The prize to the ‘Most Appropriately Dressed Lady’ at the Ploughing Championships went to Roisin OBrien from Athy in Kildare and was well deserved.  Roisin won a €5000 shopping spree for Littlewoods Ireland (I’m green with envy just typing that!), wearing a navy padded jacket, jeans, leather boots and cowboy hat from various high street stores.  Ms. O’Brien’s look is elegant and stylishly casual looking far more expensive that it was showing it pays to accessorize right.  Pictured with her is Eoin McDermott from Swords, who won a Louis Copeland suit and must have been the only man there carrying a bag!

Littlewoods have a South quilted jacket not dissimilar in style to the one Roisin wore and well priced at €60.  A belted waist means you can have a shapely silhouette and still keep snug at the same time!  Mix it up with different print scarves or hats as Roisin did at the Ploughing Championships, earning her a nice ‘little’ shopping spree.

Nationwide covered this on the day if you fancy watching it via RTE’s website.

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Littlewoods.ie announced recently that they were the sponsorship of the “Most Appropriately Dressed Lady” at the National Ploughing Championships this year in Athy, Kildare which kicks off today until Thursday, 23rd September, where the final winner will win a €5000 shopping spree (please god let my wellies fit!) with www.littlewoodsireland.ie. Judges will be searching for the suitably stylish finalists on today with the final taking place in the “Fashion Show Marquee” after the 3pm show.

Good luck to anyone entering, great prize to win!  Remember key to this look is a pair of wellies.

Hilda Lyon, Marketing Manager with Littlewoods Ireland and one of the judges of the competition said, “We’re delighted to be involved with the National & European Ploughing Championships 2010 as sponsor of ‘Most Appropriately Dressed Lady’. We look forward to meeting and greeting the ladies in Athy and with a fantastic €5,000 shopping spree from Littlewoods Ireland up for grabs, we’re sure to have a difficult choice picking just one lucky lady!”  Good luck to anyone taking part.

Both options pictured are from the Littlewoods range with the wellies priced at €32 and the stylish leopard print brollie at only €10!

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Well it’s that time of year when many of us will have Summer weddings, cocktail parties (I wish!) and debs so the hunt for dresses can be a little stressful.  We’ve picked out a varied selection of dresses currently on Littlewoods that may be of some help!

You will definitely turn heads in this pink Forever Unique Nadine One Shoulder Dress at €219 which is so god damn glamorous. Its single shoulder peeps through a sparkling diamante neckline and pleated fabric skims the bodycon dress beneath.  Two words on this dress – LOVE. IT.

Stripes are a bold statement this season and this Teatro Striped Prom Dress at €72 features wide stripes and an elegant graceful shape for an evening look.  Good supporting or filling underwear (depending on your size!) is essential to pull this look off!

Another dress from the Teatro collection the structure of this dress with its one shoulder makes it a real ‘occasion dress’.  This dress would actually work for a Summer or Winter wedding which is great value for money considering it is priced at €72.

A dress from Littlewoods own-brand Love Label named the Cinderella Dress at €84.  A real flirty party dress draped in pleat and ruffle detail for a textured, fun and playful night-time look.  Just be sure this colour suits your skin tone!

This really takes the LBD to a new level!  Check out this Vicky Martin Embellished Backless Dress (€72) which is a contemporary take on the little black dress as its understated design is contrasted by shimmering embellishment and backless detailing.  Definitely one to encourage you to the gym.

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Come out from under your rock if you haven’t seen the first ever Littlewoods Ireland TV ad, featuring a trimmed down Caroline Morahan, Craig Doyle and Cecilia Ahern.  It has a real feel good factor to it.  Check it out below if you haven’t already seen it.

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Littlewoods want to see us all march into Summer on trend and have sent us a sneak preview of what to expect.  The new Summer collection will be available from the 19th April… enjoy!

The Military Look

A key look this Summer is utility dressing with a focus on combat colours and military detailing.  For frontline chic, try Military jackets or cropped combat trousers.  A great way of giving a subtle nod to the trend is to inject utility colours into your Summer wardrobe, replace grey’s and navy’s with khakis, creams and browns for easy-to-wear combat styling or try adding aviator sunglasses to your outfit for a subtle hint of military.  South Military shoulder detail jacket – €72.

Pastels

Pastel and nude tones dominate this season as nudes and sugar coated colours such as lemon, baby pink, cream, and lilac create soft romantic looks.  Lace, frills and feminine fabrics and details such as chiffon, silks and ruffles add extra femininity to this pretty girlie style.  Vila Satin Petal Effect Skirt – €52.

Statements Prints

Statement prints offer an alternative to the softer pastel shades this season and are a fantastic way of injecting some needed colour into a summer wardrobe.  With bold paint splashes, abstract, floral and geometric designs, there is something for everyone from dabs of colour to dramatic attention-grabbing prints to create a statement look for the extrovert.  Teatro Floral Printed Dress – €62.

Flowing fabrics & beach holiday

This season see’s the welcome return of the maxi dress and flowing fabrics, for Summer in the city to beach holiday, a must for every wardrobe.  From the floral-print or bloc-colour tiered maxi to calf-length bandeau dress, there are cool & stylish options catering for each individual shape and more importantly each budget!  South Print Maxi Dress – €62.

Footwear

The Summer collection is jam-packed with footwear from fashionable flats, stylish pumps & killer heels to the must-have Summer peep-toe booties to help complete your look.  The ever popular gladiator sandal see’s another season with various takes on the look from flats, wedge to high heel. L-R, Firetrap Pace Gladiator Sandals – €89, Ravel Ezra Leather Studded Sandals – €69.

Nautical

This trend never seems to die away and just sees designers scrambling to put their twist on it year after year.  Nautical can be done many ways, trendy, smart, chic, with accessories or clothing depending on how you like yours!  Love Label nautical cardigan – €37.

Occasion Wear

Coming into the season of “Ladies Day’s” and weddings, Littlewoods have a stunning collection of occasion wear to get the perfect glamorous look for whatever your Summer event is.  Love Label Printed One Shoulder Dress – €69.

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Oooh, what a great prize to win for clothing or household…  The lovely people at Littlewoods Ireland are offering one lucky wow.ie reader a chance to win a €100 shopping voucher – yes please!

We chose to show you a selection available from Fearne Cotton, one of their many celebrity collections, to give you some idea of all the lovelies you could purchase on winning this prize!

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this competition is tell us, in the comments box below, which of this season’s trends is your favourite.  Good luck all

The competition has been closed and a winner was finally picked from a bulging hat!!  Well done to Lorraine Weldon, enjoy spending it

P.s. watch out for more competitions to come…

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Another preggers celebrity turns designer!  Thank god there is such interest in maternity lines, bye bye dungarees and hello stylish maternity clothing – that’s a big phew to the female race.

Littlewoods made the announcement last week that it was to launch its new maternity clothing range, DVO Maternity, created in collaboration with well known television personality and mum-to-be Denise van Outen.

The launch sees Denise join the company of Littlewoods Ireland’s other celebrity designers, Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby and Jasmine Guinness to offer a range of causal yet stylish maternity pieces for everyday and occasion wear.

This collection sees key pieces including a body-con stretch tube dress in black and cobalt blue, a black jumpsuit €44, a fitted wrap dress in grey and purple €59, and a black and cream empire bow dress.  The range also includes a number of yoga inspired fitness wear such as jersey cropped harem pants, tank tops in a selection of colours and asymmetric zip hoodies in navy and white.  This is one maternity range that actually looks comfortable and wearable.  Our favourite – the pencil skirt at €32 will keep you in style and comfort plus it’s a versatile piece (although the jumpsuit came close!).

The 16 piece collection is available now and prices start at €24 for a vest top up to €69 for the maternity wrap dress and sizes range from 8-20, definitely one to check out if you’re expecting.

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When I saw the ultra quirky POP range by PPQ at Littlewoods, I was so impressed and as usual had come across a few pieces that I pencilled on my ‘want list!  The collection is full to the brim with bang on trend designs.  From nautical prints to colour blocking and girly frills and broiderie, the collection is oh so tempting.  It’s probably my favourite collaboration that Littlewoods have produced to date.  They have come up trumps with their designs and celebrity collaborations are becoming more and more popular.

To date Caprice, Holly Willoughby, and Peaches Geldof have all worked on collaborations for the catalogue clothing site.   It’s fun to mess around with fashion and this POP range allows you to do just that!  The collection was launched in January and I’m not much of a catalogue shopper but while browsing the website these colourful designs really caught my eye.  The designs and cut are so retro.  Perfect for anybody who would describe their style as eclectic and not at all safe!  The prices are pretty reasonable too, considering it’s PPQ!  Not one item exceeds the price of €70!  Here are a few teasers for you to drool over.

This chambray dress is priced at €69.  It has a cute tiered effect skirt and you can pull the sleeves down or keep ‘em up!  Beach time or lunch time this gorgeous dress will hang in your wardrobe Summer after Summer.

This casual day dress can be dressed up for night time too.  Just be sure to add tonnes of gold bangles and of course the sky high heels for effect!  Try mixing it up a bit by adding lace tights or for those who like to play it a little more safe wear it with black tights.  It’s €69 and the simple style ensures it will not date for at least the next four or five seasons!

Now this number just screams Dolce!  Really wish I had the figure to rock it but i dont, so, for those of you who do here we go.  It’s a chambray bra top with matching swing skirt and screams Hello Summer!  The top is €24 and the skirt is €59.  Now all we need is a fab white (cropped, if possible!) cardi to add to it!

Colour block!  Nothing makes me happier than an item of clothing that has a dozen colours in it.  I never play it safe and much prefer to experiment and this dress is perfect for that.  With multiple shades this dress gives you the option of being able to pair it with an array of different shoes and accessories.  Great for those who don’t like to be too limited.  It’s €44 and as it’s a bodycon you have the option of slipping over it, a simple black crop top (Penneys, remember?) to give it a new lease of life!

Ok so here it is… my personal high light of the collection.   This nautical inspired dress is so different from the usual designs we’ve seen so far.  It is highly retro and simply commands a second glance!  The dress itself is a halterneck style.  Only €44 to own!  I’m literally in heaven just looking at this dress.

Take your pick ladies!

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Steal her style from Littlewoods.ie have picked Victoria Beckham‘s Spring wardrobe as the look to re-create today.  At first you may think this isn’t one you would opt for, but hang on before you wander off into cyber space, these looks are actually easy to wear, even for us mere mortals!

Spring is definitely here and this steal her style segment sees this seasons key catwalk trends covered for the months ahead!  Eye balls ladies, pay attention – a full wardrobe update that won’t mean spending your holiday fund and doing a Father Ted style caravan break!

Catwalk queen (!) Victoria Beckham rarely gets it wrong when it comes to what’s on trend.  Below are three of the designers most recent looks showing you how to get the look for a fraction of the price.

Without further a do ladies, let’s see how to recreate Vicky’s Spring wardrobe…

1. Soft spot for Polka Dots!

Dots and spots are big news this Spring and a fun and flirty element to our sometimes serious wardrobes!  Mrs. Beckham was ‘spotted’ (couldn’t resist..) in this belted mac with her trademark collar up and oversized bag.  This South Double Breasted Spot-Belted Mac reduced from €59 to €39 from Littlewoods.ie is almost identical without the designer price tag!  It also comes in red.  (If spots aren’t for you have a look at this similar check trench recently seen in the window of the Tommy Hilfiger store in Dundrum Town Center)

2. Leather Mania!

Forever the wardrobe statement, leather is here to stay and in every form imaginable from jackets to shorts and skirts to accessories!  Colour trends for leather this season are grey, tan and of course black!  The trendy Spice Girl wore this fitted black leather jacket with stonewash skinny jeans and killer heels.  Love label have this fabulous Studded PU Biker Jacket reduced to €35 with round collar and side zip detailing.  The bleach wash stud jeans are also Love label at €59.

3. Sculpt and shape!

While the lady herself is pictured modelling one of her many structured dress creations (naturally!) Littlewoods Love Label have come up with this great ‘looky likey’ Sculptured Dress at €62 with peplum style waist and side panels – all helping to create the structured look her designers are notorious for.

One to note – Delivery is free and within four days so you can order on the Monday, wear it on the Friday!

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Yes, we’ve a trend alert ladies.  The new prediction is sleeveless jackets, let’s just hope met eireann are predicting good weather to accompany this one!  Personally, I’ve always been a huge fan of the gilet and have various types from the faux fur lined gilet to casual almost sports wear gilet for all those walks that never happened.  Anyway, enough about my laziness and back to cold arms.  Sleeveless jackets will also help you tick another trend, layering.  Laying is our friend girls, especially when you have one of those days where you seem distinctly more rotund than you were the day before!

Here’s a look at what is on offer from the high street.  Starting with Karen Millen‘s lightweight washed leather gilet with quilted shoulder detailing and trimmed with the usual branded metalwork.  I had a look at this jacket yesterday and it really is a great piece to add to your wardrobe and feels incredibly soft.  Priced at €325 – you’ll have this in your wardrobe for years to come.

How about this vintage style gilet in denim, THE most popular trend this season.  This well fitted gilet would work layered up with more denim, fitted denim shirts with a lace vest top peeping out with skinny jeans, or shorts if you are feeling brave!  Check out Warehouse for this one and it’s well priced at €46.

This has to be the best of the bunch!  An on trend colour, the Khaki sleeveless leather biker jacket by Gap can be found on Asos.com.  The jacket features soft leather (an essential if you choose a leather style) and an off centre zip detail to the front giving it more attitude before you rev up that harley! The best bit being that it is now reduced from €161.68 to €64.42!!!

If casual is more your style then here’s one that should be right up your street.  Superdry (available on Littlewoods.ie) have designed the heavy padded gilet with a detachable hood so you can layer your own hooded tops underneath.  There are button details to the sides to taper the fit more so you don’t feel like a giant marshmallow!

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