Slane 2011: The Pre-Festival Update...

Marie (left) & Tabitha (right)

We headed off to Slane on Saturday for a bit of day festival fun and to fill you in on the fashion and festival looks. We're not crazy on the thoughts of getting down and dirty and sleeping in a mucky tent for a weekend (although we have been known to partake on occasion!) so a day festival was perfect to ease ourselves into festival season and scope the hot looks for festival fever 2011.

We were wearing a floral dress (Marie) and rust playsuit (Tabitha) both with boots, thankfully the weather permitted us to leave our wellies at home. :)

We saw quite a alot of people still sporting the denim cutoffs and tee look which has always been a winner but we would suggest if you want to shake up your usual festival wardrobe you can let go of your staple go-to looks and get experimenting, its festival time so anything goes!

Playsuits are comfy and practical for a gig/festival as you've got the security of shorts but with a more put-together look. In the past dresses were a festival don't but not anymore. Team a pretty floral number with boots (and a pair of shorts underneath for added modesty) and you'll be the belle of the festival.

Here's a few of our picks for festival must haves in stores and online now! Happy festivities!                                               Marie xox

Floppy hat £21.99 River Island, Tassel Box Bag £25.99, Floral tea dress £35 ASOS, Pink aviators Marc by Marc Jacobs £129.99 Urban Outfitters, Pale blue Hunter wellies £70 Office, Gold waist belt £19.99 River Island, Denim Biker £100 Levis, Image- D&G S/S 11, Blue floral playsuit €18 Awear, Jimmy Choo Hunter wellies £255 Net-a-porter, Fringe bag £30 Topshop, Leopard Blazer £39.99 River Island, Mock Stockings £12 Pretty Polly, Image- Braids Erdem S/S 11

Top Picks... Prints

Look 1: Lilly maxi dress £75 Miss Selfridge, Yellow print dress £50 Topshop, Peep-toe sandals £69.99, Kimono jacket £39.99 and Rectangle print bag £44.99 all River Island.

Look 2: Leopard messenger €25.95 Zara, Jumpsuit £44.99 River Island, Pink jacket £35 Miss Selfridge, Print shorts £19.99 River Island, Oval ring €3.90 Forever 21, Platform wedge £69.99 River Island.

Look 3: Blue print skirt £29.99, Print stud court £74.99 and Fruit stripe top £21.99 all River Island, Beaded clutch €27.80, woven scarf €10.80 and gold/coral bangle €12.80 all Forever 21, Tribal dress £28 Miss Selfridge, Belt €4.95 H&M, Sandals £12.99 River Island.

One thing is for sure, no matter what your taste this trend has something for everyone. For the daring amongst us mixing prints is big fashion news so for a change dont be afraid to clash your prints.

For the more timid of us this seasons prints look amazing teamed with block colour basics, like a floral jumpsuit is muted when teamed with this pink soft jacket (shown). Some of the prints in stores are great for occasion wear, like this lily maxi dress (shown). Printed tops or blouses tucked into bold coloured skirts for work and tribal dresses accessorised to the hilt for play.

Prints have been seen in everything this s/s and no apparel was safe, thankfully! So if you dont fancy going bananas and doing the head to toe Stella McCartney fruit cocktail look, or going wild with your wardrobe you can still be on trend with your accessories as these have filtered through nicely to stores too.

There are so many ways to work this fashion friendly look, so.. embrace the print!                                                    xo Marie

Trending... Prints

(Left to right: Jonathan Saunders, Mary Katrantzou, Blumarine, bags by DVF, Louis Vuitton and Stella McCartney) 

Spring has sprung and i don't know about you but we're coming into summer more brightly dressed than ever this year! The spring/summer runways were bursting with beautiful PRINTS from delicate new florals to vivid bold patterns to get you noticed. Some stunning and innovative prints were showcased and have given us plenty to be inspired by.

Jonathan Saunders shows how wallpaper print is done in striking colours and beautiful textures.

While on the topic of prints Mary Katrantzou's name will forever be associated after her S/S collection this year. Her concept of interiors on clothes and 'putting the room on the woman' wowed audiences.

Skirts in the shape of lampshades, interior tassels and fringe trimmings were only the beginning. The stunning digital prints were what made the collection astounding. I would say expect to see alot more of this very talented lady and more digital imagery prints coming to a runway and high street near you soon.

Holly Fulton's vision was of Art Deco and tribal motifs either printed like on these palazzo pants (shown) or through trimmings on her sixties dresses, but all finished with large art deco jewelry and matching clutches or vanity cases which amped up the outfits. Accessorise, accessorise!

Thought animal prints belonged in Bet Lynch's wardrobe alone? Think again. Blumarine sported a pretty way to wear leopard in pastel brights and neutral browns, all with lashings of gold jewellery.

Pretty as a (lioness) picture!                                    xox Marie

Top Picks... Colour Blocking

So I've shown you the best of the catwalk, but what about the high street? 

The high street shops and online stores have loads of great separates that together can transform your old winter wardrobe to a bright and stylish colour blocked closet! I've trawled the shops and online stores to find you the very best of what's out there to help you become a Colour Blocking Queen. 

Take a look at some of my Top Picks below:

                                            

           Look 1: Desk-to-Dancing Brights          Look2: Boho Blocking        Look 3: High Street Highlights

Look 1: River Island Blazer £34.99, Topshop Heeled Sandals £80.00, 

           Accessorize Studs £8.00, River Island Linen Shorts £29.99, 

           Topshop Varnish in In The Red £5.00, Topshop Leather Satchel £85.00, 

           ASOS Vintage Style Skinny Watch €32.00

Look 2: River Island Red Leather Jacket £140.00, Zara Metal Mesh Belt €22.95,

           River Island Green Maxi Dress £19.99, Top Shop Metallic Ring £5.00, 

           River Island Grey Wedges £59.99, ASOS Clutch €70.50

           

Look 3: New Look Pink Heart Purse £9.99, Aldo Yellow Peep-toe Heels £60.00, 

           ASOS Obi €19.30, Miss Selfridge Coral Suedette Shorts £34.00, 

           Miss Selfridge Mint/Grey Dress £38.00, River Island Purple Trousers £29.99

Leave a comment and tell us your favourite of our Top Picks and how you are wearing the trend this season :)                       xo TBC

Trending... Colour Blocking

(Left to right: Prabal Gurung, Issey Miyake, Marc Jacobs, Giambattista Valli, Gucci, Gucci)

Colour Blocking is one of my favourite current fashion trends & it is EVERYWHERE right now. So many design houses picked up on this trend & have created their own interpretations. Pictured above are some of my favourites from the catwalk. 

Prabal Gurung gives us a lesson in taking colour blocking to work. Using the uniform below-the-knee pencil skirt & reproducing it the brightest shade of yellow, this uplifting combo has the power to make anyone look forward to a day in the office!

Going for a more relaxed wearable style is Japanese designer Issey Miyake. A simple blue shift dress & light chiffon indigo cover up is the perfect ensemble for an evening stroll in Cannes.

Proving that the colour blocking trend doesn't just apply to the brightest of brights, the fashion powerhouse that is Marc Jacobs has given us what I like to call Boho Blocking! Muted colours & peasant tops have been given a modern twist.

Giambattista Valli is another example of how using two different fabrics can add intensity to the colour blocking trend. I'm a big fan of the red/pink combo. This would look amazing on the likes of Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts with her pale skin & fiery hair.

Finally, my favourite two colour blocking catwalk looks come from Gucci. This season the Italian design house stepped it up & made the fashion pack take note. Cocktail dresses, jumpsuits & separates all featured in the S/S collection in a range of jewel tones all tied together with a metallic gold waistband. Simple, Sophisticated, Stunning! The last look on my list is exactly how I imagine Mrs Mills of The Sunday Times Style Magazine would look this Autumn when the cold sets in. Darker, dramatic tones in chiffon, faux fur & silk topped off with shades & a wide brimmed fedora. Loves it! :)           xo TBC

Marie's Lust List...

Hey there!

Im back! And first things first, getting to know you! Here's a mood board that sums up my passions and influences...

• I'm a tad shoe obsessed and have adored Christian Louboutin and his shoes from the moment i set eyes on the cheeky red sole.. These are shoes that speak for themselves making a women feel sexy and elegant, what more could a girl ask for?
• I'm really fascinated by underwear and believe that wearing beautiful underwear everyday and not just on special occasions is a must for feeling fantastic. Ive included a sketch by Jean Paul Gautier for La Perla here, just gorgeous!
• I live for fashion! So many designers so little space but I've included Marchesa and Zac Posen here. Marchesa inspire me alot, the two English designers "make dresses for women to feel beautiful in" and that they sure do. Their designs are always show stopping with amazing detail. I admire Zac Posen's fearless approach to fashion, extrovert evening wear and beautiful tailoring. He has made a real impact coming onto the scene at the tender age of 21 and since has made the industry sit up and take notice. A real success story for any budding young designer and fashion lover alike.
• The Mulberry Alexa handbag (shown here in red) was an instant classic last season, Alexa Chung is one lucky lady to have inspired that creation and to have one in every colour and size! Jealous much?! Marc Jacobs, Luella, Zuhair Murhad, Chanel, Valentino are amongst my other favourite fashion houses with Erdem, Ellie Saab and Burberry Prorsum all making a great impression in recent seasons. 
• I grew up watching old movies and that's really where my love of clothes began. Marilyn Monroe was mesmerising to my young self. The ultimate woman, bomb-shell and glamour icon of her time and still a retro influence today. Ive also included Coco Chanel and Brigitte Bardot here, two such strong and inspirational women. A strong sense of character and determination to succeed is something to look up to and which paid off for these ladies. Seen echoed today in Coco's legacy, Chanel which is an iconic and revered brand. Bardot in her day, to me epitomised style and flair and i love everything about her look and it influences me daily.
• Rachel Bilson is my contemperory celebrity icon as her style is so interesting and diverse and she is my go to celeb as we have similar-ish frame and body type, everyone should have a look-to celeb for inspiration!

And that's me! Marie, Mimi, Mk, all of which i may be referred to here (and alot more besides!) xox

TBC Loves...

Hi guys! 

Lucky Marie is off on her holiers at the minute so I'm going to get started & introduce myself by sharing with you some of my favourite things from the world of fashion & beauty! I've put together a little collage of my most coveted items...

The only one of these things I actually own is the Rose Gold Michael Kors watch!! :)

• Chloé & Burberry Prorsum have been amongst my favourite fashion houses for a while now. Chloé is so simple & chic whereas Burberry Prorsum bring the drama with their prints & textures without taking it that step too far. Other designers I'm loving lately are Prabal Gurung, 3.1 Phillip Lim & you can't beat Valentino for a show stopping Oscar gown.
• Any amazing outfit needs amazing accessories & for heels, Brian Atwood cannot be ignored! His fierce designs, esp those snakeskin ankle boots (top left corner) are right at the top of my wishlist! Kurt Geigers colour pop wedges (bottom right corner)would also be great for summer!
• Diamonds may be a girls best friend but Chanel pearls would surely be a girls best investment! A long string tied with a black bow for me please to keep the look modern & young. As for bags, I could be here for hours but for now, this very expensive red/pink Valentino Rose bag & this Reiss metallic box clutch would do me just lovely!
• My celebrity fashion icons would have to be Victoria Beckham, Kate Bosworth & the Olsen Twins. Posh always looks so sleek & put together & every item fits like a glove! Kate Bosworth constantly surprises me with her fashion choices & despite the experimentation, never puts a foot wrong. And Mary Kate & Ashley have to be commended for showing diversity & how to dress to reflect your individuality. 
• Last but not least.. My first love.. Make Up! Personal favs of mine have to be Bobbi Brown (amazing foundation/blusher), Nars (the french colour genius) & the 60's inspired Dior eye makeup from a few seasons ago. Expensive but worth it. I'll take one in every colour!

So there you have my not-so-brief introduction!:)      xo TBC 

Welcome to Trending Top Picks

Welcome to Trending Top Picks! We are Tabitha and Marie, two Irish girls madly in love with all things Fashion & Beauty. This is our blog inspired by everything from haute couture to cheap & cheerful. We'll be bringing you the best of the highstreet, the newest in trends, whats buzzing in beauty and looks from the ladies we're lovin'. We hope you enjoy, Feel free to comment! :) xo TBC & MK