Winter Racing Style Guide

Winter Racing Style Guide

Winter Racing is part of your schedule now with time off with friends and family.  Where else would you be with the fabulous winter sunshine we are getting.  So mild, perfect for a great days racing.

I thought I would put some style tips together for you for the Winter Racing Season.  Perfect timing to get your look ready for the Ladies Days at Limerick, Leopardstown or Cheltenham.  Winter elegance always wins the day and with such an array of prizes on offer how could you stay home!!.

Watch the Weather and Plan your Look.

Be comfortable, look comfortable in your outfit and enjoy your day.


Footwear is key - its a long day and often turns into an evening out so be sure to have the right boots, or shoes on that will take you through the whole day.  Winter boots are great for racing and are ideal to take you onto the evening.

Hats:  You can't go racing now without a hat!!  For winter racing there are amazing options to choose from, quirky headpieces in winter tones or classic black.  Felt is the warmer option and can add a pop of colour to any outfit.

Gloves complete a look for winter, ladies driving gloves or longer leather gloves add elegance.


Winter Coats:  A good quality winter wool coat makes a statement.  The coat can be the main focus of your look and accessories will enhance the complete look or keep your coat neutral and bring colour in elsewhere in your hat or gloves.  You can transform your coat with a fur collar, a statement hat or a leather belt, the options are endless and always on trend each year.

 

Browse the racing calendar and enjoy a day out this season.

Thank you for reading my style guide!!
Suzie

Galway Fashion Trail

Galway Fashion Trail

I attended the Galway Fashion Trail on 5th November and here is my blog of the day.

This was my first time to be one of the blogger group for the event with ITWBN and it didn't disappoint.  Saibh and Sinead (ITWBN) did an amazing job coordinating the 20 VIP Fashion bloggers for the day, some travelling from other parts of Ireland.  It was lovely to meet up again with some familiar faces.

Organised by Galway Now Magazine the Galway Fashion Trail featured 8 fashion shows with Catwalk Modelling Agency throughout the city.  Its a real treat to get to see the shows from 'the other side'.  I'm usually behind the scenes styling my hats and accessories, this way I could enjoy the whole experience of the trail.  We are all familiar with the larger stores in Galway but for me the trail was about showcasing the variety and style on offer from Galway Boutiques.  They do give us choice but more importantly they offer quality which will be in your wardrobe for seasons to come!!

We were fuelled up for the day at Colm Quinn BMW showroom at 9.30am!! yes on a Saturday morning, but it was well worth it.  We were given a fantastic Bloggers Buffet Breakfast.  They even had a photobooth for some fun pics with Newell Events.  Here we had the opportunity to get up close to the BMW range in the showroom, of course it would be rude not to sit in and try out a few!! Fabulous cars.  I met with our Major Mr Larkin who was taught by my mother in national school!! Small world!!

In style the ITWBN bloggers were chauffeured into town and dropped to the first of our Fashion Shows at Collette Latchford Boutique, a well established ladies store in Galway and showcased some of the key labels she stocks including MarcCain and Onjenu.

We moved on to Greene's Shoeshop in the shopping centre for the next show with The Galway Hat Shop.  All you need for winter with cosy woolly hats, scarves and boots / shoes from Greenes.  We all popped into the Hat Shop to have some fun trying hats on.

One of the highlights on the trail was The Treasure Chest.  An Iconic Galway store celebrating 50 years in business this year with the amazing Mary Bennett at the helm.  Mary greeted us in style and we enjoyed some great fashion looks for smart/casual with felt hats showcased from Suzie Mahony Designs.  Here I also got to meet up and coming designer Colin Burke, a giant of a lad with great chat, it was lovely to meet him, his work is stunning and I look forward to seeing more of his creations in the future.

Mandy Maher from Catwalk Modelling Agency and Sinead Carroll Irish Blogger Agency both wearing their Suzie Mahony Designs Trilby's out and about for the Galway Fashion Trail.

Willow was our next stop and we were in for a treat with some very classy looks and occasion dresses.  Love this look worn by Eliska.

We were all looking forward to Lunch at Caprice Cafe.  I met Vicki on arrival and we were treated to a buffet lunch.  Here I won the beautiful Zoeva Makeup set from Matt O'Flaherty's - amazing prize and I can't wait to try it out.

After a well earned rest our next show was Rococco where we saw some trendy fashion and some of the house interior items they sell caught my eye. Quirky pieces that would add some character to a room.

Around the corner Choice Boutique and the Kilkenny Shop had the balloons out for us.  Choice showed us layered looks for winter, with lots of options: bags, scarves, jackets looking fab with shoes from Prego.

It really did begin to look like Christmas in the Kilkenny Shop,  I love rummaging through this shop at Christmas time, great gifts for everyone.  They spoilt us by gifting each blogger a beautiful Dyrberg/Kern Ireland ring from the COMPLIMENTS Collection.  The rings consist of a gold, rose gold or silver band at €20 and the toppers are €40-55 each. I can't wait for mine to arrive.

Harper was ready for our final show of the day.  Modelled by Catwalk Modelling Agency the girls showcased dresses and headpieces for all occasions to a packed store.

The wrap party was hosted by The Front Door.  A wonderful day of fashion and fun, thanks to ITWBN, Galway Now Magazine and all the businesses involved in making it such a great day.

Try and pop into some of these lovely shops when you are next in Galway.

I really enjoyed the experience and I hope you enjoyed my blog.

Suzie

Winter Accessory Styling Ideas

Winter Accessory Styling

Autumn/Winter Colours are my favourite, the tones of the garden and outside, burnt oranges, maroon, camel, browns, copper and much more.  All these tones work together so well in nature and there is no reason they won't work for us when accessorising.

I was delighted to welcome Ruth Kemple to my Studio recently for an afternoon of Winter Styling using Accessories from my Suzie Mahony Designs Collections.

Ruth writes a Beauty and Lifestyle blog called The Beauty Kemple and we had great fun putting together some ideas.  We even did a live video on the day which was great fun in the wind!!

Khaki and Black:  

I choose this wool felt trilby trimmed in black for a casual winter daywear with Ruth's Khaki jacket but teamed it with one of my beaded collars to add a pop of colour with the white shirt, jeans and black boots.  

Lovely trendy look, just mix and match and it comes together. 

Perfect for a day out shopping or lunch with friends, very comfortable but stylish.

This season it is really on trend to wear hats everyday and for me the Trilby is perfect, its so warm made from pure wool felt and it looks smart, to give it an edgy look just tilt the front slightly over one eye and step out in style.  

Felt is soft and it will mould to your head as long as it is not too tight.

Faux Fur and Red:  

For a touch of opulance we used a beautiful faux fur collar over a camel coat with a striking new AW Red Bow Percher Hat.  Great look for the winter racing season.  You certainly wouldn't look out of place at Leopardstown or Cheltenham.

Black Widow Hat: 

This time we went for a style to suit both Winter Wedding or Winter Racing.  This black pillbox hat trimmed with over the face spot merry widow veiling really catches the eye.  With a faux fur jacket, leather back and again the black boots to finish.  To introduce a little sparkle Ruth wore one of my beaded collars in silver/black. Of course you could wear any colour dress with these accessories and an elegant court shoe or classic trouser suit and ankle boot.

Burnt Mustard/Black:  

One of my favourite looks of the day was mixing this unusual Mustard silk wave hat with the beaded collar in Mustard/Black tones.  A black bag and your accessories are complete with a simple dress or suit for winter weddings or races.  

Without the hat the collar is a great item to use with a simple shirt or jumper to brighten up your look. 

Beaded collars have been part of my studio collections for a number of years when dealing with private clients, but this year it seems we are finally appreciating how wearable they are.  You can have a collar designed in any colourway to work for your wardrobe.  I also design pearl/formal collars which transform a look for  a special occasion or even bridal designs in soft ivory/metallics.

These are just some of the looks we tried out, you should mix and match with your wardrobe accessories and see what you come up with.  

Adding different textures and a little colour will change everything.

Thank you for reading my blog I hope you enjoyed it.  Suzie

Dress for your Body Shape

Do you know what style clothes suit you when you hit the shops?

The clothes in your wardrobe will look good on you if you know your body shape and shop to suit you.  There is something out there for everyone with such variety available in stores, every shape is catered for no matter what proportion your body shape is for daywear, smart casual or occasion wear.
You can make your clothes look good on you by working with the right styles to suit your body.

• Bring out your best features in an outfit and use less emphasis on the not so perfect features! Knowing what clothes work for your shape will help you accentuate the correct areas choose the colours and designs that suit you and your personality.

Looking good does not depend on size, any dress size lady can look fabulous and elegant if dressed in the correct style and shaped clothes to suit her body.

• Don't be a slave to fashion trends, its more important to shop for something that you feel comfortable wearing and therefore you will feel far more confident in yourself.

Each one of us is unique and our bodies are too.  That said, there are five commonly used shapes, you may fall into one or be a blend of two.

The best way to find your shape is to stand in front of a mirror and be honest!!  

APPLE:  Apple shaped ladies have broader shoulders and bust area with narrower hips. Fullness around the tummy and have good legs.

WHAT TO DO:  You need clean lines and slightly fitted clothes with detail above the bust or below the hips, you want to elongate the top half of your body with v necklines.
AVOID: Short sleeves that end at your bust line, fuss or detail around the bust or hips.  Jeans Tip: Wide leg or bootcut with no fuss or detail on them.

Athlone Fashion Trail

Athlone Fashion Trail

Hard to believe we are looking at fashion for the winter already!!!  Into The West Blogger Network Siabh and Sinead coordinated the day for all the bloggers, everyone was excited for a great day in Athlone.

What better way to start the day than with a beautiful breakfast at the fabulous Colm Quinn BMW Showrooms in Athlone.

A huge spread awaited all the guests.  I couldn't resist a little browse over the latest models in the showroom, I only wish I was driving one out the gate!!  lucky for all the bloggers who where chauffeur driven into town in a line of BMW's!!

As I was showcasing hats during the day I set off to Olivia Danielle Boutique to prepare for the show. Lots of new stock had just arrived in the shop and they were busy putting the best fashion looks out ready for the models to arrive.   The variety of smart casual wear for autumn/winter was fantastic. From jeans, tops to comfy poncho's, coats and scarves.

Everyone was treated to glass of bubbly on arrival after the #athlonefashiontrail street photo with all the bloggers.   Christina, Ciara, Demelza and Katie from Catwalk model agency modelled a selection of smart casual a/w wear with my felt winter hats in different styles.

Patricia McCrossan MC'd the show from Galway Now Magazine highlighting the support Olivia Danielle gives to Irish Designers, stocking my Suzie Mahony Designs hats and the aw designs added a little twist to the looks that Olivia Danielle styled for the afternoon.

It was lovely to catch up with other bloggers as they headed off to the next stop on the trail.  I took time out for a little shopping of my own.  Couldn't resist the smart/casual wear and left Olivia Danielle's with a few key basics that I am looking forward to wearing.

Looking forward to my next Fashion Event which is coming up this weekend!!

Thank you for reading my blog.
Suzie