Ann Walsh -MSc Marketing Practice Programme Director NUIG

Avail of FREE individual personal shopper consultations and style advice in Athlone Towncentre on selected dates.

I am available to offer individual hour long consultations to assist you in finding that perfect outfit for an upcoming event, offer style advice on dressing to suit your shape and making the most of the season’s trends.

At the start of your consultation, I will take the time to understand your requirements, areas of concern or occasions arising.  Following this, Iwill be your ‘shopping buddy’ and bring you through a variety of stores in Athlone Towncentre to find that perfect outfit or just to give you practical examples and tips on making the most of your personal style and shape.

To book your individual consultation with Delilah contact 090 6484387 or info@athlonetowncentre.com

Next available dates:

• Saturday 19th May from 10am to 1pm followed by a style workshop
  
• Saturday 9th June – Fully booked
  
• Saturday 16th June
• Saturday 7th July
• Saturday 4th August

From 10am to 5pm on these dates.  http://athlonetowncentre.com/stores/personal-shopper/

Shoes are our guilty pleasure. They can finish off an outfit and flatter your shape. The rights shoes are as important as the right outfit. But above all they have to be comfortable. I have never met a woman that didn’t have a dilemma with her shoes at some point — sometimes you can’t walk in them, they hurt your feet, you don’t know what to wear them with, or they are not stylish enough. I spend a lot of my time on my feet, and after experimenting and looking around I was pleased to find shoes that suit me, are comfortable, and look great with my clothes. This week I want to focus on day shoes that combine style and comfort.

Often the comfort of the shoe wins over the style, or vise versa, but some labels have managed to combine both. Also you should really go for what suits you. There is no point going for heels that are too high. Good news — just a one inch heel is enough to give you long, lean, legs without affecting your ability to walk comfortably. The width of the heels should be thick enough to give you balance, but I do not recommend very chunky heels as they tend to be unflattering. A wedge is the easy way to achieve a stylish look, especially if you are not used to walking in heels. Plus they can be worn with everything from a dress to smart trousers to skinnies. A platform sole can also add extra comfort as well as height.

The material of the shoes helps a lot in your comfort: leather or soft synthetic material is key. From office wear to occasions, I am in love with this pair of court sandals from Premoli. The platform soles and the heels are elegant; the patent soft fabric really comfortable on the feet, and they are ultra flattering. They come in different shades from neutral black to hot pink, so you can mix and match with your wardrobe favourites.

Rounded, square, pointed, peep toe? Peep toes suit most women and look great with a variety of outfits. Slightly pointed is always better than too pointed, and will elongate your legs. The shape should also flatter your legs and feet. If you have broad feet you will not suit narrow fronted shoes, and if you have slim feet a narrow shape is better.

Pumps are a popular choice and are elegant but make sure to get them with heels. A metallic shade is very versatile, but bright colours are fun too. Wear with jeans, slim leg pants, or shorts. Avoid wearing pumps with a long coat as it will shorten your legs.

For spring casual wear, Hush Puppies has these leather tan sandals. They are the most stylish ‘slipper feeling’ shoes I have ever come across. They also come in gold, black, and blue, perfect with a dress, shorts, or jeans.

http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/50465/combining-comfort-and-style

Premoli

Kurt Gieger

Hush Puppies

Cinders

Clarks

When we buy new clothes, we want to get as much wear out of them as possible. Even when you don’t have a lot of cash to throw around, everyone can get the twenty four hour dress. The magic ingredient is versatility. Simple additions of accessories and shoes will help you to switch the look from work to cocktail hour.

This beautiful shift patterned dress from Marc Cain will work wonder at a work function. Pair with coloured kitten heels and layer a blazer jacket over in a neutral colour such French navy.  Dress it up with metallic high heels, statement earrings and a clutch bag for a cocktail party.

Colour clocking is still going strong this season. Think royal blue, hot pink, green, yellow or red.  Miriam O’Reilly has this gorgeous Penny Black emerald green tunic with black sequins details on the sleeves and a ribbon at the waist. Excellent choice for Friday in the office to a book launch in the evening. Team it with a boyfriend jacket and wedges by day.  At night an elegant pair or high heels and clutch bag will effortlessly dress it up.

From business function to wedding to the races, this peplum tangerine dress by Heigi Higgins is versatile, ultra flattering and timeless. By day pair it with a cropped jacket and court shoes. For occasion team it with high heels, a statement neckpiece and a headpiece.

For spring weekend wear nothing beats a dress that you can just slip on. It is so easy and will make you look really good. I love this orange floral dress by French Connection: great for shopping, picnic, visiting family and friends or spring events such as communion. Wear it with a lightweight cardigan, belt and wedges. For more formal occasion, go for a cropped blazer, a pair or black court shoe, some jewellery, and you are dress for a drink with the girls…

Penny Black @ Myriam O'Reilly

Bastyan

Marc Cain @ Colette Latchford

French Connection

Heidi Higgins at Nestors Boutique

Dorothy Perkins

Check this article in my style counsel column in the Galway advertiser www.advertiser.ie/galway/

Mix  up different floral patterns up for an electric spring wardrobe

Zara

Balance out bold floral prints with plainer pieces

Oasis

An ultra feminine and glam dress will take you to many spring events this season. Accessorise it with a cropped jacket and a coloured belt.

Work the nine to five look with this gorgeous floral top from Warehouse. Tucked in your pencil skirt and kitten heels or paired it with a pair of smart pants for cocktails hours

Warehouse

Go floral all the way!  The floral look wouldn’t be complete without the accessories.

Accessories

Add a feminine touch to your look with these floral wedge sandals. Perfect with denim shorts or a midi length dress

Next

Check my blog in the Athlone Town Center Center Web site http://athlonetowncentre.com/2012/02/24/flower-power/

that spring is here. The spring social calendar is always busy. Between weddings, Communions, and other dos, it is exciting to look forward to wearing our spring clothes or indulging ourselves in delightful new acquisitions Dresses are very

popular right now. They come in such great variety of styles, colours, and details that it is almost impossible not wear a dress this season. Between mid length, mini

length, asymmetrical hems, lace frills, pastel and vibrant hues, glittering or shimmer

details, you are guaranteed to find a style that will make you feel gorgeous.

The printed dress is beautiful, elegant, and bold. Whatever your mood, choose from floral to paisley to tribal effect. To wear it right, balance out bold patterns with

plainer accessories. This gorgeous coral pattern Fee G dress from Madison is a

great number for a christening or Communion. If you are going to a book launch, business opening, or fashion show, try a mid-length dress. It will make you feel

gorgeous. Pair it with high heels to give extra length to your silhouette.

Try iridescent hues of blue, red, or coral. The block colour dress is still going strong this season. You can even wear last year’s bold colour dress and update it with clever accessories, or go for this little gem by Fran and Jane at Standún. Pair it

with nude T-bar high heels.

Feminine details are very popular this season, whether neat and classy or huge and eye catching, lace, broderie Anglaise, sequins, frills, and pleats. Choose them to suit your personality and shape. The peplum dress is the new hourglass and it is as

popular as ever. Ultra chic and timeless, I fell for this Paulka dress from Les

Jumelles, a glamorous choice for weddings, races, and formal events for years to come. And if you want all the attention for yourself, you will love the glittering

dress — try silver, gold, or bold colours of blue, green, or red. The 1920s inspired

dress is the little starlet of the season. This cute 1920 dress with fringe details and sequin embellishments is perfect for cocktail hours.

Les Jumelles Galway

Fee G

Fran and Jane

River Island

by Paulka at Les Jumelles

By Closet