
• Sunday In Brooklyn Strata Ruffled Tunic: Arty Flounce. Comfortable and surprisingly flattering on just about any body type. The position of the colour block is genius because it tempers the volume of the dress. Girly, flirty and interesting.

You can also see the items alongside my descriptions on the collection page.

Anthropologie

Moth Cashmere Turtleneck Swing Dress

$228.00 $119.95

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6

Anthropologie

Knitted & Knotted Saone Sweater Dress

$168.00 $99.95

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Anthropologie

Holding Horses Lexington Shirtdress

$148.00 $79.95

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4

Anthropologie

Isabella Sinclair Sylvan Plaid Shirtdress

$158.00 $49.95

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6

Anthropologie

Bordeaux Viridis Cowl Dress

$138.00 $69.95

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7

Anthropologie

Burning Torch Circe Silk Wrap Dress

$398.00 $219.95

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3

Anthropologie

Holding Horses Pieced Denim Dress

$168.00 $49.95

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5

Anthropologie

Maeve Drawstring Midi Shirtdress

$138.00 $49.95

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4

Anthropologie

Maeve Drawstring Midi Shirtdress

$138.00 $49.95

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7

Anthropologie

Petaled Henley Dress

$188.00

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6

Anthropologie

Bailey 44 Gathered Stripes Petite Midi Dress

$158.00

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12

Anthropologie

Bailey 44 Gathered Jersey Dress

$168.00 $39.95

Sale

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7

Anthropologie

Marc Bouwer Photostat Floral Dress

$178.00

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11

Anthropologie

Maeve Turtleneck Swing Dress

$118.00 $39.95

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8

Anthropologie

Sunday In Brooklyn Strata Ruffled Tunic

$128.00 $79.95

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4

Curvy is neither a size nor a height but the way your body is shaped. If you are curvy, it means that your body is very curved from bust to waist, and from the waist through to the hips and thighs. Curvy bodies usually have a relatively small waist. For example, I have US size 2 clients who are very curvy and need curvy fit jeans and trousers. I also have US size 14 clients who do much better with non-curvy or “regular” cuts because despite their larger size, their shape is not as curved.

Curvy body types generally need a more generous fit around the hip and thigh area in jeans and trousers, which are normally cut quite straight from waist to hip and around the upper legs. My curvy clients tend to do best with bottoms from the following retailers, many of which are available in petite, tall and plus sizes.

• Loft Curvy Fits: The “Julie” fit in casual and dressy pants is fabulous for very curvy pear shaped ladies. Their curvy fit jeans too. 
• Talbots Curvy Fits: Talbots curvy fits in pants and jeans are even more generous around the hips, thighs and bottom than the curvy fits from the Loft. This is a good place to start when you are dramatically pear shaped. 
• Levi’s Curvy Series: Levi’s does a particularly good job on the waistbands of their jeans, which do not gape. 
• Cookie Johnson Jeans: Cookie Johnson jeans are stretchy and extra comfortable. They also do a marvelous job of NOT gaping at the back of the waist and covering your behind.  
• Express Editor Pants: It’s amazing that none of the other styles at Express are cut for curvy figures but the Editor flares are fantastic. 
• Old Navy Curvy Fit Jeans: These are the more budget option, and can be great if the denim doesn’t stretch out too much. 
• Gap Jeans: Certain styles at the Gap can fit a curvy figure to perfection like the Perfect Boot or their Girlfriend Jeans. 
• NYDJs: It surprises just how well these jeans fit both a curvy hourglass and pear shaped body type, AND an apple shaped body type which is not curvy from hip to thigh. 
• Lucky Jeans: Some of the styles from this brand are worth a try because the fit is roomy on the thighs. 
• KUT from the Kloth: This brand is not a slam dunk for curvy figures, but their “Catherine”, “Diana” and “Chrissy” cuts can work when you are moderately curvy. 

Premium denim generally does not do a good job of fitting a curvy figure because their cuts are quite straight. However, the following brands in very specific styles tend to work quite well. 

• Joe’s Jeans: The “Honey” flared jeans are winners on a moderately curvy body.  
• Paige Jeans: Their Skyline cuts tend to be a little roomier on the thighs. 
• AG Jeans: The Nikki relaxed skinnies are roomy all over, and fit like regular jeans on a curvy body. 
• Rag & Bone: The Dre jeans are roomy all over, and you might need to size down a size. 

You also might find that some of the curvy cuts are too roomy, or high in the rise (which is problematic when you’re very short waisted). In this case go up a size in regular straighter cuts so that the fit is comfortable over the hips, bottom and thighs, and have the waistband altered to close the gap at the back of the waist. 

Feel free to add to this list in the comments section.