An informal affair

By Valerie Cancellieri

Forget the classy dresses, or the five inch heels, the 2006 RomeFilmFest is an informal affair.

“The festival is not an elegant event, rather jeans and a t-shirt will do, especially for a student,” according to Camilla, a fashion expert working at Rome's Moppo Outlet Settimana. This might bring disappointment to the few who do enjoy dressing up for special events, but Camilla can provide solutions to accentuate the simple outfit. In other words, you don't need to dress in Chanel, Gucci or Yves St Laurent like Nicole Kidman to look like a million bucks.

The Spanish steps area would be the first place that a FilmFest attendee might go to scope out the perfect outfit. Although known as a shopper’s paradise, the steps need not be scaled for this event. Similar to the film festival in Newport, Rhode Island, this affair is a casual event. instead, the Vatican neighborhood of Prati is where a shopper wants to be. Via Ottavino to be specific.

Via Ottavino has boutiques such as Choppin, O.k.a.y Fashion, and Dieci and many more along the entire street. Besides the boutiques, there are outdoor market vendors selling one euro shirts, shoe stores, and the accessory boutiques.

Now, the details. How exactly should the simple outfit look like? The shopper can begin with the high knee boots from Danielle. A few boutiques down, one can find the perfect kind of stretch boot cut jeans, followed by a simple off the shoulder neutral top, or long style top that flatters each body type. Hint: wear a belt over the shirt. The ending piece of the outfit needs to be with a big style necklace, either pearls or big beads. With the reasonable prices, one can truly mix and match the simplicity of shoes, necklaces, and jeans to stand out in the crowd.

Camilla suggests that it is the fun of wearing different types of fancy jewelry, belts, and shoes that makes fashion fun. In the end, remember this: it is up to the shopper to keep it simple and dress it up with the accessories.