A striped Breton top has been a wardrobe staple ever since Coco Chanel included it in her 1917 nautical collection. Here’s how to wear yours three ways:

Weekend

A striped Breton will look great on your downtime with jeans, ballet flats and a ladylike jacket – just how Kate Moss wears here (pictured above). Wear a trench coat if the weather’s bad.

Ladylike jacket Boohoo Boutique, Boohoo.com

Ballet flats, €92,  Vince Camuto, Arnotts

Trench coat, €79.95, Zara

Work

Wear with a pencil skirt and heels to work.  If you work in a more creative field, you could try a pair of perpex heels and a leather pencil skirt.

Leather Pencil skirt, £85, Oasis

Black Perspex Sandals, €77,  Marks & Spencer

Night out

Wear your Breton top with a pair of bright jeans or trousers, a statement necklace, clutch bag and black pointed courts.

Green trousers, €135, Reiss

Black pointed courts, Carvela Galaxy €119, Brown Thomas

Jayna Irregular Stone Necklace, €15, Boohoo.com

Pink clutch

Where to Buy a Breton Top

Jaeger (£50/ €60) Broderie Breton Top is probably the best version out there – top quality that will last a lift time.

Otherwise Zara have Breton tops in heaps of different colours for €19.99.

She of stellar Irish blog The Licentiate and contributor to many high profile Irish publications, Corkonian Sarah Waldron is What She Wears’ Guest Editor for the month of May. Leading us into the summer months with insider tips on vintage shopping in Cork and her take on the overriding need fabulous shoes bring out in every woman, Sarah Waldron’s Guest Edit is a treat to behold.

Spring Summer ‘13 trends and how you’ll be wearing them

I’m a simple girl in terms of my wardrobe so I’ll be making the most of the monochrome trend. I’ll be wearing a crisp white COS shirt with skinny leather trousers – the leather helps you to not be mistaken for a waiter (which has happened to me before) – and a pile of statement jewellery. I also love Op-Art inspired geometric prints like the above dress from ASOS. If the print is busy, the rest of the outfit can be kept relatively unfussy.

Favourite indigenous shop in Ireland

Miss Daisy Blue is a vintage shop in The English Market in Cork City. With salvaged interiors, the shop itself is lovely. The stock is great and what the manager Breda doesn’t know about vintage isn’t worth knowing. They also have an excellent range of vintage costume jewellery.

Favourite Shop (clothing or otherwise) in another country

Uniqlo is the one high-street store that can break my heart. Its basics are fantastically made and the best part is that they’re not available in Ireland! Every time I go there I end up with a huge pile of their Heat-Tech tops and skinny jeans (some Uniqlo branches do free in-store alterations and I have very stubby legs).

Go-to piece in your wardrobe

My go-to piece is most definitely a pair of black Kurt Geiger ankle boots that can be worn everywhere with absolutely everything. They look incredibly battered and knackered – just the way I like them.

Shoes

If we’re indulging in a bit of harmless retail fantasy, the Valentino Rockstud shoe would be quite nice to own. It’s a weird mix of ladylike (kitten heel, T-bars) and kick-ass (all those studs).

Handbag

It’s difficult to go out nowadays with a clutch bag without fearing that you’ll be mugged so I’ve been buying bags that have wrist straps and doing everything possible to keep it next to me bar super-gluing the leather to my skin. Penneys have an Alexander Wang-alike studded black envelope clutch with such a wrist attachment in store for only nine euro. With that, if we do get mugged, at least the bag will be easy to replace!

Perfume

Even if I go out without make-up, wearing biker boots and a scrappy men’s jumper, I never forget to dab on some Chanel No 5. Some people can’t leave the house without lipstick, or perfect eyebrows, but I’m definitely one for scent. I also like Viktor and Rolf’s Flowerbomb, which is a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it scent.

Beauty Salon & Treatment you get there

I’m not a salon person and prefer to do as much as I can at home. I have however heard amazing things about Wexford-based facialist, Mariga Sheedy, whose no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to skincare yields great results (I’ve seen a friend emerge from her salon glowing – literally).

Best Bargain Buy

A pair of earrings, a cuff and a pendant from a Merle O’Grady sample sale which would have cost me four times as much at the original RRP.

Biggest splurge

My first year in university in Dublin I lived on Lidl Scotch Broth for a month so I could buy a pair of black Terry de Havilland wedges – which I still wear – although I can’t help but think of Scotch Broth every time I put them on. More recently, I lived on beans while saving up for a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood x Erdem shoes, which I cannot walk in.

3 words to describe your personal style

Tailored, eccentric and scruffy!

Fashion pet hate

Peplums! It is so hard to find a good, structured peplum – the ones on the high street look so sad and droopy. I also hate catch-all words like ‘ethnic’ that never actually mean what they’re supposed to mean and can be borderline (or actually) offensive.

Fashion gadget

The Bloglovin’ app for the iPhone aggregates the content of blogs you read into one place, so it’s a ready source of inspiration and entertainment on the go.

Top style tip

You can wear anything if you wear it with confidence – but make sure it fits properly.

Most insane thing you’ve ever done for your love of fashion or beauty

Probably living on beans to buy a pair of shoes that I can’t actually wear – which I’ll most likely do again!

Follow Sarah on Twitter and on Instagram @the_licentiate. Read her in-depth musings on all things fashion and pop culture here.

- Meghan Costelloe

It’s sun-holiday season again and it’s time to start shopping for some women’s swimwear.  OK, take a deep breath!

A one piece is a swimsuit to suit most body shapes  – it can hide a multitude of sins and show off your best assests if you get the right style. Here are some of our favourites which are in the shops right now.

Pictured clockwise from Left: Black and white Seaview twist halterneck swimsuit, Seafolly at Brown Thomas,  Scandale red swimwsuit €70 Brown Thomas , Leopard panel control swimsuit €16 Heatons (also comes in plain red), Fringe Trim Swimsuit €10 Sunglasses €2 Bracelets €5, all Penneys, Reger by Janet Reger Dark Floral Swimsuit, €70 Debenhams.ie .

All you need to do is arm yourself with a little knowledge of the style most flattering for you and remember that nobody is perfect. We all have something that we´re a little self conscious about, but really it’s about finding something that suits you and then wearing it with confidence. Here are some tips on which swimwear suits your body type.

Swimwear to suit your skin tone

Before you decide on the best shape swimsuit or bikini, keep in mind colours that suit you. You want to have a little bit of fun with the colour but you don’t want to end up looking like the lifeguard either!

Paler skin tones should opt for dark’ish colours as light colours can make you look even paler on the beach.  The ¨professional¨ sunworshipers wear neutral coloured bikinis at the start of the holiday moving on to whites and brights the more tanned you get. This means at least four bikinis for a seven day trip though!

My word of warning when you´re choosing the colour – be careful if you choose white. Make sure the swimwear is well lined or you may end up with some unwanted attention!

Swimwear to suit your body shape

Tummies

Swimsuits can work best if you’re conscious of your tum as bikini bottoms can tend to squeeze around the mid section. From muffin tops to a less than flat stomachs, look out for swimsuits with rouching (a detail which is slightly scrunched up material) as this deflects from the tummy area. Pleats and ruffles too can hide a multitude of sins too.

Ensure the suit has a good Lycra content; this will help to keep your stomach looking flatter.

Strapless or one shoulder swimsuits work well and can add a little VA VA voom.

Avoid horizontal stripes, they´re just going to draw the eyes across.

Hippies and Booties

For the fuller pear shaped figure, go for a touch of flamboyancy on yout top half. Choose a bikini or swimsuit with a bold print or colour on the top and dark bottoms to draw attention up to the ear and away from the rear!

Disguise a large bottom by going one size down with your bikini  – going a size up leads to too much fabric on show.

The skirt style bikini bottom works great for your figure, a sleek short style that just covers what it needs to.

Avoid string bikini bottoms which provide little support and lots of unnecessary detail on the hip area.

For those of you with smaller hips string bikini bottoms work well because you can tie them tighter on this side.

You have the option of going a bit crazy with the prints, stripes and colour, so go ahead!

Busties

For the more voluptuous lady on top, look for halter neck bikinis. They provide good support and pull you up and in. Bikini tops with wide straps are also a good choice because they help support and are more comfortable all round.

Here the opposite applies to ´The Hippies’ – bikinis that are dark on top and lighter on the bottom draw attention away from those larger than life assets.

Avoid the bandeau or triangle style top styles. An underwired bra top is crucial for you too – you need all the support you can get (you wouldn’t go bra less in a dress, so don’t go without and underwire in a bikini or swimtogs).

`Little Gems` (small bust)

If you´re small on top, you may want a little bit of enhancement – padding, underwire and push up tops can give you a little bit of oomph.

Demi-cups (half cup style) also give the illusion of being a little more busty by showing off some more flesh.

You are one of the few that can pull off the bandeau and cutesy ruffle style bikini tops.

Avoid tops with excess fabric. Remember the skimpier the better here!

Taller Flower (long torso)

For those of you a little longer on the upper body, tankinis are a great option. They make the body appear in proportion and also get to show off a little mid riff flesh.

Choose a style with a V-neck to show off some cleavage too.

Slightly high-waisted bottoms, (don’t go extreme) can make your legs appear longer.

The latest cut-out swimsuits are great for your body type because they break up the torso - again making it appear shorter.

Short and Sweet (short legs and torso)

If you find gravity is pulling you down, choose swimwear that will lengthen your body. Don’t think that by pulling your bottoms up higher makes your legs look longer -it just looks silly. A hipster style bikini bottom (think Sophia Loren) suits every body shape.

Here you have the option of vertical stripes in a bikini or swimsuit. They will make you appear taller.

A solid colour one piece creates a long appearance; try the one strap for that sexy look.

A great source for bathing suits including plus size swimwear is Swimsuitsforall.com.

Accessorize

Be sure to pick yourself up a sarong for those several trips to the bar! A woman always looks good from the waist up, so cover down below with a sarong. It’s not just about your choice of swimwear – a matching kaftan and wedges will complete your look perfectly. Top it off with a straw trilby hat, Penneys do them for a fiver.

So go on, get out there and strut your stuff!

 - Ann-Marie Proudfoot

Pictured L to R: Fee G Bow Tie Coat (€289.95), Louise Kennedy lace dress (€1295), Heidi Higgins coral ‘Cindy’ dress (€325) and ‘Colette’ jacket (€335), Aisling Ahern Nora Light Pink Headpiece (€355).

For Mother of the Bride, (or Mother of the Groom) there’s often pressure to look as good as your offspring and it’s a hard occasion to shop for as there is a touch of formal wear involved. 

Structure, sleeves and a statement hat are the three things that we’d recommend for a perfect wedding day outfit. Here are our top picks to get the perfect Mother of the Bride / Mother of the Groom look .

Hats

This is one occasion when a hat is definitely a must (no fascinators here please) and with the surge in new milliners and hat designers, you are spoiled for choice. Try Aisling Ahern at Arnotts, Kate Betts or Martha Lynn at Project 51 or Edel Ramberg at Harvey Nichols.

Alternatively, you can rent a hat from Aisling Ahern, Edel Staunton, Fiona Mangan, Edel Ramberg or Sarah McGahon at Frock n Fabulous Dundrum or order it online.

Lace dress

A lace dress is a chic choice for mother of the brides and Louise Kennedy is perhaps the go-to designer for a quality outfit. Take her cap sleeved lace dresses (€1195) which, this season come in cream, pink and pistachio. Another beautiful lace dress style is from Fee G (€239.95) at Kilkenny.

Tweed

Every season Louise Kennedy designs a tweed jacket that’s very Chanel-esque – for spring summer 13 it comes in navy and white (€695).

Niamh O’Neill’s tweed jacket is just as demure and this season comes in pale pink Lurex (€560) and as a tweed summer coat (€795), pictured below.

Niamh ONeill spring summer 13 collection

Dress and coat

This is where the structure comes in.  A structured or tailored dress is a must – ditch the jersey, satin, silk and fluid fabrics, this is one day where you need something formal yet forgiving. If it’s cold, then add a summer coat or dress coat.

Before setting up her own label, Irish fashion designer Niamh O’Neill worked alongside Diane von Furstenburg and John Galliano and was recently named Best Designer at the 2013 Fashion Innovation Awards.  Her tailored dresses (€350) and coats (€289-€775) are star buys.

Fee G is also a great coat and dress option (see Kilkenny stores) and for spring summer 13 there are lots of blush pink and nude colour ways in store.

Dress with Sleeves

Need a dress with sleeves? Look no further than Heidi Higgins. Many of her designs have sleeves including the coral wool Bobbi dress.

L to R: Heidi Higgins Bobbi dress in coral worn with Heidi Higgins obi belt, Fee G cowl neck dress, Fee G dress and coat

Belts

An obi belt can add flair to your dress or coat. Heidi Higgins Tori obi belt (€130, pictured above) comes in metallic leather worn over silk satin, while Niamh O’Neill’s  obi belt (€196) comes in a metallic pink.

Tights and shape wear

When choosing a skirt or dress, don’t forget a good pair of tights that are sheer yet not too shiny, in a tone that matches your skin tone perfectly. Try Falke at Brown Thomas – at €10, their Shelina 12 style are handmade and they have eight shades of sheer  – one to suit every skin tone.

Don’t forget your control underwear or Spanx either – this is one day that you’ll want everything to look smooth and perfectly streamlined.

From the makers of Spanx there’s a new, more affordable brand called ASSETS® Red Hot Label which has just hit the shelves offering a slimming effect thus making them perfect for under dresses. Try the half slip (€76) or high-waist panty (€81 at Debenhams) .

Stockists

Louise Kennedy – Merrion Square and Brown Thomas

Fee G – Harvey Nichols, Dundrum Town Centre and Kilkenny shops in Nassau St Dublin, Galway, Cork and Cashel

Niamh O’Neill – The Design Centre, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Dublin 2 www.designcentre.ie  & MacBees Fashion Boutique, Killarney, Co. Kerry www.macbees.ie

Falke tights – Brown Thomas and Serena Sandymount, Dublin

Frock n Fabulous, hat rentals from €60 (Edel Staunton, Fiona Mangan, Edel Ramberg or Sarah McGahon and Aisling Ahern hats)

Heidi Higgins – Portaloise and Brown Thomas

Red Hot Label shape wear (by Spanx) – Debenhams

Aisling Ahern hats, Arnotts

Edel Ramberg,  Harvey Nichols

Kate Betts, Project 51

Martha Lynn, Project 51

See the gallery below for more outfit inspiration

[View with PicLens]

Blake Lively started the trend for trouser suits last year when she stepped out in a red Michael Kors blazer with matching cropped trousers in New York.

To get the Blake Lively’s red trouser suit look, try this jacket and trousers from Per Una at M&S.

We’ve selected the best trouser suits to suit your body shape to wear to work or as an alternative evening wear outfit.

Curvy

Create an optical illusion with monochrome trousers. The black panels in the trousers create a slimming effect. Wear the trousers with a black blazer. Best Buy: (Pictured far right) Boutique Trudie Monochrome Illusion Trousers, €45 Boutique at Boohoo.com

Pear

Opt for a wide leg. Take inspiration from the 70’s with a wide leg trouser which will elongate the leg and balances out your slimmer top half. Cream trousers with a blue jacket is a classic look for summer.   Best Buys: Sarah wide leg, high waist trouser, €110, Reiss (comes in black or cream), Black wide suit trousers, €19.50, M&S , Maddy jacket in electric blue, €260, Reiss

Petite

Being petite means that you can experiment with colour. Keep the blazer or suit jacket fitted and wear the trousers cropped and with heels to ensure that the suit doesn’t swamp your small frame. Best Buy: (pictured above centre) Pink trouser suit at Zara or Yellow trouser suit at Zara

Busty

A longer length blazer is great for disguising a larger bust. Stick to one colour on the suit and wear with a paler coloured top. The darker colour on top will streamline your figure.  Best buy: (pictured above centre) Pari Pop Jacket jacket in Navy, £140 French Connection, Classic Ruth Stretch Trousers, £79.00, French Connection

One of spring summer 13’s hottest trends to be seen in is neon. We especially like it worn as a fluro trim on clothing or a hint of neon on jewellery – it nods to the trend and looks good without being too garish.

Neon on jewellery is a great way to spice up your outfit. Take inspiration from Kelly Brook (above right) who wore a spiked necklace (€18.99 from New Look) over her dress on ITV last week.

Or make like Made in Chelsea’s Rosie Fortescue who turned up to Rihanna for River Island Oxford Street launch this week wearing a boucle jacket from the high street store’s current collection (£90 at River Island).

We’re huge fans of boucle jackets here at WhatSheWears.ie and have earmarked this fluro trim jacket for ourselves since we saw it at the press day. Rosie doubled up on the trend by wearing a neon Perspex clutch.

H&M are great for neon jumpers – we’ve got one in orange/coral, which we love to wear with black seperates.

At the higher end of the scale, MSGM at BT2 have a beautiful jacket with neon accents (pictured, €425 in store now).

If you’re stuck for inspiration, there’s plenty of neon inspiration out there – a quick search in Pinterest will give you lots of outfit ideas.

Have you bought any neon pieces lately? Tell us about it in the comments.

Resident stylist with VIP magazine and freelancer for many a major fashion publication all over Ireland, Alison McGilligan steps up to the plate as What She Wears’ Guest Editor for March.

Spring Summer ‘13 trends and how you’ll be wearing them

This Spring Summer I’ll be channelling monochrome. I love the clean lines and versatility of this trend – it looks sharp and tailored. If the look is too much for you, try combining a classic black jacket with white accessories to make a bold statement.

Favourite indigenous shop in Ireland

Project 51 is the perfect spot to pick up unusual hand-made Irish designer headpieces, clothes, jewellery and much more.

Favourite Shop (clothing or otherwise) in another country

I have been obsessing lately over the website Atterley Road. It has incredible designer goodies for up to 70% off – well worth a visit!

Go-to piece in your wardrobe

Either my Chloé handbag which was given to me as a gift a couple of Christmases ago, or a recent purchase, my cosy geo-print cardigan from Rocha by John Rocha at Debenhams – I am never out of it!

Shoes

I love Dune for everyday flat boots while running around town, prepping for photo shoots. Sky high heels for night-time, preferably something with an unusual detail or pattern.

Handbag

For everyday handbags I love Karen Millen and River Island, they carry great on-trend pieces. My lust-have bag would be a Pauric Sweeney python print Overnight Bag as I’m obsessed. I have quite a big collection of high street and designer handbags which I love mixing and matching with different outfits.

Perfume

I wear Acqua di Parma Capri during the day and Hermés Un Jardin Sur le Toit at night. Both scents are quite citrusy and fresh – they give a real spirit lift.

Best Bargain buy

A brown leather jacket bought in a vintage store in Paris for €25. A steal…

Biggest splurge

A handbag, it was very pricey! Enough said.

3 words to describe your personal style

Classic, colourful and chic

Fashion pet hate

Small girls in 5″ platform shoes – they shorten their legs rather than lengthen them!

Fashion gadget

It has to be my iPad, I really can’t live without it. It’s the perfect accessory on a photo shoot for sharing ideas with the team.

Top style tip

The age-old rule, ‘Dress for your shape rather than following trends’.

Most insane thing you’ve ever done for your love of fashion or beauty

I was on a photoshoot with a very high profile celebrity, who had forgotten her nude bra. So, I whipped the one I had off and lent in to her for the shot!

Find Alison on Twitter @Alison_Stylist

- Meghan Costelloe

Can you help me please? I am not long after having a baby and have a wedding soon.  Can you please tell me how to accessorise this dress as I’m out of the loop for so long I’m a bit lost! Should I keep it plain no earrings or bracelet and just nude shoes? Is it wedding appropriate? Natalie, via Facebook.

If it’s not a black tie wedding, yes the dress is definitely appropriate. The cobalt blue colour is simply fabulous! Here are three ways to accessorise it.

Look 1

For a funky look – wear these ankle boots and bracelet:

1. Ankle booties – Aldo £44.99 (€52 approx)

2. Cuff – Karen Millen £55 (€64 approx)

Look 2

For a more tailored look – these shoes and clutch will be just perfect:

3. Zara shoes €39.95

4. Coast clutch £50 /€58 approx

Look 3

For a dressier look , try these shoes and earrings:

5. Eily O’Connell earrings at Style Tonic

6. Zara shoes €69.95

Enjoy the wedding!

  – AnnMarie Proudfoot is a personal stylist over at proudfoot.ie

I don’t have much to spend and would like one or two new pieces from “what’s in for spring” to buy and wear with other items in my existing wardrobe. Can you suggest anything? Angela via email.

This spring is all about stripes and there are two looks you could try:

Monochrome trend

First up is monochrome. Put simply, it’s black and white stripes or black and white in any shape or form. The shops are awash with black and white pieces now that the winter sales are over and you’ll find this look everywhere from high end to high street.

The key to wearing the trend is to buy one key piece and wear it with an existing piece in your wardrobe. For example, this Warehouse striped dress (above centre) is really flattering and is in store now.  Wear it with a black blazer and heels. Alternatively wear it with black opaque tights, adding a belt for that extra oomph.

Side Striped Trousers

If you’d prefer seperates to dresses, Stella McCartney has made tracksuits cool again by introducing the sports luxe trend and you’ll see everything from sweatshirts to tracksuit pants being worn for spring summer 2013.

Doesnt sound appealing?  The key is to pick one sports luxe piece, “dress it up” with heels and to leave the runners at home.

If you like separates, one way of wearing the trend is with side striped trousers. Choose black with a white stripe pair and you can wear them with something you’ve got already – like a black or white t-shirt and heels, just as Eve does in the photo above (€63 in Warehouse – in store now).

Other shops doing side striped trousers well are Zara and Maje at BT2.

Take a cue from model Miranda Kerr who likes to wear her A.LC. side-striped trousers with a sleeveless shirt from Equipment, Jimmy Choo heels and a black Cèline bag.

I’ve read that snakeskin is back in fashion this year. I really like it but how can I wear it without it looking trashy (all I can think of is Jlo in that snakeskin dress and boots!). G.M via email.

2013 is definitely the year of the snake with Gucci, Proenza Schouler, Preen and Erdem all focusing on snake skin print for SS13. There are lots of elegant ways to wear snakeskin print or python print. The key is to choose just one piece and work it into your wardrobe.

Here are three ways to wear this look:

Snakeskin Coat

Vogue’s Anna Wintour is a big fan of a snakeskin coat (hers is Prada) and wears it with a monochrome striped dress, another key trend for spring summer 13.

I think that a snakeskin coat would be a statement look worn over an all black ensemble now, over a monochrome dress or it would work with white jeans and a white t-shirt in summer. There is something really sleek about grey and white snakeskin.

You get a near-catwalk copy of Anna Wintour’s Prada snakeskin coat at Marks and Spencer with this per una Speziale Snakeskin Print Coat (€135).

Snakeskin Dress

This year’s take on snakeskin is a grey and white sheath dress as seen on the Gucci SS13 runways (pictured below right).

A sheath dress can look great on you if you’re tall and slim but for smaller or curvier body shapes, I recommend a structured dress, like this per una Speziale Snakeskin Print Shift Dress (€109 at M&S, pictured left).

Style tip: Keep accessories to a minimum when wearing a column of this print.

Snakeskin Trouser Suit

Photo credit: The Nyanzi Report

If you’re more of a seperates kind of girl, you could try a snakeskin trouser suit, which is a key look for 2013.  Take a cue from stylist Courtney Smith at London Fashion Week where she wore her Marks & Spencer trouser suit with a neon knit, statement necklace (Penneys) and nude stilletos.

So whether you’re channelling the fashion forwardness of Anna Wintour or getting your grey on a la Gucci, either of these snakeskin pieces will see you elegantly on trend and looking sleek for 2013.