Always Colour – Why do so many people wear black?
Please enjoy the Stylish Thoughts of USA based (European at heart) La Contessa who writes the blog The Vintage Contessa.
What is the secret to great style?
Being yourself and having fun when you dress yourself! Make yourself happy and comfortable!
My birthday at home in the garden
Dressing one’s body happens early in the day………make it count! You should feel good about your appearance and if that happens you will make others feel good!
Pink vintage Estee Lauder Gift with purchase. Greeen and white bracelets Angela Caputti, Florence Italy
You may even get a compliment or three!
What is the one thing you would spend a lot of money on?
An original…….one of a kind piece that you will have for years!
Barque Pearls are some of my favourite pieces – Tortoise too!
Everything is mass produced these days……….try and help that artisan who has a vision!
What is the one thing you wouldn’t spend a lot of money on?
My designer days are over………..and my lifestyle is quiet.
Remember too I live with a tea cup piggy who likes to arrange my shoes!
I do not need the handbag that screams $2,000.00 or shoes with red soles!
In my garden
Instead I am happier with a raffia basket handbag that I can toss anything into and be on my way!
Strolling the Garden
What are your top tips for looking stylish when traveling?
Layers……..as it gets cold on airplanes. I am horrified to see what people wear these days on airplanes! Shorts and flip flops…….sweatpants and or pajamas !!
Not a good look in my book! I remember the days when we dressed to fly!!!!!
Sissinghurst in May – Outside of London
We do need comfort as the seats are getting smaller and smaller………… I always carry a scarf for my neck and change out my shoes into thick socks for those european flights!
What’s the secret to looking polished?
4th of July in the USA. Three necklaces put together.
- lipstick
- nails are manicured not chippy
- hair is pulled back off the face.
- perhaps a cashmere wrap which can be tossed about your shoulders if need be.
Say Hello to La Contessa
How do you balance new trends with a more timeless look?
I remember not too long ago when i thought to myself, “boy I love that but i am too old to wear it!” That moment in time really hurts………….
It’s a chapter that you have never thought of before……..and it comes out of nowhere! You just know you’re at the age or your legs are not attractive enough anymore to wear that kind of garment.
Auntie mame would approve!
I pay no attention to trends.
You must dress yourself as you see fit!
The stack gets BIGGER … hair and neck bits. As Tony D. Said More is More!
Hopefully, the trend and your age will justify the look!
What is your current obsession?
Kaftans!!!!!
Kaftans are my latest passion
I cannot own enough!
This summer my goal was to wear from day to night!
Garden tour in my town
Amazing how they can transition with a little bit of accessorizing!
Who inspires you?
INSIDE the LOUVRE in PARIS in the FRENCH STATUE ROOM.PHOTO by CARLA COULSON AN AUSTRALIAN! One of THE BEST things I have ever DONE!
Tziporah Salamon
Beatrix Ost
Ari Seth Cohen the man behind the movement for Advanced Style!
Do you have a signature piece or style?
Good question!
Do I?
I have long flowing coats made out of old curtains with a flower motif with a huge pocket for gathering the hens eggs!
Springtime in my coat made out of vintage curtains!
I adore velvet and linen………….
I accessorize!!!!!!
Yes there are two chandeliers in the pantry
What’s your secret to making yourself stand out?
That’s easy my height! I stand 5 foot 11 inches tall………….I have always stood out whether I wanted to or not!
Never enough accessories!
I would say my hats or accessories make people look twice!
Driving about town with my Contessa Pearls!
The one piece of advice most women need but don’t get?
Stop wearing the exercise pant out in public! Believe me we do not want to look at your behind with or without underwear!!!!!!
Most likely your thighs are not the correct size either………..
I understand you go to exercise to help yourself that is good but wear a sarong around your waist or a long shift or kaftan to cover up!!
Sarongs are great for covering up exercise pants
It is horrifying what people think they can be seen in than again they do not have a back side view!
Take a moment and refresh yourself after that workout! Even if you have to go to the grocery store!
So thrilled you featured the Contessa Imogen! I have followed her for several years and she is a delight. She truly is one-of-a kind. I love her confidence to wear whatever she feels like wearing. She truly lives life to the fullest, using and wearing all of her special things in her everday life. Have you seen how she sets her dinner table? Fabulous! She does everything big and bold – her hats, her accessories, her caftans, her decorating, her garden, her blog, etc. And, I love that she appreciates vintage, unique pieces that truly set an outfit apart from any other. The thing I like about her the most, though, is her love for her animals, especially her teacup (hardly) pig! Looking very stylish Contessa!! XO
Cherie
STYLE NUDGE
http://www.stylenudge.com
Fabulous featuring the Vintage Contessa. I have learned so much from her. She has set me free! Accessories every day. Just freedom to wear what you love. She has more style in her little pinkie than most women all put together. Love her style. She does it so naturally. It never looks forced or comic. Always stylish. Love reading about her. Way to go Contessa!
I do love accessories and love her attitude to layering them on!
The gorgeous Elizabeth!!!!! How I admire her. Her charm, authenticity, European polish and most of all….her incredible humor and wit. Not only is she beautiful, she is generous and supportive. I admire her and the enchanting world she has created in her amazing garden. Elizabeth’s blog is a delight to read! Some of my favorite posts that she has written are the ones where she meets her readers at the gate of world famous gardens and takes them down paths full of incredible plantings and landscapes… pointing out sunbeams and roses climbing up an old wall looking for a better view. Another day, she may sit you down in her garden and just tell you a good story. Elizabeth’s style is elegant and regal, but she is all warmth and light. She is the person I wish lived next door. This is such a lovely interview of a lovely person who shares her knowledge from the experiences of a life well lived….and with the most amazing style!
Contess/Elizabeth, is a ravishing beauty in every shot!!!!! I LOVE her style ❤️
What a fabulous post on La Contessa.
She is an original……….unique.
Elizabeth is amazing love her style and her garden and Mr Bansky i mean who has a piggy for a pet Cheers !!!! So wonderful to follow people from the other side of the world .
Great blog post & yes the exercise pants gotta go or be covered up, and leggings aren’t pants no matter what age you are !! Lol .. Thanks for including Le Bel Age’s sarongs as one of your go-to’s Elizabeth ! Many hugs !!
Love this – a glamorous woman with chickens and a tea cup pig that scatters her shoes! She’s a REAL woman. Hats off to you for sharing her story and its inspiration. Thank you!!
My favorite sentiment of the Contessa’s is that if you dress yourself well, your day will be rewarded. Advice I am trying to take to heart! Great post!
Great post. I’m glad to know that someone is covering up after going to the gym. Leggings aren’t pants.
I love Elizabeth, she is one of a kind!
So thrilled you interviewed my friend Elizabeth. She is the epitome of “owning your own style”. She always looks fabulous and she gets dressed in minutes! She is one of the nicest people I know and she is full of fun! What fun to see her interviewed here!!
THANK YOU…………………what FUN to be FEATURED DOWN UNDER!!!!
You were a delight to reach out to me!
I DO LOVE MY ANIMALS……………..and I DO LOVE COLOUR!
I have reached the AGE that everything needs to be COMFORTABLE!I think I have achieved that in the brands and bits and bobs I wear……….
YOU HAVE A NEW SUBSCRIBER!!!!
I will enjoy staying in touch in your comment section………..hope you pop over to THE VINTAGE CONTESSA.NET from time to time!
Thanks for taking part with such aplomb! I love colour just like you and want to fill the world with it!
WOW, I have been left speechless and it does not happen often Imogen.
I adored her very bold accessories and natural elegance.
So glad you have ‘virtually’ met!
She is a knockout! I loved getting to know her in this interview. Thank you.
What a delightful interview. Thanks for introducing me to The Vintage Contessa. I intend to follow her blog and hear more from this incredible woman.
Great questions and great answers! I need these reminders lest I should totally come unraveled!
Elizabeth is a commanding and festooned figure ! She invents and twists her own personal version each day, which is remarkable….you peek at her beautiful face through the masses of beads she collects. You want to get to know her…which, I have been lucky enough to have had the honor…to know her is to love her…
THE Vintage Contessa is new to this reader. She reads ‘I’m comfortable in my skin’. Her accessories accentuate her overall look, & she’s tall so can wear enormous costume jewellery & the like. Certainly will look at her blog from time to time.
The Contessa is one of the women who’ve changed how I think about dressing. I’m a minimalist and used to wear Armani, tailored pieces for business. Today Neiman Marcus has invited me to their Fall Trends fashion show, and I’m going in a pale green kimono, white pants, a statement necklace and a small, rattan bag I bought decades ago that’s back in fashion. The Contessa is also lovely inside as well. When she read on my blog that I was going to Italy next month, she put me in touch with an old friend who lives there… So generous to reach out and put the two of us together. Thanks for featuring this unique and beautiful woman! Brenda Coffee
Great article! I’ve been a fan of Elizabeth for about 1-1/2 years now and just love, love, love her! So inspiring and fun!
Lucky me to live in the glow of Elizabeth’s passion, spirit, elegance, her menagerie, and great big heart♡ She is for real, inside out (such a perfect blog name…), and an inspiration for living fully!
Such Flamboyance and a great sense of Fun! Great post on The Contessa, a lady not just famous for her outfits, but her animals, her garden and her beautiful Italian husband! Giampi!
I’m lucky enough to have had Elizabeth in my home here in Melbourne and stayed in hers – Casa Magnifica – as I call it. Our friendship started with the delivery of a stunning rose from my garden when I lived in Walnut Creek California – I wondered who would appreciate it as I did and decided to share it with the lady who owned a wonderful little store the Hen House – full of vintage treasures – of course that lady was the one and only Contessa ! We have been friends ever since .