Oh Buoy!

"There is something singular in the rhythms of the bell buoy,

as it rings in the wake of an unknown vessel already passing on to its destination"

~ Charles Pierre

Nautical styles are always in fashion and there is a very romantic image of life on the sea, or olden-day Summers spent on the French Riviera associated with a Sailor inspired look. From the classic striped Breton, to pea coats, anchor prints, and cosy fishermen jumpers, the nautical look is an easy, fun trend to embrace.

This See By Chloe silk playsuit is Riviera style chic at its best. A very modern take on the Seafarer trend, it has a relaxed, straight fit, with contrasting white embroidered trims. The zip front, prim point collar and tassel-ended neck tie add a 70s feel. Tan accessories would enhance this retro look perfectly.

For a much more laid-back edge I styled my nautical number with a classic pair of white Converse, a cute Doll Face bag by Lulu Guinness, cheap as chips Cat's eye sunglasses from High Street favourite Target, and the result is a look that is fresh, clean and chic. Whatever your take on the trend is, it's time to baton down the hatches, and jump on-board! A keg of rum is optional.

Get The Look:

Playsuit: See by Chloé Silk Crepe de Chine Playsuit in navy

Shoes: Converse All Star Low Tops in white

Bag: Lulu Guinness Lulu Doll Face 'Marcie' Bag

Sunglasses: Cat's Eye Sunglasses in black

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Happy Coat

"I made my song a coat

Covered with embroideries

Out of old mythologies

From heel to throat;

But the fools caught it,

Wore it in the world’s eyes

As though they’d wrought it.

Song, let them take it

For there’s more enterprise

In walking naked"

~ William Butler Yeats

I love faux fur, and over time I have worn and written about a number of faux fur coats and jackets (see here) on my blog. Topshop, ASOS, and higher-end brands like Shrimps, and Unreal Fur have shown us how to rock the trend, with their cool, colourful designs. Miranda Dunn's 'Happy Coat' is *the one* though. This is the faux fur coat all the fashionistas want. It has been seen on celebrities such as Fearne Cotton and Emilia Fox, on bloggers, stylists, and now, I am delighted to say, on me.

The 'Happy Coat' is a bespoke piece. It is hand cut, and can be personalised with your initials (two or three letters - or plain if you prefer) to the back. It is fully lined in a beautiful contrast satin lining, it has two pockets, and gold metal fur clips to fasten to the front. The coat can be made in pale pink, black, navy, bottle green or camel, and for the lettering you have a choice of cream, leopard, pale pink or pale blue.

I had my coat made in black with my initials boldly emblazoned in dramatic leopard print across the back. My initials are FU (think about it, it can take a moment to sink in!) and that causes no end of merriment every time I wear this gorgeous coat! And in case you were wondering; yep, I was absolutely melting shooting this coat in the middle of a boiling hot Summer in New York City. It was worth every single sweaty moment though, to wear such a magnificant coat, and I wasn't going to miss an opportunity to let you know that Miranda is taking pre-orders now for AW17 coats.

Get The Look:

Coat: Miranda Dunn London 'Happy Coat' in black / leopard print

Dress: Manley 'Layla' Dress in powder pink
Shoes: Valentino 'Rockstud' 100 Leather Courts in black/beige  

Sunglasses: Cat's Eye Sunglasses

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Pink Tinsel

"As I, a puppet tinsel-pink

Leap on my springs, learn how to think

Till like the trembling golden stalk

Of some long-petalled star, I walk

Through the dark heavens, and the dew

Falls on my eyes and sense thrills through"

~ Edith Sitwell

Pink tinsel isn't just for Christmas. Pink tinsel is forever. Especially when it comes in the form of this 1960s inspired dress by Irish Designer Emma Manley. From the moment I saw it, I thought Mary Quant, Twiggy, The Beatles, The Stones, all things swinging 60s. The loose A-line fit, the short, easy to wear length, no sleeves - it's reminiscent of a decade where hemlines rose, and a much bolder approach to colour went hand in hand with young women who were moving away from the stuffy, matronly clothes of the 50s.

Only the coolest, retro bag would work with this beauty, and a visit to Dirty Fabulous Vintage in Dublin led me to this divine beaded clutch. If you ever find yourself in Dublin's Fair City, you simply must visit this one of a kind store. From the moment you are buzzed through the doors you enter a fashion Wonderland. I could have stayed there all day, and bought literally everything on their shop floor. It is a magical place, full to bursting with a cornucopia of vintage treasures; a shopping experience not to be missed.

I finished off my look with possibly the most beautiful shoes I have ever had the pleasure of wearing. Valentino's now iconic Rockstuds are a masterclass in contemporary cool. The modern style perfectly compliments the retro look of the bag and the dress. I'm ready to shimmy now, I'm ready to shine; I told you pink tinsel wasn't just for Christmas.

Get The Look:

Dress: Emma Manley 'Parker' Dress in pink tinsel

Shoes: Valentino 'Rockstud' 100 Leather Courts in black/beige 
Bag: Dirty Fabulous Vintage Clutch Bag in ivory (similar)
Photos: Jason Connery ©

Red

"Red was your colour.

If not red, then white. But red

Was what you wrapped around you.

Blood-red. Was it blood?

Was it red-ochre, for warming the dead?

Haematite to make immortal

The precious heirloom bones, the family bones."

~ Ted Hughes

The Harper Mini Dress is, hands down, my favourite piece from Emma Manley's AW16 collection. In fact, it is actually one of my all time favourite Manley designs. Ever.

I love this dress for so many reasons - it is a classic, timeless design, it's a fit-and-flare silhouette that will flatter all body shapes, it is girlie and feminine, it's short (I love getting a bit leggy), and it is red. It also has the cool leather details, at the collar and the cuffs, that are so synonymous with the Manley brand. It is feminine, with a tough edge. It is perfect.

For a busy day dashing around London, I styled my little red dress with a very funky pair of silver Camilla Elphick ankle boots. Believe it or not, it was a little bit too cold for bare legs the day we shot this, but the Baltic conditions didn't deter me. The legs are out, and there's no going back now!

Get The Look:

Dress: Emma Manley 'Harper' Mini Dress in red

Shoes: Camilla Elphick 'Silver Lining' Boots in gunmetal
Photos: John Uwins Photography ©

Summertime Blues

"I'm gonna raise a fuss, I'm gonna raise a holler

About a workin' all summer just to try to earn a dollar.

Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do

But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues"

~ Eddie Cochran

Have you ever seen someone wearing an outfit that absolutely captivates you? An outfit that inspires you? An outfit so beautiful you simply have to buy it and wear it too? A few years ago I saw a photograph of Kate Moss at a stylish Country Wedding (here). She was wearing a loosely tailored pair of shorts, with a matching jacket or blouse. Her outfit looked like something from the 70s, a fashion era I adore. It was boho and retro, but still beautifully contemporary, and she really stood out from all the other women who were wearing the usual wedding guest 'uniform'. I found out that her outfit was a one of a kind vintage ensemble, so I knew I would never be able to buy it in a store or online. I never forgot her outfit though. In fact I saved a picture of it to my phone; something I'd never done before.

Fast forward five years, to a lazy Sunday morning surfing the net, and imagine my complete surprise and absolute delight when I found the closest thing I'd ever seen to my dream outfit right there on my computer screen! Rixo London had been inspired by the very same Kate Moss vintage look, and the 'Pandora' top and 'Fleur' shorts are their wonderful homage to this now iconic look.

Simply pair these two gorgeous pieces together and you really do have the most perfect, Moss-worthy summer wedding look. I added a blue, embellished bag by Manley, two cute, fun necklaces by Susan Alexandra, and a great pair of Chanel shoes to complete my dream look.

Get The Look:

Top: Rixo London 'Pandora' Vintage V-neck Button Front Blouse in ditsy blue print and here

Shorts: Rixo London 'Fleur' Vintage Summer Shorts in ditsy blue print and here

Shoes: Chanel Mary-Jane Shoes in white/black (similar)

Bag: Emma Manley 'Paige' Bag in electric blue

Necklaces: Susan Alexandra 'Little Friend' and 'Best Friend' Bronze Necklaces

Photos: Jason Connery ©

T-Shirt Right There

"T-shirt right there

Your hair messed up like a Guns-N-Roses video

Ooh ooh so hot

Still got it up in my head, you were moving around in the TV light

I ain't ever seen anything like, your dress, my floor, the way you wore my t-shirt"

~ Thomas Rhett

The easiest solution to off-duty dressing is a great white t shirt; nothing beats it for style, comfort, and versatility. A white tee can be worn all year round, with shorts throughout the summer months, or with a sleek blazer or chunky knits when chiller days kick in. It is the perfect tran-seasonal piece.

Finding the elusive perfect white t-shirt is no easy task though. I had thought for a long time that it might actually be an impossible task! Thanks however, to one of the coolest brands out there, my search is finally over. PSC Brand (previously blogged here) is known for its witty and clever slogans, and they have very quickly become the go-to place for cool-girl fashion.

This particular t-shirt is now sold out (Sorry! You have to be quick to nab a PSC Brand tee) but fear not, they have a cornucopia of many other perfect t-shirts on their website. Don't dilly dally though, grab them while you can, I promise you won't regret it!

Get The Look:

T-shirt: PSC Brand 'The Brunch Shirt' T-Shirt in white (similar)

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts (similar)

Earrings: Allison Bryan Gold Fan Earrings

Photos: Jason Connery ©