"Fashions fade, style is eternal." — Yves Saint-Laurent

Like fashions fading so has my attention to stylebops.

Shouting "I have no clothes!" at my overflowing wardrobe is my new hobby

No more excuses - everyone has a fat day and having a fat day makes us feel like no matter what is in our over flowing wardraobes nothing is going to make us feel good. The realisation that I could no longer squeeze my curves into any of my favourite jeans - that and the fact that I am only 3 months away from walking down the aisle has given me the kick up the proverbial I really needed.



Like a model running from scales after a few glasses of vino I have been avoiding stylebops and not for totally dissimilar reasons! Everyone has been there - a few months with no exercise and bad food and impossibly nothing I put together feels anywhere near stylish enough to leave the house in never mind write about. But as Alicia Keys says "The most important thing to remember is that you can wear all the greatest clothes and all the greatest shoes, but you’ve got to have a good spirit on the inside. That’s what’s really going to make you look like you’re ready to rock the world." 

I am not a clothes hanger and I never will be. I've got a booty and I like it but time to get the rest of it in check and nobody looks good with a muffin top (even if the top of the muffin is the best part)! So after a few serious treadmill sessions and some painful yogalates classes the condifence is back! Conversations with the girls and pawing over endless magazines has reminded me about why I really started the blog in the first place - my inability to look in the mirror in my two tight jeans lately has caused serious memory loss. I wanted to write stylebops to understand my style, to find it and hopefully make it better - to make the most of whar I have and work it! Rachel Zoe famously said 

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak" 

That is what I want to find silent style.


I think I am like a style chamelon - ever  adapting but deep down conventional - with a shot of bright lipstick! Nothing makes me feel readier for the world than a slick of Mac's "Girl About Town" - it's my onw constant and my absolute cannot live without make-up essential. No matter how dressed down you are some lippy has you ready for a night on the town!


Those style icons though the silent ones... the ones the rest of us aspiring fashionistas can only but dream to emulate - they are the brave, the fearless, those not afraid to challenge boundaries - to do the impossible and be truely individual. I dedicate this blog to my top ten style icons those who inspire me to try and be braver and who have changed the world with their own perspectives in their own little ways.


1. The one the only Mr. Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld - Chanel Creative Director

He is the creative director of Chanel and the coolest man to ever dawn black and use a cane (Scott Disick no matter how hard you try you will never make the cane look as good). He is instantly identifiable as consistent in his classic timeless designs for Chanel as he is with his slicked back white ponytail. If there is anyone as iconic in today's world of fashion I would like someone to point them out. 




2. The Bootylicious Beyoncé

Beyoncé in Paris Jun '12 rocking brights like only she can

My personal favorite - I am in love with this lady - her music, her alter ego, her energy, her power, everything a young girl should be inspired by. Her fashion choices - not always hailed by everyone - are bold, eclectic and strong just like her music. I particularly love this outfit she was spotted out about in on a recent trip to fashion capitol of the world!




3. Magnificent Classical Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is up there with Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly as the most naturally beautiful woman that ever lived. She was sexy and sassy and she paved the way for women showcasing their sexiness in their style - her followers like Rhianna but Marilyn set the standard for sexy cool as far I am concerned.

4. Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga and her green locks in Australia

Shes' toned it down of late but love her or hate her (and I swing madly from right to left) she certainly lets her style do the talking and she is probably the bravest celebrity around when it comes to fashion choices so she definitely deserves some respect for that.

5. Everyone's favourite Pirate... Johnny Depp

The quiet the brooding Johnny Depp

He might not be Vanessa Paradis' favourite pirate right now but he's still mine. I'm not usually a fan of boho chic on men but he can definitely pull it off and unlike most of his celebrity male counterparts he rarely puts a stylish foot wrong - his individual and immediately identifable figure leaves everyone else in his wake.

6.The one and only CoCo Chanel

The perfection of Coco Chanel

I think YSL might have stolen their quote from Madame Chanel who once said

"fashion fades only style says the same"

So great is her legacy that the room in which she lived in the Ritz in Paris has been preserved and continually referenced as is every image of her and everything she ever designed. Her strive for perfection continues to course through every vain of Chanel and everything they do.

7. Fashion it girl Alexa Chung

Designer's favourite Alexa Chung front row 

Alexa Chung is a fashion it girl - she has become a muse for countless designers and is guaranteed front row position at any fashion show she chooses to attend and has graced countless magazine covers. While Alexa's style isn't something I would attempt myself she knows what works for her - the laid back boyish look makes the best of everything she's got (and she has a lot!) and her festival style is second to none. 


8. Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour

Original and over the top as always on the red carpet

Anna Wintour editor-in-chief of American Vogue and has been so since 1988. She is synonymous with the fashion industry and legend has it that she can make or break trends and designers. Some say that Meryl Streep's Miranda Kerr from Devil Wears Prada was based on her. She is an institution and shows huge support for upcoming designers and she will always deserve a place on my list.


9. Accessory Queen Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo keeping cosy

Beautiful stylish and elegantly stylish. Olivia Palermo is my modern day Audrey Hepburn. She wasn't my favourite character in the City but she definitely knows how to work it and I love her blog and pinterest boards. No matter how many accessories she used I never feel that she is trying to hard - it's always so well put together I would love to have a coffee and pick her brain!


10. Boho Chic Florence and the Machine

Florence Welch at the VMAs

Florence Welch is original and vintage and a little bit scruffy around the edges - but she manages to make it look elegant and easy something I am totally incapable of. I went to see her in concert and she wore a beautiful black and gold jumpsuit she was graceful and awe inspiring everything a modern lady should be.


I'm off to the Ebay Online Fashion Show in Dublin tomorrow night so I'll be sure to keep you up to date on that but in the meantime follow my musings on my girl about town page.


Bops xx