Spring Cleaning: Pieces I’m Excited to Wear This Season

Because cambio di stagione is right around the corner.

Happy Friday to everyone. I found inspiration for this post yesterday after I was, quite literally, knees-deep in my closet after going on a jean try-on frenzy, only to the realization that 85% of my jeans do not fit me anymore. Two years ago, I would have put myself into a downward spiral that would last at least 48 hours. We have all been there, haven’t we? But now, I put the ones that no longer fit me in a donation bag and opted for the next size in my shopping cart. Becoming more accepting of my changing body isn’t a New Year's resolution or something I have been striving for; fortunately, it’s just kinda happening after many years. Maybe with age, as I am slowly approaching 30, or perhaps because I don’t have the energy to obsess over the fact that I have gained a few kgs. It is very liberating even though body image days are never linear.

It is already the last day of February, and there are signs of spring in the air —birds are chirping, a few trees are sprouting, and Neapolitans are already headed to the beach to start working on their summer tan (tanorexia is a thing here). I began to think about the good ol’ Italian cambio di stagione right around the corner. Suppose you don’t know what it is. In that case, it is essentially when Italians dedicate a weekend to go under their beds or into the underground apartment building storage unit, pull out their incoming seasonal wardrobe, and swap with the current one. It sounds much more dramatic than it is, but it is honestly refreshing to do a seasonal inventory to see what has been collecting dust and no longer serves you. Although I do think I participate in this clothing debacle a month earlier than most because there comes a point in the year when the puffer jacket really needs to go (I am sure my fellow Americans who live in Italy know what I am talking about).

I recently wrote about what Italian women will wear this spring (hint: it is much simpler than you may think). I started pulling items from my plastic storage bin sitting in the corner of our second-level loft and romanticizing some items I couldn’t wait to wear. I love reading Substack posts from others about what closet items bring them joy, so I thought, why not do the same after digging into my archive?

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Cinnamon-honey Friulane

Fresh out of the box, I purchased these stunning Mary Jane-style friulane for an early Christmas present to myself this year while visiting my dear friend in Rome. The color is called Cannella Miele in Italian (cinnamon honey), and I think that’s the most soothing, feel-good color combo ever.

If you are in Rome, do stop at the shoe store Calzature Campo Marzio. This historic shoe shop, right around the corner from Pizza in Campo Marzio, has been around for a few decades and sells high-quality friulane as well as many other stylish footwear. The women who work there are also equally as inviting.

A vibrant shawl

I have already worn this new-with-tags, second-hand Missoni scarf I snagged a few weeks ago from Vestiaire. Still, it is a great transition piece for the upcoming months—colorful, vibrant, and not suffocatingly heavy.

There are so many amazing second-hand and vintage Missoni on resale sites like The RealReal, Vinted, Poshmark, and Vestiaire that paying full price would be a crime. Not to mention, Missoni is Italianissimo.

A wicker woven basket bag from Farella Capri

My mom gifted me this unique bag two birthdays ago when she was on island time in Capri after I had followed the brand for some time on IG. Farella Capri is a women-led, bespoke textile studio focusing on the island’s ancient weaving techniques and partnering with sustainable Italian yarn producers. They also create beautiful wicker-woven bags with leather-adorned straps and ties, like mine in cobalt blue. Bags of this genre can make any outfit feel “springy” without going the extra mile to buy pastel-colored cardigans and t-shirts.

My Farella bag in action at an Edicola Erno event in Rome last spring.

Colorful framed sunglasses

Funky, colorful frames bring me so much joy and add personality to a simple outfit. It is one of the best ways to accessorize and feel playful or trendy because even investment sunglasses don't need to be boring.

L.G.R World and Sestini are two fantastic Italian sunglass brands that are carefully crafted and inspirationally designed.

Martini olive-green old Bottega Veneta

Shoulder bags aren’t the most convenient with winter jackets and wool coats, but when it’s time to put those to rest and swap them for something canvas, leather, or linen, a shoulder bag can most definitely work.

I am not on the dirty-martini drinking train like what seems like most middle-aged women on social media, but I do love adore the color of a green olive in toe. It inspired my latest find: a martini green vintage old Bottega Veneta for under €300 (and thanks to Klarna, even more financed…girl math). These pieces still exist in what seems like a pool of heavily priced 2K bags; you have to look hard enough.

Chunky clogs

I don’t know when or why my obsession with clogs began, but they are a fun, seasonal footwear option. Obviously, they're not the most functional for day-to-day city errand running, but they're my go-to for a casual lunch or afternoon aperitivo.

An incredible Italian clogs brand based in Tuscany is Antidoti by Antonella Dotti.

What are you looking forward to wearing this spring? Xx