Denim is a staple piece in any wardrobe. From the perfect pair of jeans to a denim jacket or shirt, it is interchangeable and infinite. This season, channel your inner Debbie Harry and mix your denim with denim. The key piece in this look is the denim shirt. It is strong, simple and can be understated or sexy depending on the shape and indeed your mood. Indigo, stonewashed and even white denim is making a comeback and the most affordable way to stay on trend is with the trusty denim shirt.
On the cover on this months Vogue, Alexa Chung is slouched in a pair of denim jeans with black Chanel clogs (another one to watch out for). Inside, she describes her love for all things denim and I couldn’t help but both agree with her and feel overwhelmingly jealous. While us mere mortal’s scour the high street for that perfect pair of jeans to emulate the comfort of our Levis 501 hand-me-downs, Alexa notes that she found her dream pair at Balenciaga. And that’s all it will be for us, a dream.
The denim shirt has exploded into every store this season (Topshop, Topman, New Look and Penneys to name but a few), but it has been present in fashion since it was almost a uniform for hippies in the 70s at Woodstock and has also been filtering down from the catwalks over the past few seasons. Spring/Summer ’10 catwalks saw troops of models clad head to toe in denim, but the shirt was the piece that shone through.
There is a range of different ways to wear this ultimate piece. A loose fitted man-sized shirt, such as these shirts from Topman, can be left open as a jacket or buttoned and belted, and it can look chic when tucked into the waist. Denim on denim was a favourite at Chloé with a loose fitting denim shirt that had the pockets ripped off to reveal deep indigo patches and dark fitted jeans with lighter denim shins. Take note from this look by wearing the denim on denim with contrasting washes; lighter on top and darker on the bottom for the body conscious fashionista’s among us. With such a denim overload it is important that accessories do not overpower the look and shoe choice is essential to avoid looking like you’ve just come from a rodeo. Pin this image of Britney and Justin to your wardrobe to remind you what happens when denim attacks.
Denim shirts are widely available from designer to high street but all seem very similar – it’s how you wear it that stands out. To revamp the classic 70s look, try adding lace into the mix. By attaching a strip of lace under the collar and across the shoulders, it immediately updates this classic look and adds a modern twist.
The denim shirt (first Topshop, second New Look) will last for seasons to come and is a great item to have in multiple shades and shapes as this will allow you to either look chilled out for a day look. With the right belt and shoes can transform into an evening silhouette – just remember to back away from the cowboy boots.
You may remember we recently posted about designer rental boutique Covet. Well, they are about to hold their first ever sample sale!If you are a serious designer buff you’ll be chomping at the bit to get in as there will be discounts of up to 95% (!!), off retail and big designer brands including Galliano, Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney (excuse my drooling.. ). If you are more of a vintage fan they will also have some vintage pieces on offer.
Pictured above Just Cavalli dress, for €380 – from €1,200!!Pencil these dates in your diary, Saturday, 21st November10am-6pm, Sunday, 22nd November 12pm-6pm. Covet is on the top floor of The Powerscourt Centre, let us know if you bag a bargain!www.covet.ie
No, this isn’t a far to early Christmas piece, although I wouldn’t mind finding one in my stocking this year, hint hint!Santi handbags are a new and exclusive range just in at BT2 Dundrum. We’ve been told these bags are from India and made by craftsmen using materials such as fine silk, sequins, crystals, shells beads, embroidery, leather, stones in all different shades and intricate designs.
The designers then moved to New York from Thailand in 1986 enrolling at Parsons School of Fashion and, have gone from strength to strength. The designs have a vintage vibe going on while still looking contemporary.
The black bag comes in at €175, while the multicoloured bag is priced at €390 and we love it!!!
If you are as serious about fashion as we are then you must be hooked on the latest season of Gossip Girl?.for which BT2 just so happens to be the proud sponsors of. Check it out on TG4 Wednesday’s at 8.30pm.
Our favourite Upper East Siders have been rocking the fashion stakes since the first episode and we are avid followers! As you all know, GG is all about the clothes, the bags, the shoes and the jewellery… oh the entire wardrobes in fact! And no one gets better pick of the rails than Queen B, Blair and her BFF Serena.
This season we’re loving Blair’s new grown-up look. Still present are the pearls and Alice bands that have become her signature style, however the rest is slightly edgier! At BT2 we are pulling off the look by combining fab new label Dahlia with their clinched waists and vintage floral dresses (€80) with edgy pearl necklaces from Friis (€35) and pumps from D&G (€250)!
To create Serana’s effortless boho chic style check out cult label Once Upon a Time black petal cropped jacket over a Diane Von Furstenberg Animal print dress (now available in BT2 Dundrum Town Centre), with fringed black clutch from Gestuz.
Topshop have a great selection of faux fur coats this Winter with faux leopard and long haired fox styles in the mix.
To re-create this look check out Topshop‘s shaggy goat hair coat, sequinned body and just out of this shot the essential thigh high boots, as previously mentioned.
The first offering above is a classic style pelted Vintage Style faux fur coat. Faux fur is another item of clothing to add to your must-haves for this Winter. However, if you are a true vintage fan see our previous post from top stylist, Angela Scanlon.
In total contrast is the acid wash faux fur Bomber Jacket in grey with knitted rib cuff and collar detailing. An easy to wear take on this trend.
Animal prints are big again this season so this Leopard faux fur coat is on trend and not ready to join Bet Lynch on the scrap heap just yet! This particular jacket has 3/4 length sleeves with ‘vintage style’ button detailing.
A personal favourite is the faux fur Gilet below coming in grey with a zip front, a great look teamed with slouchy boyfriend style jeans and a t-shirt. For a more conservative look a crisp white shirt or polo necked jumper would work well along with jeans.
“Enter Covet; Dublin’s most exclusive wardrobe, to which the key is yours.”
Ok girls, here is a brilliant new idea in fashion rental that has recently arrived! Suzanne Hourican is the name behind this new venture called Covet – “The Borrow’s Boudoir”and she describes it as a place for ‘luxurious lends’. It is a vintage and designer fashion rental boutique to be found in Dublin’s Powerscourt Centre.
Suzanne came across the idea in the U.S. Selections include designs from John Galliano, Diane Von Furstenberg and Roberto Cavalli not to mention gorgeous vintage pieces! Best of all there is only one of each piece and the staff there will do all they can to help fit you out and advise you for your special occasion.
There are so many styles of jeans to choose from – Ripped, flared, low rise, boyfriend, skinnies and cropped just to name a few. Now as the 80′s look starts to make a big comeback drainpipes are making their way back into our wardrobes.
We found these bleached-out drainpipes on Mangoshop.com. The have been given a vintage treatment and are hand-finished. Ideal for a casual look for any summer’s day, combined with a printed T-shirt. Currently available from Mangoshop.com
For all you ‘fashionistas’ out there in Dublin 6 or indeed willing to travel to Rathgar, you just have to visit ‘BEUYS & BEUYS’.It only opened it’s doors in July and is owned by Mark and Fiona Cummins. They bring in some classy labels from abroad and indeed nearer home! Take for example Zoe Boomer, a Belfast designer but based in London, and stocked in BEUYS & BEUYS,you will find some of her gorgeous maxi dresses complete with Swarovski crystal straps. She also has a range of belts made from vintage fabrics which appeals to some of the celebs including Kate Moss!
From Denmark they bring in the Groa brand (left A/W ’09) which is beautifully designed with lovely fabrics and great attention to detail in the finish. To come to BEUYS & BEUYS this September are designs by Margaret Howell.
This boutique in the centre of Rathgar Village also stocks products, cologne, bags, stationary and something for both men and women. If you’ve left it to the last minute to pick up that birthday present it’s a good place to hit and is open seven days a week!
Ireland has a new online Vintage emporium – www.AllThatsVintage.ie
According to the team at All That’s Vintage, the aim of this new site is to ?give everyone the opportunity to put their own stamp on their look, propelling them to instant fashionista status.? The website offers vintage clothing, jewellery and accessories in an easy to shop format.
Vintage pieces available on the site are sourced worldwide from places such as Paris, Berlin and New York and are delivered to anywhere within Ireland and the UK, for standard postage prices. The site offers high quality vintage pieces along with items from designers such as Vera Maxwell, Trifari and Eisenberg.
I had the pleasure of viewing some of the vintage jewelry available on the site in person, and they were very high quality and highly individual pieces. Although the site currently has a small amount of stock listed, this will no doubt grow over the coming weeks and months so it is worth keeping an eye on this site or signing up to their newsletter for updates.
Cameo earrings at www.allthatsvintage.ie for 73 euro.
In one of Gwyneth Paltrow’s news letters on Goop.com she gives a couple classic looks. All different price ranges and each has amasing versatility. “It could be Zara, it could be Balenciaga, but a well-cut, well-proportioned black dress has gotten me through many a fashion crisis”.
Dress #1: Shift Dress
Look 1:
Wear shift dress alone with a satin bow tied in front, add buckled grey boots. (I chopped off the hemline about 3 inches DIY style. Remember to make it great for you.)
Look 2:
Wear dress with chunky belt and a pair of tartan boots to achieve a more daytime look.
Dress #2: Classic Knee-length Dress
Look 1:
Wear dress alone with earrings, stacked bracelets and black buckled shoes.
Look 2:
Wear dress with grey cardigan and vintage skinny belt and/or buckle belt and classic black pumps.
Dress #3: Sweater Dress
Look 1:
Wear dress alone with pink opaque tights and black booties.
Dress #4: Ultimate Mini Dress
Look 1:
Wear dress alone with tights and ankle boots. (This is the dress you save up for and pass down to your daughter because it never goes out of style.)
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This season we’re loving Blair’s new grown-up look. Still present are the pearls and Alice bands that have become her signature style, however the rest is slightly edgier! At BT2 we are pulling off the look by combining fab new label Dahlia with their clinched waists and vintage floral dresses 
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