Pick a Parka

If you're heading to one of the many Irish festivals on this weekend (Caslepalooza/ Indiependence/ Oxegen) and these torrential downpours amidst the unexpected Irish humidity has you at a loss as to what to wear, I have one piece of style advice for you: Invest in a parka.

The outerwear of choice for the Gallagher Brothers since the 1990s has had a hot trend-update and now comes in all sorts of shapes and varieties with detailing from leather sleeves to studs, and cuts from tailored to oversized.

For a masculine cover-up that does exactly what it says on the tin go for an oversized fit with a large hood. To avoid adding unneccessary bulk, keep the rest of your look fitted, popping your parka over skinny jeans or your favourite summer dress.

Asos, 92 euro

For a more sophisticated take on the trend, go for a fitted version that draws in at the waist.

Littlewoods, 62 euro

For a smart investment piece that will do you right through to winter, opt for a parka with a removable fur lining so it is light enough for summer humidity and can double up as your perfect winter coat.

Asos, 99 euro

This Greedy Pig

Describing themselves as a ''Dublin based collective with a passion for music, art, film, design and aesthetics'' This Greedy Pig really sums up everything cool about Dublin right now. An online store and arts/culture/fashion/music blog, thisgreedypig.com has something for everyone. Based in their studio beside Dublin's Hipster Headquarters, The Bernard Shaw pub, the online store stocks independent clothing labels from Ireland and abroad. Keeping it simple with graphic tees, tanks and crewneck jumpers from brands such as Irish graffiti artist Maser's Homebird label as well as a small number of accessories, the brand is primarily made up of menswear but includes some arguably unisex pieces.

Here are my top picks currently available at thisgreedypig.com

Komono Fat Wizard Speckled Cememnt Watch, 55 euro

Homebird Quiet Dog T-shirt, 35 euro

Mishka Telescopic 5-Panel Cap, 30 euro

Mishka Oversize Death Adder Crewneck, 50 euro

Bold Basics

The monochrome trend of SS13 is taking a mature step away from bold stripes into the ever-classic realm of colour blocked basics. Layering textures of black on white; white on white and black on black was a major theme on the AW13 catwalks.

Carlotta Actis AW13

 Patrick Li, AW13

This comes as great news for the classic dresser who likes a polished look with minimal fuss. If you favour a more elaborate style however, go for an 80s take on the trend with stand-out pieces like patent white pointed stilettos and sharp tailored shirts.

The key to accessorising this look is minimalism- your bold basics should be your statement. Finish the look with a strong lip and a slicked back ponytail ala Kate Bosworth for a catwalk carbon copy that's sure to turn heads.

Glasto Not-So-Fantasto

We all know I'm just a little obsessed with festivals and everything that goes with them- the music; the shtyle; the dirt and grime... I can't get enough of a three-day campfest! So imagine my distress at missing the Holy Grail of music festivals last week as images of Glastonbury swamped every newspaper, television screen and website possible! What should have been the style showcase of the summer however, was a disappointing mismash of been-done ''festival fashion'' and effortless comfort clothes.

Millie Mackintosh -not exactly my style idol but a skinny giraffe who would look fabulous in anything- went for an unoriginal blend of a crop top, short shorts and Hunters, finished off with a floral headpiece (yawwwn...)

Much like the rest of the festival's attendees, Cara Delevigne -fashion's favourite ''girl of the moment''- went for reflector shades. Teamed with a backwards cap, jeans and leather jacket, Cara did ''effortless cool'' without the ''cool''.

Unlike her best buddy Cara, Rita Ora went for OTT glamour, in a confused mismatch of an evening gown, sheer white bomber, St.Tropez-style floppy hat and hiking boots.

My usual go-to lady for festival chic, Kate Moss, looks unquestionably beautiful but rocked an unoriginal look of black jeans, a t-shirt, wellies and a leather jacket. Haven't we seen this look before?

Overall, Glastonbury left little to be inspired by. If you need some pre-EP trendspiration, check out the style I snapped for Fashion.ie of the revellers at Ballinlough's Body and Soul festival.

http://www.fashion.ie/Articles/STYLE-SNAPS-AT-BODY-AND-SOUL-FESTIVAL/2810

The Last Resort?

"Resort" is a fashion season I've never quite grasped the concept of. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, Resort falls between Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer (with Resort 2014 collections being showcased mid-summer 2013 and hits stores from December 2013) Similar to summer styles in terms of lightweight materials and barely-there shapes, Resort collections generally stick to a colour palette of pale pastels and whites rather than the traditional bold shades of summer. Targetting wealthy women who holiday in hot climates in January, Resort collections -similar to Pre-Fall lines- can be massively lucrative for design houses and are thus are usually more commercial than the high-fashion editorial pieces that walk the Spring or Fall catwalks.

This week Sarah Burton showcased her Resort 2014 collection for Alexander Mc Queen, taking inspiration from the structured utility workwear of the 1940s and the flower-power prints and relaxed tailoring of the 1960s/70s. Whilst the resulting collection is unquestionably stunning and definitely has mass commercial appeal, I can't help but feel the collection is a step too far away from the signature dark pieces with which McQueen is associated. The ivory macramé, denim patchwork and pretty haute-hippie prints lack the boundary-pushing shock factor Alexander McQueen was famous for. Instead the collection exudes an air of classic femininity one would usually see from the more commercial Haute fashion houses of Chanel and Dior. Granted it's a recession, and it's also a trans-season collection, but one can't help but hope September sees a welcome return of the unconventional twisted McQueen designs we all know and love.