SARAI VAZQUEZ
Leire Bengoa is flirtatious by nature. "Since I was little I have noticed clothes and how people dressed," she admits. Her family instilled in her the importance of image, taking care of clothes and being well dressed. "You live it at home, you like it, and it becomes part of you," he admits. She was not a happy girl when they put her tracksuit on: "I enjoyed my patent leather shoes, bracelets and dresses." In fact, when this 35-year-old Basque went to school, the uniform, in a rigorous and graceless navy blue, was her worst enemy. "I haven't been able to wear my own looks until I was 16," she laments.
The taste for fashion has accompanied him all his life. After graduating in Public Relations, and taking her first steps in this sector of 'rags' and trends, thanks to her blog 'Aguanta la mirada' -created more than a decade ago-, she specialized as an image consultant and ' personal shopper'. He successfully completed the course offered by Elle magazine and the formation of the image cabinet of María Uranga, located in the heart of Casco Viejo. "That is where I have been lucky enough to see how a consultancy works," he says. Today, she works in this well-known image studio and, in addition, in Lookiero, a Bilbao platform for virtual advice and online purchases with a surprise factor, which has been tried by more than a million women. Thus, this young woman from Llodio has turned her passion for fashion into a lifestyle.
'Abusing the Basics'
What she likes most about her job is being able to help people dress and feel better. "They go hand in hand," she clarifies. For her, fashion is a form of expression. And he emphasizes that the garments do not make sense if we do not know how to adapt them to us. «Trends are fleeting, they come and go, but the style of each person is what counts. We have to defend what we wear, “he defends. In this sense, the clothes that Leire wears are a clear reflection of her personality: «I am simple, I abuse the basics and I am happy with jeans and a white T-shirt. But I'm not satisfied, that's why I like to give my looks a final touch with a special accessory, be it an earring or a bag”.
Define your style when dressing as classic. Although she does not hesitate to break it with garments in bright colors, such as yellow or pistachio green. «They are the shades that favor me the most because they give light to my face. In this sense, I don't mind taking risks," he says. He also has a strong predilection for pieces that have different cuts, garments that have something special and sophisticated touches. She is a lover of prints: the striped, the 'vichy', the floral... yes, as long as they are not too overloaded. He even dares with the "dangerous" 'animal print', which he wears in small doses, that is, in an accessory, such as a belt or shoes. "The print that I don't like at all is camouflage," he stresses.
"A tracksuit is for going to the gym"
From the doors to inside your closet, pants are essential, a versatile garment that combines with sneakers as well as stiletto heels. "The whites give a lot of play because they hit everything," he adds. On the other hand, the 'blazer' jackets are another of its key pieces: «They look great. In fact, I recommend having one on hand, especially here in the north," he says. Sneakers, however, don't have much room in your closet. «I know they wear a lot, and in fact I like to see them on people, but putting them on is hard for me. Let's say that I keep trying, although I'm not going to lie to you, I'm more of wearing a measured heel, three or four centimeters, not much more because I'm from one place to another on public transport all day, “he admits. Regarding the 'comfy' style, the trend that has swept this fall, Leire believes that "the tracksuit is for going to the gym and not for daily use". And when she goes to special events in summer, this fashion expert opts for flattering dresses: "I think they are essential."
Know and follow the trends, but without being a slave to them: «I like to buy one or two clothes that become fashionable every season. But I always include them in my looks naturally, without obsessing." This spring-summer, garments with ruffles and puffed sleeves have become essential in your wardrobe. "I think they suit me because I have narrow shoulders, so I can abuse them," he says. This season, it has also been done with a jean dungarees, because it gives "a lot of play" to the looks. However, she is not in favor of white or cream boots, which until now had certain connotations of vulgarity, but which in recent months have emerged as one of the trends from which we cannot escape. Well, Leire yes, for the moment. "Although, you know what they say, never say I won't drink this water," he adds between laughs.
I have it clear. Now I eat less and look for other, more special things. Let's say I buy wisely." And, above all, he does it when a new season arrives: "It's when I feel like it the most, I buy one or two outfits to renew the wardrobe." He prefers to find the clothes in physical stores, to see them live, touch them and try them on, but he acknowledges that with the pandemic he has gained confidence when buying online. Currently, her favorite store is Nina Life Styling, located in Llodio. "She has super nice clothes," she admits. She also loves going into the fashion shops of Zarautz, which have a certain French air. As for the big chains, he really likes the firm Üterque and Bimba & Lola for the accessories: "My eyes are going away."In 2015, Leire opened an Instagram account to post the content of her blog, which she no longer updates. In this virtual showcase, she shares photos of her daily looks with her more than 3,500 followers. «Before they were more prepared; Now, however, I show what I wear to go to work," he says. She is "super grateful" for all the users behind the screen, who surrender to her likeability and unique style. "To be able to inspire and help them is an honor," he admits.
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