Tag: dresses

Summer Brights: New Vintage Inspired Summer Dresses

It’s been a hot, hot summer so far, and the sunshine doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon.  We adore bright colour all year round, but now, more than ever, is really the perfect time to shine in some vivid hues. Combine that with some easy to wear vintage inspired shapes and you will have the summer wardrobe of dreams! Lets take a closer look at some of our latest arrivals. With a rainbow palette, these dresses are a perfect pick for summer.

vintage inspired style bright dress

The Stella Dandelion Seed Dress, €69.00

First of all, we’re starting with our new Stella dress from Circus, pictured above. This popular dress shape is inspired by the style of the 1940s. It features slightly puffed short sleeves, a crossover v shape neckline, a wide, high waistband, and a flared skirt. Our favorite thing about this latest version of the Stella, is it’s quirky dandelion seed pattern on a vivid red-orange background. This a dress you will really stand out in! With it’s glamorous vintage inspired shape, this dress is ideal for fancier soirees this summer. We would pair it with an up-do and some heels for a unique look for a night out.

vintage inspired fashion summer brights

Floral Long Sleeve Dress from Perfect Day, €59.00

Next is the cutest sunshine yellow dress from Perfect Day. A bit more casual than our Stella dress, this dress features a shirt-dress shape, and a dainty floral pattern. It also features long sleeves, which are great for some light coverage to protect your arms on sunny days. We would wear this dress to cinema dates and concerts with friends. You can wear it with some brogues or boots, and a denim jacket, for a dressed down but ladylike look.

Vintage style wrap dress

The Issy Wrap Dress, €69.00

Our Issy wrap dress is such a versatile dress, and that’s why we love it. You could choose it as a bright alternative to boring old pinstripe work-wear. This dress will bring you straight from the office to after work drinks! The Issy features a 1970s inspired wrap shape that fully opens, so this dress shape is always a popular choice with our customers who are breastfeeding. Long sleeves make this a dress that’s great for chillier days or air conditioned offices, and will take you into the Autumn season also.

Vintage inspired summer dress

The Joan Butterfly Dress, €65.00

The Joan dress is another of our popular wrap shapes. In contrast to the Issy, the Joan dress does not open all the way, but instead has a pretty wrap effect bodice, removable belt, and flared skirt. You can pair it with bright and contrasting accessories for a radiant look that screams “summertime”!

With lots more new arrivals now available online, and in our stores in Dublin, Cork, and Galway,  you will certainly have a bright and shiny summer at Carousel! You can shop all of our new arrivals here now.

 

 

 

The Rose of Tralee Look

It’s here again, the world-famous Rose of Tralee Festival!

For any budding Roses out there we’ve put together a collection of outfits perfect for you and your inner lady 🙂

Nipped in waists, knee-length skirts and florals are essentials for any Rose’s tour outfits.

Closet Lily Swing Dress

Closet Lily Swing Dress: http://bit.ly/1nzDWEN

Circus Brigitte Dress

Circus Brigitte Dress: http://bit.ly/1Ar2SY6

Circus 'Ava' Dress

Circus ‘Ava’ Dress: http://bit.ly/1qZEW8i

Closet Floral Print Dress

Closet Floral Print Dress: http://bit.ly/1pEXlH0

Of course no Rose’s outfit would be complete without her accessories.

We have a large selection of elegant pieces that will suit any ensemble including these beauties-

Pretty Pearl Necklace: http://bit.ly/1rMvPs1

Pretty Pearl Necklace: http://bit.ly/1rMvPs1

Romantic Rose Ring: http://bit.ly/1pxRBkF

Romantic Rose Ring: http://bit.ly/1pxRBkF

Best of luck to all the Roses taking part! Have a fantastic experience.

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xoxo

Trés Chic! Vintage Cannes Film Festival Style.

In celebration of the beginning of the Cannes film festival 2014 this week, we’ve decided to take a look at some vintage Cannes style! This prestigious festival has always attracted the biggest stars from all over the world, and they really put their best fashion foot forward. Celebrities are mobbed by the paparazzi everywhere they go, and every minute spent there is turned into a photo opportunity. Cannes style seems to go from one extreme to the other, with no in between. It’s either laid back and casual chic as stars relax by the beach during the day, or all-out glitz and glamor as they strut the red carpet and attend parties at night. Here are some of our favorites:

From the beach…

cannes film festival style vintage bardot

Brigitte Bardot – barefoot and careless on the beachcannes film festival mens fashion retro

Cary Grant – so dapper!

boat cannes vintage grace kelly style carousel

Grace Kelly relaxes in chic floral capri pants

beach style summer cannes retro birkin

Love this laid back all white look on Jane Birkin

…to the red carpet.

cannes festival vintage loren dress

Sophia Loren stuns on the red carpet

red carpet cannes elizabeth taylor vintage

Elizabeth Taylor doesn’t need a crown to prove she’s the queen of style!

cannes retro style polka dot dress

Mitzi Gaynor and some delightful polka dots!

ballgown style retro fashion inspiration carousel

Grace Kelly’s polished ladylike evening look

Find your red carpet look with one of our modern vintage dresses, available here!

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Summer Essentials: Gorgeous new arrivals from Emily and Fin!

Seven new dresses have just arrived from Emily and Fin, and they are stunners! emily and fin dress vintage inspired carousel

We’ve been planning our wardrobes for better weather and summertime, and these new dresses are giving us lots of style inspiration! With a riot of patterns, colours, and gorgeous shapes to choose from, there is a dress for every occasion here. A classic polka dot dress can take you anywhere. You could easily wear these polka dot Emily and Fin dresses to work, a wedding, or a night out on the town. (You can find dress number 2 here, dress 4 here, and dress 5 here)

The two vibrant floral dresses from Emily and Fin will really get you in the mood for summer! Add a pop of colour to your wardrobe with the Sophie dress (here). We love its cinched waist – so flattering! Rock some vintage tropical vibes with the Scarlett dress (here). We’d add a big straw hat and sandals for summer. All we need now is a tropical beach!

Summer is always more fun than winter, and this year you can really up the fun factor with the Jessica and Lucy dresses from Emily and Fin. You’ll stay cool all summer long in the Jessica dress, with its ice lolly print and knock out shirt dress shape (available here)! We’d add some wedged sandals, cat eye shades and a retro hairstyle. Shake off the winter blues for good in the Lucy dress (available here), covered in energetic acrobats flying through the air. We love its longer length skirt, perfect if you want to stay cool with bare legs in the summer heat, but don’t like to show off too much leg!

We can’t decide which is our favorite – can we just have one of each?
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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!

vintage summer style inspiration carousel

summer dress style inspiration carousel

marilyn monroe style fashon carouselretro icon style hollywood carousel ginghamwedding dress style vintage carousel

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.
Circus clothing gingham vintage dress carousel

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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.

Circus vintage inspired dress retro carousel

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!

Circus carousel retro dress style

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.

Circus clothing retro fashion carousel

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!

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!

walt disney vintage oscars carousel

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

elizabeth taylor vintage oscars carousel

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

academy awards vintage carousel

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

oscars behind the scenes carousel

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

marilyn monroe dress vintage carousel

Marilyn Monroe on her way to the Oscars in 1951

audrey hepburn oscars awards carousel

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

audrey hepburn grace kelly academy awards

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

joan crawford oscar bed vintage

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?

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Spring Style: The Deirdre Dress is Back!

One of our favorite styles of dress – the Deirdre – is back just in time for spring, and we just had to share it with you! With three gorgeous new floral prints to choose from, its the perfectly fresh update for your wardrobe. Whether you’re meeting the girls for a bite to eat in town, taking a stroll with an ice cream by the beach, or hitting the dance floor for a shimmy, this cute and comfortable dress can take you everywhere this spring summer season!

Spring Style floal dress carousel

Vintage Inspired Spring Style

With its mandarin style collar and adorable puffed sleeves, we think this dress has a 1940’s vintage vibe, but is kept thoroughly modern with its shorter length A line skirt and popping bright colours. With so much styling potential, you could make this dress extra pretty by adding a cardigan, sling back wedges and matching flowers in your hair. Alternatively, dress it down and grunge it up with some thick tights, boots and a denim jacket. Play around with your spring style with the Deirdre dress, because this dress is definitely made for fun! Available here.

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London Fashion Week 2014 Trends: Fabulous Floral!

We can’t get enough of floral!

We’re very fond of a gorgeous floral frock here at Carousel. It’s the trend that always comes back into fashion every spring/summer season. As the sun starts to peak out from behind the clouds, and the real flowers poke their heads up from beneath the soil, our thoughts turn to warmer days and spending more time outside. Slipping on an outfit that is inspired by nature is one of the best ways to induce happy spring feelings, even if the weather is still not the best. With the explosion of floral prints on the runway at the recent London Fashion Week, floral has again been confirmed as a wardrobe essential! As proved on the London runway, floral prints don’t always have to be dainty. They can be big, bright, and bold, or even mixed with other patterns for a look that makes an impact. Don’t be afraid to stand out!

floral trend spring summer runway

Vintage inspired florals on the Clements Ribeiro runway at London Fashion Week 2014

john rocha floral trend 2014 carousel

Gorgeous and bold florals on the John Rocha runway, London Fashion Week 2014

Get the look at Carousel

graphic black white floral dress carousel

Take a leaf out of London Fashion Weeks book with this bold and graphic floral print dress (above). It’s the perfect mix of tough and pretty, ideal for the transition from winter to spring. Get it here.

Bright floral pattern spring carousel

A vintage rose pattern gets a contemporary update with bright and unexpected colours.. With its flattering neckline and pleated skirt, this dress ticks all of the boxes, and is a spring wardrobe must have! Get it here.

floral shift dress carousel vintage

With an entire bouquet of colourful flowers floating and gathering around this dress, it’s as fresh as a spring breeze. Ideal for any special occasion! Get it here.

Keep your eyes peeled as we add more floral styles to our new arrivals section over the coming months!

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3 Date Ideas – And What To Wear On Them!

Fresh Spring Date Ideas

No two couples are the same, so no two dates should be either. Since it’s almost Valentines day, we’ve been thinking about some of our favorite date ideas that are a little different to the usual fancy restaurant or cinema – and some inspiration for what to wear on them. Of course, these date ideas are not only suited to loved up couples. If you’re single, grab your best gal pal, sister, mother, or work colleague, and get out there and have some fun together!

A Heart Warming Nature Walk

Wrap up warm and head to the hills (or your local park)! A walk in the fresh, chilly spring air, surrounded by nature, is the perfect way to get your blood pumping, and gives you and your date a brilliant chance to talk and share stories. You could bring along a mini picnic of warm soup in a flask for extra heart warming goodness. Best of all, it’s completely free! You’ll need a warm and comfortable outfit, but it should also make you feel gorgeous. Layer this richly textured, inspired by nature dress under a parka jacket and a cosy scarf. Add thick tights, a slouchy hat, and comfortable boots, and you’re ready to get back to nature.

Valentines Dates style vintage carousel

A Loud and Live Music Gig

What better way to get up close and personal with your date then shimmying to the beat together in front of a live band? Bound to turn up the heat and get pulses racing, the music might be too loud for conversation, but this is a great way to loosen up and become relaxed in each others company. We’d wear this gorgeous graphic floral print dress under a denim or leather jacket, for that perfect mix of tough and pretty that really gives you an edge.

Valentines floral dress vintage inspired carousel

Become A Tourist In Your Hometown

Grab your camera, a map, and a date, and head out into your hometown to visit places that are usually the haunt of tourists. Wandering around museums and exhibitions is the perfect way to explore the interests and tastes of your date, and will give you plenty to talk about. Don’t forget to take lots of photos of each other on your adventures! By rediscovering and exploring your hometown, you might also start to see it through fresh eyes to boot. This cute and laid back printed dress is perfect for the urban explorer.

Valentines date ideas outfit carousel

Have you ever been on a date like any these? Do you have any unique date ideas?

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