Pom Pom Sweatshirt

~ Photography by the wonderful and SO FUN Mandy Wu ~

~ Outfit Details: Pom Pom Sweatshirt (ON SALE!) ~ Jeans ~ Similar Striped Button Down ~ Pink Sneakers ~ Similar Sunglasses (plus more blush pink sunnies, below!) ~ Earrings ~ Rose Gold Beats by Dre Headphones (yep!) ~

~ Well, I would probably never wear a sweatshirt out of the house (cute gym clothes which already break cultural norms? YEP! But sweatshirts? NOPE.) However…this is kind of the “holy grail” of sweatshirts because there are GIANT POM POMS on it. Ignore the official name of it (the “Festival” sweatshirt? Ugh!)…Life is a party, dress like it?!

I should also note that this post is breaking some MAJOR grounds for me as I’m wearing SNEAKERS. Like, real lace-up/ not for the gym kinda sneakers. When I first got to Milan, all of my classmates from European countries were baffled as to why I didn’t have sneakers to wear…you know…out. I thought that’s what loafers were for? Recently, when someone suggested one of my sundresses would look cute with sneakers, I replied “NO, IT WOULDN’T.” Baby steps here, friends. However, after breaking 3 out of the 5 pairs of sandals I brought with me to Milan in my first month here, I sort of realized that city living requires different kinds of footwear.

Not to mention, sneakers are TRENDING right now. I plan to follow-up this post with a “cute sneaker” round up. I admit it, some of them are really cute, comfortable, and PRACTICAL! Don’t expect me to wear them with a dress anytime soon, but I felt I needed to pull the trigger! I found this pink pair of Vans over Christmas back in the states and they were sort of “me” in a sneaker. Pink, with a light blue stripe accent. Classic, preppy, PINK. “OK, these, I can probably do.” The only pair they had were in my size….so, they were meant to be mine and I’m really happy I finally found a pair that fits my style!

I really don’t see a lot of pom poms, pink, or white jeans in Milan. Last week, it was 75 degrees and people were going out in their black leather jackets and black tights. (*disclaimer, if this is your style, than that’s cool, too! Own it!) It’s just a cultural Milanese thing I will never quite understand. I think that being the “odd one out” here for my first 6 months made me feel uncomfortable. Sometimes it still does. But, now, as the weather changes, I feel a lot less like I want to try to blend in and conform (let’s be honest here…if you see me in dark purple lipstick…you can call for help). I finally realized that I stand out like a sore thumb already because I’m BLONDE and I’m American and even if I wore all black and lots of leather, I would probably still stand out. I feel less like the “odd one out” and more like the flamingo in an urban jungle of…panthers. And now? I just OWN it. I think I have a newfound confidence in realizing that I can work in this industry in any country or culture in the world and still feel proud of my own personal unique style.

In other news…I’m working on so many round ups! I’ve got one for Mother’s Day, for my under $100 April post, for Espadrilles & Wedges, & for Sandals….but if you think of anything else you would like me to feature here as we head into spring, shoot me a note!

Gratefully with love,

xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo Rhiana

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” – Coco Chanel

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