The Reason I Dressed

We had planned to go to Ferrara last weekend, the beautiful and historic city that has its Centre protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We kept our plans, even though we had spent the morning at an unexpected funeral.

Funerals in this part of Italy are NOTHING like the funerals in Canada by Italian immigrants. Few people wear black, people were even in jeans, and I was easily over-dressed. I asked my husband what to wear and he said “jeans” , but I just couldn’t do it! I didn’t want to wear black either, especially since he told me NO ONE wears black aside from the close family. So I opted for a dark burgundy (or often referred to as ox-blood (even though this color reference totally grosses me out) skirt, a fucsia knit, capped sleeve sweater and kitten heeled sandals.

After the funeral, we paid our respects to the family and then were on our way to spend the rest of the day and evening in Ferrara.

Ferrara

Ferrara is about a 50 minute drive from Modena, easily accessible by train from Bologna, Modena or any of the major cities in this area. I’m on a mission to try and really understand the history behind the nobel families that once reigned over this part of Italy. There is just too much history for me to be able to process it all, even though I find it fascinating. The architecture that is now solely appreciated from an aesthetic perspective, once served a purpose! To think that the Castle is where the Duke actually lived, and the moat wasn’t created just to make the castle “look authentic” but because it served the purpose of protecting from intruders!

Ferrara is surrounded by an ancient wall built during the 15th and 16th century, and as you enter into the city it is the first thing you notice, stepping into its walls is like stepping back in time since the entire city centre is a UNESCO world heritage site. I plan on visiting Ferrara a few more times, because it is home to some of the most important temporary art exhibits in this part of Italy. I’ll also get around to posting a bit more from this visit including the bike photographs I took to give you an idea of what you can see in just one afternoon! One thing you’ll notice in Ferrara is that the chosen method of transportation is a bicycle!

The streets are FILLED with people on two wheels, thanks to its large, flat streets, that are not only great for cyclers but also for strollers!

What I Wore

I bought these sandals in Paris a few years ago at a designer sample sale. They are so unique with their triangular angled toe and wooden sole….I just had to have them! I should tell you in advance that they are impossible to find online and off line, but I did manage to gather some info about them. The brand is PJUX and they are handmade in Spain and designed by Dane Agneta Rautio who works with vegetable tanned chrome-free leather and sustainably sourced materials.

I’ve learned to buy what I love and I’m much more driven to buy based on design and not brand name now. Lately, I keep looking for interesting pieces because I’m suffering from serious trend fatigue, steering clear of anything that will become “tired” and “old” after one season. I’ve had these for at least 4 years, and whenever I manage to wear them I always feel confident. Here I styled them with pants and a bright orange t-shirt.

My top is by the Italian brand Stefanel, which you can find online and discounted here! The quality of this brand is incredible, and they are known throughout Europe for their delicate knits and sweaters, fun outerwear and jumpsuits! You’ve seen me in a few different Stefanel things, like my fuzzy, hand-knit bomber jacket worn here and here, my geo-trousers, my knit short-sleeved ruched top or my oversized robe coat worn here.

What I’m trying to say, is I own A LOT of nice things from Stefanel, and all of them are high-quality items I’ve never gotten tired of!

I was trying to survive the whole summer wearing what I already own. I went through a good cleaning of my wardrobe and realized I have SO MUCH STUFF, and I really don’t need anything. I vowed to buy nothing, but alas, at the Antique Market a few weeks back I caved! I bought these amazing vintage sunglasses, a purse and a necklace. I don’t need them, but I want them!

My bag is by the Italian brand Toty, you can buy directly from them and they’re offing all Reasons to Dress readers a special offer as well (read all about it here!). My wrap skirt is by the brand Sisley, which is basically the older sister of Benetton. There’s no split, but since it is a wrap it shows just the right amount of leg when I walk….unless of course I walk like this:

Today I really have to start packing for our vacation to the beach. Please send me your good vibes so that I actually get started, instead of doing what I usually do, leaving it ’til the absolute last minute, not sleeping the night before and leaving the house late I’m going to try and find some time to write a post (which I ì’d like to turn into a series) about the tradition, here in Emilia Romagna, of going to the beach in June alone with kids!

Happy Wednesday and feel free to tell me about a skirt you still manage to wear even though you bought it in the 90s. I’m seriously starting to appreciate things that last!

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Link-ups!

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Visit their sites for some inspiration & to discover new bloggers!

Momma in Flip Flop’s Real Mom Style, Mama and More and Mother.Wife.Me’s #AllAboutYou, Style Elixir’s Style Sessions, and her Fab Favorites, The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore Wednesday, My Girlish Whims’ Your Whims Wednesday, Because Shana Said So’s Random Wednesday, Get Your Pretty On’s I Feel Pretty, Perfectly Coutured’s Three-fer Thursday, Her & Nicole’s Lovely Thursdays, The Life of The Party’s Fashion Informant, The Penniless Socialite’s Look What I Got, Rachel The Hat’s Passion 4 Fashion, Mummy’s Got Style’s Fashion Friday, Musings of a Housewife’s Fashion Friday, Vodka Infused Lemonade’s Tres Chic Thursday, Fry Sauce and Grits’ Be You Tiful.