Nicky's Rag Tales

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 love my black skinny jeans but they have been fading over the past year. They still fit like a dream and I’ve been toying with replacing them even going so far as to get myself into a changing room and struggling with a zip. Jeans shopping is one of my pet hates mainly because you have to buy them small in the hopes that a] You will lose weight and/or b]that they stretch out.

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.

Nothing strikes more fear in us ladies than the thought of getting an outfit for the races. Ascot starts next week and here in Ireland the Derby is a few weeks away with the Galway festival later on next month. So what to wear? and more importantly how to wear it. As a regular race goer who loves the whole racing atmosphere I’m constantly amazed at how many of us get it so wrong.

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!

Subtle this look is not but it’s certainly an easy one to put together and doesn’t take too much money to do it well. On the high street check out East, River Island and Monsoon and don’t forget the market stalls where you can pick up great tribal print scarves that work as a skirt, sarong or wrapped turban style on the head. The tribal look is one that is very strong this Summer. Tunics are everywhere and a good one is an investment piece. I prefer the longer Kaftan tunics and wear them with a belt and some gold sandals for an evening barbecue or over a bathing costume (my bikini days are over!) on holidays. Go as mad as you want with the tribal look. Clashing colours and geometric patterns are perfect in fact just don’t do matching, do clashing and you will be ready to do a war dance!

Tribal Wars by nickysragtales featuring Wet Seal tops

I’m in a White mood these days and the Halston dress worn by the Carrie Bradshaw character in SATC2 does it for me. The great thing about white is that it screams Summer and puts us all in a good mood. It can be paired with any colour. Team it with gold for a luxe look. Tan for city sophistication and if you want to go down the bright route just take your pick.

Just a couple of words of caution though. Choose your white carefully and if it has a tinge of yellow or grey don’t go there. It needs to be a crisp fresh shade. Wear skin coloured underwear and wear a slip under a dress. Don’t spend a fortune on a white garment as it’s not a long term investment. Lastly it’s one of those colours that needs regular wardrobe replenishment so go shop!

Khaki is set to be a big trend this Summer and is definitely on the way to outdoing the nautical theme. It’s very easy to wear, think of it in a rock chic way. With dark olives through to light beige’s you can mix it up. Light chinos with a military style jacket either short or long. This is a trend that any body shape or age suits. White T-shirts look great with it or soften the look with a girly blouse. Gladiator style shoes, ankle boots or brogues are all easy option footwear. All the high street chains are doing it so it’s not a trend that needs a big budget.

Khaki rocks the trend by nickysragtales featuring Juicy Couture jackets

We were told that heels were getting lower. But word has it that it’s the heels that are selling first in all the shoe stores around Ireland. While I love my ballet flats (they are great at the end of a night when feet can’t take it any more) and I love the idea of the androgynous brogues which are oh so cool, it’s a look that needs careful thought. On a very slim leg brogues can look fab with skirts and dresses, throw on a blazer and you’re cool to go. But on a chunky calf ( ie mine) they can only be worn with jeans or trousers. Wedges this season with cork and sisal thrown into the mix are a comfortable and on trend comfortable shoe. Lots and lots of straps are in evidence throughout all the high heels here. A gladiator style with heels which started to appear last Summer but which is huge for this one. Beware, straps which lie straight around the ankle should only be worn by Tory Burch (see above) or any woman with slim ankles and legs. For the rest of us look out for the straps that are cut forwards onto the foot so elongating rather than cutting the leg.

Shoes for this season are in all price ranges so take a look at the street before going for more expensive designers. Watch out for clogs which are having a fashion moment but again easily available at the cheaper price range. Save your money for really good courts and pumps or a very special evening shoe that will stand the test of time.

Brogues Versus Heels by nickysragtales featuring Tory Burch shoes

The weather is finally getting warmer and we can at last start thinking about Summer. For the last few days I have been Spring Cleaning my wardrobe. This is a really difficult job but over the years I think I have it mastered. So here is my fail safe way of doing a job that will ensure you have everything you need to hand in pristine condition.

Be warned though this is not for the faint hearted, it’s a ruthless pruning job but the results will be worth it.

Begin by grouping everything by Season. I put all my Spring clothes in storage because I don’t have room for them but if yours are all together start here.

Within each season group by item and then by colour. Now put all your Winter clothes aside and deal with those later.

Now comes the difficult bit. You need a full length mirror for this and some time. Try everything on and ask yourself why the item should stay. Have you worn it several times and it’s now looking worn out? If so OUT IT GOES. Have you worn it at all? If not OUT IT GOES. Is it something you bought but don’t like OUT IT GOES.

Start editing now. The tired and horrible bits for recycling. Clothes in the wrong size or out of date go to the Charity Pile. Good pieces that need taking in or repair work go to the Tailoring Pile.

If you are not sure, try it on and ask yourself if it suits you and if it doesn’t OUT IT GOES.

You need to repeat the same exercise for all your Winter Clothes and then put the edited keepers aside. By the end of this exercise you should have a realistic wardrobe. Not an overstuffed one and nothing to wear, you know the feeling when there’s lots there but you have nothing to wear??!! Now classify the clothes into items and then colour. You should have all trousers and Jeans together, all tops day and evening, all outerwear, coats and Jackets, all day and evening dresses and all skirts. Then you should be able to get a much clearer picture of what you truly have in your wardrobe.

Do the same exercise with accessories and shoes and you will be much clearer and more organised. You should now be able to see where the gaps are but don’t buy new Summer clothes without editing your wardrobe. Before I did this I used to keep buying the same items so I ended up with far too many skirts and not enough tops. Far too many high heeled shoes and not enough flats. Do this job and you will save money and end up with a really well balanced selection of clothes and accessories.

Just a couple of words to add. I know this goes without saying but always put clean clothes back on the rail and use garment bags for any light coloured items. They will stay fresh for longer. Wash white shirts, don’t dry clean and use a whitener in the wash. They will last longer.

At the begining of each season I hang a couple of complete outfits together (including accessories and shoes) so you can just access them at a minutes notice. Very useful if you are busy.

And While I’m on the subject of Spring Cleaning a great offer just arrived in my Inbox from one of the best Urban Day medi-Spa’s in Dublin. Urbana in Wicklow St, Dublin have just reduced their prices. This is not a special offer but an all over price reduction.

Here is a sample of the price reductions so why go to a cheaper salon when you can go to the best at Recession Busting prices….?

California Wax 20 euro

Brazilian 26 euro

Microdermabrasion 60 euro

Urbana 9 Wicklow St Dublin

The Shirt Dress has never gone away but it’s certainly on trend for this Spring Summer and is a really great value dress. Just a few words of caution though. It looks fantastic on stick thin models but sometimes hangs like a bag on some of us without a little tweaking. If you aren’t in the thin category (and lets face it if you are like me and love your food then you are in the normal zone) then wear it with a proper belt and discards the tie belt that comes with it. Don’t try to do sexy so always button up. Pair with heels for a city or evening look and flats for a casual day one. If you are on your hols then a straw floppy hat and sun glasses will add all the extras you need. All we need now is the Summer…..!

Shirt Dresses On the Button by nickysragtales featuring Marni bags