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Grannies the world over are rejoicing and so they should because crochet is now COOL! Growing up I was under the impression that crochet was a bit naff, a kind of 'susie homemaker' hobby and certainly not as enviable a skill as beadwork or sewing. Crochet has always seemed a bit like the less fortunate looking sister of lace...never quite enjoying the same fame and fortune. Crochet has a doyley like appearance which may be responsible for putting some people off in the past. However, crochet is perfect for a feminine, fun and summery look. The neon crochet necklace above is available from etsy.com and shows what a statement crochet can make in the right context. This open back jumper from asos.com is a good example of how crochet works as sexy without being in your face flaunty. Crochet has a lovely aura of girlish charm thats means while it can be a bit showy it manages to do it with a touch of class. There a romanticism assocaited with the craftmanship and skill of crochet and the materials used to create it that I think lends itself to crochet garments being elegant by virtue of the history attached to crocheting. Crocheted waistcoats are filling the shops now also and have a hint of 70s thats goes great with denim flares for some casual chic. Taylor swifts oozes glamour in this femme fatale crochet creation. She has kept this look simple with minimal accessories as the beauty of crochet is that the intricate patterns and designs are stand alone statements and need very little to accentuate them. I have definitely found a space in my heart for this crochet trend and I was even more convinced when I discovered 'yarn bombing' or 'Guerilla crochet' (below) This craft take on graffiti and it is FABULOUS
Comic book style is here! Yes thats right its not naff or geeky anymore...it's cool! Graphic novels chic has now hit the shops and there is an abudance of attire with attitude. This cheeky chapter is fashion is bright and bold and its certainly packs a bunch...Kapow!!There is so much fun to be had with this look. You can easily go all out like Cherly in her batgirl dress below or just have a pinch of Pow with a cute accessory! Its a simple style to pull of as long as you don't overdose on the prints and try to stick with one piece of comic strip rather than mixing it up too much. You want your outfit to Bang! not Splat! There are lots of comfy jumper available that just have one word comic phrases like Jessica' top above. There are a number of bags, scarves and lots ot jewelery you can add to a plain outfit to brighten it up. These creepers below are from chockersshoes.co.uk and are perfect to add a touch a quirk to an outfit. And if you really want to show your dedication to this look why not try graphic novel nails as available on ebay below. This trend is a nice, less serious side of fashion and gives everyone a chance to indulge their inner Big Bang Theory fan!
A scarf is a staple of most Irish womens' wardrobes. The humble scarf is one of the many tools we have for our less than predictable weather, it not only provides warmth for those teeth chatteringly cold days but it can also be used a makeshift hood for that ever looming Irish rain shower. If you have a big enough scarf you can even use it to wrap yourself up in cozy comfort. The divine cotton scarf below is from etsy.com and is €35.62 with a delivery charge of €5.94. Scarves are the ultimate accessory...both practical and fashionable. The snood is one of the best inventions yet and I would be surprised if it wasn't an Irish person that thought to combine the scarf and hood. The snood is like a stylish balaclava. A close relation of the snood is the infinity scarf (a scarf that is continuous, or without ends). These scarves can be looped around the neck or draped around the arms and are perfect to snuggle into when battling mother nature. If you can't afford Hermes then there are plenty of worthy substitutes in the printed silk scarf range. A luscious coloured kerchief is the perfect way to add some old school glamour to block coloured outfits. Nautical and chain/rope prints are very eye catching. Not only can you use these charming little 'chiefs for your neck but also in your hair or even on your handbag! Spaghetti scarves or fringed scarves are a cheap and cheerful way to brighten up a plain tank top and are available in lightweight fabrics to ensure style with sweltering. This winter I bought my mam a scarf as part of her 12 days of Christmas presents. I had originally planned to spend about 10-15 euro but I splashed out for the black and white scarf below. As soon as I picked it up and felt how luxurious the fabric was I knew i wasn't going to be leaving it behind...in March I borrowed it for the Vintage Wedding Fair and I got rather a nice surprise when I released the label on it was in fact Michael Kors! I felt slightly smug at my 20 overspend being transformed into a bargain
Grab a spear and get perfectly primitive in the tribal trend!This is a great look for playing around with colours and prints..the bigger and bolder the better. There are very few figures that are not flattered by the loose and ladylike styles of the tribal, colour explosion, clothing. You can completely cater this look to accentuate all your positive features and pick colours that will suit you skin town. The materials of tribal clothing are generally light and have plenty of movement so you can breathe easy knowing you will look and feel comfortbale. There is no shortage of aztec and native print dresses on the market including shoestring strap maxis, forgiving beach kaftans or pretty day dress. But if the idea of an all over tribal print dress is a little bit daunting then you can add a touch of indigenous elegance with a printed headscarf just like the lovely Eva Mendes. Or team a plain block colour top with printed leggings or harem pants. Not surprisingly my favourite aspect of the tribal trend is the jewellery!There is such a wide variety of stuff to choose and because a lot of the accessories are made from threads and beads they are all purse friendly purchases. Native necklaces are easily come by and beaded statement necklace are perfect if you have a a strapless top or dress.If beads arent your thing then you can go for the etched metals and tins which are especially good if you want to go big on your earrings and dress up a simple day dress. Breastplate necklaces are not for the faint hearted but they certainly make a statement and can bring an otherwise dull ensemble to life. If you can put up with the constant jingle jangle of bangles then this look is definitely for you and if not you can always substitute with one large long metal cuff. Thankfully this is a trend that actually lends itself to flat shoes as strappy sandals are in-keeping with 'desert chic' but thats not to say you can't glam it up with some adorned heels. Feathers,beads and tassels are not just confined to the top half of the look as shown by the example above. Whether you want to be a cheeky chieftain or no-nonsense nomad you can have lots of fun with this wild and wonderful look!
It's almost that glorious time of year when you can dust off your denim shorts for that all important day...Summer!You may have perservered during the colder months and wore your shorts with tights but its just not the same. The shops are flooded with all manner of styles and shapes in the denim short department.If you are feeling really brave and you have killer legs why not go for short shorts(Britney ones with pockets longer than the actual shorts)...just don't be tempted to team it with a trucker cap and bucket of chicken. If you are a litte more conservative denim shorts with lace inserts is a lovely way to make them dainty and girly. High waisted shorts are a perfect solution for holding in that lil extra bbq weight and are even cuter with turn ups. As well as the oul reliable standard blue denim there is also an array of dyed denim shorts that are relatively cheap and make a nice change from the norm.Shorts are easy to dress down with a plain white tee and nice flats but for dressing up studded or lacced up shorts and heels have plenty of attitude. If you are looking for something a little different and willing to pay a bit extra etsy.com is perfect especially for tribal printed denim. Alternatively, why not have a bash at transforming that old pair of jeans in the back of the wardrobe. Get scissor happy and add whatever trimmings and tricks you fancy.
I am a little bit behind with a pun for our recent rugby win but better late than never!When I think of shoulder pads I firstly think 80s power suit which is something I would have scoffed at once upon a time but that was before the embellished shoulder pad!The shoulder pads of today are a far cry from the unsightly over-sized blouses and ill fitting blazers of yesteryear.Now its about shoulders that shout 'look at me!'. Feathers of all descriptions are perfect for adding a touch of avian chic to any top or jacket...just ask Brandon Flowers who doesn't seem to want to take off his feathered jacket! Metal and stud embellishment can add a military look for boring black and dull colored tops and while they may be difficult(impossible) to wash they are certainly worth it if you want a little armored elegance when fighting for attention.Buttons, badges, beads, patches and sequins are also great shoulder pad accessories.And if that all sounds like an awful lot of work then how about just a load of safety pins(especially good if you want to give someone the gold shoulder).Yes that was indeed a shameless joke! All in all a bit of a scapula sparkle is always nice!
On a recent trip to Forever 21 I spotted a pair of leggings in one of my favourite styles...baroque!Baroque refers to a style of European architecture, music, and art of the 17th and 18th centuries. It is characterised by bold prints and rich colours. The fabrics and colours say pure opulence and unadulterated indulgence. Although its kinda flashy and in your face it still manages to maintain that Marie Antoinette type glamour that hints 'don't mess with me'. Its all very dramatic and very much makes a statement. The elaborate patterns can be daunting at first but black and gold are nearly always a winner. In terms of affordable outlets for this big impact styles asos.com always has this style on offer in some shape or form and if you are feeling adventurous the men's t-shirt section is a cheap and cheerful choice to get printed tees you can customise. Monsoon is a little pricier but always delivers on bright and beautiful colours and material. And if all else fails you could just put on every piece of jewellery you own and a crown if you have one!
'The hair is the richest ornament of women' -Martin Luther I get tired of my own hairstyles very easily and at the same time there is nothing as scary as trying something new and realising its a disaster(queue hair hissy fit!)So I recently purchased my first hair chain in Pennys and while I haven't been brave enough to debut it just yet I am delighted to see the shops awash with hair accessories like this. Many moons ago I noticed Kim Kardashian wearing a hair chain over her ponytail and it added an extra touch of sparkle to her gorgeous locks. While the daisy chain and floral headbands have a more relaxed and playful feel the chain and gemstone hair jewelery have a bollywood style to them which can brighten up the dullest of hairstyles. Twists and plaits woven with sparkle adds an exotic touch of glamour. There is something very regal and princess like about even your hair having jewels! In addition to the indian style chain hair bands there is also a great selection of bejeweled hair clips which are especially nice tucked into simple up-dos to make them a little more interesting, anything with wings,leaves or feathers seems to be a hit. Alternatively if you want to get creative you can fashion a hair clip youself from a nice broach or pendant from a broken necklace. Or if like Khloe(below) you are feeling very adventorous just get some trusty star spangled ribbon!
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AuthorHi Im Lorna! Head honcho teacher @ WPMD. We hope you enjoy our content x Archives
August 2016
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