Spring Summer 15 Fashion – The Joy of Blogs

Take Me Away- Swimwear and Sun Holidays

August 6, 2015August 6, 2015 by E, posted in Consumerism, Fashion, Holidays, Lifestyle, Sales, Shopping, Spring Summer 15 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion, Style, Travel, Trends

This has been the most depressing summer in Ireland’s meteorological history so I thought I’d cheer us all up with a sun holiday and swimwear post! I’m about to go on my first sun holiday in about three years and I’m very excited. I’m going to Palma de Mallorca and am looking forward to seeing sunlight!

SWIMWEAR

This Versace-esque scarf print bikini from River Island is the bomb! It is gorgeous and also on sale at the moment, the top is reduced to €12 and the bottoms to €3. I’m going to try get my hands on one before I go away. I hope I can find it as once bikinis go on sale, the chances of finding your size in a matching top and bottom are pretty slim!

New Look also do some great swimwear at reasonable prices. It seems silly to spend a lot of money on a bikini considering our fabulous climate! They have covered all the trends from this mesh high neck style, a colour block Triangl lookalike, a simple pink and black trim bikini and a strapless wet look black bikini. All of these bikinis except for the black wet-look style are currently on sale.

One pieces don’t have to be boring, take a look at these diverse styles from Asos and Motel.

Asos South Beach metallic swimsuits

Asos purple seventies swimsuit and Evil Twin Yin Yang swimsuit.

These iconic “Wave” swimsuits by Motel are the coolest one pieces I’ve ever seen!

And if none of the above have tempted you Nine Crow Street currently are offering 30% off all online orders!

alt=<purple vintage swimsuit> — Vintage geometric swimsuit Nine Crow St.

SHORTS

River Island have cute baroque print shorts reduced to €12 from €24.

Or for something a little more boho, I like these black crochet hem shorts from New Look currently reduced to €11.50 from €22.99.

SHOES

Although I’m not a massive fan of wearing heels on holiday, I do like these white platform wedges currently €30 in the River Island sale. Other cute shoe options include these studded sliders also from River Island at €18.

Hope you have enjoyed this post and I look forward to writing about Mallorca and also my upcoming trip to London! I’m also hoping to do a giveaway on the blog soon and it’s going to be a good one 😉 Keep an eye on my Facebook page here for more details!

Thanks for visiting my blog as always.

Edel

The Espadrille Deal

May 8, 2015May 19, 2017 by E, posted in Blogging, Fashion, Irish Bloggers, Shoes, Spring Summer 15 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion, Trends

I would never have expected to being writing a post on that humble woven-sole shoe, the espadrille. Once the “basic bitch” of the shoe world, now officially bigger than Kylie Jenner’s fake lips. 😛

Chanel have been championing this shoe for a long time and somehow manage to make them look luxurious. I particularly like their classic patent finishes. I think these make espadrilles a lot more trendy and “current.”

They also have raffia and denim style finishes but I prefer the more “glam” finish.

alt= — Black and white Chanel espadrilles. Pic: Pinterest.com

alt= — Black Chanel espadrilles. Pic: Pinterest.com

I also really like these mesh espadrilles.

alt= — Black and white mesh espadrilles. Pic: Pinterest.com

Sam Edelman has even designed a range of espadrilles for Urban Outfitters and they are the most gorgeous things I’ve ever seen.

These pale pink and mesh espadrille are retailing at $45 on the US site but sadly don’t seem to available in Ireland!

I also like these “unconventional” leopard print espadrilles.

alt= — Leopard print espadrilles. Pic: Pinterest.com

Asos have lovely Chanel dupe espradilles for only €19…I may have to buy them…

alt= — Black and white espadrille shoes. Pic: Asos.com

Asos also sell Soludos espadrilles, these denim ones are embellished with a tiny ice-cream cone design..perfection!

alt= — Soludos denim espadrilles. Pic: Asos.com

These pink espadrilles with holographic toe-caps are amazing. Again these are just over €19, I love Asos’s own range shoes.

alt= — Pink espadrilles with holographic toe cap. Pic: Asos.com

For something really unique and different Etsy always delivers. Siamese Dream Design is a shop with amazing woven espadrilles in outrageous colours.

alt= — Woven espadrilles. Pic: SiameseDream on Etsy,com

These crochet Stradivarius espadrilles in cream and powder blue are really feminine and pretty. They would look great with pale blue or white jeans and a pastel t-shirt. (Tanned feet optional 😉 )

alt= — Cream crochet shoes. Pic: Stradivarius.com

alt= — Blue espadrilles. Pic: Stradivarius.com

Even though espadrilles are in fashion, please remember it’s never OK to wear Toms….their ethics are dubious to say the least and lets face it they’re one fugly shoe. 😛

Something to bear in mind when buying espadrilles is that the sole is generally heavier than upper and doesn’t bend with the foot’s movements. So they are not suitable for long walks and not an orthopaedic-friendly shoe!

Save them for the beach and casual occasions. And don’t expect them to last forever, this is strictly a summer shoe not conducive to our rain-sodden climate. 😛

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I went for these cute white mesh ones from Penneys, they were perfect for chilling out at home and for holidays also.

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Thanks for reading and leave me a comment below if you like espadrilles.

To check out my social media channels, check out my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook page here.

Edel

Bohemian Rhapsody

April 12, 2015August 3, 2016 by E, posted in Fashion, Shopping, Spring Summer 15 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion

The recent beautiful weather has caused a phenomenon that can only be described as a “summer clothing Armageddon.” All of Ireland and their mammies were buying Penneys out of shorts, t-shirts, skirts, sun cream and sunglasses! If you too are looking for some cute summer clothes look no further, my edit is here.

Trends for summer include gypsy tops, snake-skin and hamsa hand prints. Round sunglasses are also a must! The bohemian look is everywhere. I have to say I didn’t like boho the first time round (Boho circa 2005/2006). But nowadays I’m quite partial to boho chic, see below.

Everyone who knows me knows I love florals, accessories and floral hair accessories. So maybe I am boho but I don’t like to restrict myself to one style. 😉

However gypsy style off the shoulder tops really appeal to me! They are easy to dress up but work equally well as a casual top. The only qualm I have with them is you have to wear a strapless bra (or a bandeau top or no bra) if you don’t want to ruin the look!

Gypsy tops should be worn loose and look great with blue denim jeans or cut-off shorts. Try and avoid wearing anything else overly bohemian with them. Stay away from tight fitted off the shoulder tops, you’ll look like you are on the way to a 2003 teenage disco. Especially if you wear them with flares 😉

This open back Asos one is gorgeous.

Upcycling an old vintage top like this Etsy one works equally well. Available from Leisure Vintage on Etsy. White or light colours are great for summer and the bell sleeves are really retro.

If you need any further proof that the 70’s look is in just see Azealia’s Banks Coachella outfit.Azealia wore a Nasty Gal crop top with huge bell sleeves while performing at Coachella this weekend.

Azealia-Banks-seen-performing-at-Coachella-week-one.jpg — Azealia Banks in Nasty Gal

Mandala prints, hamsa hand prints and ethnic prints are another big summer trend. I got this light blue t-shirt from Penneys at the weekend.

I got these blue round sunglasses from Tiger for €4.

The hamsa print works equally well on jewellery as well as clothing. Asos have some lovely delicate jewellery, including this bracelet. I bought a similar one in Mallorca except it was more like a friendship bracelet.

I’m also loving the snakeskin trend as I’ve a serious weakness for mock snakeskin shoes. These are my latest additions from River Island.

Snakeskin boots from River Island €45 in sale

Another great style are these pale green flatforms also from River Island.

And finally for something more dressy, check out these Topshop heels. Possibly the most beautiful shoes ever?

To compliment any hippy look, you need a pair of John Lennon style round sunglasses. 😉 Forever 21 always have great sunglasses like these styles below.

Thank you for reading this post, hope you have enjoyed it and gotten some inspiration. I’ll be heading to several festivals this summer and am already dreaming about gorgeous bohemian outfits. Watch this space 😉

Kick the Bucket

March 2, 2015March 3, 2015 by E, posted in Accessories, Designers, Fashion, Handbags, Shopping, Spring Summer 15 Fashion, Trends

Bucket bags are the new rucksack and my new favourite obsession. It’s the grown-up’s alternative to a rucksack but still a fun casual bag.The designer duo who began this craze are Mansur Gavriel who launched a sell-out leather bucket bag in 2013. Since this their bags have been in high demand by fashion-lovers and celebrities everywhere.

alt= "bucket bag" — Mansur Gavriel drawstring bag. Pic courtesy of Pinterest

alt= "Mansur Gavriel bucket bag" — Mansur Gavriel blue bucket bag.

Other designers such as Moschino and Michael Kors also want a piece of the action.

alt= "moschino bag" — Moschino logo bucket bag

alt = "MICHAEL KORS bucket bag" — Michael Kors “Miranda” bucket bag

The Mansur Gavriel designs retail at $400-$1000 so for those of us not so flush here are few gorgeous alternatives. Everyday walking to work I pass 9 Crow St and take a good gawk in the window. I’ve been lusting after a gorgeous holographic bucket bag I saw there. I found a similar style on Etsy here.

Etsy is brilliant site for finding original handmade bags. The Pingypearshop have an amazing selection and all under €30!

As well as these, Etsy also sell vintage and leather one-of-a-kind bucket bags. It’s the best place to pick up something that no-one else will have.

Cosmichippo designs leather bag.

RAWbag handmade beauties on Etsy.

Zara are always very quick off the mark so I’m not surprised they have capitalised on this trend.

alt=" zara-zipped-bucket-bag" — Zara zip bag. Pic: Pinterest.

Gorgeous Zara bucket bag with zip detail *swoon*.

And if white’s more your colour, Zara also have a fabulous perforated white bucket bag.

If these are beyond your budget, Penneys have some gorgeous bucket bags in store at the moment for about €10. Can’t say no to that 😉 I’m a personal fan of this green and black one and they also have a lovely black fringed one.

So far I haven’t bought any bucket bags but something tells me it won’t be long before I own one! I will have to part with a few of my rucksacks first if that’s even possible… Thanks for reading my blog as always. If you like the blog, please support it on Facebook here.

Return of The Flare

February 8, 2015February 8, 2015 by E, posted in Fashion, Shopping, Spring Summer 15 Fashion, Trends

A while back I predicted flares were coming back after Lykke Li wore them to her Vicar St. gig late last year. Guess what ? Flares are indeed creeping back in after being consigned to a special place in sartorial hell for many years. Ah flares, I wore them my entire childhood/adolescence and they may have slightly bolstered my self-esteem at the time but looking back I can’t see why! Having B*witched for style icons didn’t help either.

Flares in the early 00’s required a heel of some kind (or a god forbid a chunky runner circa 2005), required frequent washing due to them dragging on the ground and always ended up extremely frayed. I had denim ones, cord ones combat ones, velvet purple ones, embroidered flares, coloured flares, the skinny flare, the flare so wide it forced others off the path……

With the advent of skinny jeans, flares were promptly discarded and forgotten about. Until now. The 2015 reincarnation is here and you may just like it 😉

Forget faded denim, the gothic velvet flare is much more sophisticated. They are gorgeous in dark colours and accessorised with graphic t-shirts and lots of attitude! They are an alternative for people who want to try flares but don’t want to look like a hippy. If you want to wear these, remember they are fitted in the waist and velvet isn’t a forgiving fabric so pick your size carefully.

URBAN PEOPLE Bohemian Burgundy Velvet Hippie Flare/Bell Bottom Pants 831 S #Urbanpeopleclothing #CasualPants — Pic courtesy of Pinterest

THOSE PANTS HOLY SHIT. <3 I need some in every color! — Pic: Pinterest

The 20 Best Street Style Looks from Milan Fashion Week, Fall 2014: Sarah Nicole Rosetto — Pic: Fashionista.com

I usually try to feature affordable and easily available products but I haven’t seen flares in any shops here yet. However I discovered this US site Colors of Aurora which is worth a look.

Flared jumpsuits are equally ok and very flattering.

And if you really want to go there and wear denim flares, pick a dark wash or a distressed style. Very pale washes coloured or embellished denim will look like you stepped out of a 00’s time capsule.

Here’s one of my favourite bloggers The Native Fox wearing dark denim flares.

Free People also have some gorgeous flares and flare jumpsuits..all expensive but great inspo!

Here’s the best thing about flares, they suit almost every body shape. Tall, short, curvaceous, thin, they flatter all shapes and sizes. If you’ve ever read the book The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, I’m willing to bet those pants were flares. This is why I wore them for so long during the awkward teenage years! I was insecure about my body and wearing flares helped me feel better. One important note though, if you are more on the petite side, make sure you get your flares taken up or wear heels. Flares skimming the floor is grand, flares wiping the floor not so great. You don’t want to look as though you are drowning in fabric! Also avoid long cardigans or baggy tops with flares, a fitted top or slightly loose t-shirt works best.

Let me know your thoughts on flares- a welcome back or hell no?

Thanks for visiting my blog as always. As always you can find my blog on Facebook here. Next up for me is a trip to Belgium in March! I look forward to writing about this soon.

Edel

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