A Style Post – Purple Oriental Floral Prints

Hey All,

I was at the Oasis A/W11 preview yesterday in Dublin. Oasis have joined the majority of the High Street in creating a hugely vintage-inspired collection for this Autumn / Winter.

Think 70′s sheer and metallic fabrics, midi-length dresses and knee-high boots, all in ox-blood, cerulean and mustard shades.

Think 60′s textures and prints; like Hounds-tooth and leather accents in monochrome and red.

With the appointment of a new buyer, the focus yesterday was very much about the accessories. I saw boots, biker, riding, ankle and knee-high; ballet flats in animal prints; delicious high-heeled loafers and beautifully made, classic leather handbags with pony-skin details.

I also had to try on this purple and fuchsia-pink, oriental print skirt & top outfit. (It’s limited edition and only available in the flagship stores, with 100 units of each.)

Top and Skirt, Oasis A/W 2011

Mini-bow necklace, Tesco

Shoes, Steve Madden

As for the rest of the collection:

High-heeled ox-blood loafers

Heeled loafers and ballet flats in animal prints / with horn detailing

Leather and Suede biker boots

Brown leather and pony skin bag

Black leather and pony skin bag

Rose-pink tweed suit

Check cape

Brown leather pencil skirt

Brown Crombie coat

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Photos of Whisty by Alice / White Rabbit of Quirky Fashion

A style post – hot pink colour block

Hey All,

I couldn’t think what to call this style post. I was always going with something involving the term ‘colour-blocking’ but just because the maxi dress is a solid block of hot pink… does that actually amount to colour blocking; or is it just a pink dress?

Anyway, it’s more about the déjà vu of this post. I saw the dress in New Look and didn’t even try it on. I came home, did the photos and as I was looking through the results I realised that I had done almost the exact same post a year ago.

Well not the same. I was wearing a shorter dress but the colour is almost identical. The location the same, and more depressingly the clouds in both backgrounds are indistinguishable from each other. I guess when it’s summer and the sky is grey, I have to brighten up my wardrobe with hot pink.

Dress & Boots, New Look

Vintage 60′s Necklace, Once Removed Vintage

Belt, Céline

Bracelet, Gift (Thanks Da!)

Rings, Various

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Reiss and Robin Hood

Hey Readers,

I was sitting having coffee yesterday afternoon, when I commented on a woman who walked by; she looked absolutely pristine. Her make-up, hair, tan, pretty white trench, pressed blouse and polished heels were all perfect. She was walking at that pace that says, I’m in a bit of a hurry, so I presumed she wasn’t just out for an afternoon stroll.

I said to Ryan, “you know I’m so in awe of women like that. They just look so perfect all the time”.

I’m one of those people that no matter how long I could spend getting ready, the second I walk out of the front door the following will happen: The heavens will open / I will get puddle-splashed by a car / my tights will get caught and ladder / I will have forgotten to apply mascara, (or if I do remember I will get something in my eye and the mascara will end up down my cheek), etc, etc..

You see, I think I’m actually a bit of a scruff-bag and so I dress appropriately, which means I shop in places that sell clothes that suit me / my chaotic life.

As for Mrs. Pristine, “I bet she shops in places like Reiss” I continued.

To which Ryan replied, “I love Reiss!”. Now this came as no shock, Ry always looks wicked smart, but he was shocked that I had never been in there.

So it was bye-bye coffee and hello Reiss and their accessories.

Yes I bought it, it was €32 and I can’t thing of a better way to pop my Reiss cherry. Well pleased with it! Not only that, but I wore it to the Robin Hood screening at Dundrum last night. I’m a complete sucker for Robin Hood (and Russell Crowe) so as you can imagine, this film did not disappoint. I’m definitely going to do a Maid Marion inspired personal style post too.

Other Reiss accessories that I didn’t buy, but so would’ve:

(Massive thanks to Joanne and Sinead for wangling the Robin Hood ticket for me!)

Xx

Happy New… Season! SS2010 Trend Alerts

What better way to start the new year than with a post that concentrates on the trends designers and the high street will have us loving this season. I’ve spent the last few days perusing, debating and ruminating the lot and have pulled 1 or 2 pieces from the high street that I reckon might temp me when the weather changes. I love the snow but SS10 collections are not built for it, I’m holding out for the Spring and dying to try, Outer-underwear, bold prints – if only I could afford you Proenza Schouler – and the thoughts of getting sports-mad scares me… in a good way. If anyone can convince me Mr Wang can! Oh and not to mention SS10 hair is to die for.

New Neutrals

Clockwise from bottom left: Skirt-shorts Topshop, Donna Karen SS10, Christopher Kane SS10, Tesco, Therapy at House of Fraser, Versace SS10, D&G SS10

Outer-Underwear

Clockwise from top left: Bralet Topshop, Antonio Berardi SS10, Penney’s / Primark, Christian Dior SS10, M&S, D&G SS10

Bold Prints

L-R top: Gucci SS10, Versace SS10, Thakoon SS10, Proenza Schouler SS10, Proenza Schouler SS10. L-R bottom: River Island, Monsoon, Julian McDonald for Debenhams

Sports Mad

Clockwise from top left: Love Label at Littlewoods, Prada SS10, Alexander Wang, Ash Footwear, Littlewoods, Topshop, Alexander Wang

Denim

Clockwise from left: Littlewoods, Chloë SS10, Jasper Conran for Debenhams, Red Herring, Ralph Lauren SS10, D&G SS10

SS10 Runway Hair

The cheapest and most simple way to update your look is by checking your hair. Think: Loose, casual, natural, plaits, soft waves, relaxed, tousled, romantic, feminine and soft.  These are my absolute faves:

Top: Alexander Wang, Middle: Versace, Bottom: Prada.

All catwalk images courtesy of Style.com

More Purple Deliciousness.

Purple is my colour of the moment. It was all over the AW09 fashion shows and I went a bit of a mission looking for some purple pieces earlier in the week. I came across this purple floral number in AWear. I actually think it has about 3 shades of purple in total and I love that it is in-between the tulip and lantern shapes. At 20 yoyo’s it’s also a bit if a bargain.

After my last 2 what I wear posts being pretty and feminine and this skirt reflecting the same style I decided to create a look that was a bit more edgy. I wore it with these Henry Holland Mock-Stockings, some driving gloves and a high-neck short-sleeved jumper.

(Yeah them boots again, you’d think I only had one pair of footwear…) Next post they will be no-where to be seen.  More pics here at Her Apparel.

Sequinned cardigans: Wear them Well.

A couple of months ago, Amber Le Bon wore a pretty average sequinned cardigan from Wallis in a way that absolutely rocked it. Doing wonders, not only by revamping the brand but also the humble cardi itself. I don’t know about you but whenever I used to think about sequinned cardigans, I though about mature ladies on cruise ships or great aunts at weddings. Amber however, showed us the way forward but putting her sequinned cardi on back-to-front translating it into a AW09 wardrobe staple.

I absolutely loved this look when I saw it and I’ve been thinking about doing the same ever since. It’s about time I went for it, I’m thinking that the cardi has to have sequins all over it, has to be fitted and either cropped or to the hip. I can’t have a collar or any pocket detailing, we want to look a la mode, not a la madhouse! To give the look that extra wow factor, wear it with only one or two buttons fastened; either to hide the bra straps or, to stop the top from falling off, just fasten the top button.

Here are some of the best on the high street: Clockwise from top left: 1. All over sequin knit jacket £135 Karen Millen. 2. Gold Sequinned Cropped Cardi £35 Topshop. 3. Butterfly by Matthew Williamson for Debenhams Sequinned Cardi £60. 4.THE Black and sliver sequin cardigan €91 Wallis. 5. Petite Black Sequin Shrug £40 Debenhams.

What to buy for AW09.

Blogging took a back seat this morning because I wanted to make the most of such an amazing autumn day. I have already mentioned that this is my favourite season and today is exactly why. Taking a walk into town in the sunshine was the perfect excuse to do some research into what the high street is offering for AW09. Now that all the collections seem to have arrived in store, many with the promotional help of a fashion-show launch or press walk-through, it’s time to decide on which pieces are high street’s hits. Which are the pieces that really stand out, that I want to invest in or those that completely reflect what was on the catwalk this season. I have picked some look-book shots as well as some individual images, that includes pieces that will be warm for winter and pieces to make a statement on the dance floor during the party season.

Whisty’s Want list:

1. Lace-up ankle boots, 2.Over the Knee boots, 3. Faux fur gilet, 4. Distressed jeans, 5. Leather jacket, 6. ‘Power’ skirt- suit, 7. Sequin jacket / dress, 8. Leopard print anything!, 9. Flats / brogues, 10. Print dress, 11. Plaid Shirt and 12. Spotty sheer or lace tights, 13. Leather dress.

Going Out

Topshop

Pair this look down by adding a lantern skirt. Clockwise from top left: Multi-chain necklace €17 next, Wet-look leotard H&M, knit and faux fur gilet H&M, Abstract print lantern skirt, €65, Warehouse, ‘Skater’ lace-up ankle boot £55 Dorothy Perkins, Sheer spotty tights, €12 Oasis.

Work, Rest or Play

River Island

Asos.com

Remember to mix grunge and glamour; distressed or bleached denim and a plaid shirt looks incredible with a sequinned jacket and buckled heels. Clockwise from top left: Oversized plaid shirt £11 asos.com. Cream ‘Panda’ beanie, £12.99, River Island. Sequin statement-shoulder jacket, €96, Next. ‘Pendulum’ boot by Boutique, £130, Topshop. Distressed jeans with zip detail, €36, Next.

The Skirt-Suit

This suit needs no words other than, leg-it trouser suits, the skirt is back.

Penney’s / Primark

The Dresses

Oasis

Dresses should be sequinned or leather, the multi-coloured sequins of this Dorothy Perkins one makes it stand out from the usual black and silver. I love that French Connection has gone with white for their statement leather dress and in going with PVC, Wallis has made their dress, vegan-friendly and a great cheap alternative to pricey leather. L-R: Long Line Sequinned Tank €60 Dorothy Perkins, White Leather Brogue dress €395 approx French Connection, Black PVC dress €80 Wallis.

The Footwear

Finally, footwear; there are three main styles when it comes to dressing our feet for AW09. Over the knee boots, fierce ankle boots and if the rumours are to be believed, flats are the new heels. Clockwise from left: Lace-up thigh high boot £140 Asos.com, Jump leopard print ankle boot €155 Dune, Keen 3-buckle patent shoe £40 Aldo.

Plenty of Surprises at the M&S AW09 Fashion Show, Kilmainham

I’m blogging about this show because I think for the first time in a good number of seasons Marks & Spencer have really tried and succeeded in creating a range of pieces that should appeal to women of all ages. I’m blogging because M&S may not necessarily be a store that would be high on my list of shops to hit when on a shopping spree. If someone found a reason why this should not be the case I’d sure is heck want them to tell me, so I’m spreading the word…

Last night the beautiful Baroque Chapel of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, played host to the M&S AW09 collections preview. (Yeah take that London Fashion Week!)

The chapel itself was where everyone gathered before going in to the show there were loads of people eager to see the collections. The crowd was as mixed a crowd as you would get at a fashion show, with ladies of literally all ages grabbing a seat in the adjoining room where a catwalk had been set up.

There were 8 collections in total; 4 younger more urban collections and 4 collections showing classic / business attire. I’m going to focus on the 4 younger collections, for a number of reasons; the main one being that it totally inspired and surprised me.

Because there were 4 collections there was a good variety in what we saw; some feminine, some edgy. Plum tartan coats, and metallic parker-style jackets layered over embellished knit dresses and abstract print skirts were particular hits.

Key style notes for dresses included structure, snake-print detailing, rouched sleeves and tulip-style skirts. Studs were on everything from boots to gloves, look out for the studded-cuff, leather bomber jacket and an incredible studded lambs wool dress with short sleeves. (That is a must have at €47.50).

Kemberley Walsh is the face of New Look

I was pretty much ‘meh’ when I heard that Kimberley Walsh had been recruited as the face of New Look. Another celeb, another collaboration, another collection etc… She is a member of the most successful girl-band in Britain and she comes across as a very sweet, likeable chica. So it would be no great surprise if any of the mainstream high street fashion stores would want her to represent their brand. The pictures, over all, are okay but this look is the one that really suits the Girls Aloud girl. I think it’s because I find it so totally not Girls Aloud, that I find it so refreshing. It’s cutesy but grown up, it’s laid-back cool, it’s American lumberjack meets Kiera Knightly on a day off. I also don’t think I’ve seem Kimberley look so relaxed and at home in something either.

A|wear AW09 Preview

It’s been a super busy fashion day in Dublin today what with Fashion Breakthrough in full swing and first thing this morning I attended the AW09 preview at A|wear.

Their new collection is gradually being filtered into stores as of now and it is all about either Pretty Rock – that’s rock with a feminine edge. Or all about Hoxton Girl, the cool suburb of London where the girls there make preppy geek, chic. Pretty Rock is very Balmain influenced, with military styling, shoulder detailing and a glam rock feel. Hoxton Girl is all about tweed, capes and feminine dresses. There is also some great Chanel influenced knitwear and some incredible studded leather jackets and bags.

It is definitely one of the best A|wear collections I have seen yet, their pretty detailing and great fabrics leave the cheaper high street stores in the shade. A|wear seem to bridge the gap between the over-priced high street stores and the super cheap perfectly. Their pretty dresses are priced from €40 and their leather jackets are an unbelievable €120.

Sorry about the blurry pics but you get the idea.