Signs You're Getting Old(er)...

It's happening whether you like it or not. Here are some of the signs.

Karl Lagerfeld  - how come he gets away with it?
Source:  www.wmagazine.com/fashion/2008/09/karl_lagerfeld

1. Street style blogs leave you bemused at why girls wear parkas with bare legs...in winter.
2. You’ve used any of the following words alone, in conjunction with another or together in an exclamatory rage in a clothing store: too...short, fitted, high, low, bright, busy, Jersey Shore.
3. You secretly admire Kate Middleton for popularlising kitten heels and wedges.
4. You find yourself saying, “I never used to shop in LK Bennett but....”
5. You can’t understand the relationship between tights and shorts (see: #1).
6. The midi skirt is your friend.
7. You experienced the `70s, `80s and `90s trends the first time around....and they sucked then.
8. The last time you spent €1,000 on something, it was last month’s mortgage.
9. You don’t know whether to loathe or love Mary Kate Olsen for making falling out of bed look socially acceptable.
10. Finish the following sentence. Malls make me: twitch, give me crowd blindness; erase my will to live.
11. Word association time! Granny chic, oversized and ironic = Young, thin and clueless.
12. Ripped tights, matted hair and chipped nail varnish were synonymous with the walk of shame in your day.
13. Finish the following sentence. I love the colour black because: it’s chic, it make me look thin; it stops me from having to think.
14. You refer to colours in terms of ROYGBIV; not the local farmer’s market – raspberry, mint, salmon, chocolate, espresso.
15. You thought The Devil Wears Prada was a spoof.
16. Alaïa is an untruthful person from Boston.

Back on the Branch...

against my better judgement. Looks like technology has got the better of me; either that or peer pressure. Anyhow, if tweeting is your thing, come follow I Blog Fashion at twitter.com/Iblogfashion.

Available from Etsy.com

Words of Wisdom...

from the streets of Dublin. The perfect post-Saturday night reflection. ;)

Image Magazine - Runway Diaries

Many thanks to Image magazine for the Runway Diaries write-up in the September issue! x

Why Don't You?

I'm in a bad mood. Boo! Yes, that's me being angry. Cross me at your peril. With such indignation abrew, I thought it best to channel my sucky feelings productively, so I took to reading a more sprightly tome on the life of Diana Vreeland. Damn, that chick was positive. So upbeat was the former fashion colmunist and editor, her  "Why Don't You?" column for Harper's Bazaar achieved cult success among the women of great means. Offering outside-the-box lifestyle thinking, the suggestions were both outlandish and seemingly achievable.

1) Why Don't You...wash your blond child's hair in dead champagne, as they do in France.
2) Why Don't You...have an elk-hide trunk for the back of your car? Hermès of Paris will make this.
3) Why Don't You...have your cigarettes stamped with a personal insignia?


There are several reasons why this doesn't work for me; see reasons below:

a) Any champagne that crosses my threshhold normally has a 60-minute lifespan; its death being bought about by consumption; not lack thereof.
b) I don't have a car.
c) A personal insignia? Really?

Curmudgeonly disposition in tow, I've decided to write a few of my own suggestions which begs the question -Why Don't You?

...step away from the Herve Leger bandage dresses. They're common. End of.
...realise that certain trends act as a one-way ticket to celibacy. If you want any sort of future sack action, contact The Man Repeller for a list of what to avoid.
...Juicy Couture is an oxymoron and an insult to the word 'fashion'. Unless your intentions involve some twisted form of postmodern irony, leave the towelling to the bathroom.
...stop using the word 'fashionista'. You are only contributing to its smelly virulence!
...buy a decent bottle of wine and down it with a stellar friend if having a fat day. It's cheaper than therapy, cleaner than colonic irrigation and unlike a shotgun, you don't need a licence.

There. I feel better already...

Sylvia Plath - The Bell Jar - New Interpretaions of a Modern Classic

Bell Jar £360 @ Jaggynettle.com

Jaggy Nettle, one of the latest companies to emerge from the Scotland’s growing pool of textile talent, has launched a range of exclusive hand-printed Scottish cashmere jumpers inspired by classic book covers - and a new website.

Taken from iconic literary works housed in Faber and Faber’s  80-year archive, the vintage book covers were the muse for the company’s new collection.

Created by ex-fine artist Jason Lee and textile designer, Emily Quinn, the range has been designed to challenge the concept of peoples' interpretation and judgement of others through the clothes they wear.

The new collection features selected titles including David Hare’s ‘Slag’, Samuel Beckett’s ‘Play’ as well as Sylvia Plath’s ‘The Bell Jar’ in limited editions of 10. Other items in Jaggy Nettle’s range include Harris Tweed and Johnstons of Elgin Tweed footwear and limited edition Japanese selvedge denim.

Taken from JazzyNettle.com. Go pay them a visit!

Tune In & Turn It Out

Since I've discovered the joys of the Nike+ GPS app, I've actually been running. I know! Who'd have thought? It's not just a pretty iPhone icon or for tracking calories while window shopping. The nifty thing about this piece of techno non-gym wizardry is the Power Song button for when one's will to live has been sapped. You know that last half mile where you'd rather walk / crawl / curl into a ball and rock yourself gently? Well, circumlocution aside, three artists keep rearing their heads on my homeward stretch. Hole, The Donnas and Princess Superstar. Although disparate, there's a certain rauch that tethers these three; not least their idiosyncratic styles - kinder whore, `70s high school seniors and Lower East Side club kid. I wonder what kind of hybrid fashion statement that would make in a mash-up? I digresss. Check 'em out below...

Hole

The Donnas

Princess Superstar

Guess Who?

A present from my niece / godchild. Guess who?

Style Stoicism

“Know first who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.”  - Epictetus

“You look like Stevie Nicks,” said the Wise Elder.

As I looked at my spread eagle reflection in the mirror, I was inclined to agree.  Pink fringed arms akimbo, I looked as far removed from the edge of 17 as a 38-year old woman could be.

“I was thinking Tina Turner,” I replied, “but I get your gist.

“The last bus to Nut Bush City honey left in 1973,” came a half-whisper.

She was right. And with that I disrobed. I couldn’t help but mentally berate myself again for yet another personal style misdemeanour. Despite the tassel-clad cardigan’s inherent craftsmanship, it just wasn’t ‘me’.

“A quick question,” enquired the voice of reason from the other side of the room. “Just how were you planning on reconciling bohemia with a rockabilly quiff?”

Busted. I had all the cool kid / festival pedigree of a suburban housewife.  I’d never even been to Coachella or The Electric Picnic. And The Burning Man for all I knew could be an STD.

“I guess I just got caught up in the beauty of it all. I keep thinking I can make it work but...”

“I’m really hoping here that your clothes horse mentality is not some sort of allegory for your relationships with men; otherwise, you are royally screwed.”

She was right. My last boyfriend fit as (im)perfectly as a pair of apocryphal size 10 jeans: willing them on, barely able to button them and then struggling to hide the garish muffin top.

“You’re going to have to learn that you can’t always wear you want; sometimes, you’ll just have to learn when to say ‘no’.”

“I guess I’m a bit like Annie Oakley,” I joked.

“Try telling that to your bank balance.”

eBay Sale

http://comictan.com/most-organized-closet/

With a new season almost actually upon us (er...summer where'd you go?), my wardrobe has had it's annual clean out. Alas, its untrammelled depths bore items almost unrecognisable to me. Given that I've worn most of them only once if at all, this does not surprise me. With a vow never to impulse buy again...ever (promise, really), I've added these to my eBay store. Have a goo and see if there's something that takes your fancy. Hey, if you don't like it, you know where I live...

CLICK HERE!!! 

P.S. A few things I've learned during the cull....

1. My closet can be divided into three parts: hopeful, practical and delusional.  

2.  A size 10 is not a size 12; nor is a size 7 shoe a size 8. I somehow manage to transpose these numbers.
3.  Despite a healthy selection of shoes, I manage to consistently wear the same three pairs.
4.  My understanding of 'basics' can be likened to that of Pythagoras' theorem - theoretically sound but practically imposible.
5. I still need more space...

Karl Likes The Doobie Brothers

"There is no fashion if she doesn't take it to the streets." - Chanel

Geddit? Aw, c'mon guys!

Shopping Excuses - A User's Guide

Excuses to go shopping /for having been shopping / for getting caught shopping...again.

1. I need to buy tights shoes. 

2. I have nothing to wear on weekends.

3. I have nothing to wear to work.

4. I have nothingto wear out.

5. New? I’ve had these for ages two days.

6. These are my “Don’t you want to rent me this apartment pants?” (see: Friends: Season 6, Ep. 3)

7. This jacket is ideal for walking the dog (note: does not have dog).

8. I need it for my job.

9. I need it for my sanity.

10. I need it to get a new job.

11. I just need it OKAY!!!!!!

12. My dog ate the contents of my wardrobe. (note: still does not have dog)

13. I need to break in this new credit card.

14. I’m just looking...really.

15. I’m holding it for a friend.

16. 70% off? It’s practically free!

18. I feel fat.

19. I’m helping the economy.

20. It’s cheaper than therapy.

21. I’m actually a ghost shopper. Don’t blow my cover.

22. It only cost €150.

23. It’s an investment buy.

24. I don’t shop often but when I do, I like to buy quality expensive sh*t I don’t need.

25. It’s late night shopping.

26. I’m drunk.

27. I’ve been framed.

28. I’m doing research into the dark underbelly of shopping addiction.

29. I mistakenly pressed the ‘buy now’ button and before I knew it, the item had been dispatched.

30. My aura specialist tells me red is bad for my energy field. I’ve gotta stock up on some blues and greens...fast!

31. Define need...

Hot on Mr. Dries' Heels

First French Connection, now Hobbs: it seems that everyone is paying tribute to the  Dries Van Noten demi wedge.  I don't know how happy I'd be about this if I were Mr. Dries (a.k.a. primo Belgian silver fox hottie - seriously....click here to check him out).

My super comfy ponyskin Dries heels from Smock

Hmm...suspiciously suede offerings from French Connection

2010's Dries gold demi wedge pump

recaptured in bronze by Hobbs for 2011 / 2012.

Dear Acne...

Image: from Thinkstock (with a little help from Paint)

Dear Acne,

I hope all is well in Sweden. Seems your Krona is faring strongly in these uncertain times. Anyhow, the reason for my letter may cause you to consider a bailout, despite your fortuitous circumstances.

It pains me to have to write this but some things just need to be said. You know we’ve always had such a special relationship. Your tuxedo pants always made me feel supermodel thin; not least those slinky silk tops. But lately, things have changed. 

It all started with those flimsy hems. I was prepared to overlook having to Bondaweb my red Pearl maxi skirt, especially when I received so many compliments upon wearing it. You always knew how to make a girl feel pretty, didn’t you?  So much so that I foolishly bought another in black, only to have you let me down in the same way again. How could I be so stupid?

But a hem seemed such a trivial thing in the greater scheme of things. You were my brand and damn it;  I’m the kind of gal who stands by her brand! So I bought your ‘Truth’ maxi dress for my trip to Rome only to be embarrassed by yet another hem indiscretion; this time with stretching!  P.S. Ironic name for a dress, no?

Despite all this, I just wasn’t prepared to let go; not until the zip incident that is. How could you just let it burst apart like it was a trifle – on Grafton Street of all places! It literally happened behind my back and I was just too stupid to see it. All I can say is, thank God I wasn’t wearing a thong. Now I can never wear that skirt again. How could I ever trust that you wouldn’t do it again?  And don’t you dare say it’s because of the junk in my trunk (corr: lead in the shed).  I’ll have you know I’ve lost a lot of that post-holiday weight!

So this is goodbye. Don’t think you can tempt me with your  A/W 11 mohair offering. I’m not falling for it.  You’ll just shed all over me again. I’m through.

Please don’t return my calls. And I hope I never run into you on a certain internet shopping site ever again!

Yours (erstwhile),

Annmarie  

Style Philanthropy

This August, the Society of St. Vincent De Paul is calling on Dublin’s fashionable and charitable denizens to drop off unwanted clobber at special clothes banks as part of its ‘Donate with Style’ clothing appeal.

The banks will be set up at EC House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 for one week only (22nd- 26th August) as part of the European Year of Volunteering Roadshow (EYV2011) which hopes to generate new recruits such as retail staff for some of the society's 33 Dublin-based clothes stores (soon to be 34!).

In recent months the SVP has seen a significant drop in donations, especially clothing. In the medium to long term, this will significantly impact on the work of Vincent’s shops and the raising of funds for SVP generally. 

For more information on the ‘Donate with Style’ clothing appeal or about the Vincent’s charity shops in the Dublin Region, call Jane Bergin on (01) 8198413.

Ireland Does the September Issue

It's pretty damn hot when Irish fashion hits Vogue, let alone the hallowed September Issue. It's damn near incandescent when captured by Mario Testino. Prepare to come over all patriotic as Joanne Hynes' iconic crystal neckpiece is featured in a Master Class on Antwerp austerity; with Vogue Spy giving the Galway girl's embellished tee a manicured thumbs up. Who needs Paddy's Day when we've got talent like this!

I Want

A few helpful markers for reading the September issue of Vogue UK this evening. Put on the kettle!

How to Wear It - Irish Examiner - August 6th

HOW TO WEAR IT...KNITS
Inbetween seasons can be a bit of a drag. Cold-warm-rainy-sunny-what-to-wear-blah....Get extra mileage out of your summer wear with the help of some natty knits. Annmarie O’Connor shows you how. 

A sloppy sweater makes summer’s sheer maxi an autumn staple. Just add ankle boots.
Mint and taupe stripe sweater, Penneys €10
Jovannista taupe pleat skirt, Topshop €69

 

For the rest of  this article, pick up a copy of the Irish Examiner today!

Early Adapter

Have you noticed the recent revival of Peter Pan collars? What about ribbon bows? I bet you've already twigged onto next season's mod-inspired tunic. Well, this little lady below was triple-trending back in the seventies at the mere age of three. Quite the early adapter. Know who she is?

Model: Annmarie O'Connor
Stylist: Irene O'Connor (a.k.a. Mom)
Shot on location: Ronkonkoma, New York

COS It's a Snip at €89

Ohhhh behold the glory that is COS. Trust our Swedish fashion friends to turn out a Lanvin-inspired guna for the more streamlined of bank accounts. Although Alber Elbaz gets our fantasy frock vote, this asymmetric drape dress with drop shoulder steals our hearts at a mere €89. Nice one.

COS A/W 11 €89

Lanvin A/W 11 courtesy of Colline Michaelis @ Style.com

Food for Thought

Supermarkets. It’s a wonder I’m not a toothpick given my propensity for completely missing the food aisles when doing the weekly shop.  Somehow the magazine rack has become “the missing fifth food group” with Vogue my calorie-free Sunday roast.  

Although this seemingly acts as a welcome distraction from the baked goods section, I can’t say it’s had a positive effect on my waistline. Perhaps that’s because I wind up going to the takeaway when discovering there’s nothing in the larder bar Kate Moss’ face beaming up at me.

Ironic, no?