Boyfriend Bombers

I'm currently pulling for an streetwear shoot so urban styling is definitely on the brain. In my research I stumbled across these stunning printed bomber jackets from Topman, reaffirming my desire since childhood to dress like a boy (I was the Shiloh Pitt of the family). In styling this look, keep the rest of the outfit simple, making your printed bomber the statement piece.

Topman, 70 euro

 Topman, 68 euro

Layer your bomber over acid wash jeans, bright hi-top sneakers and a tanktop for a cool summer look that nails this season's 90s trend. For accessories, add a gold chunky chain and beanie hat or flatcap depending on the boldness of your print. Over-accessorising will make your look too try-hard so if you opt for a bright bomber keep everything else neutral.

Topman, 90 euro

Topman, 70 euro

If the printed bomber is too bold for your style, go for a more subtle take on the trend and try a block colour bomber. This timeless black version can be worn any time of year and will perfectly complement one of this season's fitted print shirts.

Topman, 50 euro

Topman, 36 euro

This isn't just a look for the boys. Ladies can rock the stylish bombers on offer in Topman by embracing the oversized fit and casually layering your ''boyfriend bomber'' over a summer dress, stylishly juxtaposing the masculine fit of the jacket with the feminine frock.

Deadlaaah Lovers

Deadly Lovers is the Renaissance-inspired collection from Topshop which features a mix of bold prints, sportswear, floral headpieces and 90s-inspired denim. "A mix of Mexican Iconography with American pop''- the collection features stained-glass print leggings and dollar bill cropped jumpers.

Embrace the bold print head-on by layering a printed kimono over a matching blouse or scalloped shorts for a kitsch look that's so wrong it's right.

Topshop, 72 euro

Topshop, 42 euro

 For a more subtle take on the trend, choose just one statement print and keep the rest of the look simple, like this dollar jumper teamed with denim cut-offs and minimal accessories.

Topshop, 29 euro

Topshop, 36 euro

Prowling Around Town

 From the interviews with the latest unsigned bands to showcasing the coolest up and coming designers,  Prowlster is that girl in college who always knew where the best underground party was before anyone else. Following the massive success of their blog What Will I wear Today, sisters Jennie, Sarah and Grace McGinn set up Prowlster as an online lifestyle magazine with the cool twist of being able to click on the pieces you see and purchase them on the spot.

Broke Bitch Shorts, 30 euro, Prowlster

Providing a showcase for Irish designers such as Emma Manley and Merle O'Grady, Prowlster is a one-stop shop for getting your fix of fashion news whilst listening to your favourite band and at the same time picking out your outfit for Saturday night! With their official launch party being held only two weeks ago, I have no doubt the Prowlster name is one we will hear alot more about in the coming months.

Check out part 1 of my interview for Prowlster with designer Natalie B Coleman and singer Slow Skies at http://www.theprowlster.com/read/interviews-lifestyle/natalie-b-coleman-x-slow-skies-part-1

How to Crop Your Top Without Cropping Your Dignity

Another blogpost, another 90s trend. The crop top trend first made its return to our catwalks in spring 2012, but saw a revamp this season with the "peekaboo midriff" -a more subtle take on the trend, showing less skin than last year's belly-baring phenomenon and significantly less than the tragic 90s crop. Be aware that this trend is not just for festival fanatics and teenagers, if styled in the right way it can look chic and sophisticated and can actually be a flattering summer look, focusing on your narrow waist and deterring attention away from hips, bums and busts.

For a stylish daytime take on the trend, team a pair of high waisted mom jeans with a brassiette or cropped t-shirt and finish off with a blazer, achieving an on-trend look without compromising your sophisticated style.

Combine two trends at once and match your bold stripe crop top with an evening skirt ala Doutzen Kroes in Michael Kors

My top tip for sophisticated styling of your crop top is to keep it simple. Muted colours and clean prints work best for this look. Be sure not to mix a brassiette with a mini skirt! The key to the "peekaboo" trend is the age-old less is more mantra (less skin that is, not clothes) If you're opting for a shorter skirt or shorts option, wear a long sleeve crop top ala Diane Kruger. Always ensure the waistline and your bottom piece is high waisted to avoid resorting back to the full blown 90s belly-top look which didn't work then and shouldn't work ever.

Spotlight on: Atelier 27

Located above Om diva on Drury Street, Atelier 27 is a secret haven of promising Irish design talent. The store offers a retail space where up and coming designers can showcase their pieces without paying rent or overheads. Playing home to the designs of Aine Geoghegan, Catherine McEvoy, Colin Horgan, Capulet&Montague and De Loup to name but a few, Atelier 27 is like a gallery exhibition of the future of Ireland. And you can take my word for it, that future is bright.

De Loup Necklace

Designs by Colin Horgan

Capulet&Montague Neckpiece

Wild Young Things

Wildfox- the American vintage-inspired brand- oozes Californian effortless cool with a New York hipster edge. Started by childhood friends Kimberley Gordon and Emily Faulstitch, the Womenswear brand has accumulated an overwhelming cult following of celebrities and cool kids  since it's 2007 debut and is now stocked in over 30 countries around the world. Replacing Juicy Couture as the semi-affordable designer label of choice by the American high school elite, Wildfox's sorority-style campaign images featuring pretty girls at sleepovers and parties look exactly like a scene from Gossip Girl.

Wildfox based their 2013 Spring campaign on 90s cult movie Clueless, entitling the collection "We're the Kids in America"

Originally a knitwear label, Wildfox has expanded into everything from tops to denim, sunglasses to swimwear but this red and white distressed star sweater -adorned by stars like Ellie Goulding and Miley Cyrus- was the piece that really put the brand on the international fashion map.

A small selection of Wildfox pieces are stocked in Ireland at BT2 Grafton Street but you can shop the full collection online at wildfoxcouture.com.

Varsity City

We already knew One Direction were taking over the pre-teen universe but now it seems they are influencing the fashion world too. The preppy varsity jacket- a look once associated with american quarterbacks and their chosen cheerleader but more recently the signature piece of Zayn Malik's wardrobe- has crept its way into every high street store and onto every fashion blog this season. No longer a sportswear staple made primarily for men, the varsity jacket has been adapted to 2013 style standards and comes in a multitude of shapes and varieties, with everything leather sleeve detailing to sequinned embellishment.




Drape your chosen style over a structured dress for a mash-up of preppy effortless cool and sophisticated femininity or embrace the urban trend by teaming your varsity jacket with cropped boyfriend jeans, converse trainers and chunky jewellery.

Sweat Chic

There's good news for the creatures of comfort who would rather bundle up in a hoody than dress up for a night out, this Spring ''Sweat Chic'' is one of the season's hottest trends, taking the crew sweater once reserved for sportswear into a new stylish domain. Featured on catwalks everywhere, from Balenciaga to Givenchy and Kenzo, the high fashion sweatshirt combines comfort and style in a trend that dispells the age-old fashion mantra that ''pain is beauty''.

DO Nail this look by keeping the rest of your look feminine and girly, opting for a floral or frill detail skirt to ensure maximum juxtaposition between your feminine frills and masculine oversized sweater. 

DON'T Team your oversized crewneck with an equally oversized pair of sweatpants. We gave an inch, don't take a mile.

Alternatively, opt for a dress version of the classic sweatshirt, layered over a classic tailored shirt and teamed with tights and brogues for a preppy take on the workout trend.