Weekend Style: We Style A Skirt 3 Ways For Every Day of The Weekend!

Around this time of the week, our minds often turn to whatever it is we’re looking forward to this weekend – and what we’ll wear! We decided to take one of our favorite pieces in the shop at the moment, and see how it can solve all of our weekend style woes, and get us through a busy weekend with ease. With its block red colour, this pleated midi skirt (available here) will go with almost anything. We adore its vintage inspired shape. We would wear it high on our waist for that classic 1950’s fit and flare look. So, let the weekend begin…

Friday night: Bowling Bonanza!

Ahhh work is finished for the week – now it’s time for the fun to begin. You’re joining your friends for the most retro of activities – bowling. You may not get a full strike every time, but this cute outfit is guaranteed to bowl everyone over! We unfastened the last few buttons on this cute bird cage print shirt and tied it in a knot to exaggerate this outfits retro vibe. You may not actually own a bowling ball, but this adorable bowling bag is just what you need to keep all your essentials in. Add some saddle or oxford style shoes, and you’re ready to hit those lanes! You can find the shirt here, and bag here.

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Saturday: Shopping Trip

It’s Saturday morning, and time to meet up with your best friend for a relaxed coffee and a wander around some of your favorite shops or markets. Comfort is key here, but you won’t want to compromise on style. This gorgeous shirt puts a darling twist on the standard white shirt, with its dainty print and pretty pleating detail. Paired with the red midi skirt, this look is casual, but chic. Add a neckerchief to get a look reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn in “Roman Holiday” (1953). You’ll need a bag that can hold all the precious new trinkets you may pick up on your shopping trip, and this shopper bag is fit for the job. It’s gorgeous blue colour will compliment the whole outfit. Add a comfortable pair of flats or loafers, and you’re ready to head into town! You can find the shirt here, and bag here.

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Saturday Night: Restaurant Date

It’s time for some romance, and you have a tasty trip to a restaurant planned. Don’t be afraid to make a glamorous statement. Use block colours to add a contemporary edge to the vintage inspired skirt, and pile on the bling. You can make sure your accessories aren’t too overwhelming by sticking to accessorising one area only. Here we layered some large statement necklaces over a black top, but left our hands and wrists free of any decoration. This top is anything but plain. It has a sparkling sheer pleated panel on the back, ensuring you look great from all angles! Add this black and white bag and some bright colour block heels to complete this look.

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Sunday: Time to Relax!

Phew! After all of that we think you deserve a rest! So throw on those comfy pajamas and head for the couch.

Take care!
Carousel xox

Gingham is Great! Get Inspired With One Of Our Favorite Patterns.

We’re taking a look at and getting inspired by one of our favorite patterns today – gingham!

With a history stretching back as far as the 1600’s, when it was first imported to Europe, gingham has always been a fashion staple. Fresh, fun, and easy to wear, it’s the perfect pattern to welcome spring into your wardrobe.

Gingham gained a new found popularity with style leaders during the 1940’s and 50’s. Featured in many movie wardrobes, such as on Katharine Hepburn in “The Philadelphia Song” (1940), and seen on many glamorous stars of old Hollywood, this checkered classic was having a stylish revival. Brigitte Bardot even got married in a gingham wedding dress, causing a shortage of the fabric in France! We’ve gathered together some of our favorite vintage gingham looks below, and we’ll show you how to get the look from Carousel!

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Get some gorgeous gingham from Carousel!

We have a major crush on this adorable fit and flare dress from Circus! It’s cute checkered pattern and beautiful blue color will add a breath of fresh air to any wardrobe. Combined with it’s vintage inspired shape, this dress is an instant classic. Based on gingham’s rich and long history, you can’t go wrong with this fab frock! You can find out more about this dress here.
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Introducing Circus: A Unique New Vintage Inspired Label!

Introducing Circus!

We are so excited to stock this brand new label – we just had to share it with you! Circus make vintage inspired pieces for the modern woman, and is a result of collaboration between independent fashion retailers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Consisting of stylish separates and darling dresses galore, Circus is really something special!

Influenced by the classic and feminine shapes of the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s, Circus updates and puts a contemporary twist on old favorites. With colourful patterns, unique prints, shorter hemlines, comfortable fabrics, great fits, and a range of sizes, Circus is perfect for the modern vintage loving lady. The range includes a staple of fifteen shapes. More patterns and prints will be added all the time, mixing and matching as the line grows.

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Each piece is available in a size 8 – 14, and is so easy to wear. Circus make looking stylish and elegant a breeze! Made from cotton and cotton derivatives (such as rayon and viscose) these clothes hang beautifully, and haves a flowing, soft feel. This is especially evident in their dresses, many of which have full circle skirts. That extra swing makes them perfect for movement and dancing the night away!

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We think Circus is made for the woman who knows what she wants. The collaborative nature of the Circus label means that retailers who can’t find the styles they are looking for can ask Circus to make them for them. Since independent retailers always love to get feedback and input from their customers, the clothing made by Circus is based on customers ideas and needs.

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Fun, unique, elegant, not afraid to be herself; a classic – does this sound like you? Then you’ll love Circus! Go here to see the full range, stocked exclusively in Ireland by Carousel!

Xposé comes to Carousel

It’s always exciting when Carousel gets a visit from the glamorous Xposé team from TV3, and their visit last week was no exception! They wanted to take a look at the new, vintage inspired, U.K. brand “Circus”, stocked exclusively in Ireland by Carousel! Stylist Irene put together some of her favorite looks for the piece, which you can watch here.

Keep on scrolling to see some behind the scenes shots from the filming of the final piece, featuring some gorgeous looks from Circus.

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To shop for these looks, and more from Circus, go here.

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Get Ready For The Academy Awards 2014 With Our Vintage Oscars Flashback!

Be Inspired By Our Pick of Vintage Oscars Moments!

It’s that time of the year again! Yes that’s right, it’s Oscars time! While we’re waiting to see who wins what (and equally as important, who wears what!) we decided to take a trip back in time and look at some of our favorite vintage Oscars moments. With the first Academy awards show being held in 1929, the show has had a long and glittering past. There’s no denying that although the stars of today know how to wow with their glamorous attire, you just can’t beat the stars of old Hollywood. Their timeless elegance and style transcends fashion, and would look just as gorgeous on the red carpets of today. So take a look at our pick of vintage Oscar moments, and get in the mood for the biggest show of the awards season tonight!

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Shirley Temple presents Walt Disney with an Oscar and seven miniature Oscars in 1939 – awww!

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Elizabeth Taylor surrounded by admirers as she arrives at the Oscars in 1961

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Bette Davis who presented Marlon Brando and Grace Kelly with their Oscars in 1955

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Producer Buddy Adler’s Academy Award waits for him in the cloak room of an Oscars after party in 1954.

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Marilyn Monroe on her way to the Oscars in 1951

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Audrey Hepburn surround by paparazzi as she cradles her award for “Roman Holiday”

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Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn wait backstage at the Oscars, 1956.

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Joan Crawford receives her Academy Award in bed in 1946 after she feigned illness because she was sure she wouldn’t win!

So, do you have any favorite vintage Oscars moments of your own?

Carousel xox