Brand Boarding Pass: Mid Segment Series, Part 1 — The City Dressing Mood Edit

Hello,
If you just landed here—hi, I’m Kate Blondet. And this is where travel plans meet outfit plans.

Welcome to Brand Boarding Pass, a new series where I map fashion labels to the destinations—and scenes—they naturally belong to. Because some brands were made for Riviera beach towns, others for Parisian bistros, Tuscan vineyards, or quiet mornings in Copenhagen.

The first chapter is dedicated to my personal sweet spot: mid-segment brands — but make it city style. These are the labels that work for urban vacations and weekend getaways. And while the vibe could fit different places (which I mention in the guide), I gave each one a single, principal city pass — based on my own travels.

So let’s match brands to boarding passes, shall we?

1. Self-Portrait

Destination Matches: Dubai, Monte Carlo, Cannes, London (Mayfair)
Scene Match: Dinner at Gaia Monaco, a night out at Annabel’s, cocktails in DIFC.

A London-born label and one of my forever favourites. I own quite a few pieces from Self-Portrait—and while some might call it too embellished or girly, Irina Shayk’s Cannes appearance (serving grunge glamour) proves the narrative can shift fast with the right styling and a less basic pick. And I can also confirm: the quality is exceptional. These are dresses that last—and, actually, fit seamlessly into Dubai’s maximalist aesthetic.

(Yes—for those who don’t know me yet, I live in Dubai. And here, dressing like a walking editorial is practically a weekday norm. I literally wore rhinestones by Self-Portrait to my corporate job. OK—in fashion, but still.)

The pieces also translate well in Mayfair, London—particularly if you're headed somewhere like Annabel’s. Just lean into the brand’s more elegant silhouettes with mid-length skirts Kate Middleton would approve of. Yes, technically it’s a club by night, and people do lean into party looks—but with that kind of opulent, rose-wall ambiance, classic cuts feel not only appropriate, but quietly powerful. Trust me: you’ll stand out, and the compliments will come in like champagne refills.

But enough talking. Scroll down and check out the moodboard to get into the vibe—and see why this brand deserves a boarding pass.

Images : Kate Blondet personal archive, @mrselfportrait

2. Reformation

Destination Matches: Provence, Lyon, Tuscany, Bordeaux
Scene Match: Wine tasting at the château, summering at your old-money French boyfriend’s family estate, vintage convertible ride in Provence

Probably the most French brand to ever come out of the U.S. The silhouettes are soft, feminine, and romantic—but the color palette and cuts tend to lean on the conservative side. Which makes it ideal for settings like vineyards, vintage convertibles, and family lunches where the rosé flows—but judgment flows faster.

And if it ever feels too demure? Just swap your strappy sandals for bold sneakers—like Golden Goose—to keep it grounded and a little less expected.

Personally, I found Reformation to be the perfect match for my boyfriend’s family estate in Lyon. I needed something romantic, refined, and—let’s be honest—appropriate. Because when it’s 32°C and you’re having daily apéritifs in the garden with every French bourgeoisie relative he’s ever had, showing up in a cut-out mini isn’t exactly diplomacy. Reformation’s quiet linen and silk dresses hit the brief: breathable, respectable, and still stylish enough to pass the sister-with-a-Vogue-subscription test. Bonus points if you throw in a gingham moment—trend-forward but still très jardin.

Also: sustainably smug, which plays wins silent approval from the aunt who swears by organic groceries and still wears her mother’s Hermès like it’s a trust fund in accessory form.

So dive into my moodboard, get inspired for your own chic village moment, and check out my latest edit of finds.

Images : Kate Blondet personal archive, Four Seasons Hotel Milano

3. Ganni

Destination Matches: Scandinavia, Berlin, Amsterdam, Dubai Design District, Lyon, Provence, Paris (selectively), Soho House London
Scene Match: Creative meetings over matcha in a fashion agency loft, cowboy boots at Honeycomb Hi-Fi in Dubai, drinks in London—but make it the fashion crowd, not finance.
Alternate Scene Match: A vintage convertible ride through Provence in a puff-sleeve dress with ironic sneakers and a baguette no one plans to eat.

Another mid-segment brand with a solid place in my wardrobe: Ganni.

Ganni is what you wear when you have a corporate job in fashion—the kind where your outfit introduces you before your business card ever does. The vibe that says: girls don’t want to be hot anymore—they want to be cool.

Dubai isn’t exactly a natural match for Ganni’s energy—but there are pockets where it works. The Design District, for starters—full of fashion offices, creative agencies, and enough artful lattes to fuel a Scandi girl’s Pinterest board. Kite Beach has the vibe too (especially on cooler mornings), and Honeycomb Hi-Fi attracts the kind of crowd who’d wear cowboy boots with a puffy sleeve just because they can.

But truly, Ganni feels most at home where it was born: Scandinavia, especially Copenhagen, where people look like they accidentally styled a photoshoot on their way to buy oat milk. It also thrives in cities like Berlin and Amsterdam, where fashion leans a bit weirder (in the best way).

And yes—that puff-sleeve moment in a vintage convertible through Provence? I’ve done it. Ganni shirt, ironic sneakers, baguette in the backseat (purely for aesthetic purposes). It also worked surprisingly well in Lyon—just polished enough to pass, just odd enough to stay interesting.

If you're more of a Camille than an Emily in your Emily in Paris fantasy, then yes—Paris is fair game too, especially in quartiers like Le Marais.

Lean into the moodboard and check out my selection.

Images: Kate Blondet personal archive, Cristian Vierig, @emilisindlev

4. Sandro

Destination Matches: Paris (groundbreaking), Madrid, Geneva, Megève, French Riviera laid-back towns
Scene Match: Bistro lunch, a walk through Parc Monceau, a date in Saint-Germain, apéritif at Place du Marché Saint-Honoré, off-season vacations in Megève

Sandro is one of my go-to brands when I’m after something polished that fits a European ambiance. It’s tailored but never stiff, fashion-forward without trying too hard—exactly the kind of thing you’d wear to a Parisian bistro lunch, a date in Saint-Germain, or a stroll through one of the more laid-back French Riviera towns.

And yes, I’ve worn it in Megève—in summer. Last year was my first time visiting off-season, and I didn’t expect the vibe to be that chic. I ended up running into the Sandro boutique in the village, and honestly? It matched the mood perfectly. Elegant, subtle, and just dressed-up enough to feel like you belong, even if it is your first rodeo.

Images: Kate Blondet personal archives, Sandro Lookbook

Of course, these brand-to-destination pairings are mostly based on my own travels and personal experience—places I’ve actually been, and outfits I’ve really worn. But I’d love to hear how you would match these brands with your favorite places—maybe even where you live.

Drop me a message on Instagram—always happy to connect, swap ideas, or discover a new city through your wardrobe.

La Dolce Vita Edit, the second part of the series, is already live too, do not miss it.