McElhinneys

Oh, trends. Though they may not perpetually withstand a meticulous level of practicality, they continue to be inspiring to spot and experiment with. Our most recent uncovering—puff sleeves—has been notable amongst the street style set.

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We have to confess the impulsive proportions make for a very chic look, you know that the ’80s are back in a big way. This does not translate to wearing iridescent Quality Street purple, white patent shoes and double-breasted jackets with XL shoulder pads, but rather replenishing the return of the puff sleeve.

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But panic not—this is not 2017’s goal. The street style crowd isn’t wearing bulging pink-cotton-candy tinfoil just yet, but rather tapped into the silhouette when it comes to shirts with dramatic and billowing shoulders and sleeves. The said silhouettes are voluminous at the top and cuffed at the wrist

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Meanwhile, Vila and Only have some incredible versions for high-street prices. And while off-the-shoulder styles remain popular and flattering, it’s technically one of the very rare ’80s trends we can actually see ourselves wearing.

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Welcome to Tommyland, where fashion isn’t taken too seriously and creativity has no limits. Tommy X Gigi debut spring/summer collaboration has been one of the best things to come out of 2017. Venice Beach was shut down to make way for ‘Tommyland’; the setting for Gigi Hadid’s Tommy Hilfiger show, and boy, it didn’t disappoint…

He is renowned as the pioneer of “classic American cool” style, and she is one of the world’s most in-demand supermodels, so when you get her to collaborate on a collection with you, it’s only right that she gets her own theme park.

As for the collection, think of a West Coast twist on the brand’s East Coast heritage featuring floating, chiffon dresses and baggy jumpers with reworked emblazoned logos; mixed in with swimwear, denim jackets and outerwear that perfectly symbolise that West Coast feel.

The collection also featured new takes on the classic Tommy Hilfiger looks, like logo-heavy themes for the Spring season, bringing a sporty, beach spirit to the picture. This is a serious underestimation of the collection however, that took some of the most Americanised looks from hippie to ‘90s sportswear and gave it  a re-boost.

Take a peek: at the catwalk from Gigi Hadid’s collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger – Tommy X Gigi, the collection that the model has co-created with the designer. With signature nautical nods and all-American style, the capsule collection – which features womens’ apparel, footwear and accessories in cosy knits, sleek leather and cool denim. This is the second of Hadid’s collaborations with the label, of which she was named global brand ambassador last year.

We have not really seen something of this calibre and size from Tommy Hilfiger before. Spring uniform = sorted. And what’s better is that it’s all available to buy right now at McElhinneys. Hurrah.

While you wait for the postman, catch up on the notable moments from the affair, right here.

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We have barely departed the cusp of the season, which has paved the way for rich high-end sweats, optimum street-wear trainers and effusive activewear from brands like ellesse. Although it may appear from the echoing vibes, as if we at McElhinneys are banging on about a repetitive trend, but can we maintain that 2017 is all about sportswear influences. It’s never been seen as cooler than to appear as if you’ve been working out. The key word here is *appearing. But the elevation of the trend cannot be downplayed – just like your favourite tv series, it seems to be automatically refreshed each week. We thought it beneficial in revising that, even if your primary work-out consists of scrolling through Snapchat with your thumb, sporting diction is here to stay. Here’s some hand-picked sports vitalities that have become zealots of the contemporary wardrobe.

One of the more eye-catching developments in the revival of the sportswear phenomenon is that, in addition to sweatpants, hoodies and the like, some pieces that would never been considered remotely “on-trend” are inheriting makeovers from the arbiters of style; take for example this ellesse coriandolo cropped polo shirt. This is a mundane take on the eminently practical down-filled piece from its take on the activewear world. Remaining faithful to the garment’s original purpose. Look trim and technical in this season’s top buy.

It wasn’t so long ago when shops wouldn’t let you through the threshold  if you had the audacity to wear a sweatshirt with – gasp- a hood attached to it’s collar. (The hoodie has been around since the 1930s). It has been bumpy style wise as well as socially. However, ellesse , has changed all that, offering a supremely high-end version of the classic Sorelo track jacket that will raise eyebrows for the right reasons. Compliment its’ minimal impact with some fresh skinnies and a simple pair of Tommy Hilfiger metallic edge trainers.

The sweatshirt is no longer being reprimanded as just a piece for slumming around at the weekends – it’s a wardrobe stamp. Ellesse has issued the superlative collection of sweats – morphing a nostalgic base with their signature tees and their logo stable as if pulled from a street – bloggers bag yesterday.

Some sportswear pieces, such as the classic bomber jacket, are so perfectly pitched that they can be worn today as much as they were in the 1960s or 1970’s. So why change them.

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McElhinneys creative team will bring you the latest looks for this Spring, helping to ensure that collections have optimum expert analysis to form any decision making. We will bring you an exclusive insight into the SS17 palette with rich, saturated tones and ice cream colours, expressing a fresh sophistication, as vanilla cream brings a subtle femininity to a clean utility look. The tribal trend blends perfectly with this seasons seventies style, complementing the laid-back bohemian feel.

Look to the brand of tribal, Camelot, who show us how to work the trend at home and abroad. Proving just how versatile tribal inspired attire can be. The flamboyant creations in clashing vintage fabrics and prints, exposing delicious eyelid detail, as well as decadent fabrics, and pretty pastels.

Followers of the brand are heading into the jungle this season as style embodies a laid-back African twist. Taking inspiration from far-flung destinations and translating this into their current collection; awash with tribal influences. Notable tribal styles include hessian material, striking chevron prints paired with cork wedge shoes and flowy lightweight jackets with a fiercely structured neckline.

From brightly coloured batik, geometric tribal prints, hyper-bright metallic palettes with a rich African heritage, spring/summer styles are bursting with Sub-Saharan vivacity. The bold, graphic prints and simple shapes are a gutsier take on the other ethnic trends on the season: more audacious than whimsical boho.

Accessorise with statement jewellery, cork platforms, and woven bags. The tribal trend is all about bold colours, stripes, and conversational prints, with bright blues and yellow hues.

These are our top picks to channel this gorgeous seasonal trend. They are all versatile and can be mix-and-matched to create a multitude of different styles and looks  >>  www.mcelhinneys.com

Step forth to the eminently anticipated social occasions of this season with McElhinneys guide to the best every-occasion dresses. Invest in one, then be fashion judicious and alter your accessories and flex your styling muscles to make it work for each successive event- be it a wedding, the races or simply the shops.  

For spring/summer 2017, themes were taken from the “reggae reggae” Caribbean islands, but looks were given an urban edge to keep them modern and contemporary. From cotton rich fabrics to floral prints, what keeps Aideen Bodkins, looks fresh and on-trend is the combination of designs and textures combined with soft tailored fits. From pineapples to palm tree, create your own fashion paradise using this season’s sizzling prints. The lightly woven fabrics and versatile pieces can take you from day to night, wedding to race-course.

The new approach taken by Aideen Bodkin, for her label exhibits how to construct pieces that adapt to your lifestyle. The capsule collection encompasses a range of dresses and separates, some designed using a unique embossed floral material developed by Aideen, especially for the range.

Commanding the tropical trend needn’t be impracticable. Navigate your way through its’ combination of bold, bright and animal prints with our pick of vital pieces to heat up your wardrobe – starting with a vintage twist in the Uma Dress, tailored Amor Jacket, and a pair of elevating heels, plus a whole host of other stylish treats from the SS’17 collection. Arrive at your event: perfect and – most importantly – appropriately dressed.

Take a look this way for some serious style adoration:  www.mcelhinneys.com

 An opulent swish of Dior nostalgia….

Infuse your wardrobe with a hint of brightness.

Colour blocking is back with a pop and its’ bright – very, very bright – with designers such as Fee g all pushing the boundaries, it is the trend to be seen for spring/summer 2017. 

We’ll let you into a secret. While the creative hierarchy dress code means a lot of black, grey and navy. What we’re usually taught is how to tone it down, balance bright and neutral, not to let bold colours daunt you. But what if cobalt blues, fushia pink, and waffle yellow are all just better versions of black, gray, and tan? 

Figuring out how to incorporate colour is one of the first lessons. Blame Fee G designer, Fiona Heaney in rewriting the rules of the fashion colour game. She is a woman with an intuitive ability to anticipate what every woman wants to wear, making the idea of linking bold prints, bold pops of colour juxtaposed with graphic animal patterns and neutrals with hints of metallic gold and flashes of butter yellow; a very welcome proposition. 

This spring, the fash-society is altering tack. Everyone is now, brace, yourself, wearing colour. And no, we don’t mean a sprinkle of colour here and there. The new bold, contemptuous way to adorn colour is not only unusual, it is top-to-toe, extreme-ends-of-the-Pantone-chart unhinged. Such is the allurement of these delectable candy-popping confections that even women known for their more or less colour–free aesthetic, hasn’t been unable to resist the tempestuous pops-of-colour.

So, if you want to make sure your excursion into this daring new colour-blocking universe doesn’t get side-tracked, just look to fee G. The cobalt blue bardot top and embossed print flared skirt combo alone is a lesson in runway-to-reality dressing.

McElhinneys Top Fashion Tip: If the thought of clashing primary colours and acid brights together is a little overwhelming, introduce colour blocking into your wardrobe by mixing accessories and one bright item of clothing with some neutral shades. 

The outfits are kaleidoscopic and alluring, and that has a lot to do with how stunning the colour combinations are. Get all the colour inspiration you can handle here:  www.mcelhinneys.com

Spring/Summer ‘17, is all about experimenting with your wardrobe. This season has a whimsical soul, which transpires through the collection from bright pops of coral; to the floral bomb explosion of prints, and revamping classics with feminine flirty detail.

Caroline Kilkenny’s spring/summer ’17 collection, has composed a harmonic story around the fabrics, but keeps alerting you to little surprises from the discreetly hand stitched grosgrain ribbons, through to her signature “call-out” straps and cleansing colour palette.

The floral print is reminiscent of an entrancing oil canvas. Of a Paul Maloney painting. This rich Italian fabric has inspired a line so rich and radiant. The collection, which features burnished metallic golds, corals, blush pink, as well as black and white, is a slight design exit from previous years. Electing fabrics that skim, rather than mould the silhouette. The garments are saturated with texture and depth with a real luxurious feel. Caroline Kilkenny, is often identifiable as the queen of “gentle dressing”, but there is nothing shapeless about her draped crepe masterpiece, whose fluidity has created a flattering effect. The fabrics certainly emphasis that forgiving part, creating that luminous effect running through her collection.

For structure, the collection has gone crisp taffeta and neoprene – a wearable texture; which detaches from the constricted fit of a tight dress. Each fabric selected for the collection has allocated movability. As well as the abstract geometric print, there’s a net inspired laser-trim; and a Guinevere metallic – print dress, a motif also outlined on a crop top. Beautiful wovens and jacquards from Italian mills, are emphasised in the structured dresses by the simplified elegance of the designs.

The collection has added faux leather trim inserts to soften the pretty, overly feminine look of some pieces. Where spring/summer is very occasion-outfit lead, there are elements from the collection that offer a lot more tailoring –  suitable for a working woman’s wardrobe. It’s a collection for women who want to look and feel the part. This season’s collection is grown-up, with lots of intriguing design touches and unexpected fabric combinations, but it’s still surpassingly wearable.

Her anchored strengths are also reflective through a cool pantone pink and metallic border, when worn exuberate luxury personified. Caroline Kilkenny’s, best kept secret is her forward-thinking dresses, which straddles “special occasion” and workplace perfection. The cuts are characterised as classics, but the fabric gives a relevant edge. Presenting undertones of magnetic sophistication that is seductive, yet wearable

A label that is not only economical, with a distinct design, but still maintains its’ organic roots of being both contemporary and unusual. The confidence of Caroline Kilkenny, as a designer, has increased over the years, much more rounded – she’s bolder.

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