As the Weather Girls sang in It’s Raining Men… have we got news for you!  Awear are introducing shoes next month… wuhoo… oh, the excitement and anticipation of it all!  Lacking in a shoe department was my only grip with Awear, they have everything else so spot on but always lacked footwear – not any more.

It will truly be a one-stop shop next month and we can’t wait to view the full range.  Once again the lovely ladies at AWear have sent us a sneak peak of what to expect so you can plan your purchase early.  Everything is bang on trend as usual and pocket friendly to boot – pardon the pun!  Prices are starting at €45 for beautiful embellished ballet pumps to €149 for 100% leather boots, bring it on we say.  Check out what looks like a pair of shoes robbed from Beyonce’s wardrobe above for a taste of things to come.

Speaking on the launch of the new range, A|wear Brand CEO, Annmarie Flood said “Shoes are currently the number one search item on the A|wear website & the one product that our customer has on her wishlist, so we’re delighted to be adding footwear into the A|wear portfolio this season. I’ve personally overseen the development of this collection & each pair has been bought with our A|wear girl in mind, promising to deliver on not just must have fashion statement pieces but also on quality & affordability.”

The Collection

From feathers to shearling, studs and buckle details, the A|wear footwear collection has every autumn trend box ticked.  Leather ankle boots with fur detailing, make for the perfect accompaniment to denim this season or go for a full length riding boot paired with your favorite skinnies.  A firm favorite with the fashion pack, the flat knee boot in leathers & suede comes in an assortment of styles with plenty of added detailing.  The trend for over the knee styles also sticks around for autumn, wear with opaque tights and 60’s style belted shorts.

For the girl who likes to party, the A|wear collection is full of must have glamour pieces.  Platform styles in cobalt blue, mink & cream or the vintage style sandal in silver & gold are the perfect addition to your favorite little black dress.  If you like something a little more alternative, the open toe studded shoe boot in jet black and teal will definitely have you coming back for more.  As well as the trend led fashion styles, A|wear is not forgetting the need for both comfort & fashion!  Beautiful embellished pumps in 100% leather as well as cute courts & Mary Jane style must haves are the perfect addition to your working wardrobe.

The full footwear collection will be available in the following stores from the 4th of October, A|wear Grafton St, Henry St, Dundrum, Patrick St, Waterford, Castlebar & www.awear.com

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There is no better opportunity to go fashion crazy than at a Summer festival! It is one of those rare occasions where you can be creative and dress as you like. You can move away from the stereotypical fashion trends and do something different and daring. Forget the rules, be rebellious and wear what you want!

Mac senior make-up artist, Neil Young says ‘Festivals are a great playground for fashion, hair and make-up. You can let yourself go and do things with your make-up that wouldn’t be appropriate anywhere else’.

Try out a neon lipstick that you would not usually dare to wear such as Barry M Hot Pink Lipstick or experiment with metallic nail polishes. The lash bar and Hairspray stock a great selection of colourful and dramatic eyelashes that will certainly highlight your eyes and make you stand out from the crowd.

Using make-up isn’t the only way to express yourself. Add outrageous colours to your hair, temporary hair dyes, hair clip-ins or wigs. Try some hair accessories at Hairspray and go crazy a la Lily Allen at last Summer’s Glastonbury Festival!

If you don’t have the time, money or energy to splash out on a new festival wardrobe, try instead to spice up your outfits with accessories, bearing in mind the bolder the accessories the better!

Customise simple shirts with interesting buttons. Team funky patterned tights with vibrant wellies. Experiment with crazy headbands. Use bold and bright sunglasses in a similar style to Sienna Miller and Kelly Osbourne at the Coachella festival.

Here is a sample of some wild accessories to give you inspiration!

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Our pick of the day today gives a not so subtle nod to the tribal trend which we found on Asos.com.  These leather embellished Dunne sandals are one of those must haves keeping you stylish yet comfortable at the same time.  The colours won these boho chic sandals for us and the price isn’t bad either – €50.

Check out the detailed beading around the ankle straps which you can pick up with accessories by adding chunky tribal wooden bangles or a bib neck piece worn with a simple vest top.

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We are all saving our money these days, so trying to shop for clothes we really want can come at a high price.  It sucks; I know I’m right there saving my money like everyone else.  You see something you really want, but the budget you put yourself on just won’t allow you to have it.  Basically, you’re thinking, this economy better get better fast, because I need some major retail therapy and something fashionable to wear.  Well, there is a way to be fashionable on budget and still look like you spent a fortune.  So I did some searching and found some items I think you’ll love.

This first item can be found at New Look; it is a black and white striped godet top, priced at £20.  It has a scoop neck with button detailing; the stripes are wide in contrast and also this top has a back insert, which gives the top a flared look.  The long-line style gives it a playful look, pairing this with some jeans, awesome Metallic flats, priced at £16 and oversized sunglasses, priced at £10 you have a look that is easy and cheap to do, but still keeps you stylish at the same time.

The next top I saw can also be found at New Look, it is prawn cocktail in colour, very pretty.  This pearl shoulder top, priced at £12, has a scoop neck and back with pearlscent beads on the shoulders.  Pair this with some Acid Wash Jeggings, priced at £18 and some Suedette Peep Toe Booties, priced at £16 and you have an outfit your friends will die for.

The next look can be found at Miss Selfridge, it is a large floral cami with front functional placket, lace trim detail and floral print all over.  This top is priced at £22, pairing it with some semi-dark coloured jeans or black calf length leggings, priced at £12; you have a great Summer look at an affordable price.  Floral prints are big right now and one of my favourite looks for the Summer – you can’t go wrong with a great looking floral print.

Each one of these looks can be embellished with some accessories such as a cute scarf, a rocking belt, or a pretty necklace. If you don’t like these looks, you just don’t think there you then go for something that is. If the colors are too dull for your taste, then go for something bold and bright. If loud colors aren’t your style then go for some neutrals or darks, but whatever you choose, make sure you stay true to yourself, that’s the most important thing. But, remember you can still be fashionable even in this horrible economy; you just have to search around for what you like. Being trendy and up-to-date on the latest fashions, doesn’t mean you have to go broke doing it.

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If you’re anything like me finding shoes that fit you, can be a pain in the ass.  Sorry for my language, but it’s true.  I have the hardest time finding shoes because of my petite size and it’s really annoying.  I’ve searched all over, determined to find someone who carries the size I need, in the styles I love.

Well, my search has come to an end, I found it, and Shoetastic is the name.  I couldn’t believe my eyes, shoes that would actually fit my tiny feet, I thought that was a myth.  So what is Shoetastic?  Well, it’s an Irish based business, located in Cordal, Castleisland in good old Co.Kerry.  They carry everything from boots, casual shoes, high heels, peep toes, to a bridal collection and in sizes 13,-4 (EU 32-37).  All the items that Shoetastic sells are Italian and Spanish designer labels and yes, they may be a little expensive, but well worth it.  I feel like I’ve just died and gone to shoe heaven, finally I don’t have compromise on shoes and either will you my petite fashionistas.  Go to Shoetastic today and get the shoes you have always wanted, but could never find, because now you can!

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You will definitely be stepping out in style wearing Heatons new Summer shoe collection.  Heatons are bang on trend and bang on budget so there’s no excuse for not having your trotters clad in this seasons finest designs.  They’ve covered all the trends from studs, florals, gladiator, flats, heels and platforms just to name a few!

Heatons collection of ladies shoes tap into all the Summer trends for 2010.  Work the Summer looks from the designer catwalks with gladiator sandals, bright statements pumps or stylish heels, all at affordable prices – yay!  If their price tags don’t put a smile on your recession weary faces I give up!  The general consensus here is a thumbs up with the flat beaded sandal winning hands down for style, and tipping the excitement scales into over drive with a price tag of €18!!  Although comfortable may mean dowdy to most of us these are actually comfortable and stylish at the same time, great with a light Summer dress or even white linen trousers and a marine blue vest.

Ways to wear:

The short Bleached Print Shift dress from Karen Millen (below left) at €199 would work well with the first pair of black strappy platforms.  Next to that we have a Nicole Richie inspired look with the Ditsy Print Bandeau Maxi Dress from Oasis at €56.00, which you could team with either the beaded flat or flat cuff sandal.  Try a long leg length black jumpsuit (check out River Island) with the heeled studded cuff for a very funky on trend look.  To create a boho look try Awear‘s White Crochet Embroidered Bandeau Dress (€25!) with the flat cuff sandal and chunky beaded jewellery.

Shoes Top-Bottom, L-R – Strappy Platform €25.00, Beaded flat sandal €18, Flat Cuff Sandal €15.00, Cuff Stud sandal €20.00, Pointed Ballerina €4.97!

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Heels are something everyone has to love.  They kill your feet, your soles burn, you look taller and slimmer, and even though your calves may suddenly cramp for no reason later on… So I know it’s generally considered to be unhealthy to place that much pressure on your feet, but overall heels are really worth it.

Spring/Summer heels are my favourites.  They’re floaty, flirty and drop dead gorgeous.  And this year they are better than ever.

Fendi really came to light this year.  Their Cinderella (above) and Attraction heels are the very epitome of Summer; they are downright pretty and very feminine.  The colours are fantastic and if you’ve got the cash to splash, Fendi have some gorgeous offerings that are wearable as well as looking a million dollars.

I’ve never been much a fan of Gucci for some reason.  Love their bags – but their shoes just don’t match the adventurous beauty of Fendi and Louboutin for me.  They have some gorgeously workable pumps, but this Spring it’s the Gucci sandals I love.  Their blue patent with bamboo detail on the heel is really understated but classy, and they have a great t strap brown sandal that really screams boho chic with the right outfit.  There’s also no denying the strength of craft in Gucci shoes; they are so amazingly constructed.

Generally, when the time comes to check the Spring/Summer Collections, I go straight to Jimmy Choo because I love Choos.  Boy was I disappointed this year.  The reliance on black and chunky strapping is just too severe for my ideal summer of beach parties and a more relaxed style.  If I were to choose one of the 13 Spring/Summer pairs (ten are heels), I would pick the brown strap wooden platforms – because they seem the most relaxed.

The real delight this Spring came from Christian Louboutin.  I want every single pair, and that is no lie.  Their ultra high pairs are the best; the ice blue and red suede platform sandal is just brilliant, but it’s hard to pick after that, which is the sign of a good line!  In their slightly less high range, my favourite – and this is my favourite of all Summer shoes this year, is the white patent peep toe with that amazing black exotic flower.  Seriously stunning shoes.

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If you were around BT’s over the weekend you may have been lucky enough to bump in to Nina Divito.  Following a period working in film & television and as a design assistant to an established footwear designer Nina began a successful and continuing career as an artist.  Her paintings – solely of shoes ! – are avidly sought out by collectors and her exhibitions receive stalwart praise in the media, and deservedly so.

Now the passion of her art collection has been transferred into an inaugural shoe collection comprising 11 shoe styles, offering a total of 22 colour and fabric options using exquisite nappa leathers, luxurious soft suedes, seductive silk satins, often combined with delicate trims of organdie and ribbon.  A palette of rich pearly pastels accentuates the overall femininity of the collection which is utterly unique.

If you are in town pop in to Brown Thomas for a look, you won’t be disappointed at these ‘works of art’.

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We here at wow.ie are obsessed with anything nude, not meaning to be frisky you’ll understand – just fashion related, honestly!

This has to be one of the best bargains out there currently for nude shoes.  If you are also a fan of nude shoes check in for more on this beautiful subject over the coming days!  For now we bring you our pick of the day from Tesco, hard to believe but honestly, these shoes are Tesco’s own!  The cheap and cheerful lovelies arrived in store at the end of last month and we think they rival plenty of the more expensive high street or even high end versions out there.  The shoes by F&F are priced at £18 – we’re not sure of the euro equivalent but if not a match it won’t be much more.

Patent and suede detailing coupled with added platform, you’ll get plenty of wear from these throughout the Summer, if you don’t you won’t have the nagging guilt of seeing them unloved and unused with a hefty price tag

The ever stylish and elegant Angelina shows us how to work the trend with skinnies, short hemlines and flares!

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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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