I will be holding a Falke Hosiery Style workshop in Brown Thomas Galway 2nd Sept, Limerick 3rd Sept, Dublin 4th Sept and Cork 25th September.  For further information check out the Brown Thomas website Diary of events

Vintage finds by nickysragtales featuring Miu Miu shoes

Vintage, has, it seems always been around and I for one, adore it. Problem is finding really good vintage pieces worthy of precious wardrobe space is a challenge which sometimes feels insurmountable. Vintage clothing, like everything else only truly works if it is of the best quality. There are rails and rails of vintage rubbish at over inflated prices easily available and the odd find in charity shops but this website has the best that I have come across. Atelier-Mayer.com is a feast for the eyes (and perhaps the flashing of the plastic). The descriptions of each piece are painstaking, which hopefully avoids possible fit mistakes and in vintage you have to be very careful, those women often had waists in true Barbie proportions with underwear that pulled them in so tight it’s a wonder they were able to draw breath at all. The outfits above, with the exception of the shoes are all from Atelier-mayer.com (I’m superstitious about second hand shoes)

I’ve been really lucky because I have all the samples in my showroom, they came to me almost as a gift from heaven, I exaggerate, they came from the Muubaa team reading my blog.  I kid you not!  They arrived in last week and I am wearing a different one every day!  Muubaa (or Cowsound,sheepsound) leather is super soft and really comfy to wear.  Coming to Ireland’s best boutiques soon.

Leather Heaven by nickysragtales featuring MuuBaa jackets

Pair with leather pieces, ie skirt or jacket or work it into the military look.  Add knee high/over the knee socks or simple wear with a pair of high waisted proper wide trousers which will be my preferred look. Use a narrow ribbon in velvet tied in a bow to ddd to the look.  One thing though, no men’s ties this time around, it’s not androgynous.

Celine 2010

Dries Van Noten 2010

All that glisters is not gold by nickysragtales featuring Valentino

Gold has been the ‘go to’ metallic for several seasons.  Big and brash is definitely over and now, enter stage left, the colour Silver. Nude and blush tones are difficult against the skin as they make you look a little washed out but silver or light grey does the opposite and following the Haute Couture shows of last January when Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani showed lots of Platinum and Silver we have had a great silver swing.  Great for a Summer wedding or for day time with an added black shoe, it’s easy to wear and easy to buy with lots of the designers and high street stores rocking the trend. However just don’t call it silver!  Liquid platinum, pewter, moonlight.  Call it anything you like just not the S word.

I was tidying under my sink last night and found a box of Dylon black machine dye.  Voila!  Two hours later my fading jeans are back to black.  It’s as simple as throwing the dye pus a bucket of salt into the machine and the jeans.  You have to do a further wash and then again to make sure the drum is thoroughly cleaned of dye.  It was a terrific success.  Twice today I was asked where I had bought my ‘new’ jeans!   Dylon have been making fabric dye for yonks but boy have they hit the mark with not only all the colours you could imagine but a terrific Jeans blue, and  a lingerie white.  No need to throw any greying whites out just use the dye and in a couple of hours you have completely whiter than white undies.  You can buy all the colours on-line from The Dye  Shop. The machine washable ones are  8.69 euro each.

I’ve been buying Maxi dresses for the past three Summers but it’s only now that I finally feel able to take them out of the closet and onto the street. For the past couple of years they just didn’t feel right but I’ve noticed lots of women of all ages doing the look in the last couple of weeks.    The weather is warming up and they are really comfortable providing they are in cool fabrics and not clinging cheap viscose.  A thin belt worn slightly higher than  your natural  waist, gladiator sandals and a fedora complete a really comfy boho look. Perfect for day to night.  These are perfect holiday cover ups so roll them tightly to pack and dress up for evening with some drop earrings and voila!  Summer has finally arrived.

So, here are a few simple rules to ensure that even if you are not out to win ‘Best Dressed’ you will look great and be comfortable for what is a marathon in more ways than one!

Rule number 1   Don’t try too hard.  In other words keep it simple.

Rule number 2    Wear an extravagant hat with a plain outfit and a plain hat with an embellished outfit.

Rule number 3   Do not wear strapless dresses, mini’s or micro’s, flipflops or a few feathers stuck on the top of your head.  These rules apply whatever your age.

Rule number 4.  Don’t wear a body con dress unless you can seriously pull it off

Rule number 5.  Wear court shoes or smart kitten heals which are back in fashion.  Bring a flat pair of shoes with you if foot pain sets in. Paula Rowan Dublin,  has some super shoes  which are both gorgeous and reasonably priced.  You might also consider a pair of leather gloves and a clutch bag to match.

Rule number 6.  Think of these words,  appropriate, flattering, simple, modest, demure, pretty.  All of these looks are bang on trend whatever your age.

Rule number 7.  Do have a dress rehearsal in front of a full length mirror.

Rule number 8.  Dress for the weather. Just because it’s Summer doesn’t mean it will be sunny and warm.  It may be rainy and cold.  Wear summer colours but cover your shoulders and have an umbrella ready if needed.  There are some gorgeous ones available which can make a good accessory.  Chica boutique in the Westbury Mall has some gorgeous cream parasol/umbrellas which look perfect.

Rule number 9.  If you love hats then go to a good milliner for advice.  The days of the huge hats are so 90’s.  There are some really beautiful ones being made in Ireland. ( Check out Linda McKay).  Alternatively buy a vintage head piece or add a corsage to a cheap straw hat.  Just make sure they are secure on your head and bring extra hair pins with you.

Rule number 10.  Don’t drink too much.  There is nothing worse looking than a drunk woman no matter how beautifully dressed.  Smile lots and above all have fun.

Designer Heidi Higgins perfectly dressed for the Races. Winner all right!