Denim is forever a wardrobe staple
We love to see events happening again after a quiet January and last week I hosted the Opera Lane SS24 Preview.
This was alongside personal stylist Breeda O’Connell in the blue room at the Dean Hotel. The event was to showcase the new season trends and I styled the rails and displays while Breeda interpreted the trends which were styled on three models.
It’s so lovely to take the time to potter around the shops and to see what the looks of the season are going to be and how people are going to interpret those. I also love looking at different trends and seeing how they can be combined with other trends to create a look that is unique.
Two of my absolute favourite trends are denim and weirdly for me the preppy look which is not a look I usually gravitate towards but sometimes we just get a notion to try something different.
Both looks also work very well together and are quite interchangeable. Denim is forever a wardrobe staple and for me spring always has the nicest denim pieces.
This season try braving the double denim trend which I know can be triggering for some people especially children of the ‘80s who were forced to wear this style. Think denim skirts and denim waistcoats to elevate the look or wear a denim jacket buttoned up as a top worn with wide leg jeans and a strappy sandal.
Next has an especially flattering waistcoat and skirt combination and for edgy denim H&M is a go to of mine.
The preppy style is also so easy to incorporate into your wardrobe and I am really loving bomber jackets at the moment in a variety of shapes and fabrics. River Island have a great red bomber and H&M have a cropped linen khaki style that looks chic and would be the perfect summer cover up. A bomber works so well with wide leg joggers or paired with denim and styled with some chunky gold jewellery.
There was also a nod to high summer with a selection of bikinis in store and the good news is that most of the bikinis are high waist which we can all rejoice in.
River Island are particularly good at doing beachy summer style and one piece that really caught my eye was a black and white striped, crochet midi dress which simply begs to be taken to St Tropez and would look amazing with chunky accessories and tan sandals.
Oversized sunnies are also a must for summer and top of my wish list is a raffia clutch with black handles from River Island that looks expensive and would go with almost everything this season.
Lets not forget the guys of course and with some fantastic menswear on Opera Lane, we were absolutely spoilt for choice. My particular favourite spot for menswear is H&M and the main looks of the season seem to be quite smart casual.
I noticed a lot of co-ord sets which were similar to suiting but in more relaxed fabrics. Think joggers and jackets but in toweling material and all in neutral shades of beige and navy. Sounds weird on paper but trust me they look super stylish and so comfortable.
Blazers also look great layered with hoodies and there’s never been more of a sartorial mix of smart and casual. The best of both worlds if you ask me.