Coastal Living: Style Solutions – How To Style White Jeans 3 Ways.

Coastal Living Series: Styling Solutions.

White Jeans: The Look–book.

I’ve been getting some questions as to how to best style white jeans this summer, so I set about pulling looks and styled some outfits based around white jeans to give some ideas. I spend a lot of time by the coast in various locations around Ireland during the summer months, so for this look–book I’ve taken inspiration from that and styled these three outfits with this in mind, mixing town and coastal style that can take you from day to evening or brunch to bar, seamlessly.

The beauty of these outfits is that a simple change of jacket, bag or shoes and you have several key looks in your capsule wardrobe, perfect for bright summer days and balmy evenings by the bay.

Colourful accessories such as handbags can make a major statement, allowing a classic outfit to ‘pop‘! The timeless addition of a blazer always raises the bar for any outfit and white jeans are a summer style staple for me, heralding summer’s arrival. 

☆This is also the first post in my NEW Lifestyle series on the blog incorporating travel and style.

Think coastal living: highlighting ‘my backyard‘ haunts and discovering some new ones combined with the style element explored today. I’m SO excited to bring this new series to you and have another shoot in the works already!

Operation Exploration:

This outfit is geared towards taking a stroll and going for brunch or perusing the weekend harbour markets in the likes of Howth perhaps. Like all the other outfits featured in this look book, this outfit can of course be worn from brunch to bar taking you from day to evening – coastal living at its best.

I love the pop of colour that the handbag gives, elevating the outfit and making a statement. The impact is super stylish and eye-catching, the ultimate conversation starter!

{Jacket: H&M, Jeans: Next, Top: New Look, Bracelet: Pandora. Everything else: listed below.}

Shades: Penney’s (Primark), Jewellery:

Choker: River Island,

Chinese symbol neckpiece: bespoke piece – Irish Jewellery Designer Liwu Jewellery,

Earrings: Accessorize, Bracelet: Pandora.

{Bag: ZARA, Shoes: River Island, Jeans: Next.}

{Bracelet: via Pandora Dundrum.}

I’ve loved white jeans (preferably the skinnier cut) since Baby donned them in those iconic bridge scenes in Dirty Dancing. They’re an uber classic, essential addition to any summer capsule wardrobe.

{Bag: Primp and Style, Jacket: ZARA. Everything else: as before/listed below.}

Shades of Summer:

No summer colour palette is complete without the addition of a nude shade to compliment white on white outfits. This colour palette will keep you looking super chic during the day, as well as lending an abundance of effortless style, whilst you while away the evenings as the last glimpse of the summer sun fades into the the blazing, painted sky. I adore this nude lightweight, leather–esque jacket to deliver a major style injection to a simple white outfit.

{Close up details: of this incredible Chanel Boy Bag dupe from my new fave store Primp and Style. Reverse manicure: Vanity Rooms Salon.}

Mini cross-body bags are the accessory of the moment.

Switch it up and choose a colourful, eye catching piece or keep it classic and go for a neutral shade that will go with everything. No matter the shade this style of bag surprisingly fits a ton of ‘essentials’ in and is a trend that is going nowhere.

Evening’s By the Sea:

For a fancier evening look I swapped the nude leather jacket for a timeless, feminine navy lace blazer and nude platform wedge shoes in keeping with the nautical influence.

The lace coupled with the navy shade (softer than black – perfect for summer), instantly adds a smarter aesthetic to any outfit especially so for those evenings by the sea, al-fresco dining indulging in lobster rolls or whatnot! The collection of outfits contained in this post are perfect smart/casual occasion wear for any summer scenario.

{Lace Blazer: Vero Moda, Wedge shoes: Penney’s/Primark (old stock), similiar in-store.}

{Close up detailing on the lace blazer and timepiece. *Watch: Caravelle New York.}

There you have it White Jeans 3 Ways – I hope you enjoyed this Look-Book and you got some ‘Style Solutions‘ from it!

I had so much fun co-ordinating, creating and styling the content for this photo-shoot that I’ll be styling more look-books in the near future – so keep your eyes peeled for those!

Thanks for stopping by!

Gail. x

*Signifies item was kindly gifted/PR sample.

Photography: thanks to Ayshea Ahmed – Instagram: @aysheabeans

New in Fashion: COS AW17 Preview.

Androgynous silhouettes, fluidity of material, frayed hems, “neutral” colour blocking – these are just some of the key trends I saw at the COS AW17 Preview. In this write up I’ll be taking you through a ‘Collection Overview‘ with a focus on ‘Key Trends‘ for Autumn/Winter 2017.

The Event: COS AW17 Press Day.

The Location: show space at 72 Grafton Street, Dublin.

The Date: April 27th 2017.

KEY TRENDS:

Frayed hems: on collars, hems and cuffs adorn key, minimal pieces giving them a subtle, fresh edge.

Blocks of Colour:

Colour blocking and neutrals are front and centre throughout this collection with COS turning the tables and giving the ‘colour blocking‘ definition a spin… encompassing deep red as a member of the “neutral” palette!

Smart & Cosy:

Soft merino wool makes an appearance once again in the form of skirts, trousers and turtlenecks in muted tones that will complement any wardrobe. The collection includes a range of different textures, everything from merino wool to silk.

Minimalism:

is a staple with COS and this bib-style, collarless shirt is a fine example of it. This piece will slot into your A/W17 capsule wardrobe with ease.

Merino wool skirt with folded pleat.

Fluidity of Fabric:

is another key trend in this collection with a molten effect, super soft to the touch that simply glides over the skin, hugging the silhouette. This addition brings a feminism to the boxier silhouettes of the androgynous shape favoured in this collection.

{Quirky geometric shapes abound: this handbag takes a boxy shape with an envelope type of style to it which caught my eye.}

Geometric Shapes:

From jewellery to handbags, to shoes and belts – geometric shapes abound in the collection in the form of materials such as perspex and steel.

With clean lines and geometric shapes COS have your staple wardrobe pieces covered. A classic colour palette of burgundy, black, pale grey, navy, cream and white these pieces are easily adapted into your work and weekend wardrobes this A/W season. An androgynous theme is softened with the addition of more feminine  style tops, sweaters and shirts in various fabric such as silk and cotton.

Tell me what pieces caught your eye from the collection preview? I’d love to know!

Remember you can catch me on •Twitter: DublinGail •Instagram: littlegforce • Snapchat: DublinGail & •Facebook: GlamForce Blog by Gail O’Connor.

With thanks to COS & the Baluba Team for having me!

Until next time…

Gail.xx

Photography: ©Gail O’Connor.

Christmas Gift Guide Series 2016: BEST in IRISH!

{Christmas scenes: window treatments at Brown Thomas Grafton Street, Dublin.}

It’s beginning to look a lot like…

Looking for Christmas gift inspiration? Here’s the lowdown on the best in IRISH gifts – from Irish country chic to occasion wear, accessories and homewares, I’ve got you covered this Christmas and New Year! 

Magee:

Celebrating a staggering 150 years in business, Magee 1866 has a range of clothing for both the male and female fashion lovers amongst us inclusive of hats, scarves, gloves as well as key pieces such as their biker style jacket – pictured below.

Foxford Woollen Mills:

There’s nothing more satisfying than receiving a special, authentic gift and Foxford Woollen Mills have an array of gorgeous offerings in stunning colour palettes – from accessories such as über stylish gloves to cosy homewares such as festive throws and blankets as seen in their Nordic Collection – pictured below.

KYMAÏA:

Standout pieces from KYMAÏA are an updated version of fashion favourite ‘the cape‘ specifically catered as a sophisticated cover-up to compliment occasionwear, the sequin jumpsuit (as modelled by KYMAÏA Owner and Designer Kabira below) alongside beautifully tailored coats and dresses.

Custom Vintage:

This on-line gem has taken up temporary residence in Arnotts, Dublin for the festive season offering a personalised monogram service on their cashmere scarves as well as a host of other offerings and customisation services, so if you or a loved one adore personalised gifts go check ’em out and tell ’em I sent ya!

Beauty Belle:

Irish distributor of award winning Korean Sheet Masks, Beauty Belle has really made a splash this year with such masks as the Glacial SNOW Algae face mask. I have a review of this mask coming up but it’s safe to say it’s a winner and the perfect hydration hit for winter ravaged, dry or dehydrated skin and travel.

Vouchers & Tickets:

The Irish High Street has an abundance of shops to choose from for the Fashion and Beauty obsessed such as Penney’s, Zara, River Island, &Other Stories, Buffalo Shoe Lab, Brown Thomas, Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Links of London, Peter Mark, H&M, Parfois, COS, Arnotts, Boots, Space NK, Dundrum Town Centre with Gap, House of Fraser, and Harvey Nichols or perhaps choose something like One for All vouchers. If you can’t figure out what to buy a loved one vouchers are a terrific go-to! Don’t forget the coffee addict in your life with vouchers available from Starbucks and the music fans with renowned music festival Body and Soul tickets on sale now as well as upcoming Irish concert dates from the likes of Justin Bieber, Guns and Roses and Bob Dylan!

{Buffalo Shoe Lab: Courtney Smith X Shoe Lab collection also available in Arnotts, Dublin.}

{Designer Re-sale: bags of style at Siopella, Dublin.}

Jewellery:

Who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle especially at Christmastime?! I know I do, so I’m shining a spotlight on four of my favourite Irish jewellery companies whose products and backstory have won my heart.

BYOS by Melissa Curry

The Success Collection celebrating the empowerment and encouragement of women, with a tagline of ‘Be Your Own Success’ the pieces serve as a reminder, a talisman of hope and aspiration to the wearer on the daily.

Be Bold. Be Brave. Be You.

ROXLUNA: by Emily McKeogh

From leather tassle earrings in an array of colours to initial necklaces and statement rings and necklaces ROXLUNA has something for everyone. A gorgeous display of both statement and delicate jewellery awaits at roxluna.com and I have a special discount code of 15% OFF EVERYTHING using code VIP15 on the site!

Liwu Jewellery: by Áine Breen.

The new ‘Native’ collection from Liwu Jewellery focuses on ancient Irish symbols believed to promote serenity, balance, progress and such.

Aine’s first collection was Chinese inspired and includes stunning pieces such as her ‘3 Lucky Stars’ necklace representing luck, prosperity and longevity. I am yet to treat myself to this piece but it is definitely on my wish-list!

With Liwu meaning gift in Chinese, each collection from this designer is filled with meaning and beautifully represented by each design.

The Shore Collection by Martina Hamilton:

Inspired by the coastline in Sligo, the Shore Collection by Martina Hamilton comprises of truly eye-catching pieces. The wave inspired and shell-like pieces really speak to me, being a lover of the tranquillity of the ocean and the texture and shapes of shells.

There you have it – my ‘Best in Irish‘ top picks for Christmas Gift shopping!

Who are some of your favourite Irish brands or companies?

I hope you enjoyed this post and got some major inspiration for gift buying…

Happy shopping!

Thanks for stopping by!

Gail. xx

Photography: © Gail O’Connor.

BYOS image: © Melissa Curry.

Custom Vintage image: © of CV.

Disclaimer: I do consultancy work for BYOS in Marketing/Comms capacity. The Beauty Belle Face Mask is a PR sample. ALL opinions however are expressly my own as always!

Spotlight on: Dublin Fashion – ‘& Other Stories’ SS17 Makes Landfall!

The Event:

It was a case of old world meets new at the ‘& Other Stories‘ Press Preview.

The Date: October 2016.

The Location:

Set in the uber historic surroundings of the hidden gem that is Marsh’s Library, Dublin the SS17 presentation from ‘& Other Stories‘ was right at home – nestled beautifully in a place filled with stories and legends of it’s own, perfectly in keeping with the brand ethos.

What’s to Come From & Other Stories Dublin?
Encompassing two Atelier collections & Other Stories delivers a nod to the style of Stockholm and Paris in its Atelier collections.

Paris Atelier:

Feminine and extravagant, this collection explores the decadent bourgeoisie. The look is flourishing in lavish details, rich colours and floral prints, reinventing the perception of French flair. – Philoméne Tellaroli, Accessories Designer, & Other Stories

Key elements of the collection: floral prints, embroideries and high collars – combined they deliver another chapter of boho escapism.

Stockholm Atelier:

Dress up or dress down your outfit this season with a pair of contradictory shoes. Mix casual with stiletto heels or dress down tailored pieces with soft, easy flats. Find and effortless look by playing with proportions and contrasts. – Nicole Johnson, Shoe Designer, & Other Stories

Key elements of the collection:

Shoulders are slightly dropped and waistlines are marked, punctuated with key details such as ribbons and belts that control the flow and shape of the garments.

Check out the gallery below for a closer look at some of the collections, snaps from the preview plus a look at some of my favourite picks from ‘& Other Stories‘ when it hits Grafton Street, Dublin before Christmas!

{Blacksheep Foods provided a delicious and uber healthy lunch – highly recommend this company for top notch grub!}

Maximialist Joy: the SS17 collection from the Paris Atelier features ultra feminine silhouettes highlighting an emphasis on bell sleeves and ruffles with a palette that dabbles in hues of red, blue, white and pink.

Renew Volumes: taking influence from the 1930’s, the Stockholm Atelier presents a strong and minimalistic approach to the SS17 collection and sets the stage for a contemporary silhouette with a nod to a relaxed yet chic approach to layering.

This collection places emphasises on a new approach to power dressing – a bold fresh take for the modern, working woman’s wardrobe. With the signature tailoring of & Other Stories the collection encompasses a palette of light blue, yellow, white, bright green and black.

The Accessories:

Sleek, modern ornate graphic design pieces and on-trend ultra stylish key pieces are at the heart of the accessories collection – a little bit of heaven for any wardrobe.

Decorative pieces such as brooches make an appearance alongside grandiose rings and earrings, mini bags and scarves worn as necklaces.

The Beauty of & Other Stories:

Not just offering apparel, ‘& Other Stories‘ has some seriously gorgeous beauty and makeup items as well as candles to decorate your chosen space.

The scents featured in the body care  and candle ranges are blended to perfection, unearthing some weird and wonderful treats for the senses, uniquely different pairings that somehow just work!

{My favourite scent – cannot wait to get my hands on this!}

{For the home: scent offerings from the candle collection, elegant and smell divine.}

{The colour payoff from this highlight is insane! See below for closer look…}

{Blinded by the light…stunning highlight offering from & Other Stories. #musthaves}

Are you excited for ‘& Other Stories’ to hit Dublin? Have you already experienced ‘& Other Stories’ abroad? If so, what are some of your must-haves?
Tell me!

Tweet me: @DublinGail Instagram: @littlegforce, Snapchat: DublinGail or comment below!

The official website is down for maintenance , meanwhile you can visit ‘& Other Stories’ on Tumbler , Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Thank you: ‘& Other Stories’ and Balubas PR for having me in attendance.

Thanks for stopping by until next time…

Gail. Xx
Photography:© Gail O’Connor.

DUBLIN FASHION: The 2016 #DublinFashion Festival Launch! #GalaxyStyle

Essence of Dublin:

The Event: The Launch of Dublin Fashion Festival

A humid, wet summer’s eve saw the annual launch of Dublin Fashion Festival take place in conjunction with Galaxy Ireland hosting Ireland’s finest fashion industry folk, assembled at the same time in the same place, to celebrate Dublin and it’s shopping and fashion offerings. The venue was packed to the rafters despite the dismal evening and I was delighted to be amongst those invited to celebrate!

The always uber dapper, Darren Kennedy was in attendance as this years ‘face‘ of Dublin Fashion Festival – the first time a male has been selected to represent the festival!

The Location: City Hall, Dublin
The Date: August 17th 2016.

The Outfit: I styled my outfit around this gorgeous cold shoulder kimomo – kindly gifted to me by Boohoo.com. I’m obsessed with it! I channelled my inner Penny Lane – Kate Hudson’s character in Almost Famous and went for a seventies style look (a huge trend right now), with a modern twist! I absolutely love this outfit choice and I felt stylish and comfortable – so important. 

Hat: Penneys (Primark)

*Kimono: gifted from Boohoo.com

Top & Arm Cuff: New Look

Bag: H&M

Jeans: H&M

Choker: River Island

Watch: Caravelle New York

Shoes: Korkys

Upon arrival guests were greeted at the door with a warm welcome and informed of various hubs within the venue such as the Galaxy Ireland #GalaxyStyle hangout, the Dyson Supersonic area and the West Coast Cooler bar!

The Galaxy Style Hangout Area: a welcome hub to relax in and chat whilst waiting for the event to start and afterwards to reflect on the show with some chocolate and West Coast Cooler. How swish and stylish is this set up? Just look at the seating!

There was just enough time before the show to allow guests to snap some pictures, mingle and catch up over a refreshing offering from West Coast Cooler – I opted to try the rosè (I’m usually an original WCC kinda girl!) with a blackberry and lime zest twist. Delish! I’ll definitely be trying this concoction at home!

Hanging out in the Galaxy Style Hub: Raising a glass to the Dublin Fashion Team, Galaxy Ireland and everyone else involved in the production of the festival – it’s a highlight event in my Fashion calendar year! 

The Show:

Overview: The show opened with an acoustic version of Royals by Lorde – sung busker-style, paying homage to scenes on the streets of Dublin such as Grafton Street. The room was still, only the flash of photographers could be heard, the audience were enthralled and models marched down the runway in unison to the beat of the music. The lyrics punctuated the air like exclamation points and with a roaring applause and change in pace of music, the show had well and truly begun!

Offerings from stores such as the Stephen’s Green Centre, Powerscourt Centre, Brown Thomas, Penneys (Primark), Dunnes Stores, and various other shops and boutiques around Dublin featured with bright jewel toned hues, coupled with gold hues as seen from the likes of Swamp Fashions, as well as winter white (always a fave!), mustard, burgundy and browns littering the runway – tulle, lace, fur and suede also made a striking and prolonged appearance.

Military style influences, sports luxe options as well as formal evening wear also showcased for the women as well as country gentleman chic in the form of various style of suit, for the gents from the likes of Magee and Louis Copeland amongst others in the Menswear section of the show. Lastly, as with every winter wardrobe the colour black was never far away!

A diverse mix of styles sashayed down the run-way from mid-length and long swish coats, high neck tops, pleated midi skirts, silk/lace camisoles, gladiator sandals, culotte style trousers, fur stoles, embellished garments, co-ords, skirts with slits, chokers and platform heeled sandals in a variety of heights featured in a showcase of AW16 styles available in a host of Dublin shops.

{Not the best quality photo but I just had to include it! Galaxy Ireland treated guests to a personalised bar of chocolate – how cool is that?! It’s so hard to track down anything with my name on it! #delira #loveit }

ABOUT: Dublin Fashion Festival takes place in conjunction with Galaxy Ireland #GalaxyStyle this year. It kicked off today and runs from September 5th-11th with a schedule jam-packed with events (most open to the public) including on-street catwalk shows, a fashion photography exhibition, Luas Style Spotters to name just a few!

Head on over to www.dff.ie for all the details on the upcoming festivities!

Tell me: have any of you seen any Dublin Fashion Festival activities on the streets of Dublin in previous years?

I cannot wait for a week of  fashion, fun and frolics! 

Thank you to Clyde Carroll and the Dublin Fashion/Dublin Town Team, Galaxy Ireland, West Coast Cooler Ireland, Sadhbh and team at Elevate PR, and finally Boohoo.com/Burrell PR for kindly gifting me the kimono piece.

Thanks for stopping by guys!

Gail. Xx
Photography: © Gail O’Connor
Twitter: @DublinGail
Instagram: @littlegforce

*Kimono is a gifted PR item.

Classic Summer Style Lookbook: The VACATION EDIT!

Reflective Style:

They say style is reflective of who you are and where you’re going, an extension of yourself and who you want to be.

For me, style can be mood dependant, I adore styling outfits and expressing how I want to present myself on any given day  – meaning boho vibes/preppy/edgy styles are plucked from my wardrobe on the daily. My own style is constantly evolving, however they’re are some style preferences that are innate to me such as All-American preppy, Hamptons-esque style with Spanish and French influences. 

I’ve also become known for my love of and consistent sporting of a leather jacket to add a touch of edginess to an outfit. Another style I have an affinity with is Boho/Beach/Festival style – I’m talking 70’s influences of “Almost Famous” Penny Lane style as well as maxi skirts and dresses, play-suits, denim skirts, kimonos, fringing, head crowns and head-chains.

I decided that whilst on holidays this year I would bite the bullet and get started on my style posts and after a bit of a blogging hiatus I’m back and refreshed!

I am often asked where I get my clothes from and how to style certain items of clothing and accessories for various events people have in their lives. I’ll be sharing my styling tips in my outfit posts so feel free to share my content with anyone who may benefit from it!

I hope you enjoy guys!

{Style shoot: Soaking up the rays and getting those poses down, on the steps of Russborough House.}

Giving the Cold Shoulder:

Cold shoulder, off the shoulder bardot – these are the styles of the summer when it comes to summer tops and tees and I for one am embracing it all!
Fun fact: In seventeenth century France reigning monarch King Louis XIV favoured the off the shoulder look with the décolleté exposed on the women in his court at Versailles – and it seems the feminine allure of this type of style is continuing to unfurl, having a bit of a renaissance centuries on.

These styles are all over the high-street this summer with some beauts in Zara, Primark, H&M and so many others!

The Outfit:

For my holidays I wanted to exude an “off-duty” preppy style which for me is a Hamptons-esque style – preppy, smart casual attire featuring lightweight materials that are easy to layer, the addition of a stylish hat to make outfits pop and to hide behind from the sun’s rays, comfy footwear for all of the exploring and an eye-catching, classic bag to hold all of my essentials.

These key pieces have become part of my summer capsule wardrobe and are staple pieces that work time and time again for many different occasions or excursions from running errands at the weekend to hanging out at a falconry!

{Getting up close and personal with some Birds of Prey with species such as: Snowy Owls and White Tailed Eagles to Falcons  after a wonderful in-depth tour of the falconry at Russborough.}

Classic Summer Capsule Wardrobe Pieces:

Top: Primark
Skinny Jeans: H&M
Shoes: Primark

The Accessories:

Bag: Fiorelli

Hat: Marks & Spencer

Sunglasses: Primark

Chain: Accessorize

Bracelet: Pandora

Midi-Rings: H&M

Tan is: B Bold Tan a must have accessory!

Tell me are you a fan of the cold shoulder trend? What are some of your favourite summer pieces?

Thanks for stopping by guys and I hope you enjoyed this style post as much as I had fun shooting it!

Gail. Xx

Photography: © Gail O’Connor.
Shot on location in Russborough House & Parkland.

Santorini Vibes and a Goddess Glow: Summer Style Inspiration!

{Santorini Vibes: shades of blue and pops of white, taking fashion inspo from the picturesque, hillside vista of Santorini, Greece.}

When a colour palette compels you to blog about it…

As a writer and blogger I find inspiration in everything. From nature, to a conversation, to trend forecasting in Fashion/Beauty etc – however when a colour palette inspires you to write an article on it you know you’re obsessed and you may as well give in and do it!

Santorini Vibes:

If I can’t go to Santorini, I’ll bring Santorini to me – taking inspiration from the islands colour palette in particular the white and blue hues associated with this Greek island!

Into the blue:

{Postcards from Santorini: The Santorini hillside vista that inspired this post.}

I can’t get enough of this colour palette…

I’m talking every shade of blue, paired with white for the ultimate holiday mindset. From washed out denim and cobalt to pastel and Santorini Blue (yeah I totally just made up that name) but you know the one, that blue that conjures up images of deep blue rooftops that majestically overlook an equally blue sea signifying a beaming beacon of relaxation, and an unequivocal Greek island experience of an island way of life of a by gone era. Coupled with white washed, glistening walls this colour palette simply screams summer and the blue and white sun soaked hillside, has immersed itself in my fashion subconscious and seen me dress in island blues on repeat!

Stripes, prints, block colours I’m loving it all – mixing and matching within the palette, block colours of white and blue with prints and stripes in the same hues – adding the odd pop of colours such as yellow, orange, nude, navy and tan to compliment the look.

The Goddess Glow:

These white and blue hues are off-set for me by a gleaming golden glow to the skin lending a bolder, crisper look with added “pop”, to any outfit! I get the ultimate grecian goddess golden/bronzed glow from a new release in the tanning world which I have been trialling lately!

I rarely sit in the sun in the summer months to “get a tan” and if I do you can bet your bottom dollar I’m smothered in Factor 50 because well you know, who needs the wrinkles? Especially nowadays, when self tanners have come such a long way!

The Tan of Choice:

I’ve been trialling *B BOLD Smart Mousse Tan for about 4 weeks and I have to say it never fails to give me major Mediterranean Island/Tropical vibes when I wear it. #vibes #thefeels

The colour pay-off with this tan is unreal. No really. From sunkissed glow to golden hue to a deeper bronzed tan, this tan is perfect to achieve any depth of tan you wish! It’s a one stop shop, making it perfect for travel – the high performance of the tan is a pleasant surprise and it is a welcome addition to the self-tanner market here in Ireland.

Look out for the FULL review on *B BOLD Smart Mousse Tan coming very soon!

All the usual suspects in fashion have variations on this summery palette and in an array of textures – such as Primark, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer, Zara, H&M and Savida to name just a few.

There you have it, some summer style inspiration in the form of colours and textures in various hues of blue for a fashion colour palette that’ll take you through summer feeling like you’ve been to far away climbs even if you haven’t! My summer capsule wardrobe sorted.

Now all I need is an actual trip to Santorini…although it’ll probably be more like somewhere in the west of Ireland! I’m not complaining though, after all I’m channelling those Santorini vibes…

What is your favourite colour palette for summer? What inspires you when choosing pieces for your summer wardrobe? I’d love to know!

Thanks for stopping by guys!

Gail. Xx
Photography: © Gail O’Connor.
*Post contains PR sample – All views/opinions on the product are mine as always! .

FASHION NEWS: M&S skips Catwalk to Launch AW16 Clothing Collection!

High Street, High Stakes:

The Driving Force of a Forward Thinking approach to the Fashion World?

Fashion is entering a major transitional phase right now and following the lead from couture Fashion Houses including Tom Ford and Burberry, British high street chain Marks and Spencer have shaken off tradition in favour of current market trend: meeting the demands of consumer instant gratification. That said today saw the release of the M&S AW16 Collection – a full six months ahead of its usual release date.

What is behind this current trend to break with traditional seasonality of collections?

The reasoning behind such a move by a high street store is in tandem with the reasons and vision behind the aforementioned couture Fashion Houses who during February’s London Fashion Week, expressed their concerns and analytical decisions towards their business models. In short, it is a move to meet the instant gratification and satisfaction demanded by the consumer market.

I have previously covered this shift in how designers are shirking the conventional approach to catwalk shows and presentations in my Fashion Alert: Designers to Take Less Conventional Approach to Fashion Week Presentations? post recently – how the  digital and social media age, coupled with the rise in Influencer Marketing is dictating consumer demands and shifts, in how and when consumers want to purchase goods. Designers are now allocating budgets to Digital, as it is an area that is that is going to impact on business.

{The Big Easy Collection: an AW16 exclusive from British retail giant Marks and Spencer.}

Skipping Ahead: Shopping NEXT Season Now!

Defining seasonality in countries such as Ireland or the UK is often difficult, with weather patterns, particularly heat, differing drastically from other countries especially in the summer months – the beauty in the design of this twenty piece collection entitled the ‘Big Easy’ is that it incorporates, an array of hand-picked, exclusive pieces in neutral hues and soft prints, sleek silhouettes and minimal aesthetic that will fit right into your summer capsule wardrobe. These ideal pieces are perfect for those temperamental summer days and accompany key pieces and style staples for when it comes to the seasonal autumnal weather that the collection was designed to cater to.

*Look out for stand-out pieces such as: leather culottes, tunic style shirts and dresses, and fashionista fave the flat strappy, pointed toe shoe.

{White out: Another look from the Marks and Spencer AW16 exclusive from Marks and Spencer.}

You can shop the ‘Big Easy‘ collection now in- store or online – this instantaneous shoppable option from the fashion industry, looks set to become the next trending theme in Fashion commerce so best get used to it folks!

Thoughts?

What are your thoughts on this bold move by Marks and Spencer? As a retail/clothing consumer, are you excited to be able to shop a season ahead or do you prefer things the way they were – shoppable in season? I’d love to hear what you guys think!

Me?  From a consumer stand-point, I think if trans-seasonal collections like this one from M&S are released, where pieces can be easily incorporated into the current seasonal wardrobe, offering even more functionality then I say bring it on, because you know I’m getting the wear out of my key pieces!

From a business stand-point this shake up in the fashion world means major change for manufacturing and supply chains to traditional buyers and for retailers, actually facilitating purchases.

I hope you enjoyed this “Fashion News” style post and thanks for stopping by!

Gail. Xx
Images: © Marks and Spencer.

Source: Marks and Spencer and Daily Mail 
*Not sponsored.

EXCLUSIVE: An Evening with Dior – A French Fragrance Journey!

Date with Dior: the heritage, the fragrance journey!

When Dior come to Dublin and are hosting an event you know you’re in for a treat. That said, when you’re a fragrance fanatic and you hear it’s a Dior Fragrance Event, in one of your favourite places in Dublin, you hot-tail it to the event pronto!

The Event: Dior Fragrance Event.

The Location: Residence Members Club, St.Stephen’s Green, Dublin.

The Date: Tuesday, April 12th 2016.

NEW in Fashion: #HOFSS16 Discover New Season Style From The Brands at House of Fraser.

With the promise of a heatwave here in Ireland, salute the arrival of summer with the SS16 Collection from House of Fraser!

I am in the process of making a concise list of key, classic pieces that I want to add to my capsule wardrobe for summer and an invitation to the House of Fraser SS16 Press Preview more than delivered.

The Event: House of Fraser SS16 Press Preview.

The Date: March 2nd 2016

The Location: The Morrison hotel, Dublin.

The Collection Overview:

Capsule pieces, practicality for the workplace, weekend wear, travel essentials – all are catered for in this stunning collection. Leather, lace, suede, print, all feature highly with neutrals playing an integral part in this playful and practical collection from House of Fraser.

 

Swimwear: includes new addition Sea Folly!

New Additions at House of Fraser!

Home to many well known and well loved labels such as Biba and Linea, exciting new additions such as Kenneth Cole and Sea Folly have made House of Fraser their home just in time for summer!

My TOP Picks!

From basic wardrobe staple pieces to key summer essentials, these are my top picks from the Press Preview.

Biba:

Linea:

I hope you saw some summer staples for your wardrobe in this post from House of Fraser and if so, tell me what!</strong

Thanks for stopping by guys!

Gail. Xx
Photography: © Gail O’Connor.