5 Tips That Will Make Your Days in Lockdown Easier! (Find a special gift for yourself at the end of the post)

A few months ago, our lives changed overnight and our brains are still struggling to understand what this is all about. This is why you shouldn’t force yourself to be productive during all this chaos and give your body and mind time to get accustomed to this new scenario.

Everyone’s experience of lockdown is different, but I would like to share a few things that I’ve been trying to incorporate into my daily routine during this period that may help you too:

•The power of writing something down: Plan out your day. Grab a piece of paper and pen, and write down all the activities you need to get done during the day, including recreational activities. Not having guidelines to follow could result in a lazy and unproductive day. Remember that an excess of pleasure is not pleasure.

•Dress code: After a healthy breakfast, take off your pajamas and wear something comfy that makes you feel attractive. Cotton and silk fabrics are my favourites and why not put on a little bit of perfume?

•Menu of the day: Drink water and try to incorporate vegetables and fruit into your diet as much as you can. This will help you feel lighter and more enthusiastic.

•Thank God for the Internet: There are so many options to discover new activities and different ways to work out. Schedule at least one online session a day such as meditation, dance, fitness or whatever makes you move your body. (I learnt the Thriller choreography!)

• TGIF: Make sure you REST over the weekend. Practice a hobby, spring clean again, cook yourself a treat, watch a new series, and, most of all, enjoy not doing anything!

Lastly, if you’re looking to spruce up your at-home look and new lifestyle, here are some brands that will help to brighten your mood and spirit!

Julia de Jong : With winter just around the corner, this beautiful knitwear collection by Julia de Jong is just what your wardrobe needs. Mention Shop Hop to receive a 10% discount. Vàlid until June,26.

Guadalupe Martiarena : Check out this exclusive collection of canvas bags that will add some glamour to your weekly grocery shop. Use the code “shophopGM” to receive a 10% discount at her online shop. Vàlid until June,26.

Huella Objetos: This ceramic tableware will make the new dishes you learnt to cook during the lockdown look chef-worthy! Mention Shop Hop to receive a 10% discount. Vàlid until June,26.

Acento de Autor: Wearing slippers has never been so glamorous. Check out these handmade leather slippers. Mention Shop Hop to receive a 10% discount. Vàlid until June,26.

What you need to know about Sustainable Fashion in Buenos Aires

As the world is becoming more environmentally conscious the fashion industry, as one of the most polluting industries, is doing so too.

Fashion brands have figured out how to re-build their concepts and design philosophy by including new techniques and materials. This is a win-win for industry and consumers with a positive impact on the environment, society and consumer culture.

Let’s find out what’s going on in Buenos Aires. Despite the social and economic vulnerability, Argentine designers, especially the small ones, have found a way of contributing to the cause and promoting a new, more responsible way to shop.

These small fashion brands are supported by and working with a couple of well-organized foundations that are doing a great job to promote environmentally-friendly fashion and raise awareness on this important topic. One of them is the Project “Back in Fashion” founded in 2017 by Fedra Mauri ( Fashion producer) and Rodrigo Santamarina (Publicist and producer). Their aim is to show the whole process behind environmental fashion, following standards set internationally. For them, the term sustainable is a core value, and not simply an add-on for marketing purposes. Fedra says:

“The fashion industry is complex. When you discover the difference between working for a mass label and a designer, there’s no going back. If you love what you do, there is nothing better than being able to transmit that love and tell the world about it. The designer is not just giving you a garment. It is a garment with its own story, a story of love and purpose; a garment that has been curated and is part of a curated process.”

The Fashion Revolution movement, founded by Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro in the UK after the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which housed five garment factories and killed at least 1,132 people, is also active in Argentina and is represented by a volunteer  team of Argentine designers. This global movement aims to unite people and organizations to work together towards radically changing the way our clothes are sourced, produced and consumed, so that our clothing is made in a safe, clean and fair way. They also believe that collaborating across the whole value chain — from farmer to consumer — is the only way to transform the industry.

As Jesica Pullo, FR volunteer in Argentina, says in a Clarin feature:

“We need to change our  focus. We need to stop thinking that everything from outside of Argentina is better and that clothes are disposable. In Argentina today there are many very competitive entrepreneurs.”

Let’s take a look at some of the brands that are currently working to achieve the sustainable development goals in Buenos Aires.

Biótico: Artesanal & sustainable art couture. The stylish handbags and accessories of this brand conceived by designer Jessica Pullo are made out of recycled milk bags. Jessica also collaborates with ALPAD, an NGO that works with special needs adults and assists in the making of her collection.

Cascote: This brand practices upcycling by rescuing and re-imagining tiles salvaged from houses that are being done up. Cascote gives a new life to these old tiles transforming them into unique jewelry pieces, all crafted by hand.

Troja: Designer Katy Mychajtyszczuk works with 100% cotton fabrics in her elegant womenswear collections. She uses intricate ñanduti and crochet embroidery techniques for a very personalized style. Most of her pieces are made to order but she also has a small ready-to-wear collection.

Content not found: This contemporary bag brand use biodegradable materials, so their products turn into compost once they are discarded. They only work with high quality materials and pay close attention to the construction so that their timeless pieces remain durable and will last for many seasons to come.

Are you coming to Buenos Aires with an interest in the world of sustainable fashion?  If so, Shop Hop BA would be delighted to take you behind the scenes of the city’s eco-friendly fashion scene. Schedule a bespoke shopping trip with us by clicking on the ‘Book Now’ button below.

Top six spring / summer trends to incorporate into your wardrobe in Buenos Aires

It’s that time of year again in Buenos Aires when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom and people are switching their wardrobes over from winter to spring. We’ve been keeping a watchful eye on the new trends emerging for this season and here’s our roundup of must haves for your Spring/Summer wardrobe in Buenos Aires.

1. Comfy monochrome two pieces

Photo: Buenos Aires designer Julia De Jong

This one-color trend helps narrow down your choices and makes getting dressed in the morning a whole lot easier as you don’t have to worry about what color goes with what. The good news is that comfort is key this season and designers have focused on loose fitting silhouettes, proposing oversized blouses and billowy pants as the summer uniform of choice in one-tone sets. Have some fun with a comfy two-piece ensemble in a bright summery shade.

2. Dazzle with stripes and prints

Photo: Buenos Aires designer Mila Kartei

A bold stripe or print is an easy way to jazz up your summer look. The classic Breton stripe never gets old but there are stripes in all colors this spring stamped across shirts and dresses. Exotic summery prints are also in abundance and work well for day and night. Introduce them into your swimwear too and make a statement by the pool.

3. Throw on shirt dresses and jumpsuits

Photo: Buenos Aires designer Julia de Jong

In line with the focus on comfort this season, shirt dresses and jumpsuits are everywhere and look effortlessly chic. They’re easy to throw on and dress up or down (just swap your daytime flip flops for a pair of wedges and some colorful chunky earrings).

4. Wear yellow and more yellow

Photo: Buenos Aires designer Bendeyan

If you’re going to introduce one new color into your wardrobe this season, make it yellow. It’s most definitely the ‘it’ color and perfect for sunny days, from lemon yellow to mustard and more pastel tones. Choose your shade wisely. The olive skinned among us are the lucky ones who can pull off just about any type yellow and the brighter the better, but for those with fairer skin, stick to a darker more mustardy shade of yellow.

5. And if you don’t like yellow…

Photo credit: Buenos Aires designer Min Agostini

Opt for red, navy blue, nude, pastels or a fail-safe all-white color palette. With these on-trend colors in your wardrobe, your spring summer 2018 look will be on point.

6. The fanny pack is here to stay

Photo: Buenos Aires brand Nimes

That trend you never thought would come back again. They’ve been making an appearance on the runways for the last couple of seasons and now they’ve become a part of every handbag brand’s collection. We like a sleek, chic leather version of the fanny pack that you can wear around your waist or slung over your shoulder.

Need help fine tuning your spring / summer wardrobe? Contact us to go shopping in Buenos Aires and we’ll take you on a personalized tour of Buenos Aires best shopping spots.