Racing Style Tips for Ladies Day

Are you Ready for the Races?

This Spring Racing Season is upon us and the fashion stakes are very high.  You want to stand out, look amazing and enjoy every minute.  I'm sharing my Racing Style Guide with you, some tips to help you look the best on the field.  The perfect 'look' takes planning but rest assured I am here to help bring it all together with the perfect HAT!!!

The Racing Season is always spectacular and in recent years we have seen more and more emphasis move from the fillies to the fashionistas!!  Check out the ladies days 2017.

Dressing for the races takes planning and the last thing you need is hassle with your HAT!.

1. Themes/Weather:

Familiarise yourself with the race meeting you are going to attend.  Style your look to take in any specific theme requirements for the day.  Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.

Great Pic from The Galway Advertiser from the Galway Races
featuring Suzie Mahony Designs on both ladies in Red! Mary Lee and Sophie Small.

2.  Dress for Your Body Shape:

This is the most flattering way to complete your look.  Use tones that complement you, especially near your face and in your hat.  Think classy and elegant.  With low necklines consider the hemline to the knee or just below.

Mandy Maher Catwalk Modelling Agency Judging at The Galway Races wearing Umit Kutluk with Suzie Mahony Designs

Mary Lee wearing Nude Pink Lace Dress with Suzie Mahony Designs Hat.

3  Accessories:

This season accessories are really coming to the fore.  The right combination of accessories will make or break an outfit and you need your Racing Fashion to be perfect.  Matching shoes and bags are often the perfect choice for an elegant look or choosing a vibrant bold shoe and bag style/colour will transform a look with the right dress and hat.  Your most valuable accessory is your 'smile'.

Sarah Jane Moran Wearing Olivia Danielle Suit with Suzie Mahony Designs Hat

Angela Dowd Finalist wearing Suzie Mahony Designs

4.  The HAT:

Your hat is your crowning glory at the races and above any other accessory it sets you apart.  At Suzie Mahony Designs I style the complete look with my clients.  Wear the correct hat or headpiece to add that 'wow' factor to your outfit.  Don't let your hat overpower your outfit.  If you opt for an amazingly creative hat then keep the rest of your look balanced so it works well together.  Make sure your hat is comfortable to wear, I use special cushion pads on my headbands for clients or special strength elastics.  Allow time for your Milliner to design and make your hat.

Emer Nash all in Creams wearing Suzie Mahony Designs

5.  Grooming is GOD!!  

Judges are in search of the complete look and that includes the perfect Nails, Hair and Makeup.  Don't let your hard work go to waste choosing and styling your outfit without the finishing touches.  Do your makeup to last all day.  Remember 'not to prime is a crime' !!

Thank you for reading my blog, I hope you have a very enjoyable racing season!

Suzie x

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

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