POLLY’S LOOKBOOK

in 3 different countries

Table Of Contents

1 Welcome Letter

3-5 Bulgaria

6-7 Holland

8-9 Scotland

Dear reader, I present you the first issue of Polly‘s Lookbook blog booklet. I wanted to do something like that for a very long time now, but have never had the proper idea, nor the necessary skills to do so. Yet the first issue is here and I am more than happy to share it with you.

I have decided to dedicate the first booklet I have ever made to the concept of change. Ever since I left home and went abroad for my studies, change has been inevitable and constant part of my life. Whether it is travelling, meeting different people, learning new languages, adapting to unfamiliar cultures, you name it, going out of my comfort zone has become a necessity. Although it has often been overwhelming, when I come to think of it, this has been the greatest gift I could have ever given to myself.

So far I have lived in three very different countries: Bulgaria (where I was born and raised), the Netherlands and Scotland. If I look at everything from a fashionable point of view, people in each country have different styles, different brands are popular and what is considered stylish at one place, might be unacceptable somewhere else.

However, this is extremely useful for people who are interested in fashion, because you are often challenged to change your perceptions of beauty and adapt to new ways of dressing. Not to mention that fashion is, and has always been, a reflection of the culture within a society, so paying attention to people‘s outfits is much more than just judging someone else‘s appearance.

So how is this booklet working? For each of the three countries I have dedicated 2 pages: one of them has a brief description of my style-connected experiences within the country, and the other one shows my favourite outfits so far that I wore there, plus a brief description for each of them. Ten pages are not enough to include everything, but they will contain the best of everything.

Finally, the message I would like to get across with this first issue is: Give change a chance! Do not be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and explore new places, cultures and styles. At the end of the day fashion is all about experimenting, transforming and mixing new things, which end up to be an amazing combination.

Enjoy the first issue of Polly‘s Lookbook booklet!

Polly’s Lookbookin 3 different countries

Pavlina Novakova

In Bulgaria there is a saying that you are being welcomed by the state of

your shirt, and you are being sent off by how smart you are.

To be more precise, this means that appearance is very important to Bulgarians and very often you are being judged mainly by the way you look.

I think that this is understandble to a certain degree, as Bulgaria is a small Eastern European country, and we have something really oriental in our national mentality. Also during the many years of our existence, we have been in contact and influenced by many different nations, which has led to our varied culture.

If we take a look at the clothing worn in the past, Bulgarians used to have very specific clothes, usually in bold, vibrant colours like red, green, orange, etc. Also hand-made embrodery was a compulsory element of the clothes.

Each region of Bulgaria has its own specific costumes with typical motifs. What is interesting is that a specific code was waeved into the decoration of Bulgarian

costumes- in the past people used to rely on it for information about the people who wore that clothing. Each costume had its unique message and could tell where does the owner come from and which is his/her family.

Nowadays, however, those national costumes are only worn on special occasions. Some people still keep parts of national clothing as a heritage of their families- I got some hand-embroided pieces from my grandmother just to carry “the Bulgarian spirit” with me.

When it comes to weather-appropriate clothing, in Bulgaria there are four seasons, and it is typical to have a very hot summer and a very cold winter. Therefore, a flexible wardeobe is needed.

In the recent years, the weather has become really inconstant and can change within minutes, so layering is a great way to be prepared for every climate caprice.

Finally, on the next page you can see three of my favourite outfits, all of them for warm weather. Each of them has a touch of bright colours and is completed with jewelry.

BULGARIA

One of my most favourite basic wardrobe items is the classic white shirt. I would advise anyone to invest as much as possible in this

beautiful piece of clothing and to always look for a high-quality material.

A simple shirt goes a long way: office wear, casual walks in the park, dates

and dinners.

For a more summer-inspired result, combine it with bold trousers and an

eye-catching bag. With the right accessories

this is one of the best items in a woman’s

wardrobe.

For me dresses are the most feminine clothing out there. Trends come and go, but nothing can make you

look like a lady in the way a dress can.

Although the little black dress is considered to be “an effortless classic”, I don’t completely share this opinion. There is a

tendency amongst young women to go only for

black dresses, but do not underestimate the effect of strong colours, like royal

blue or seductive red.

Combined with the right accessories and nice shoes you have a chic and eye-

catching combination.

Ahh, blazers... I remember my excitement when I went to Zara to buy my first one.

I think that blazers can be very versatile and used for different occasions: from office to cocktail parties.

The most important thing when trying this piece of

clothing is to check whether it fits on the shoulders.

Anything else can be pretty much altered, besides the

shoulder fit.

I consider this to be an investment piece, if made from high quality material

and in a neutral colour. But bold colours and light

materials are great for summer.

image of traditional Bulgarian houses in the village Orehovo

During my first days in Holland I noticed that Dutch people have a very

specifc sense of style. As I was walking around the city, I saw how young women effortlessly combined sporty items with more elegant pieces, something that I never saw before that. And I loved it.

Most of the Dutch people I know are involved in some kind of sport. Also it is not surprising to see men and women in business suits, the women wearing high heels as well, biking around the town, rushing for their next appointment.

In the beginning I found all of this funny, but as I got used to it, I started admiring their ability to combine practicality with elegance and style.

I live in the second biggest city of the Netherlands- Rotterdam, but rarely did I see girls trying to “overdo” their appearance. They always look effortlessly chic, very casual and natural. Many Dutch girls don’t even use a lot of make up.

Strange as it may seem, but this applies both for everyay life and for going out in the evening. Many women prefer comfortable shoes than high heels. Also wearing

jeans on a night out is more common than wearing short, tight dresses. To a certain extent this is understandable, as many girls hopped on their bikes to go home after the party was over.

What was also really surprising for me was that some of my classmates asked me if I make the effort to put on make up every single morning before I go out. For me, as a person who comes from a culture where appearance is very important, this needed no questioning, but for them it was interesting.

After a couple of months spent in Holland, there was another thing I loved about their culture. They do not pay that much attention to other people’s appearance. Usually, they go under the principle “whatever you do is your concern, not mine”.

As a person coming from a country, where clothing is an important tool for communication, this was strange but also a relief. It helped me a lot to learn to not care what people think about the way I dress and try out new things.

The next page presents my three favourite outfits, put together for the windy Dutch weather.

HOLLAND

This is one of my most favourite photos. Usually, I tend to go for minimalistic outfits and I love to wear the red/black/ white

combination with some golden details.

The hero piece of this outfit is the red hat as it adds a colourful spot to the overall appearance. Moreover, I think that red is a great autumnal colour because it reminds me of falling leaves

and the warm hues on the trees.

Actually, this picture represents my first attempt to wear red

lipstick. I wanted to try it for a long time, but was worried that I would look funny. However, I am glad that I got over this fear.

People in Holland tend to complain a lot about how bad their weather is. For me this

is just a stereotype, as it never gets really cold, the only real

problem is the wind.

Therefore, layering, warm jackets and a hat are must-have items. This is why I discovered

that if I put my faux fur vest over a leather jacket, it wil

actually turn out to be a stylish and practical solution for my

wind issues.

When it comes to accessories, I had this clutch for a long time. As soon as I saw it, I

loved it and decided to use its brightness for a little contrast.

This outfit shows two of my favourite things: the bag and the

over the knee boots.

I have been a huge Céline fan for years now and I have always

admired their bag designs. This is why I bought this bag,

and although it is not an actual Céline product, I have been

constantly wearing it and carrying it with me ever since I

had it.

When it comes to the boots, I definitely have a thing for over the knee models. Not only do

they offer extra warmth, but for me they look really chic and can elevate a simple outfit into being

something very special.

image of the Erasmus bridge in Rotterdam

Ever since I came to Scotland I have been impressed by the amount of nature beauty I

have seen on daily basis. I also had the chance to visit some castles, and managed to buy real Scottish tartan scarves. Now I can proudly say that I have Scottish scarves from a Scottish castle.

When looking from a fashionable point of view, I have discovered various new brands and designers, many of who do not exist in the other countries where I lived. What is amazing here is that there are different “levels” of shops. You have the really affordable ones that offer replicas of high-fashion items on low prices, you have middle-range shops, and also the expensive, high-end ones.

Furthermore, I have noticed that people here are simply not afraid of the cold. Honestly, for me Aberdeen, the city where I am currently staying, is the coldest place I have ever lived in. But when I go out, especially in the evening, I see that people are going around with sandals, not wearing jackets, or the most they would have is a blazer.

Another thing I have noticed is that people here are not afraid to experiment mixing different styles

and patterns. Although some things are not really my cup of tea, I do admire courageous people who like to get out of their comfort zones and try out new things.

However, there is something that really makes me smile on a regular basis. When I use public transport or go for a walk, everytime I see old women dressed in a really lady-like manner. With their stylish coats, shoes and hats, it really improves my mood to see how they take care of their appearance and make the effort to put lipstick when going out to do groceries.

The next fashion-related experience I’ve had in Scotland is the discovery of petite collections from some fashion brands. I have heard that this exists, but have never seen it before. As a small person, sometimes it is really hard for me to find clothes that fit me perfectly, without the need for alterations. The problem is even bigger when it comes to finding coats, jackets and shoes.

Therefore, I was so excited to find that some brands offer the size 4 for petite women who have a hard time when shopping. Salute to the person who introduced this practice!

SCOTLAND

As I already mentioned, I really have a problem with the cold

Scottish weather. Here, as well as in Holland, the main issue is the wind that makes everything

seem worse.

A warm, waterproof jacket is a must-have here, no explanation needed for that. I already had the unpleasant experience to go to university soaking wet, after exposing myself to the

rain for 10 minutes, so I did not question the necessity of warm

clothing.

This photo is from Stonehaven, during one of the warmest

weekends I’ve had here. Do not be fooled by the sun!

No visit to Scotland is complete without buying a tartan scarf! I chose this one because of the

many colours it has: green, blue, yellow, red, orange and purple.

It is made from 100% lamb wool so it keeps me really warm. The best thing about having such a colourful accessory is that you can add it to dark outfits and

voilá!

As for the bottom part, these trousers are a great find. They

start off as jeans, but then from the middle of the hip you have

black leather.

When worn with black leather boots it will look like you have a

Puss in Boots type of shoes.

What are the essentials when you are a tourist? Comfortable shoes and a big bag where you

can carry all your souvenirs.

I love the classic model of the boots, combined with a little pop of leopard print to turn

something basic into an original accessory.

The bag is similar to Céline’s famous model- the luggage bag. I chose a compact size which is compatible with my body. Also

I find the colour beige to be even more versatile than black

when it comes to bags: it is suitable both for warm and cold

seasons.

image of the road to Dunnottar castle, Stonehaven

CreditsText & Design:Pavlina Novakova

Photographers:Irina DzhundrinaIvaylo SaraliyskiNorma DenrykurPavlina Novakova