The Bell(bottoms) Heard Around the World and What to Do (drink) this Valentine's Day
I find it so hard to part with things in my closet because fashion is so cyclical. Especially denim.
This week, like many Americans abroad, I woke up and asked Google who won the Super Bowl. Happy with the win, from a pop culture enthusiast’s perspective, I then turned my attention the the halftime show. I love a Super Bowl halftime show. My favorite haltime show was 2001’s Britney Spears, Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, NSYNC and Nelly. The costumes, Britney’s showmanship and swag, the pyro… I just remember being wowed as a 13 year old. They say your favorite music, one music that’s embedded most in your memories is often popular music of your adolesence so that makes sense. I also really loved 2022’s halftime show featuring Dr. Dre, Mary J., Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar. So with his massive recent sucess and West Coast flow, I was excited to see what Kendrick Lamar would do. He’s a Pulitzer prize winning rapper, an amazing wordsmith, with thoughtful and artist visuals, so I was curious to see how that would translate to a halftime show. I waited for Blue to come home from school — she loves a musical event — and we watched it together.
I loved it. It was a very different thoughtful kind of showmanship and swag. With a lot of scary policies and headlines coming out of the U.S. right now, and a lot of celebs seemingly rushing to kiss the ring, it was a refreshing display of the rebellious, revolutionary American spirit that gave a calming feeling of we gon’ be alright. And well… when he performed Not Like Us, it was the moment heard around the world, Say Drake…
Life might be chaotic, but there is still moments of joy from petty fun… and do it in flares.
Priced at a wiiiiild $1,200, the Celine “Marco”jeans in Eclipse Blue completely sold out following the SuperBowl. Kendrick Lamar actually shares a stylist with Timothée Chalamet, Taylor McNeil, and apparently, the flares were originally pulled for Chalamet — makes sense given Chalamet’s looks for the Bob Dylan movie, A Complete Unknown, press tour. Bellbottoms and flares have a military history and — what most of us remember — grew in popularity with hippie culture in the 60s and 70s. They were the pants of the protests against the Vietnam War; Black Panthers wore bellbottoms. They were the style of the counter culture signifying rebellion and freedom. And, with a platform, they look damn great on a pair of stems. Kendrick is a short king, and still wore those bellbottoms well. With flats!
I’ve always been a fan of a flare with a turtleneck. Very mod squad. And my mom has purchased flares for Blue from 6 months! Here are some stylish flare styles I found for you, without that $1,200 price tag.
Here’s a similar style to my Rag & Bone jeans.
In a chic dark wash from DL1961.
And this medium wash high rise from Veronica Beard. One of my favorite brands for flared styles.
From the details of the pockets to the quality of the handknit, they certainly don’t make this sweater like they used to. This Polo Ralph Lauren cable knit cardigan is from highschool / college, but here’s a similiar style.
A few years ago, I got these vintage 70s suede flared pants on Etsy and I love them. They’re pretty low rise, so I pair them with everything from chunky sweaters to button downs, boots to sneakers and I find them pretty versatile. Here’s a more modern take on them from French brand, Sézane. And if you really want to get noticed, go full Cowboy Carter with these fringe suede trousers, on sale from Weekend Max Mara.
Do some fun colorplay with this striped slightly sheer Scaglione alpaca knit sweater on sale or this Scaglione seamless wool, cashmere blend sweater. Or this wool and cashmere blend V-neck, which would look really great oversized with my pants so I might have to ask Michele…
I don’t think Zara makes them in this beautiful dark green anymore but I do love these camel corduroy flares from Zara in the same cut. My favorite go to brand is Levi’s and Wranglers for flared corduroys, but they are both sold out in the US! If you’re in the EU, here are some really great velvet and corduroy flared trousers. The Italian plum color is so good!
I’m signing off with Blue bringing some fun in her flares (scroll down), so if you want to shop her look. Here are some option. GAP toddler flares and these Little Co. by Lauren Conrad organic flares are on sale for almost $10!
Sweet escape
Recently, on Instagram, someone asked me for a Sicily guide as they were heading there this summer and used my Verona guide from ‘N A Perfect World in the past. Feedback like this and to see you guys using the guides, feel so damn good to me. As I was preparing this Substack, thinking of romantic places for Valentine’s day, I thought of Verona of course because of its deep history with Shakesperean romance. I spoke to model, entrepreneur and television reality star Andrea Denver for Building Home some time ago. He’s from Verona and his description of the city really sells it. Did you know Verona is on a river? A lot of people don’t realize that. Or that it has it’s own Arena that looks like a mini Colosseum. It’s a gorgeous city that I highly recommend.
Check out my Verona guide on ‘N A Perfect World… here’s a snippet.
Fast forward to the following weekend, after a day at the lakes, we were able to enjoy a true Veronese meal with friends. The evening started as we enjoyed a 5 euro spritz under the colorful frescoes of Casa Mazzanti at Casa Mazzanti Caffé in Piazza Erbe. Then we headed to renowned Antica Bottega del Vino and I tried the classic Verona dish made with Amarone wine, Amarone risotto! It was a delicious distinct taste that I would definitely order again, but very strong and is a sharing dish for me.
Sweet murmurs for your ear
This week’s episode of Building Home my expat podcast is a love story to what’s arguably the most romantic city in the world, Paris. I had the pleasure of chatting with writer, marketer and cook, Sutanya Dacres about her picturesque, whimsical life in Montmarte, Paris. Love brought her to Paris and over more than a decade in the city, she’s navigated, work, love, divorce, community building and the daunting French kitchen. Have a listen on Spotify and Apple podcasts and let me know what you think!
A Sweet Treet
Might I suggest a vineyard visit or opening a delicious bottle of Franciacorta this Valentine’s Day weekend? The Franciacorta wine region is located nearby Bergamo. A delicate sparkling, it’s comparable to champagne and so very delicious. Michele, Blue and I visited Ca’ del Bosco, a woman founded label that is one of, if not the best in the region. I did a quick recap of it on Instagram. You can find it in NYC in some of the best Italian restaurants. It’s delicious, try it and let me know what you think.
Here’s a family visit to the beautiful vineyard in Franciacorta.
I hope you all have a great week, a wonderful Valentine’s Day, stay safe out there and sprinkle a little dolce into your vita.
xx,
Ny
Love it! Good writing!