What I'm wearing (Ireland throwback)

After a stint of poverty in Agia Napa, and now intense working and partying in Tenerife, I've got the wifi and energy to upload this post!

Here's what I wore on one of my two day holiday home between resorts a few weeks ago. 

Shirt; Primark, leggings; A-wear, hat; River Island, boots; Doc Martens, watch; Newbridge Jewellery.

VA-VA VOOM VINTAGE: LONDON BOUTIQUES GUIDE TO ELEGANCE

This week I have a guest post from london-boutiques.com to share with you guys!

London Boutiques highlights the best that London has to offer us fashionistas, bringing boutiques and shopping gems all to the one place. And they want to talk vintage with us.

Read below, for tips and pointers to mastering effortless, vintage chic.

VA-VA VOOM VINTAGE: EASY WAYS TO CHANNEL AN ELEGANT VINTAGE STYLE

From feather detailing, dazzling headbands to sparkling gowns, the glitz and glam of the days gone by have infiltrated red carpets, to the silver screen alike.

With London ladies falling over themselves to recreate the Gatsby-esque look, this style exudes femininity and glamour, so playing dress up with an old school twist is an essential this summer.

The resurgence of vintage inspired styles has made it possible to achieve a timeless elegant retro look with a mix of modern key pieces without having to restore or hunt down pre-worn vintage items. As a rule, clean elegance and fine detailing should define fashion choices, with extravagant jewellery making it Hollywood glamour worthy. Think long strand pearls, diadems, feathers, and rhinestones. Dressing at this time was seen as a status symbol, the more embellishment and beautifully adorned the dress, the more associated prestige within society.

London Boutiques recommends following this trend guide to immerse yourself in the thrilling, high living lifestyle of the 1920s, fashioning a lavish look to long for.

Dress to impress

The number one rule to dressing to impress in this art deco inspired movement is placing an awe inspiring dress as priority. Drop waist dresses with straight, long cuts and low formed hiplines are a signature look for this time period. Look for intricate beading and fluid, flowing fringes in neutral colours. Try to keep them below the knee, but if you do opt for something shorter, layer with black tights to keep it chic but flirtatious.

Daring Head Pieces

When it comes to accessorising this look, headwear takes centre stage with sequin and feather detailing once again taking prominence. Depending on the extent of glamour being pursued, options range from a flashy choche or flapper hat, to feathered and adorned headbands of any kind.  How it is worn is also vital; headbands are designed to be worn over the forehead and not on top of the actual head. Bigger is definitely better in this instance, however, a patterned scarf tied around hair will also provide a more off duty look with a retro twist.

T Bar Shoes

Continuing to portray elegance, a pair of prim and proper T-bar heels will offer fashion with functionality. Two inch heels were the most common place heel height making dancing ‘til dawn all the more possible. A more comfortable option to conventional heels, they provide additional support, so ultimately these footwear classics still resonate today where we are seeing a big 

resurgence in smaller heels in the fashion world.

Feathers

Feather finishes took centre stage at many a glitzy event during this era. Dazzling and overtly desirable, subtle touches of feathers can make or break an outfit. Update the trend with a feathered clutch bag or as a delicate embellishment to a more understated outfit. For those who wish to take it further, a full feather skirt is a modern catwalk worthy style, or a feather shawl provides a timeless sophisticated option.

Follow these tips with classic beauty basics of a smoky eye, full lashes, bold red lips and defined brow to channel a vintage goddess look with an undeniable modern twist for a show stopping style set to last.

Thanks again to London Boutiques. check out their webpage here.

And like their page on Facebook here.

Invest in...Summer Essentials

 This summer, the floral crown is back, bigger and better and more popular than before!

If you're not too keen on looking like you've shoved a full bouquet on your head, opt for subtle headbands like these ones from Pennys.

If you're a bit more daring, why not have a look on Boohoo.com who have a number of different styles in stock; ranging in size from subtle to statement. I love this rose crown they have, as it is simple enough to transition from daytime beachwear to evening, for example paired with a simple black maxi.

If you're really bold, then why not go to a discount store, or to Guiney's, and pick up some of their artificial flowers (which come in small bunches at €1.50 a pop) and make your own floral crown? You can be as eccentric as you wish and follow your own style and colour palettes.

This summer, rock out with loud shorts. Go for a high-rise pair; they're far more flirtatious and more flattering regardless of your body shape. 

If you're venturing outside of Ireland, at least one pair of patchwork denim is a necessity; come on girls - we won't be wearing much so making a statement through these summer staples is a must!

Check out Custom Vintage Dublin for bad-ass readymade pairs, place an order, or simply grab those scissors and scraps and fashion a pair yourself!

I've made pairs myself using old patterned pillowcases for the patches, as well as net curtain!


Now for the....slogan tee (the hipster's favourite)

Love this Henry Holland t-shirt! Dinosaurs are too fricken awesome. Shop the H! collections at Debenhams here.

I tend to keep my tees and tanks loose or oversized; you can play around with them more, whether you're tucking into high-waisted denims or leaving loose over a pair of superskinny's (superskinnies? last time I'll attempt colloquialisms...) 
Team with printed shorts for a playful, young summer roam around town.


Here are two great wardrobe additions for summer (on a student friendly budget obviously).
On the left; this reversible weekend tank from Front Row Shop, is just one of those tops which you could pull out of the mounds months on and wear again, as well as being a great tank to don while having a sneaky cider on a Saturday afternoon. (Any excuse!)

Above right; there's no denying that this tank from Awear will look ridiculously cool regardless of where you're spending your summer, be it at home or abroad.

 A big and bold trend which is still surfacing and seems to be pulling through summer is the flatform or creeper.
The style filtered into mainstream sales pretty fast last year, and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

I'm loving these Converse in white and black. Although strange enough to adjust to wearing; you'll find you will be that bit more conscious of your posture, as well as looking taller, straighter and fashion-forward.

The latest variation, like these Schuh buckled chunky heels, sees the chunkiness of the flatform combined with the femininity of the stiletto or platform heeled shoe. (click here to view these online!)

Find these and other styles at Schuh!


These are my summer essentials (clothing-wise anyways!).
Hope you guys liked it!

Thanks for reading x

What I'm Wearing - a few outfit picks of the week

So I'm only getting around to putting my few chosen outfits on the web now (because I'm a walking disaster), but here they are. :)


 I layered a beaded crop top which I found when rummaging through my wardrobes, (size 16, Monsoon) with a new crop tank I got in Pennys reduced to €3. Teaming the American flag print with acid wash denim has been a playful trend throughout the last few months. The shorts are River Island and come with the "ADORE" belt. Again statement gold necklaces lift any outfit and created the perfect balance for this one!

 I always tend to factor comfort into my clothes, as it translates in your body language. this knitwear outfit and flats was; yes, stylish and fresh for summer, but also meant I was completely at ease when I was off doing bits around the town. I only wear my cowboy boots with tights, as the cut is very wide, they can very easily give a girl cankles!
The blazer and ankle boots are both River Island, stripe dress; Primark (not sure if it made it to Pennys), top is vintage knitwear, chains (top to bottom); a gift from my nan; Topshop; No.15 Le Maison de Curio.


If you have read this blog before, it won't come as a shock that I've jumbled up a few prints in my outfit from yesterday - I love clashing and layering.


I also love my dinosaur jumper from Topshop a few years back. The top is oversized; Primark (again not sure if it made it to Pennys girls!), River Island wet look leggings and then my old Converse, from Footlocker. The turban-style headband is also from River Island and the gold chainlink necklace is from Pennys; I don't think I've gone two days without wearing it since I got it!

It's all about the statement necklace! (:

Thanks for reading x

Out with the gals! 13/05/13

Went a bit cray cray with the make up last night (channeling Frank-N-Furter from Rocky Horror, over the top glam-fabulous!)

Note to self; move out of this town, before you are thrown into some asylum... 

Here's some snaps of what I wore.

The diamante gems around our eyes are actually for furniture. Go to Harry Corry's, its €1.20 approximately for a back which contains around fifty pre-glued gems. We used eyelash glue to make sure they were secure!

 Mickey mouse top, chain link necklace; both Pennys, pleather trouser; vintage Zara, boots; River Island, clutch; River Island.

Thanks for reading

Dervla x

What I'm Wearing 13/05/13

Finished college today! YAY!

What better way to celebrate than to go shopping with the gals. Here's what I wore.

I <3 90'S CROP TEE

, 

PRIMARK

, 

PENNYS

POLKADOT CARDIGAN

, 

VINTAGE

PLEATHER TROUSER

, 

ZARA

, 

VINTAGE

LACE UP BOOTS

, 

RIVER ISLAND

BAG

, 

VINTAGE

, 

BOUTIQUE IN BARCELONA

HEXAGONAL SUN GLASSES

, 

RIVER ISLAND

Thank for reading

Dervla x

Weekend Wantlist

A few bits I am mad to buy after creeping the shops and the web over the weekend! Now that college is finished, I'm finding myself window shopping a lot more...

Clockwise from left; chainlink necklace and bracelet; Newlook, fuschia sarong trousers; Zara, seat belt harness; Topshop, eagle neckchain; Newlook, colour block crop tee; Topshop, white cuffed wedges; River Island (limited edition, LOVE these), head band; River Island, floral crown; Boohoo.com

A huge trend at the moment is the statement necklace, seen rampant through all high street stores. The chainlink style in particular is a very prominent style; Newlook carrying gold, white, silver and pink gold lines; Penny's have the gold for €6 at the moment too! H&M and River Island also have similar affordable styles. Grab them ladies! An easy way to make an outfit that little louder, a trend for the conservative dresser as well as the fashion forward.

I'm LOVING white wedges at the moment, they're slowly filtering into stores at the moment, the difficulty is picking a pair to see me through the summer. They'll look fab with a tan, as well as being comfortable for late nights abroad.

This spring/summer sees the return of the floral crown. This year its been pumped up with fashion savvy fertilizer, coming back bigger and better! The bolder your flowers, the more style points you earn in my books!

Thanks for reading

Dervla x