One-stop Festival Inspiration Post

Hey All,

So it’s finally Oxegen time again. Ireland’s biggest mudbath festival has a rather large pop line-up this year, with Beyonce, Coldplay, Foo Fighters and The Black Eyed Peas in the line up. Not my bag naturally, but more on that later, fashion comes first.

I’m posting a little festival ‘street’ style round-up, looking at what people have already worn to this summer’s festivals and get some last-minute inspiration.

I’m thinking:

Light-blue denim shorts – high-waisted or dungareesWith a bandanna & vintage paisley blouse -Cara Delevigne at Glasto – Style.com

With a Smiths T.Shirt, pink Cons and an ice lolly – Olivia Hazlewood  at Hop Farm – Vogue.co.uk

Tribal influencesWith a Naval hat and a hit of crazy, I love this completely – Florazeman at Glasto – Company.co.uk

With a sh*t load of cool – K-OS and Mike at Sasquatch – Style.com

with leather shorts – Lia Nicholls at Glasto – Style.com

and a headdress – Lotta at Glasto – Company.co.uk

with big earrings and white crochet shorts – Megan L at Sasquatch – Style.com

Vintage stripestie-front stripes with colour-blocking – Kate Brighouse at Wireless – Vogue.co.uk

with lace up boots and simple black shorts – Georgia Beeston at Hop Farm – ElleUK.com

with tan bag, boots and legs – Tanita Sira at Hop Farm – ElleUK.com

Anything blackSheer and coy – Charity Thielen of The Head and the Heart at Sasquatch – Style.com

Dapper as – Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips at Sasquatch – Style.com

Badass – Jade & Chloë Lamb of Badlands777.blogspot.com – Style.com

Cropped topswith American flag denim shorts – Cleo Gloves at Glasto – Style.com

Probably only good for the VIP area – Ellen Kerry at Wireless – Vogue.co.uk

A Wax jacketWith colour-block shorts – Unk at Glasto – ElleUK.com

A button-up Fred PerryPerfect blond hair and a black Parka – Martha at Glasto – Style.com

If Festivals were held on tarmac and you stayed in a hotelBlack silk, tan leather and perfect hair and make up – Katy at Wireless – Vogue.co.uk

Accessorise with tons of bracelets and a 80′s rock-star attitudeAlexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells at Sasquatch – Style.com

On how to Festival-dress; Florazen (pictured above) says – “Blister plasters, glitter & raid your drama school’s dressing up box!”

And for an alternative musical line up I’d fight to see:

Friday – Fun Lovin’ Criminals to kick things off, then Maverick Sabre and Metronomy

Saturday – British Sea Power, Imelda May and Beady Eye (just to make proper use of the Fred Perry shirt you’ve packed)

Sunday – Nice and easy, spend the day at the Heineken Stage for Ocean Colour Scene, Crystal Castles, Chase & Status and Primal Scream

Yours,

Whisty Xx

My Festival Essential? – A Parka

Dear Readers,

Like something that’s meant to be – a few things came together today.

1. The wettest weekend music celebrations known to man; AKA the UK / Ireland festival season, started this weekend, with Download at Donington Park.

2. This prompted someone to ask me what my one, single festival essential was, for a magazine survey*.

3. I tried this frikkin amazing parka on in River Island this afternoon.

and 4. I just got back from watching the new Noel Clarke film, 4.3.2.1. In which Shannon, played by Ophelia Lovibond wears a similar parka.

*Naturally then, my answer was, “why, a Parka of course”. I have decided that I need one of these in my life; especially for hanging around, drinking and dancing in fields. Wearing it with Hunters, cut-offs and a few layers on top will do the job. The River Island one is lined with something to make it warmer and I’m thinking, if I manage to ‘loose’ my tent, this coat will easily double up as a sleeping bag. It’s huge too.

If you’re unconvinced by my converse / Parka combination, here’s a few looks for real inspiration:

The Sartorialist

Trendtastic-ny.com – (a bit short but loving the leather trousers / parka combo)

Kate Beckinsale

Rihanna – Teaming Aran knits with hers

The 4.3.2.1. Girls with Shannon in her Parka

The ultimate Parka – as worn by Jimmy in Quadrophenia

Xx

All images via google unless stated otherwise.

River Island SS10 Press Preview

This afternoon River Island on Grafton Street previewed their SS10  collection and it was all about pretty, pastel shades, neutral tones and softer takes on the current 80′s punk and Tribal themes. I know it’s way too early for us to be thinking about our Spring / Summer wardrobes but it’s still nice to know what the more on-trend high street stores will be focussing on.

The collection was pretty and floral and there were lots of embellished, fringed and distressed elements. Fabrics were softer than the luxe and sequins we saw in ’09. Think denim-jersey, linen and cotton lace for clothing and soft suede on footwear. Colours were rich beiges and pale browns with subtle greens, pinks and blues. In fact the colour palette as  a whole was pretty neutral and feminine with some bold tribal prints and edgy pieces mixed in.

I really liked these floral pillazzo pants, (above and below) …

these fringed shorts and ladder-stitch jumper would be amazing festival pieces (if I were brave enough)… Plus the peep-toe knee-high wedge-boots are fab.

Loved Florence and the Machine at Electric Picnic?

Florence and the Machine had the Picnic in a whirl this weekend with a beautiful set yesterday, (Sept 6th). Entertainment.ie have loads of pics of performers and fans from across the weekend, as well as lots more Florence and the Machine.

But if you are now officially in love with the band / the lady herself, then here’s some super news… Dates have just been announced for a date at the Olympia Theatre, Dame Street, on December 7th and tickets go on sale this Friday (Sept. 11th). www.ticketmaster.ie

You really should even if it’s just to look at her outfits; Topshop collaborated with Florence (surname Welch) for her set at the UK’s Glastonbury festival earlier this year. No-one was surprised, it seemed like such a natural choice for the fashion-forward high street store.

The signer / songwriter has a naturally quirky and ethereal style which is also reflected in her music, of which she says:

“I want my music to sound like throwing yourself out of a tree, or off a tall building, or as if you’re being sucked down into the ocean and you can’t breathe… “It’s something overwhelming and all-encompassing that fills you up, and you’re either going to explode with it, or you’re just going to disappear.”

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Leccy Pic Festival Look

It may be sunny in Dublin this morning but you know that if you’re off to Leccy Pic you are going to need your wellies, or at the very least, a decent pair of biker boots. You’re just going to have to rock ‘em properly. It’s still warm enough to wear a short dress or shorts with them if you remember to layer-up everything else. Think slouchy tees and cardigans, boyfriend shirts and blazers, hats, gloves and scarves (the Pashmina / Hermés type not the woollen type).  Choose lightweight fabrics too, because they will dry quicker after it rains, than thick cotton and denim.

If you’ve got time, head to American Apparel as they have cheaper, easily layerd pieces, like this Fine jersey T shirt dress which is €26. I bought it in navy blue and teamed it with a green slouchy cardi from Penney’s, €14 and by buying the cheap stuff I justified the last-forever Hunter wellies at €80 from Schuh. (Yay, even if I did play it safe with traditional green). Click what I wore here (September 5th) to get the vibe or catch me up the front by the stage!

A|wear Festival Offer Starts Today

It may be too late for the ladies already down in Punchestown, but for the rest of us we’re able to make use of the €4o A|wear festival Fashion offer!

So for your €40 you get, 1 Pair Treggings, 1 slouchy, print tee, 1 pair over-sized sunnies plus an ‘goodie bag’. Inside which contains a festival survival kit, to ensure some happy camping, including:

Nivea Mini Moisturiser, Triple Velvet Toilet Roll, Listerine Mini Mouthwash, Sanex Mini Shower, Rimmel Make up treats, L’Oreal Elvive Shampoo, Plus other such goodies…. I’d say that’s probably worth a bash! Read the do’s and don’t's of festival fashion here

Nivea Mini Moisturiser

Triple Velvet Toilet Roll

Listerine Mini Mouthwash

Sanex Mini Shower

Rimmel Make up treats

L’Oreal Elvive Shampoo plus lots more

Lily Allen Festival Looks

Due to take the main sage at Oxegen this evening, our favourite feisty popstrel Lily Allen, has been working her high heels off all summer! As well as Oxegen she’s been performing at fesivals all over the world. The last two weeks have seen her looking amazing at the Wercher Rock Festival in Belgium and Switzerland’s Montreux Festival. This touring lark has done wonders for her figure and her outfits reflect that.

Take this picture of her on stage at Montreaux, the sheer dress and sparkly waist coat teamed with the sky-high heels and casual hair is festival perfection. A bit of risqué glamour and a bit of laid back grunge gives the ideal I-don’t-care-air about the outfit and Lily Allen rocks this look.

Festival Fashion

It all starts tomorrow!!!

I was invited to preview the new AW09 collections from Religion, S’Nob, St. Martens, Darling and People’s Market today. The showing was on the top floor of the Powerscourt Townhouse, D2 and I was totally festival fashion inspired…

If you’re heading off to Oxegen and you need a last minute dress or some emergency pieces for your festival wardrobe then stop by the Arnotts Project on your way where all these brands are stocked. In particular, Religion know exactly what they are doing when it comes to dressing a reveller or two. Their bold designs have roots in the dance and clubbing scene and are, appropriately, famed for their Rock’n'Roll inspired pieces. I love the idea of wearing something that little different, the collection is a on-trend mix of glamour and grunge. Just leave the heels at home!

Religion is also stocked in BT2.

Festival Fashion Do’s and Don’t's

And so it began, yesterday the festival season got underway in Dublin at the Iveagh Gardens and Merrion Square no less. Revellers at the Dublin City Soul Festival basked in the glorious and much-anticipated sunshine to listen to some serious underground funk tunes. While at Africa Day, the Iveagh Garden wall was proving more than penetrable as there was some definite wall scrambling going on as peeps were keen to see Paddy Casey and Republic of Loose rock the stage.

Cue hung over Mondays and the obligatory slew of scorched foreheads and peeling legs…yum. Please remember sunburn is an ugly, ugly look, wear sunscreen! Read on for more dos and don’ts to ensure you rock festival fashion perfectly this summer…

Do:

• Layer it up; two or three lightweight layers are essential, think bikini top, vest top and hoddie or waterproof jacket. Add or remove as necessary
• Wear Flats; heels and fields? Ne’er the twain should meet, wellies, flip flops or glads, your choice NB: Buy Hunter Wellies in-store from Office and Schuh and online in Ireland from www.welly4u.ie
• Wear Shorts under a short dress; no lady should be seen flashing as she chills on the grass
• Wear a large scarf / lightweight Pashmina; they double as rugs to lie on in the daytime and perfect for keeping warm in the evening
• Carry a small bag; one of those little lightweight draw-string backpacks are great for holding sunscreen, emergency tissues and removed clothing.
• Top it off; avoid hideous sunstroke by wearing a hat, from sun visors to cowboy hats, there are hundreds of styles of headgear to choose from

Don’t:

• Wear a jumpsuit; Porta-loos are not the best places to be juggling excess material and struggling with buttons, you want to be in and out as quickly as poss!
• Wear wash-off fake tan; especially if you are there for the weekend, you will go streaky and that’s all you’ll be able to think about
• Use a brolly; no one will thank you for standing in a crowd with your umbrella over your head, water-proof clothing is the only way to combat the rain, macs come in loads of colours and you can even get fold away ones
• Wear too-long jeans they will get destroyed in the mud and you’ll end up dragging God-knows-what into your tent
• Wear designer shades, if they get knocked off in the mosh pit it will ruin your weekend, Penny’s do awesome white and neon rimmed ones for €1.50!
• Stress; every-one in the camp-site will be in the exact same situation as you. No-one has an iron or access to showering facilities so relax, enjoy and worry about your scruffy hair and grubby clothes when you get home… whenever that might be!

See the gallery for the essential festival must-haves

Summer Hat Solutions

The best thing about summer fashion is hats. They either complete or completely change a outfit. One of the most versatile hats is the Trilby or Fedora. The difference being the width of the brim which generally smaller on a trilby and the back of the brim is more upturned. You can wear them with everything from your bikini on the beach or with wellies at a festival, with your jeans for strolling around town and by accessorising with flowers you can even wear it for a formal occasion. Each season the list of celebs wearing the Trilby/Fedora gets longer and the trend is still going strong.

Clockwise from left Models Gisele Bundchen & Petra Nemcova show off brown and white Trilby’s while actresses Vanessa Hudgens and Lake Bell keep it somber with grey and black.

There are plenty of styles available on the high street too,

Clockwise from left: CA4LA Straw Trilby with crooked crown £85, Brownsfashion.com, Turquoise Trilby Topshop approx. €30, Diesel felt Tilby with badge £59 asos.com, White Fedora with brown buckle POA Philip Treacy, Helene Berman white Trilby with black silk flowers £34, asos.com, Zigzag Trilby approx. €30 Topshop.

I love the Philip Treacy one but I think I’ll be settling for the super pretty Helene Berman one!