Pamela Scott AW15 - "The Collection"

One of the most admirable things that a brand can do is take a new direction without leaving loyal customers behind or losing their identity. It's a difficult line to tread, indeed. Yet, Pamela Scott seems to have managed it.

As I walked into the press day, I noted the garments that my aunt or mother would normally visit the store for were still present on the racks; classic, warm coats, elegant knitwear, dresses fit for the office and weddings. Pamela Scott, after 40 years in business, knows what their woman wants and makes sure she'll keep returning to get it.

But they're also opening the door to a younger woman who they say is in her forties. One look at "The Collection," however, and I find I could wear much of it myself. In fact, there are some crisp pieces that I've been keeping an eye out for elsewhere to no avail.

The Collection offers pieces that look and feel much more expensive than they are. There are some pretty dresses - some exceptionally pretty dresses - suitable, again, for both office and party alike but there are also some separates that are seriously cool. One of my favourite looks from the whole collection is a pair of black, clean culottes with a floaty cream pussybow blouse. The blouse hits at the 70s trend that is everywhere but is simple enough to outlive the trend. The culottes are the perfect shape and length and utterly wearable - something I've been trying and failing to find. Pamela Scott knows real women and real bodies and these clothes are easy to put on without stressing about careful styling to make trends designed for models work on shorter or curvier forms.

Another highlight are the coats - one in camel and another in a deep, rich green. Tailored and neat, they are the perfect piece to dress any outfit up for any occasion. These are wardrobe staples that will earn their keep rather than gather dust.

Capes also appear. One is navy and structured - a little Gossip Girl, in that regard - and the other is a big, drapey knit piece in grey tones. Both are timelessly chic and on trend.

After viewing the show and being impressed by it, I ventured upstairs, at their encouragement to become better acquainted with the store at large and was taken aback by the quantity and range of formalwear. I was unaware but if you're after a Debs or bridal party dress, they've kind of got you covered!

Pamela Scott knows Irish women and a much wider cross-section of the population than I previously thought. They know how to dress our bodies and what we want and how we celebrate. And now they're also being a little more fashion-forward. They'll probably never make faddy, super on-trend pieces but, rather, garments that you'll cherish and wear over and over again with just enough awareness of current taste to be fashionable and enough timelessness to remain relevant for years to come.

Here's to the next forty years of this great Irish institution of fashion!

(Thanks to Pamela Scott, Sorcha and the team at Elevate for inviting me!)

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Fanny Crown - get your Debs look!

...sounds a wee bit like an adult entertainer's name...(soz, I couldn't help myself) but is actually a great site where you can get Debs, prom, wedding, cocktail and many other kinds of occasion dresses at pretty reasonable prices. There's a crazy-wide range of dresses in all sorts of colours, silhouettes, lengths and styles. So, there's really something for everyone. I was personally taken in by the more intricate, extravagant dresses that I would never have enough occasions to validate purchasing them all...but a gal can dream, right?

But, how, pray tell did I come to hear about them? And why am I talking about the brand now?

Good questions, me.

Well, they actually contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in entering their blogger contest by showing how I would style and where I would wear one of their dresses. And while I was flattered to be asked, the real deal-clincher for me was that I could do my annual Debs-themed post while offering you, my fair readers, a chance to potentially find your dream dress at a discount. Yeah, you heard right. There's a WEAB discount of 15% for all my readers if you use the code WIDEEYEDNBLIND14 at the checkout from now until the 14th of September 2014! Pretty rad, right? So, I hope with Debs season beginning in some parts of Ireland for Irish readers and potential international advance-planners for other similar events in our midst, some of you might luck out. Definitely contact me and let me know if this happens! Tweet me or let me know on Instagram. I'd come over all proud momma if you did!

Annnyyyyyhoooo, moving on from that major digression to the dress, the events and the styling.

So, the dress I chose was this nude lingerie inspired full-length gown. Underwear as outerwear is a trend I always get behind when it comes around again and again - if it's done right. This piece is an example of it being done well, there is a certain level of sex appeal in the visible corsetry but the demure colour and length with the sweet lace detailing tames it. There's an innocence to it but a bit of bite, a sense of humour. I also think that it could go from very formal to more casual easily with the right styling.

Which is why I've chosen it for two rather different events - both are balls but on different ends of the spectrum. My mother and I are discussing spending hallowe'en at this Masquerade ball we heard about last year and I think this would be great for that. The barely there, thin-strapped Saint Laurent heels would keep the look light and airy while the Charlotte Olympia clutch adds a sense of playfulness and a nod to the lingerie/bedroom vibes of the dress. It's tongue-in-cheek and a great ice-breaker. Accessories should compliment your outfit but they're also a chance to have fun and try new things. It doesn't have to be uber-serious. The gilt Topshop earrings keep with the gold tones introduced by the bag and reference the lace and elegance in the dress balancing the fun and the pretty in the outfit. And, instead of a traditional mask, this Maison Michel headpiece obscures the face while being both cute and fun. 

I was also thinking of hitting up a Trinity Ball this year for old times sake. As this is basically a festival at night in formal wear, it requires different styling. Instead of strappy sandals, I'm going with chunky but cute Alexander Wang boots for warmth, comfort and protection amongst the crush of bodies in the tents. They're also better for traversing the cobbles. Damn cobblestones. For this take on the same dress, I'm upping the fun factor, so a bag like this Moschino one and earrings like these by Marc by Marc Jacobs are perfect. The bag is also a good idea as it's cross-body so you can keep your stuff safe and not have to worry about lugging anything around. A leather biker would be a final touch for later on in the night when it starts to get chilly.

And there you have it - the same dress, two ways!

But what for hair and makeup?

I'd actually do the same look for both events. The dress and accessories are kind of a knock-out so I would want to keep things minimal, natural and pretty. Hair would be in natural waves emphasised by Sea Salt spray from Lush. For the Masquerade ball some may be pinned back a little and for Trinity Ball, I would  definitely bring a hair-tie for sweaty moments in the pit - ain't nobody got time for all my hair. 

The base should be light and dewy with Maybelline's Dream Pure BB and then Rimmel's Match Perfection translucent powder. A bronzer like this one by Too Faced could be used to contour the jaw and cheek bones while Topshop's Glow is perfect for on the brow bone, centre and tip of nose, cupid's bow and cheek bones. Benefit's Browzings for a defined and neat brow and their They're Real Push Up Liner for the only drama on the face - a defined cateye. Nude smokeyness via Naked 3 and natural-looking but oomph-given lashes via Clinique's High Impact mascara. And to finish off, a coat of Eve Lom's Kiss mix topped by a peachy shade like this one from YSL.

So, there you have it! That's how I'd go about things. What do you think?

Debs Ideas.

So, I know it's a little early but sales are everywhere at the moment and I wanted to put together some pieces from high street stores to show how a good Debs/Prom look does not need to cost a fortune. Here are some outfits I styled in different ways for different girls.

1. Romantic Elegance.

This look is pretty timeless and classic but without being typical Debswear. I feel like it's a somewhat safe but rather reliable option. The lace on the dress is quite fun and young and stops the outfit from looking too old or overdone.

Debs - Romantic Elegance by fitzpac featuring diamond earrings

2. Restrained Ease. 

I'm in love with this dress and feel like the whole look is very modern and unexpected without being showy or flamboyant. While the pieces are grown up, the playful pop of colour in the bag and lip keep it young and appropriate.

Debs - Restrained ease by fitzpac featuring asos

3. One dress - two girls.

This dress from Topshop is very versatile so I've styled it for two girls - one who is a bit of a punk (as I was) and another who is interested in being a little more demure.

Debs - Lace Prom Dress - Elegant vs. Rock and Roll by fitzpac featuring black handbags

4. The Suit - two ways.

I've never quite managed to do a suit for a formal event but I love the idea. Here's two ways to style a suit - one is more playful and the other is a little sexier. I admire any girl greatly who would do this for the Debs and pull it off.

Debs - A Suitable option -Playful by fitzpac featuring topshop

Debs - A Suitable Option - Adult by fitzpac featuring river island

5. The Cutesy Kooky Look.

This outfit is super cute and just a wee bit eccentric. I imagine it on a character in High School played by Zooey Deschanel. 

Debs - Cutesy Colour by fitzpac featuring topshop

6. The Natural Babe.

This, I imagine on a natural beauty or someone with charisma and charm who doesn't need to try very hard. It's all about confidence and ease.

Debs - Natural Babe by fitzpac featuring asos

7. Simple Sex Appeal.

This look is about sex but not overtly. It's the classic sex appeal of a red dress without showing too much or trying too hard. The colourful and playful accessories keep it youthful and age appropriate.

Debs - Simple Sex Appeal by fitzpac featuring topshop

And those are my ideas!

A Debutante and whatever the male version is.

The Twins hitting the Debs and hitting it hard! Hopefully not too hard...But how gorgeous are they, though? James in a fairly classic slim-cut black suit with white shirt and the black bow-tie I eventually convinced him to wear. Anna in her altered Ted Baker. She took a cute high-street bandage dress for going out and made it haute and red carpet worthy. Both looks are quite modern (James' suit cut and Anna's silhouette) but have nods to timelessness to prevent the "Oh, God, I can't believe I wore that" effect that Debs often attract. So lovely and chic but undeniably youthful. Did me proud. Although, I can take some credit as I became the unofficial suit and dress consultant for the sibs and a lot of their friends. For someone who didn't care too much about their own Debs, I've done a lot of talking about them in recent weeks...

Going for gold.

Not really sure what inspired this look today but the idea to cut the sides of my top came from a top in The Kooples' current Sport collection. This look is more about the jewellery than anything else. The gold collar and dangling earrings made clinky sounds as I walked so even if you didn't see them at first, they demanded attention. Not usually a major accessories person but I liked the juxtaposition of a relatively simple outfit with over-the-top, glamorous jewellery. Practical outfit for scouting out Debs dresses and seeing what shops had to offer with my little sister today (they grow up so fast, it's terrifying!) and the jingling made me very easy to find in shops...

Top - Vintage - Jeggings - River Island (Thick enough to not be revolting sans long top) - Boots - Vintage - Necklace - Boutique in Spain - Earrings - Topshop