Gingham, pink, embellished jackets and oriental prints: all kinds of whimsical and fun trends are in fashion this spring.
While I was out shopping for graduation dresses, I got quite distracted by all the new trends in town and thought I’d do a post to share them with you.
By the way, there’s a grand stretch in the evenings altogether!
One trend I really love so far is gingham. Particularly if it comes in the shape of a bardot top or has a few frills on it.
I can get on board with a head-to-toe ensemble either. Yaasss.
Gingham mini skirt. Pic: Lasula Snapchat
These Topshop gingham blouses are great for casual wear or dressy occasions.
Off the shoulder blouse. Pic: Topshop.co.uk
Long sleeve blouse. Pic: Topshop.co.uk
Blue, pink or red gingham and simple gingham sundresses are also cute.
Blue gingham crop top. Pic: Prettylittlething.com
Gingham looks great layered over plain colours or as a contrast to a white or black t-shirt.
Let’s observe the fact that even Christian Louboutin created a pair of country gal style gingham Louboutins.
Gingham Christian Louboutins. Pic: Pinterest
Oriental prints are another huge trend this spring also. I’m a big fan of this royal blue backpack from New Look and pink high heel sandals from River Island.
Pink oriental print sandals. Pic: River Island.com
This backpack is €24.99 and also comes in pink.
Blue oriental print backpack. Pic: New Look.com
These Kimchi Blue dresses from Urban Outfitters are also really adorable and perfect for summer.
Kimchi Blue smock dress. Pic: Urban Outfitters.com
Kimchi Blue jacquard dress. Pic: Urban Outfitters.com
Oriental prints are notoriously difficult to wear so try a simple accessory like this Shein wallet if you don’t want to go overboard.
Oriental wallet. Pic: Shein.com
But if you do want to go all out check O-Mighty’s cute co-ord sets.
What do you think of these spring trends? Do you have a favourite? Leave me a comment and let me know.
P.S. I finally bought myself a camera so look forward to some more outfit posts and more of my own style on here. It’s something I’ve wanted to introduce to the site for a long time.
FYI- this post was not sponsored or endorsed by any brands mentioned.
I will conclude this spring-themed post with some adorable baby ducks because we all need those in our lives.
It may be one of the most bizarre trends of 2016 but fishnet tights underneath jeans are having a sartorial moment. And if someone told me that a year ago, I’d have thought they were certifiably insane!
When I bought a pair of fishnet tights for my Halloween outfit I didn’t think I’d ever be wearing them again. Little did I know…
But with this unseasonably warm weather, there’s never been a better time to try it out! Last week I decided to dig out mine and layer them under baggy Zara jeans with ripped knees.
Halfway to town I shed my coat and scarf, it was ROASTING but at least my legs were cool in the fishnet and rips combo! I may have gotten the odd strange look but not as many as I’d anticipated.
There are several ways to wear fishnets and jeans. They can be layered under loose ripped jeans or pulled up over the waistband of your jeans with a crop top or cropped hoody.
Blue or black jeans in a boyfriend or mom fit work best with this combination.
For a more daring look, jeans with cut-out panels will showcase your fishnets also.
Fishnets and jeans. Pic: Pinterest.com
You can customise old jeans by ripping them up or chopping out a side panel if you want to experiment with this look.
Fishnet socks with runners or loafers are really cute and don’t require you to freeze to death or flash flesh. They look especially good with raw hem or cropped jeans.White fishnet socks are also great with runners.
Black fishnet socks with Gucci loafers. Pic: Pinterest.com
A white t-shirt, cropped hoody or long coat all compliment this look. Casual flats or runners are the best accompaniment.
Fishnet tights come in all sizes and colours so don’t feel you have to conform to the bog standard black ones. Red ones look great with blue jeans and white or nude fishnets are more subtle. You can even get embellished crystallized fishnets on Etsy.
My fishnets were €7.99 from H & M but you can get them in most shops. If you’re having trouble finding some, then just hit up Ann Summers you’re bound to get them there!
My Zara jeans and H & M fishnets.
You can buy fishnet socks and oversize fishnet tights on Asos.com. I really like these as they have a reinforced toe making them less likely to rip.
Fishnet socks. Pic: Asos.com
Red fishnets. Pic: Asos.com
White fishnet tights. Pic: Asos.com
Fishnets are actually quite versatile and when it gets warmer I’ll be wearing mine with skirts and vintage Levis cut-offs. The downsides are they rip easily, are handwash only and can leave a diamond imprint on your legs and waist!
What do you guys make of this trend? Would you try it out? Leave me a comment below and let me know.
Thanks for reading as always and don’t forget to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.
Band t-shirts are a slightly controversial fashion statement. Genuine fans wear them to express their love for an act but they’ve always been a popular choice among fashionistas also.
This old reliable is making waves right now so here’s a look at some of the best band t-shirts available at the moment.
Boohoo.com have a great selection this year from Nirvana to Guns N’ Roses to The Doors.
If you prefer your band t-shirt a bit more distressed, BleachdClothing on Etsy sell cool customised ones. Bear in mind, unique customised band t-shirts don’t come cheap, all of the Etsy ones I saw were €40+.
These band tees have been given a modern spin with a cut-out neckline and bleaching. This is pretty easy to do at home if you enjoy customising.
Oasis cut out t-shirt. Pic: BleachdClothing on Etsy.com
Distressed Led Zeppelin t-shirt. Pic: BleachdClothing Etsy.com
RoadkillVintage have some slightly cheaper styles such as this Kiss t-shirt with slashed sides for €25 on Etsy.
Kiss T-shirt. Pic: RoadkillVintage, Etsy.com
This Van Halen tour t-shirt from Shein.com is also a great choice, looks like a real vintage t-shirt complete with list of tour dates but is cheap as chips at €9.09.
Van Halen tee. Pic: Shein.com
Shein also sell some great crop tops, like this grey Guns N’ Roses one.
Guns ‘n’ Roses Grey crop top. Pic: Shein.com
Naturally Nasty Gal have the coolest rock t-shirts known to man.
Aerosmith t-shirt. Pic: Nasty Gal.com
David Bowie t-shirt. Pic: Nasty Gal.com
If you’re a true rock fan sick of wearing oversize men’s shirts, now is a great time to finally get your favourite band tee in your own size.
If you just love the look, band t-shirts are perfect with black leather jacket, jeans and boots. Attitude optional.
I’ve styled my Missguided Guns n’Roses one with a vintage leather skirt and holographic heels for going out but it’s just a good under a denim shirt or with shorts for daytime.
When was the last time you wore a choker? Chances are you were about 10 years old and they were as cool as gel pens and candy cigarettes in the playground.
Chokers have undergone quite a makeover since then. Out with the cheap black plastic and in with velvet, colour, layers and embellishment.
Let’s skip over the bizarre trend of choker dresses and embrace chokers how they were meant to be worn-as jewellery and accessories.
Choker set, Bershka.Pic.Bershka.com
Although so far, I’ve only bought black chokers (which go with everything FYI), I’m loving all the colourful ones like the Bershka set above.
Wearing several chokers (if your neck is long enough!) or mixing them with dainty necklaces is the ultimate style statement.
Choker and necklace set. Pic: Bershka.com
Zara have some of the classiest chokers you’re ever likely to see. Also models with impossibly long necks…
Black chain choker. Pic: Zara.comStar choker set. Pic: Zara.com
I also really like bohemian chokers and pendant chokers. Etsy is the best place to find crystal chokers like this from ShopCrystalChild.
Crystal pendant choker. Pic: ShopCrystalChild Etsy.com
I also love the contrast in styles of this velvet and opal choker necklace from Alapopjewelry.
Pink Opal choker. Alapop jewelry. Pic: Etsy.com
If you want to customise your own choker, then hit up Choker Saint on Etsy.com.
Choker Saint chokers. Img: Etsy.com
For a punk vibe, try Nine Crow St’s heart chokers. I’m in love with this lilac one.
Lilac choker. Pic: Shopninecrows.com
I find the cord chokers are messy and difficult to wear and the chunky ones look a bit odd so I’m sticking to skinny lace styles. Most chokers are adjustable to prevent them being too lose or too tight.
However if you can perfect the bow style, go for it!
Pic: Pinterest,com
Pic: Pinterest.com
Pic: Pinterest.com
This black lace choker is one of a set of two from Penneys and is the best fuss-free accessory ever!
I’m definitely going to be buying some more chokers soon. Do you like the choker trend? Which styles would you go for? Leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts.
Thanks as always for reading and and don’t forget to check out my Instagram and Facebook page here.
Possibly the best online shop. Massive array of products and brands, their own brand is excellent quality, they deliver pretty quickly to Ireland and their returns procedure is simple. Standard delivery is free to most parts of the world. I’ve purchased from them in America and while the delivery took longer, it was simple to make a return there also. I love the site layout, photography and styling. ASOS have good sales and I’ve gotten genuine bargains. Among the stuff I’ve bought includes jeans, brogues, dresses, a handbag and a bikini. I’ve tried a lot of different products and so far been happy with everything!
To order you have to create an account with Asos. You have the option of saving a credit/debit card which is very dangerous/handy depending on how you look at it!
This site stocks vintage and independent labels. I haven’t bought from the site yet but it’s great for styling inspiration. Some of the boutiques can be expensive but I’ve seen some great unusual things on there also. Favourite brands include We are Hairy People and Florrie Jane’s Vintage. Plus it’s a great site for independent retailers to establish themselves.
Cactus print shorts and top from We are Hairy PeopleParty ring crop top from We are Hairy PeopleClothing from Florrie Jane’s Vintage
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I love browsing Etsy. Lately I’ve been shopping for accessories like this galaxy chain from Gina’s Tie Dye.
The chain was beautiful and I received it really quickly. Unfortunately the pendant fell off the second time I wore it! However I may have been just unlucky. Gina very kindly sent me a replacement necklace which I was thrilled with! This shop has loads of amazing stuff such as ying/yang tie-dye t-shirts and beautiful one-of-a-kind halter tops.
Photo courtesy Gina’s Tie Dye
I’d been looking for lightweight lace bras like those from For Love and Lemons but cheaper! I struck gold when I found these beauties from Lovy House on Etsy. They are not like a traditional bra so don’t expect a lot of support from them but they are gorgeous!
I bought the black one pictured above. The only drawback is the lace is slightly itchy! They have a gorgeous selection of lace underwear. Delivery was quite quick considering this shop is based in Vietnam.
Lovy House lace bra- exactly like For Love and Lemons but much cheaper!
Etsy focuses on promoting handmade or customised items only and is a great promoter of independent fashion. I’ve also bought studs from them for my own customising. You can also give feedback when you receive a product and payments can be made easily through Paypal. The only annoying thing about Etsy is that if you are buying from different stores you have to make each purchase individually. As most shops are small businesses you will generally have to pay delivery charges. I haven’t had to return anything to this shop yet.
This is a huge online Chinese shop which ships all over the world. Their printed sweaters are my favourite items and they have great unique clothing. They are cheap and have lots of “flash deals” where certain items will be on promotion for 24 hours only. Delivery does take a while but that’s to be expected from China.
Romwe sizes can be quite small also so bear this in mind. I haven’t bothered returning anything that didn’t fit (only once this has happened) as the return would cost the same as the original purchase. I’ve bought a sweater, a skirt, rucksack and a dress from them. The dress was the only unsuitable item being a little too small but it was only €11 so I gave it to a charity shop.
Oasap is a store which I’ve only bought from once. I bought a pair of printed leggings which were very unusual and cool. The size was good but the colours were quite different in real life and also the fabric was less shiny and slightly transparent. Jury’s out for now! Delivery took some time.
How they looked online….How they looked in real life!
I decided to try Stradivarius’ online shopping service which is quite new to Ireland. The process is quite simple, you order an item either to your home and pay for delivery or you can pick it up in store for free. I bought these cute blue espradilles.
You get an email when the item is sent and a text when delivered in store. Returns can be done in store also.I thought it took long enough for it to be delivered considering the stock is only coming from Spain.
Previously I devoted a whole post to this site as I went through an obsession with it! Nastygal have an emphasis on daring sexy outfits and bohemian clothing. I’ve bought one dress from them which was nice but the material wasn’t great quality. They are based in America so again shipping takes some time.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE!
How soon do you need this item? Many shops may take 2-3 weeks with standard shipping.
Will you be able to return it easily? Read the returns policy carefully, some shops may charge for returns or may not allow returns on sale.
How much will delivery cost? An item may appear very cheap until you add in the cost of shipping! Is it worth it when you have allowed for delivery charges? Some shops have a discount if you buy several items but you may have to spend a lot.
Will it look like this in real life? Remember the camera lies and the item may be a different colour/texture to how it appears online. If in doubt read the description to see what material it is and what care it requires before buying. Some stores will let you ask questions and others allow previous customers to leave feedback which is generally the best indicator.
What are the sizes like? Probably the most important factor to consider, check the sizing guide very carefully and read any comments/feedback regarding sizes. Some sites have vintage “free size” items which will pretty much fit a size 8-12 depending whether you want to wear it baggy/long/fitted etc. Others describe items as “runs small”, “runs large” or “true to size.”
When buying from independent retailers, check that the payment methods are secure and that sellers have good feedback. All the sites I’ve listed are reputable.
Happy shopping all! Hope you have enjoyed this post, thanks for visiting the blog as always. You can like my blog on Facebook here if you’d like to see more. I’ll be preparing my next post on the Sea Sessions festival in Donegal, stay tuned! 😉
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.
Mansur Gavriel drawstring bag. Pic courtesy of PinterestMansur Gavriel blue bucket bag.
Other designers such as Moschino and Michael Kors also want a piece of the action.
Moschino logo bucket bagMichael 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.
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.
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