Nicky's Rag Tales » How To Wear

Lets Get Shirty

Nicky Harris — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:49:38 +0000

Lets Get Shirty by nickysragtales featuring long sleeve dresses

I love hardy Perennials both in the plant and the fashion word and Shirt Dresses are a perfect example. The great Summer casual dress that is easy, comes in all price ranges and styles. It’s probably worth buying a good one and in a neutral colour because if you choose your shirt dress correctly you will get wear after wear. Dress down with flat shoes and a slouch bag or dress up with accessories and heels for a look to take you on to an evening event. The weather is due to hot up (fingers crossed) so I’m getting my Shirt Dresses out of mothballs now! [well, not really moth balls because they smell like an elderly aunt circa 1960!]

Lace Grows up for Summer

Nicky Harris — Tue, 10 May 2011 21:39:52 +0000

TopShop cobalt blue dress
$96 - topshop.com

There’s nothing new about Lace, we’ve seen it all before, or have we? This season it’s more grown up, more antique rather than stretch, more all over rather than statement piece. Worn sheer if you dare but definitely not trashy. There’s lots about in all prices and plenty in the vintage shops too, so go out and wrap yourself in lace this season.

A word about shoulders

Nicky Harris — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:52:28 +0000

There is something very beautiful about dresses that show off good shoulders. It’s not a look sadly that I can pull off but still one to be admired. The one shouldered dresses and tops that have been around for a couple of Seasons seem to be everywhere this Summer. Definitely to be worn without a statement necklace. Leave the jewellery for another day and keep the look pared down to best effect.

In The Navy

Nicky Harris — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:50:25 +0000

Navy is having a moment, no, actually it’s more than a moment. I think this is a colour that will work for Summer and also into the Autumn too and beyond. It’s smart and works beautifully in a way that black can’t for the Summer. A great way to get into navy is to wear it on your feet. Navy shoes are now plentiful in all styles and price ranges in all the shoe stores. Paired with neutrals and brights for Summer if you aren’t in the navy yet and are considering a new shoe for Summer then look no further. If you buy carefully this is a shoe in a colour you can wear all year long.

In the Navy by nickysragtales featuring wedge heels

Orange is the New Pink

Nicky Harris — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:59:17 +0000

What do Muccia Prada and Jill Sander have in common? At first glance it would appear nothing though both showed the colour orange in their Summer Catwalk presentations. I can easily understand the Prada connection. After all the Italians love the colour and wear it with pure abandon at every possible opportunity. Jill Sander on the other hand is the queen of minimalistic cool so time to take note. Orange is one of those somewhat loud colours which shouts ‘fun’ unlike pink which is a bit girly. If you are fed up with pink and want to make a statement consider orange. It’s strong and fun and there are lots of options in all price points though pair it with neutral accessories for perfect style appeal.

Orange is the New Pink by nickysragtales featuring wedge heels

How to Wear Pleated Skirts

Nicky Harris — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 21:18:26 +0000

Wearing Pleats by nickysragtales featuring a white tee

Pleated Skirts are a strong trend for Summer but how to wear them? and more importantly can you wear them? Just a few rules and you should be able to wear a lovely skirt, a refreshing change from skinny pants and floaty dresses. Just a few rules to bear in mind. Mix them with bright colours, nothing bulky or floaty on top. A simple T-shirt or slim blouse or fine knit. You can toughen the look if you wish with a leather jacket. Don’t do the granny look by wearing courts. Wedges or chunky heels look great and a skinny bright belt to complete the look. There, easy peasy!

Waving the Green Flag

Nicky Harris — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:43:03 +0000

I’m in a Happy St Patrick’s Day mood. Never a one to celebrate by watching parades. Long walks and a half pint of Guinness afterwards is more my style. Green is one of those colours that actually goes with everything though you need to take care near your face as some of the green shades can be a bit sick making! If you think about nature and about all the wonderful shades of green (which never clash and provide a wonderful backdrop for everything that nature has to provide) then you can incorporate one of the fresh shades or khaki for a great Summer perennial colour.

Paddys Day Greetings by nickysragtales featuring a toggle coat

Trend Watching Hyper Colour

Nicky Harris — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:00:14 +0000

For this Spring think Crayola colours. The Hyper Colour trend was seen in all the Spring/Summer catwalk collections. It’s not an easy trend to get right so for a really simple way to work it, use the tried and tested ultimate accessory, tights. Lets face it, it’s still pretty cold yet it’s time to ring in the new season so what better way to play with the new colours than to dress your legs. All the colours team well with black so you can’t go wrong.

Brown Thomas have a great selection of coloured Falke tights in 50 denier which are bang on the colour.

Keep Warm and Cosy

Nicky Harris — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 19:17:13 +0000

Vancouver has a very similar climate to here. In fact it is warmer there at the moment though you can ski all winter long half an hour from down town on either Grouse or Cypress Mountains which loom large on the North Shore. We are coming to the end of the coldest Winter on record here in Ireland and are back to lighting log fires and stoves and shoveling snow. Obsessed as we are with our changeable weather there is nothing else being talked about at every check out and street encounter in the country. It’s either on the way or we are in the midst of it. The salt has either run out or the roads are not being cleared. The pavements are lethal and the ER departments are filled with broken bones.

The uniform of choice for every woman in Vancouver is as below with the addition of a shirt and cashmere or other warm jumper and gloves. So lets all take note and buy warm, practical yet smart durable clothing and lets at least get through it all warm and cosy. The gorgeous warm Electronic Sheep hats and scarves are available from Clerys Dublin and Bow in the Powerscourt Centre, Dublin and make great presents.

Keep Warm, Keep Cosy by nickysragtales featuring marc by marc jacobs jackets

Marc by Marc Jacobs Quilted down jacket, $450
Women’s Down Jacket, $69
Black Liza Stretch Skinny Tregging by Farhi by Nicole Farhi, 130 GBP
Egoutina studded leather boots, $1,495
TWO-TONE FLAT BOOT – Shoes – Collection – Woman – Zara, $189
FG WOMENS oxford rabbit fur faux suede flat ankle boots SZ 5~9, $85
ELECTRONIC SHEEP GREAT RIVER TRIANGLE WHITE/MULTICOLOUR WOOL/POLYAMIDE…, 68 GBP
ELECTRONIC SHEEP SUWA SHORT BOBBLE HAT BLACK / WHITE WOOL/POLYAMIDE…, 45 GBP

Stop Staring at Mad Men Women

Nicky Harris — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 18:58:21 +0000

Stop Staring by nickysragtales featuring crystal jewelry

Party time is drawing near and I’m in love with my ‘Stop Staring’ dress which is made from some stretch material and fits like a glove. It just seems to flatter my curves and feeds my need to look like one of the cast of Mad Men.

I know we’ve all seen the scene in the movie or sitcom where two women arrive wearing the same outfit and one leaves in an embarrassed hurry. Well, that was the exact opposite of my experience at a party two weeks ago in Dublin when I came face to face with a beautiful and very well known blond wearing my exact dress. Even the fact that her dress was a size smaller than mine didn’t matter a jot. We hit it off immediately and congratulated each other on our good taste! I’m wondering now if those stories of angry women in identical dresses are true and if any of you have had a similar experience? Did you take your leave? Feel uncomfortable or did what I did and laughed out loud and made a new friend?

Stop Staring is available at Boutique Belle in Ashford, County Boutique in Ennis and Ruby Rouge in Gorey as well as many other stockists in Ireland and also from Stop Staring on line.