Wedding Style Tips

Wedding Style Tips 2019

Each year fashion trends change but there are basic guidelines we can all use no matter what the season.  Here are some tips I use to help my wedding clients. I hope you find something useful for your special occasion!

Know your Style:-

Do you know what style dress suits your shape?  Classic shift dress, structured, a-line etc.. 

Many ladies like a little sleeve or maybe a jacket over the dress.  

We all love a flattering neckline that sits well.  

Consider the length of your dress, don't go too short, knee length or a little below is perfect.

Always buy the right size and be comfortable in your outfit. 

Colour is Key:-

What colours suit you?  Soft pastels or bold tones such as cerise, royal or yellow?. Don't be afraid to go bold.

Yes it is okay to wear White or Ivory for Mother of the Bride but use a nice accent in your outfit or accessories.  You can add soft golds and the hat design can transform this look for you to get the balance right.

Here, Mother of the Bride Michelle is wearing a bespoke Hat I designed in beige and cream to tone in with her accessories.  

The perfect Hat:-

Your hat is your finishing touch, your crowning glory for your overall look.  Your hat can bring your complete outfit together in a style that suits you perfectly.

Anna wearing a bespoke dyed to match hat I designed for her daughters wedding.

Wedding guest Michelle wearing this dyed to match structured headpiece with a rose gold accent to pick up her accessory colour. 

Have your hat designed to complement your outfit and in a style that suits you.  Wearing the perfectly dyed hat for your outfit always looks stunning. 

Do you like veiling?  some ladies love the idea of wearing veiling, just be careful not to cover your face and try it on to see if it suits you. I often incorporate veiling into my designs without using it over your eyes. 

We all love flowers but finding the balance with your outfit is key.

Lace and pearls give a beautiful finish to this hat.

For a more striking look, adding volume but it is still a very elegant light hat.

  

I hope you enjoyed my tips and thank you for reading my blog. If you need help with your wedding millinery contact my studio Suzie Mahony Designs info@suziemahonydesigns.ie. 

Suzie x

Ascot Dress Code: Style & Hats

There is only one Ascot

As long as I can remember I have followed the style, the pomp and all that comes with it from Ascot each year on our screens.  I love it, from all the style and Royalty to the beautifully groomed horses from around the globe.  It is top of my 'to do' list so fingers crossed I will attend in 2018!!!

Clients attending Ascot want the perfect hat and styling the complete look is all part of my role as a Milliner at Suzie Mahony Designs. Designing a hat that works for them and the occasion.

Ascot set the dress code rules each year and these rules are respected and adhered to which gives us all the fabulous spectacle that is Ascot!!.

Each enclosure within Ascot Racecourse has a different character and dress code, from The Royal Enclosure, Queen Anne Enclosure, Windsor Enclosure and Village Enclosure.  

The outfits and hats at Ascot are as talked about as the racing itself.  Keeping up with current fashion trends this year Ascot have added the Jumpsuit as part of the allowed dress code list.  

Royal Ascot Style Guide 2017

THE HAT

Hats play a huge part in your overall outfit when attending Ascot.  Large hats styled elegantly with your outfit can look amazing.   If you have the confidence to wear a fabulous hat then attending Ascot it the perfect opportunity to do so.  

Accessories bring your outfit together, try different jewellery and bag styles to complement your look.  

Top Tips for your Ascot Hat:-  

Make sure it sits comfortably and securely on your head.  Attending Ascot is not the time to be fiddling with your hat, you must wear it at all times so try it on beforehand.  Extra elastics or headband options can be done to avoid any problems when you get there.

The Ascot Dress Code 2017

• Dresses and skirts should be of modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer.

• Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater.

• Jackets and pashminas may be worn, but the dresses or tops underneath should still comply with the Royal Enclosure dress code of having one inch or thicker straps.

• Trouser suits are welcome.  They should be full length and of matching material and colour.

• They must be worn with a top that adheres to the guidelines of not being strapless or sheer.

• Hats should be worn.  A headpiece which has a base of 4" or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.

• A hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times. 

• Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are not permitted in the Royal Enclosure. 

• Midriffs must be covered.

• Fascinators are no longer permitted in the Royal Enclosure; neither are headpieces which do not have a base covering a sufficient area of the head (4" Dia)

• Shorts are not permitted.

Royal Ascot runs from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th June 2017

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you have a wonderful time at Ascot 2017.

Suzie x

Couture Fashion Showcase

Couture Fashion for Weddings and Races

The Couture Fashion Show is a whole new concept from Olivia Danielle.   Teaming up with the fabulous team at Bellissimo Galway they produced an amazing show with Millinery by Suzie Mahony Designs in the heart of Galway City. 

This show gave the VIP experience to those who were lucky enough to join us on the day.  With a warm welcome with drinks and canapes on arrival.

I was delighted to have my Millinery showcased as part of #CoutureatBellissimo with the Olivia Danielle Fashion Show.   Suzie Mahony Designs is stocked instore for your special occasion.

Mike, Dympna and Brendan Bellissimo Galway

Couture Fashion labels from Ireland and throughout the world all modelled by Catwalk Modelling Agency.  MC for the event was Mandy Maher owner Catwalk Modelling Agency.  Mandy looked stunning a 2 piece monochrome skirt and jacket from Olivia Danielle.  I created a leather petal and veiling headband to complete the look.  I think you'll agree she looks fabulous!!

Mandy Maher and Suzie Mahony

On a glorious Sunday afternoon in the Bellissimo Salon Galway.  The perfect setting with brilliant day light through all the windows, this showed the fashion and millinery at its best for the audience.   The red carpet on a white background gave set the scene for a beautiful fashion show, followed by hair Art creations from the Bellissimo Team.

Are you heading to the Galway Races this year?  Perfect evening meeting attire here.

The fashion catered for all aspects of occasion both weddings and races with hats made to match  from Suzie Mahony Designs.

Unique hat designs only available at Olivia Danielle.

Perfect Ladies Day Style and Hats 

With the Derby just around the corner and not to mention Ascot in June, are you heading to the Royal Enclosure? 

Quality Monochrome looks to take you from season to season.

As well as occasion wear, Olivia Danielle stocks a vast range of smart casual attire for every lady.  You really have to browse the rails in store to appreciate the beautiful styles and colours available.

With Debs season getting under way it was the perfect show to highlight to the ballgowns from the Debsroom Athlone, upstairs at Olivia Danielle.

Wow!! Hair Art created by a team from Bellissimo both in Galway and Limerick.  Its amazing what can be created - all from hair!!

The VIP experience wouldn't be complete without a host of beautiful prizes on the day including the best dressed prize from Olivia Danielle which was won by Caroline O'Brien who wore a lovely white top and jeans accessorised perfectly.  We were all drooling over her fabulous shoes!!

Thank you for reading my blog.  I hope you enjoyed a little taste of our Couture Fashion Show.

Suzie x

Wardrobe Styling Overhaul

Wardrobe Styling Overhaul

We all love a neat and tidy bedroom but !  Your wardrobe is bulging with clothes yet you have nothing to wear!!  You are not alone.  Bought that dress in a sale but it just never suited any night out.  Shoes still in boxes with the price on them because you couldn't resist them!!

We all have that favourite top that we wear every chance we can and others that sit on hangers never seeing day light.

When you decide to do your wardrobe overhaul you need at least 2 or 3 hours so you can complete it all in one go and stay focused.  Ideally you should have a little clear out regularly to avoid the build up creating an even bigger challenge.

To save some space put your out of season clothes away in a storage box.  Your wardrobe should portray the colours that suit you, the styles that look good on you and the obvious basics that make up good choices for mix and match outfits.  With this in mind you need to ask yourself some questions:-

Does it fit?
Have I worn it in the last 12 Months?
Would I wear it again?
If I was shopping today would I buy it?
Do I love how it looks on me?

The easiest way to complete the 'overhaul' is to remove all hanging items.  this is great to actually highlight exactly how much clothes you really have!! Bit of an eye opener...

Set up some Black bags -  one for keeping and one to donate to charity and one to bin items that may be damaged.

Remove all items you have not worn in 12 mths, these should go to the donate pile, however if it looks great on you and you love it, give it one more chance.

Try everything on, if it doesn't fit then it goes.

To keep your wardrobe tidy use slim hangers, they are smooth for your clothes and you will have much more room which makes it easier to find things going forward.

You may find it useful to create formal and casual clothes in sections and when you wear something return it to the opposite end of that section.   This is a good idea if you like to feature what you wear on social media.

When you do the laundry don't be lazy just throwing the jeans back in.  Put items away properly and you will manage your wardrobe much easier.

Use the same techniques for your shoes.  Stored in the boxes, keeps them in good condition.  Wearing heels for an event just pop the shoe box into the car and wear flats for driving.

Handbags!!   We all love handbags but we can't possibly keep them all.  You should keep them stored neatly on a shelf or drawer.  For formal bags try to keep them in the mesh protector bag they came in. Prevents dust, wear and tear and they still look fresh.

A great way to store scarves is a simple coat hanger and attach shower curtain rings on it.  So easy.

Now that we are well into Autumn maybe its time to schedule your 'wardrobe overhaul'.

Good luck and I hope some of my tips help you on your way.

Suzie