For those suffering from World Cup saturation, the focus is starting to turn towards glamour, and just in time to get ready for the just finished Film fleadh, Arts Festival and famous Galway Races, during which the g Hotel is hosting a Best Hat Competition. The fashion world is buzzing about what’s coming over the next few months.
We’re excited to see that tailoring is still timeless, yet we can swing to the other end of the spectrum too with asymmetrical short dresses, cleverly done in Love Moschino in jersey, and to a more structured, almost architectural degree, in Karen Millen.
And who can argue with the subtle yet powerful sophistication of the well cut sheath dress, figure hugging, yet simplicity itself, in a bold red, as seen in the DKNY collection. Colour wise it will be interesting to see if the nude palettes, big this season in Coast, are picked up at the Galway Races this year, where temptation in the past has occasionally been for an overly bright, acidic, colour palette, even though this tends to clash with paler skin tones.
The perfect red lipstick to balance the nude or champagne coloured dress is the universally flattering MAC lipstick in Russian Red. St Tropez fake tan stormed the industry in 1996, boasting the first streak proof tan, and it is still hard to beat. Scrub scrub scrub and moisturize beforehand. And remember; always apply tan to cool, not warm, skin.
The mantra is, as always, is proceed with caution, the closer to your natural colouring the better. Estee Lauder is now combining True Vision technology for a highly pigmented eye shadow and lip-gloss, saturated in rich colour, and interestingly, it has the same science behind it as high definition TV.
Where lace is worn we are seeing it “roughed up” and paired with black smoking jackets or blazers, or even opaque tights, like Wolfords, just to take the preciousness out of it. Shoes are inspired by French notions of femininity; we will be looking at the uber-feminine spindly stiletto heel, but never fear, the wedge is going nowhere, and a sensible choice for the races.
There is no woman alive who is not improved with a high heel. Key is perfectly moisturised and pedicured toes, no need to frighten the horses.
Life is simpler for men. A quick shower and shave and they are usually good to go. Thankfully beautiful classical tailoring is back, and dapper is right on trend, for every age man. A beautifully cut shirt inside a well made jacket stands the test of time for any occasion.
A slim line is overtaking boot cut as the trouser style of choice. A cleaner silhouette is emerging, reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, think Steve McQueen or the latest James Bond, Daniel Craig. Of course ties are to men as high heels are to women; there is no man alive who is not instantly more handsome when wearing one.
