Orna Mulrooney (2026)

30/03/2020

Hello everyone, I hope you’re all doing ok in these sad and unsettling times.

My weekly posts stopped many weeks ago ahead of our housemove on 13 March, so realistically it will be some time before normal services resume here too. I will be contacting everyone who has a gift voucher again today, so please don’t worry about that at the moment. The only thing for all of us now is to follow the advice and guidelines we’ve been given and hopefully by doing that we can get back to some degree of normality soonest.

Until then, take good care and stay well,

Orna x

06/02/2020

Today we continue our first look at the trends we can expect to see survive the switch into Spring, and first up…

Suits you! According to the New York based womenswear and accessories design due Proenza Schouler, the working girl wears her suit with Birkenstocks and soft draped tops.
The suit trend is set to continue and come the Summer we’ll be switching our troos for structured shorts.

Think long-term investment - and make your raffia and straw totes more sustainable by switching to woven leather varieties instead.

It’s hello(w) mellow yellow again. We’re going to see lots of it this season, as designer after designer featured the cheery shade in their Spring collections.

One of the easiest ways to update your wardrobe is to add a brooch. This season many of the designers have been taking responsible fashion to heart by using natural materials like raffia, shell, stone and wood.

It’s time to rummage in your wardrobe and bring out that Fred Perry polo shirt from years gone by. Yes, the polo shirt is making a return, and it’s not just for sport.

Our love for animal prints shows no sign of slowing down. This time it’s the zebra print that we'll be sporting.

And finally… let’s all move forward with feathers attached. They’re making a comeback!

Credits: The Top Jewellery Trends of Spring 2020 by Laird Borrelli-Persson in Vogue, 16 October 2019 and, Hello Fashion Monthly December 2019/January 2020 and February 2020 editions.

24/01/2020

Transitioning from Winter… the trans-seasonal trends…

In our first look at the trends we can expect to see survive the switch into Spring, we’ll start with BIG sleeves. Not only are they back, they are even more dramatic than anything we’ve seen before.

Florals go tropical… take your inspiration from the jungle.

Calling all ‘Summers’…whilst pastel hues remain popular, lilac is the one to watch. We’ll soon be wearing it head-to-toe, well maybe not all of us!

So too Fluorescents… the highlighter brights are here to stay. They work well in sporty apparel incidentally.

One of the biggest footwear trends last season was the square toe. Inspired by the 90s, it will continue to exert its’ influence on boots, sandals and mules. Step this way and…

Make sure to bring your hat too. Make sure they're floppy and safari style.

And finally, in good news for those of who live in the UK at least – the mac or trench coat is here to stay. And for those of you who favour a more feminine touch, look out for softer finishes to your chosen style.

Credits: Elle February 2020; Hello Fashion Monthly February 2020 and, Vogue November 2019.

10/01/2020

Happy New (Classic Blue) Year to you all!

Why Classic Blue you might ask? Well, it’s all to do with the Pantone Colour Institute’s Colour choice of the Year. And this year, it’s Classic Blue, a shade reminiscent of the sky at dusk. In choosing Colour 19-4052 – or Classic Blue to you and me - the Pantone Colour Institute settled on a shade it felt offered reassurance, confidence and connection in an uncertain global environment. True to its’ name, Classic Blue can be elegant, reflective, regal and restrained but it can be boundless and edgy too. For those with a warm skin tone, your classic blue will be bright or marine navy. A French or deep navy will suit a cool skin tone.

Some argue that blue is the most democratic of colours because it means all things to all people – hence its’ universal appeal. Consider the calm and serenity of pale blue or the quality and dignity of navy for example. Not everyone is convinced with the Institute’s preferred hue for 2020 though. Writing in Dezeen, Michelle Ogundehin thinks that in playing it safe, the Institute has failed to pick up on the dominant narrative elsewhere – the colour green, associated with optimism, rebirth, regrowth and the wider ecological story that’s top of the cultural agenda right now.

What do you think? Planting our collective (green) feet and a lot of trees firmly on the ground… or having our collective (blue) heads in the clouds?!

Credits: ‘Pantone chooses a classic for its 2020 Colour of the Year’ by Kirsi Goldynia for CNN Style, 5 December 2019; ‘In choosing blue, Pantone has missed the mark once more’ by Michelle Ogundehin for Dezeen, 10 December 2019; Hello December 2019/January 2020/February 2020 and, Vogue November 2019.

12/12/2019

A Christmas gift for her?

Still struggling for ideas for the special woman in your life? Whether it’s your mum, your daughter, your sister, your girlfriend, your wife or your best friend…why not consider treating her to the gift of Colour Analysis or a Style Consultation? For those who love Marie Kondo’s decluttering principles but can’t quite face carrying out the task themselves, the Wardrobe Review might be just the ticket.

Take a look at my website to see which relaxed, enjoyable and helpful experience would suit her best www.ornamulrooney.com

Could be a gift to yourself too of course! Gift vouchers available.

22/11/2019

New shoes (or boots) anyone?!...

Today we’re going to take a quick peek at the biggest shoe and boot trends this Autumn, where there really is something for every sartorial style.

* Square toes on boots and shoes are adding a stylish and structural touch to outfits
* Mary Janes and pretty printed boots and shoes are adding a dose of sweetness, while Combat boots or Stompers can be styled with everything from an oversized blazer to a pretty floral dress
* Shearling and snow/ski boots are sure to combat whatever winter throws as us, while knee-high boots ensure that a classic style gets to work with almost any daytime look, whether that’s an autumnal midi dress or a mini dress for the party season.
* For those of you who continue to love your animal prints, stick with them because you really can’t go wrong
* Anyone who invested in the Western trend last winter will be delighted to know that the cowboy vibe continues to rule this autumn. Yeehaw!
* Finally, the lace-up Victoriana boot has been the unexpected hit of winter 2019. These vintage-inspired boots really are as cool as they are sensible.

Credits: Elle 2 October 2019; Evening Standard 11 October 2019; Glamour 16 August 2019; Good Housekeeping September 2019; Grazia 14 October 2019; Hello Fashion Monthly September/October/November 2019; Marie Claire September 2019; Vogue 30 October 2019 and, Whowhatwear 4 October 2019.

15/11/2019

New frock…?

The dress continues to make its’ mark on fashion, with the floral variety a wardrobe staple again this season. Iconic silhouettes from the 1940s and 1950s are back in vogue and offer the perfect desk to dinner outfit when worn with heeled boots. Ladylike touches such as pussy-bow necklines and satin feature in many collections.

So too though does the new glam noir – take a dark colour palette, add lace, chunky boots and overblown blooms and you’re well on your way to enjoying this season’s gothic fairy tale narrative.

It is predicted that Christmas parties will be awash with flounces and frills – and one flounce or frill simply wouldn’t do. When it comes to wearing flounces or frills for daywear, add a vintage-style velvet blazer, drop earrings and a pair of slouchy boots and you’ll be on-trend!

Meanwhile for those who like to be extra cosy, try one of the many knitted dresses on offer. Alternatively, abandon the preconception that polonecks are dowdy… they are in fact this season’s go-to layering staple. Add a pop of colour by wearing one under a dress. Now who said that staying warm and fashionable at the same time wasn’t possible?!

Credits: Boden November 2019; Evening Standard ‘Autumn/Winter 2019 fashion trends: what to shop as the weather cools’, Chloe Street 9 October 2019; Good Housekeeping September 2019; Grazia 14 October 2019; Hello Fashion Monthly October and November 2019 & December/January 2020; Marie Claire September 2019; Vogue ‘The 12 Definitive Trends of Autumn/Winter 2019’, Ellie Pithers 12 March 2019 and, WhatWhoWear ‘Winter 2019 Trends: The only new fashion looks you need to know’, Hannah Almassi 8 November 2019;

25/10/2019

Coats

The trends for AW2019 are not for the faint-hearted. WhoWhatWear sums them up in 5 words…Go bold or go home! Coats really are huge this season, be that in length, shape, colour or material.

If you’re opting for an investment piece, your coat will need to tick a lot of boxes. It will need to be versatile, warm, practical, easy to dress up or down…not to mention good looking and stylish. The timeless wrap coat, one of the biggest coat trends this season might do the trick. Similarly, the trench (in its’ more understated form) might fit the bill.

Your alternative is to be trend-led, in which case you might look to the XXL or maxi coat, the animal-print, the multi-tone, the cape or the fluffy or faux fur variety! As you can see from the photos below, they make quite a statement.

Credits: Boden catalogue September 2019; Cosmopolitan 23 August 2019; Hello Fashion Monthly September, October and November 2019 editions; Marie Claire September 2019; Sosandar catalogue October/November 2019; Vogue 4 September 2019 and Vogue October 2019 and, WhoWhatWear 15 October 2019.

18/10/2019

New season, new frock?

The High Street is positively awash with possibilities just now. Taking inspiration from the 40s and swing dancing in particular, the midi length is the key shape to look out for. And the key fabric? Satin. Hugely popular in the summer, florals are set to be even bigger, bolder and richer now that Autumn has arrived. Blooms in wine reds, vibrant purples, blacks and deep greens abound, with the new darker floral midi or maxi your potential go-to wardrobe solution of the season. Worn with trainers on warmer days, switch to chunky boots for daywear and heeled boots for nightwear once the weather really has turned. The Evening Standard suggests we think ‘Dracula on date night’… not sure if this helps or not?!

Credits: Boden catalogue September 2019; Evening Standard 9 October 2019; Good Housekeeping 15 August 2019; Grazia November 2019; Hello Fashion Monthly October and November 2019; Sosandar catalogue October/November 2019 and, WhoWhatWear 29 September 2019.

11/10/2019

This week’s post is a slight departure from the norm in that it features a small selection of photos from Amsterdam...

Amsterdam is renowned as a city for creativity and innovation, with each of its’ neighbourhoods offering different shopping opportunities. Whether it’s luxury boutiques, hip independents, vintage stores, speciality shopping, big brands, fashion chains or international designers you are after they are all there. Most of the photos below were taken in ‘The Nine Streets’ or ‘De Negen Straatjes’ neighbourhood, a series of quaint and quirky streets located around some of Amsterdam’s grandest canals. The area is full to bursting with vintage, designer and speciality shopping… even the city’s pooches and bicycle seats were catered for!

Orna Mulrooney

30/03/2020

06/02/2020

24/01/2020

10/01/2020

12/12/2019

22/11/2019

15/11/2019

25/10/2019

18/10/2019

11/10/2019

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