The One Hundred: A guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own

Almost one year later I visited bookshop at Triennale, Milan's design museum, and found another book from Nina (doesn't that sound like we're friends, eh?). This time it's:

The One Hundred: A guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia
This time a silver book, thicker in width, and deeper in content. The little black book was like an introduction to style, so this book is the perfect sequence to getting into the 'details'.

Khunnais, how often do you admire your closet? Be honest. And have you ever wondered whether you've got everything necessary? Maybe it's good to check up with this "One Hundred". It was so rewarding when you come across the ones in the list that you, too, regard of important things a girl must own and you yourself own in large quantity (in my case, A-Line Dress, Ballet Flat, Belts, Bikini, Black Opague Tights, Boyfriend cardigan, Cashmere sweater..let me stop at C). It was also enjoying to see the ones that is out of your style boundary (if you are the type of person that's already established your style). It triggers you to think that maybe you can also add that to your already large list of things to buy.

I would never thought of buying Animal Print, Aviator sunglasses, Converse, Charm bracelet, Man's white shirt, for example.

She also gives you the "how" to wear each piece, and some tips of how the craze of that piece started. So, khunnais, you will also get to learn some history of fashion, or in the bigger picture, pop culture.

Let me tell you which piece of the One Hundred triggered me to buy it. It was the piece # 40. Investment Bag. She says,

This is the bag that you can spend a few weeks' salary on and not feel guilty (or you shouldn't, anyway). It is going to last you a lifetime, will never go out of style, and will only get better with age. I always say that there are only a handful that are worth your money.

1. The Chanel 2.55
2. LV speedy
3. The Jackie O
4. The Birkin

These four bags are the staple items in every khunnai-to-be wish list. I've been dreaming of the Chanel 2.55 for about two years now, and still couldn't pull together buying a bag worth almost 2k. But I know I will buy it some day. I'm just waiting for the moment. I will have to blog about this one on its own.
The book again comes with pretty illustrations by Ruben Toledo, so it's the book you enjoy reading & looking. It also comes with links to related websites and so on. All in all a good book to refer to fashion-wise.

Oh did I tell you how delighted I was that I discovered Castaner on my own (with a little help from P' Fah, the Bangkokian style icon I know and love) and it happened to be also the chosen brand espadrilles (the ultimate summer shoe to wear with sundress) on this book. I bought 2 pairs this summer at my favorite shoe shop Luca on Via corso Vercelli.



To end the blog, I'll quote the piece # 68: Polo Shirt, which I found hilarious.

...It found its way into the urban jungle when the fashionistas began embracing all things prep and geek. Of course, to give it a fashion look, the prepster/geek uniform should not be copied too literally: it should be stepped up into an entirely new fashion level. (Note: No uniform should never be copied to literally -- everything has to be stepped up and made unique. Everything.)

I happen to have 6 classic polo shirts and unaccountable adaptations of those classics. That's all...