It gives me great joy to wear a beautiful garment; above all, I have great fun wearing my clothes when I dress for myself!”
Sofia Barattieri Weinstein, Philanthropist
Sofia Barattieri Weinstein has a truly unique and captivating style. Her love for eclectic fashion makes her wardrobe an exciting mix of pieces that beautifully express her personality and mood. For special occasions, she chooses outfits that are not only elegant but also have a playful twist, perhaps with a bold colour or interesting texture that make a statement. When it comes to traveling, Sofia opts for comfortable yet chic pieces that allow her to stay stylish on the go. It’s fascinating to see how she combines different elements to create a look that’s entirely her own…
C&B: “Firstly, congratulations, Sofia, on being featured on the CITY & BEACH LIFESTYLE BEST DRESSED LIST 2025! Your style is truly distinctive, and we absolutely love the block colours and interesting prints you wear. Could you share who or what inspires your style?”
SBW: “I love an ‘effortless’ look during the day, and women who embrace this style of dressing have always been my inspiration – for example, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. In the evening, I prefer a feminine, sexy style; women like Cate Blanchett and Zendaya are amazing at achieving this look!”
In my late 20s I used to love Valentino; my favourite designers over the past few years have been Schiapparelli and Saint Laurent…”
Sofia Barattieri Weinstein, Philanthropist
C&B: “We agree, they’re all iconic in their own way! What’s your current favourite piece in your wardrobe, and why?”
SBW: “I love a perfectly cut black Saint Laurent coat – it makes me look always chic; a playful and very flattering Schiapparelli jacket as it always adds a twist to my look; a black silk combat trouser by Phoebe Philo that I love to wear with a transparent Saint Laurent top – I feel young and cool when wearing this look…”
For clubs in London, I love Oswald’s, 5 Hertford Street, and The Roof Gardens; In Milan I love the restaurant ‘Langosteria’, in Forte dei Marmi my favourite beach restaurant is ‘Santa Maria e Maito’ (cover, above) in Capri I love the boutique hotel ‘Minerva’, in New York my favourite hotel is The Carlyle and my favourite Japanese is ‘Kappa Masa’, in Paris I love ‘Caviar Kaspia’, in Ibiza I love ‘Es Torrente’ for lunch and ‘A Mi Manera’ for dinner…”
Sofia Barattieri Weinstein, Philanthropist
C&B: “Timeless classics like those you’ve just mentioned never go out of style; when you think back over the years, which of your outfits have been your favourites?”
SBW: “I used to love, as a day look, a beautiful white pleated skirt combined with a twinset in orange cashmere from Celine; one of my absolutely favourite dress was a gown by Valentino that had a huge skirt that was fitted at the hips – it was romantic and feminine I used to feel like a princess wearing it… now my daughters sometimes wear it; I also used to love to wear the sexy pencil skirt look when Tom Ford was at Gucci it was a look for confident women at the time…”
Recently, I attended the Lady Garden 10th Anniversary lunch at Langan’s which had a ‘Palm Royal’ dress code, and a Centrepoint gala held just last night!”
Sofia Barattieri Weinstein, Philanthropist
C&B: “Accessories are an important aspect of fashion – which are your must-have fashion accessories that you never leave home without?”
SBW: “I love a specific Schiaparelli bag that I never tire of wearing, and my Hermès ‘Lindy’ bag is a ‘must’ for travel. I’m passionate about sunglasses and collect unusual styles – ones that make people smile. I also sometimes enjoy wearing sexy leather gloves!”
In my handbag I always carry a Dior pink lip balm and Rodial lowlighter concealer plus my sunglasses…”
Sofia Barattieri Weinstein, Philanthropist
C&B: “Talking of travel, can you share any tips for maintaining a stylish yet comfortable look when on a journey?”
SBW: “I actually invest a great deal in my travel looks because I travel so much. I like to wear a white cashmere jumper over a T-shirt and comfortable grey trousers; I love slip-on shoes for comfort, and I choose a jacket that I can easily take off if it’s too warm and drape over my shoulders. Basically, it’s a layering style that keeps me comfortable on the flight while allowing me to adapt to the temperature at my destination. And, of course, I never leave home without my dark sunglasses!”
I don’t follow trends anymore; I prefer high quality timeless pieces. If I ever incorporate trends it is mostly with the style of the trousers that I wear, or by wearing trendy colours…”
Sofia Barattieri Weinstein, Philanthropist
C&B: “Climate change is such a significant issue for all of us now, affecting almost everything we do. How do you approach sustainable fashion, and are there any eco-friendly brands you prefer? And speaking of nature, what is your favourite flower?”
SBW: “My favourite flower is the peony! Yes, sustainability has become a real concern for me. While I don’t have a favourite brand, I now focus on buying investment pieces. When my clothes no longer fit or I grow tired of them, I pass them on to my daughters or friends who will appreciate the gift. I strive for zero waste in my wardrobe and look for sustainable brands whenever I can; I also try to teach my daughters that ‘fast fashion’ is something to avoid as much as possible. They are now more mindful of their choices and are moving toward quality over quantity – less is more!”
