Too Dressed Up - The Story of My Life.

Or underdressed. I tend to prioritise my own whims over social niceties unless absolutely necessary. Which is why you can often find me wearing an elaborate dress to mooch around the house or a tee and jeans to a fairly dressy party.

I find it hard to really make myself care, though. This is one thing I'll label personal quirk over serious issue.

But, hey, I'm doing that thing where I digress endlessly. This is all leading into the outfit I wore on Monday. It was a bank holiday and me, the Mammy, Daddy and little bro went for a wander. First to dinner in Kildare, then for a snoop 'round some architecture (YUSSS) and then for a snoop around the Newbridge Museum of Style Icons. This was all ad-libbed and very casual and it was also rather a warm day. So, of course, I was wearing shoes I knew wouldn't welcome overly-long walking (despite not knowing if this would be part of the day or not), a long lined black duster coat, a dressy top (also in black) and skinny combats.

Good plan, Colette, good plan.

Whim over comfort. Obviously. But I'm quite pleased with the results.

Top - Primark, Jeans - Primark, Boots - Deena and Ozzy, Coat - Lennon Courtney

So, what do you guys think? Better to be appropriately dressed or to do your own thang?

Gothic // Architecture

Have I mentioned I've been in a witchy mood lately? I've always vibed on Gothic style but, alas, I was a punk as a teen and we were destined to be star-crossed lovers. Still, I like to read Romance poets, eye up pointed arches and dream of what could have been. And, sure, what else would you wear to a graveyard mass but witchy boots, a blood-red lace skater dress accented with a wicked-sharp black collar and a trusty leather jacket? I may look all sun-kissed and freckled on the outside but my innards are blackened as the Trials I wrote my LC History project on. 

Enjoy my perving on Gothic Revival architecture (sacrilegious to pose in front of a church, according to my brother - I call it appreciating) and creating a moodboard of my photos over the weekend. Careful not to nick yourself on those ogives.

Dress - Primark, Jacket - Upstairs at Quinns (I never remember the brand), Boots - Deena and Ozzy

Mad or inspired? You decide. And try not to call a witch hunt if it's the former. Thnks.

Wedding Outfit

Over the weekend, my cousin married her long-time boyfriend and my family and I attended. The setting in Rathsallagh was picturesque and charming, the food was great, there was plenty of craic and I got to catch up with relatives I hadn't seen in ages!

The only outfit photos from the day come from late that night and the chaos of the lights hints at a certain amount of...giddiness...at the time. Not your typical wedding attire, I went for something less obvious that I would be comfortable in. I knew teetering in heels and worrying about flashing people in a skirt were too much for someone as uncoordinated as I, so I played on my love of androgyny and simplicity instead. The palette is limited to black and white and, for anything bar a wedding I would have gone all white instead. But I do bow to some social convention and didn't want to upset anyone or create any drama (no matter how minor) by wearing white. So, instead of donning my white blazer, I threw this black Lennon Courtney coat over a sheer Topshop cami and a pair of white brocade D.E.C.K. by Decollage pants. The Deena and Ozzy boots from Urban Outfitters stressed me out a tad as I thought they were too non-weddingy. But the heel is height-giving and walkable! How could I say no? And it turned out that it all came together as urban, modern, clean and androgynous with just enough and just a touch of bite. Minimalist silver COS earrings were my only jewellery and a vintage wicker bag completed the look, nodding to the season. Hair and makeup was kept easy, natural and fuss free.

The bride, I should mention, looked radiant in a simple figure-skimming Sharon Hoey gown with detachable sheer sleeves and a low back. Her hair was set in soft waves and tumbled over shoulder. Congrats, Niamh and Paul - may your lives together be long and full of every joy.

Preparations, libations and failed nail transformations from the night before

Car selfie.

Actual nails - only colour in le outfit.