In a world where trends change faster than we can refresh our feeds, it’s easy to feel pressured into buying more, wearing less, and still somehow feeling like we never have the “right” thing to put on. But fashion doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and it certainly doesn’t have to revolve around endless consumption. More and more, we’re learning that good personal style comes from making intentional choices: choosing fewer pieces, choosing better quality, and choosing items that actually reflect who we are. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a shift in mindset, a move toward building a wardrobe that lasts, supports our confidence, and respects both our bodies and the world around us.

That’s why a fashion guide like How to Wear Everything feels so refreshing. It reminds us that fashion isn’t about keeping up — it’s about understanding. Understanding what works for us, what we truly need, and how to create a personal style that’s both timeless and functional. This guide goes beyond trends and offers a clear, grounded approach to dressing well without overthinking (or overspending).

Wanna take a closer look at why it stands out? Keep reading! With this blog post, we conclude this year’s Viva's reading blog series with Ana Kompara. What follows is Ana’s written piece…

“It’s important to feel comfortable and true to ourselves in the clothes we wear. Clothes can make or break your day. They can tank your mood or boost it a hundred times over. They should give you confidence, never make you doubt yourself.”

I can’t really say I’m still a loyal follower of fashion trends. Ever since I’ve been working from home for the past three years, “OOTD” hasn’t exactly been high on my daily priority list. Still, getting dressed has always been a form of self-expression for me, so somewhere in my thirties I suddenly felt completely lost. Lost between what’s currently trendy, what’s no longer in, what’s making a comeback, what’s way too uncomfortable for the sake of “perfection,” and what looks great but just doesn’t suit my body at all.

Do you know what the fashion industry’s best-kept secret is (because, you know, profit)? Getting dressed really isn’t that hard. You don’t need a closet stuffed with clothes to have good style, just thoughtful, good-quality pieces that last forever. Like Viva's bags.

I read the style guide by well-known fashion editor Kay Barron at the end of last year, and even now I feel like it brought me back to the basics, and that’s where I stayed. The book’s clarity was super calming, and the author’s upfront, fun, chic, no-nonsense tone was genuinely enjoyable to read. The additional tips and tricks from super-stylish icons, including Oprah Winfrey, Sofia Richie Grainge, Sarah Jessica Parker, Monica Bellucci, Jodie Turner-Smith, Ruth E. Carter, Nicky Zimmermann, and Law Roach, revealed many “behind-the-red-carpet” moments.

Even though I already knew a lot of the basics and combos, I still learned some new things, especially about layering and mixing pieces: that black and navy totally work together (that's also why you can find navy lining in Viva's Black ADA, GRETA, and all black crossbody bags), same with a hoodie and a turtleneck, and even mixing different jewelry (silver, gold, rose gold). Forget the old rule that horizontal stripes widen you and vertical ones lengthen you, instead, remember the tip that a simple white t-shirt can make anyone look like they just stepped out of a fresh shower.

How to Wear Everything: A No-Nonsense Guide to Dressing covers everything: denim, workwear, bags, underwear, colors and prints, jewelry, parties … and there are even chapters on pregnancy wear and second-hand pieces! The book is honestly super practical, right after finishing it, I got rid of some too-tight jeans and bought a jewelry box that helped me organize my favorite pieces. And for the second winter in a row, I’m still hunting for the perfect camel coat. Maybe this will finally be the year. That’s the whole point of the book anyway: shopping smart and building a wardrobe of timeless classics we’ll actually want to wear forever.

Luckily, I already have the perfect bag. Viva's.

Bag featured in this blog post is Viva's FRANKA Bag in Rich Black Leather.