July 15, 2009
Little did I know when I arrived in Genoa that our apartment would be a mere 100 yards from two of the greatest vintage stores in the whole world! Well maybe not the world, but I thought they were pretty monumental. I could have spent hours in this store but Sonia, the girl featured above wouldn’t stop staring at me. I was touching everything, so I am sure that was weird to her.
Betty Page Boudoir has clothes from the 1920′s through the 1970′s and most of it is couture. The cheapest item I found was a pair of 50 euro 1970′s era Christian Dior sunglasses. I tried them on and politely put them back. Sonia told my husband and I that this store is often called on by Italian movie costume designers when they are working on and in need of clothes for a period piece, and also by fashion designers looking for inspiration from past seasons couture designs. This place was stocked full of everything you can imagine from sunglasses and hats to boots, bags, belts and buttons. They even had a vintage children’s clothing section.
Sonia is wearing a vintage dress from the store, which she told us is where she buys all of her clothes. Her shoes are also vintage as is the brooch on her velvet belt. I apologize for my schotty details – I was so excited when she was talking to us, that I forgot to write anything down! Btw, this is a great way to wear purple people! Red and violet is a gorgeous color combo.
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July 13, 2009
Most of the women in Genoa wear heels. They all look so comfortable walking in them on cobblestone and metal grates its obvious to me that they wear them everday and wouldn’t have it any other way. This tiny lady looks great in her heels and is very simple yet classy in this black dress. I think she was out for a casual evening stroll with her husband when I saw her.
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July 9, 2009
Yes, most of the men in downtown Genova look this sharp. Even with a motorcycle helmet and CHiPS shades, he’s still got you beat. This Hermes belt is crazy expensive and everyone was wearing them. I thought, wow – these Italians really like Tommy Hilfiger. Shows you how much I know.
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July 8, 2009
One thing makes this look purely Italian – the coordination of accessory labels. Everyone wears designer labels in Italy and it is so easy to get a fake. My American eyes can’t tell from so far which are real or fake, but it doesn’t really matter. She looks good in her Gucci belt and shoes.
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July 4, 2009
I realize this picture sucks but I had to take it on the sly since it represents two of the most disturbingly dominant trends I saw in Genova. First up is the murse worn by this teenager here on the bus. So many guys had these with Vespa logos and other stuff on them – it was great. Second is the purple Cons! I forgot to mention below that purple must be the freakin color of Italy this summer because it was everywhere, especially on the women. It became a running joke with my sister and I to see who could spot the person with the craziest amount of purple stuff on. The topper was the lady in purple jeans with purple heels, a purple shirt, purple scarf, purple purse and purple lipstick – it was ridiculous and hilarious! There were even whole booths at the street market devoted to purple clothes! Anyway I couldn’t believe that purple was so cool and popular, that two teen boys would hang out with each other while both wearing purple Converse. I couldn’t take the madness anymore – I had to document it!
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June 30, 2009
Holy shit it’s been a while! My husband Gianni and I, along with my parents Jan & Gar and my sister Jillian and her hubby Mason just returned from three weeks in Italy and France. Talk about a family trip! Actually not really, considering my immediate family consists of 5 more siblings, but whatev.
We spent most of our time in Genova, Italy the city that Gianni was born and raised in. My fam rented a penthouse apartment in the middle of the historic center in the downiest of downtown neighborhoods. It was awesome and it was great to see Gianni’s family again and to introduce them to some of my own.
The fashion trends in Genova were crazy! Harem pants were everywhere – too much for me and my sister. Popped collars on boys were popular. A lot of the collars were branded with a logo so you had to pop it in order to show off your brand. So many beautiful people, women in the highest heels, men with tucked in shirts and fancy belts, all the high fashion brands you can imagine. Red pants, purple pants, yellow pants – men in pink pants! Linen outfits for all the sexes and murse’s too! It was great – I was the crazy American, staring at everyone! And Gianni is now the proud owner of a murse. Thank god he didn’t buy the one with the Vespa logo on it.
Either way, I have some great pics to share both from our humble town and from Europe that I have collected in the past month or so. They are on the way… if I ever get to downloading all two-thousand of them.
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May 29, 2009
Kevin, record store man
I like the colors he is working with and his layering. The shiny shoes were bought at Thrift Town on Stockton and the bag is from Wilson’s Leather. My brother gave me handmade fingerless gloves this year that were randomly sent to the office of his alt weekly and I loved wearing them during the winter months. You can use your fingers to touch and feel! Imagine that? Genius. And a big ole yee-haw for the high waters!
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May 28, 2009
Megan, accountant
In the land of skinny jeans and sagging asses, it was such a refresher to run into this lady. Green seersucker bell-bottom pants and peacock blue jacket courtesy of Anthropologie. I fuckin love that place. Is there something wrong with that? Oh yah, its in Roseville. Lame. Her purse which had a fabulous wool stitching is made by Isabella Fiori brand, and her bedazzled espadrilles were fantastic. I would throw the picture up of those, but her big toe has some chipped nail polish on it, so I decided not to do her an injustice and show it to you all. I will just tell you about it.
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Alisa, student/bartender
I am into summer dresses right now and this color and shape are adorable on this girl. Cute yet practical shoes as well. Other than that she totally reminds me of my neice in Italy. I can’t wait to see you in a week Sara! Oh everything was bought at Nordstrom. The dress is a brand named Susina and its my fave. Buy it at the Rack – they carry it there and its one-third the price!
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May 14, 2009
Saori, foreign exchange student from Japan
Taking pictures a night is a bitch, but sometimes it has to be done. Such is the case here. The harem pant is supposedly in for Fall so when I saw her walking down the street I had to stop her. These pants were purchased in Japan and Saori said they are all the rage in her home country right now. Who knew they made gold glitter All Stars? She picked out the laces for these ones herself, to match her outfit of course. The watch was awesome and I want it.
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