Nine pieces for your wardrobe inspired by crafts like crochet and embroidery
I like to get the most out of my wardrobe but when it comes to summer, I always feel a bit cheated. Is it summer outside or is it just spring in a fancy glass with two olives and a twist?
Investing in feather-light pieces feels cavalier unless a sun-soaked holiday is on the cards, so I defer instead to interchangeable staples that lend themselves to layering. Lately, things have changed. The seasonal craft trend has had a makeover.
Now rendered with clean lines and tailoring, details like embroidery, cutwork, crochet and appliqué exhibit a contemporary edge. Better still, you can wear it well past that two-week break. Here's how.
Ecru jeans are the harbinger of good weather. Once spotted in the wild, you can safely emerge from hibernation. London-based brand Never Fully Dressed cleverly taps into this phenomenon with their cutwork scallop pair. Team with a tank top and sandals or add a suede jacket for extra wear time.
Likewise, when the sun is in its rightful place, the ease of a matching set is unrivalled. Try Essentiel Antwerp's lace embroidery offering in pink and baby blue. The shirt alone doubles as a bikini cover-up with shorts or over a thin polo neck with wide-leg trousers.
If your vibe is neutral and low-key, stay true to your aesthetic with a fresh spin on broderie anglaise. H&M's office-friendly midi dress (love that bolo-style belt) is worth a raise. As for al fresco fun? Accessories like an embroidered heel, a crochet bag or a raffia necklace (pay Zara a visit) ensure visual interest without the long-term commitment.
Now that's crafty.
Cotton shirt and wide-leg trousers with lace embroidery
Cotton shirt (€195) and wide-leg trousers with lace embroidery (€215), Essentiel Antwerp
Essentiel Antwerp, €195 and €215
'Enchanted' cutwork scallop jeans
'Enchanted' cutwork scallop jeans, Never Fully Dressed, €189
Never Fully Dressed, €189
Per Una cotton appliqué bomber jacket
Per Una cotton applique bomber jacket, M&S, €105
M&S, €105
'Zoya' satin sandals
'Zoya' satin sandals, RIXO, €285
RIXO, €285
Raffia flower necklace
Raffia flower necklace, Zara, €19.95
Zara, €19.95
Broderie anglaise dress
Broderie anglaise dress, H&M, €59.99
H&M, €59.99
Crochet mini bucket bag with beads
Crochet mini bucket bag with beads, Zara, €49.95
Zara, €49.95
Sequin and bead embellished shirt
Sequin and bead embellished shirt, Essentiel Antwerp, €195
Essentiel Antwerp, €195
RIXO 'Sunday' wool-blend jacket
RIXO 'Sunday' wool-blend jacket, MyTheresa, €328
MyTheresa, €328
Read More
How to have fun with polka dots when dressing for spring
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Louis Tomlinson squeezes Zara McDermott's bum as they kiss on romantic holiday in Costa Rica
LOUIS Tomlinson and Zara McDermott's chemistry was on full display during their Costa Rica holiday. The One Direction star and Love Island beauty couldn't keep their hands off each other on a sun-soaked day out. Advertisement 8 Louis Tomlinson squeezed new girfriend Zara McDermott's bum in Costa Rica Credit: BackGrid 8 The boyband star couldn't keep his hands off Love Island beauty Zara Credit: BackGrid 8 They were spotted waiting for a quad bike on a trip outside their hotel Credit: BackGrid 8 Louis took the lead on a ride through the town Credit: BackGrid 8 The pop star looked happy and relaxed after flying Zara out to see him Credit: BackGrid They were spotted hiring a quad bike, with Louis, 33, taking the lead as they cruised through town. The History singer wore an orrange T-shirt and white shorts, which he teamed with black sunglasses and a baseball cap. At one point Louis puffed on a cigarette while they waited for their ride, with a smitten Zara wrapping her arms around him. Advertisement READ MORE ON LOUIS AND ZARA Louis returned the affection by gently squeezing her bum and planting a kiss. They were later seen grinning at each other before hopping on the quad bike and driving away. Louis flew the Strictly star out in first class to a secluded villa last week. He's currently working on new music there and wanted to spend some quality time with Zara after going public with their romance. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity She was previously seen A source said: 'Louis and Zara are going from strength to strength. Louis Tomlinson and Zara McDermott look loved up as they are spotted on holiday in Costa Rica 'He got his team to organise her first-class travel from London to 'It meant Zara was unable to attend the TV Baftas but she is keen to spend as much time with Louis as possible." Advertisement Louis will be back in the UK for Soccer Aid next week and is set to play on the England side with Zara's ex Sam Thompson. Zara She has decided to skip Soccer Aid to avoid an awkward run-in with her ex. Zara and Louis confirmed their romance on holiday in Los Angeles over a month ago. Advertisement The pair were The Sun revealed they were an item after they were spotted enjoying an overnight stay at The Suffolk in Aldeburgh in exclusive photos. It came amid reports that Zara had formed close bonds with Louis' They recently teased a new reality show, with sources claiming Zara has been helping them behind the scenes thanks to her experience as a TV presenter and documentary maker. Advertisement 8 Louis and Zara struggled to keep their distance Credit: BackGrid 8 The couple rarely let go of each other in a sweet display Credit: BackGrid 8 Zara posing in Los Angeles after flying out to meet Louis there Credit: Instagram
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Viral' co-ords, supermarket steals and prices from just £2.50: the fashion team reveal what to pack for your holiday
PACKING for a holiday isn't always the easiest of tasks. Finding your passport, checking the weather and remembering the travel adapter - let alone deciding what to wear for a whole week - takes a lot of planning. Luckily, the high street is full of stylish summer pieces to oomph up your holiday wardrobe. Whether you're going on a UK staycation or a far-flung getaway, the fashion team has you covered, as they reveal what's in their suitcases this summer. Tracey Lea Sayer, 53, Fashion Director 4 Tracey's vibrant holiday picks are all about light layers and fun accessories - perfect for Morocco Credit: Top, £56, Next - Trousers, £54, Next - Bag, £49.99, Zara - Hat, £65, COS - Swimsuit, £80, Hush - Sandals, £35.99, Mango - Scarf, £14, Marks & Spencer - Earrings, £17.99, Zara - Dress, £79.99, ZW Collection at Zara - Sunglasses, £55, Le Specs - Waistcoat, £125, Jaeger at Marks & Spencer - Trousers, £150, Jaeger at Marks & Spencer - Bag, £99, Mint Velvet - For my long weekend away in Marrakesh with only hand-luggage, I'm going for warm, rustic colours and long, loose layers, topped off with a big, bold sunhat to hit the medina. read more in shopping My go-to in the heat is always linen. These striped trousers from Next, teamed with the tie-back top, are perfect for keeping cool when the temperature soars. I also love adding texture to my summer looks: viral cornelli detailing on an evening co-ord, a mother-of pearl embellished clutch and resin multicoloured earrings can be mixed and matched, and will take your daytime looks through to evening. Oh, and don't forget a neck scarf - wear it with everything from your bikini to your floaty summer frock. Most read in Fabulous Abby McHale, 30, Deputy Fashion Editor 4 Abby is safari-ready with her top-holiday picks Credit: Shirt, £29.99, Zara - Trousers, £27.99, Zara - Sandals, £55, M&S Collection at Marks and Spencer - T-shirt, £12, Primark - Shorts, £36, River Island - Sunglasses, £55, Le Specs - Skirt, £18, Tu at Sainsbury's - Swimsuit, £42, Next - Hat, £25, John Lewis - Dress, £80, Michelle Keegan at Very - I love matching my wardrobe to my surroundings, so planning my holiday outfits always brings me great joy. Jetting off to the sandy beaches and jungles of Sri Lanka means I'm going for tropical swimwear, graphic T-shirts, and earthy tones to match my exotic surroundings. Loose trousers with elasticated waistbands are a must to be comfortable and flowy, as well as flat sandals to explore in. Practical items can still be stylish, too - I adore this check bucket hat from John Lewis and super-cool sunglasses from Le Specs. Clemmie Fieldsend, 34, Fashion Editor 4 Clemmie is packing smart for the unpredictable British weather in Norfolk Credit: Hat, £22, Next - Blouse, £98, Boden - Sandals, £29, Next - Bag, £79.99, Mango - Swimsuit, £20, George at Asda - Jacket, £44.99, H&M - Sweatshirt, £45, GAP - Sunglasses, £85, Messy Weekend - Shorts, £60, Levi - T-shirt, £18, Next - Dress, £16, Primark - As we all know, the British seaside can mean rain or sunshine - or even both at the same time - so for my staycation, I'll be covering all bases with light fabrics and layering pieces. A wind-resistant jacket, a sweatshirt for warmth and of course sandals and shorts are all must-packs. I try to add pieces that I know I can dress up or dress down and will work for every occasion - be it a blustery beach day or a promenade stroll with ice cream in hand - and this lovely lot just does that. Emily Regan, 25, Fashion Assistant 4 Emily is ready to hit the city of love in true 'Emily in Paris' style! Credit: Skirt, £97, & Other Stories - Belt, £19.50, M&S Collection at Marks & Spencer - Ballet pumps, £45.99, Mango - Jacket, £89.99, Mango - Bag, £45, Monty - Jeans, £35.99, Pull & Bear - Sunglasses, £2.50, Primark - Shorts, £12, Primark - Tshirt, £12.99, Reserved - Scarf, £45, The Tartan Blanket Co - Dress, £89, M&S Collection at Marks & Spencer - Bag, £19.99, H&M - I'm hoping to get away on a city break to Paris this summer. I've visited the city a few times before, and one thing's for sure, the French have great style, so my outfit game needs to be strong. For my trip to the French capital, I'll be channeling the Emily in Paris aesthetic (of course!) with colourful stripes and luxe bouclé - though I draw the line at a beret... Since I'll likely be travelling with just hand luggage, I've picked a selection of versatile pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. Why the high street still rules! Fabulous' Fashion Director, Tracey Lea Sayer shares her thoughts. I WAS 10 when I first discovered the utter joy of high-street shopping for clothes with my mum and nan. Going into town on Saturday became a family tradition – a girls' day out we would look forward to all week. My mum's favourite shop was M&S, where she would gaze at jackets with big shoulder pads and floral sundresses, while my nan would make a beeline for John Lewis and their classic coats and elegant court shoes. I was all over Tammy Girl – Etam's little sister – and Chelsea Girl, which was later rebranded to high-street fave River Island. I would spend hours in the changing rooms, watched keenly by my two cheerleaders, who gave the thumbs up – or thumbs down – on what I was trying on. Frilly ra-ra skirts, duster coats, polka dot leggings, puff balls, boob tubes… I tried them all, often making my nan howl with laughter. Fashion wasn't so fast back in the 1980s and every item was cherished and worn until it fell apart – literally – at the seams. At 18, I went to art college and my tastes became more refined. Extra cash from a part-time job in a bar meant I could move on to slightly more expensive stores, like Warehouse, Miss Selfridge and the mecca that was Topshop. I knew at this point I wanted to work in fashion because the high street had totally seduced me. One day, I wrote an article for a competition in a glossy mag about my love of retail therapy and my favourite LBD – and I won! That led me to where I am today – Fashion Director of Fabulous . It's not just me that loves the high street – big-name designers are fans, too. When Cool Britannia hit in the '90s, they all turned up in one big store. Designers at Debenhams was a stroke of genius by Debenhams CEO Belinda Earl, designer Ben de Lisi and fashion director Spencer Hawken, who introduced diffusion ranges from John Rocha, Matthew Williamson and Betty Jackson, to name a few. This meant we could all afford a bit of luxury and wear a well-known designer's signature style. Years later, I hosted a night with Debenhams and Fabulous for 250 readers, who were in awe meeting all the designers. It was a real career highlight for me. In 2004, H&M started rolling out their international designer collabs. Karl Lagerfeld was first, followed by Roberto Cavalli, Marni, Stella McCartney, Maison Martin Margiela, Sonia Rykiel, Comme des Garçons, Balmain, Versace and many, many more. I could barely contain myself! Then in 2007, Kate Moss launched her first collection with Topshop, with thousands queuing along London's Oxford Street. I remember sitting behind Ms Moss and Topshop boss Philip Green at a London Fashion Week Topshop Unique catwalk show. I had my three-year-old daughter, Frankie, in tow and we both made the news the next day after we were papped behind Kate, my supermodel girl crush. At the time, the high street was on fire. Who needed designer buys when Mango stocked tin foil trousers just like the designer Isabel Marant ones and you could buy a bit of Barbara Hulanicki's legendary brand Biba from Topshop? High street stores even started to storm London Fashion week. Although Topshop Unique had shown collections since 2001, in 2013 River Island showed its first collection in collaboration with global superstar Rihanna, who was flown in by a friend of mine on a private jet. KER-CHING! A whole new generation of high profile high street collabs followed. Beyoncé created Ivy Park with Topshop's Philip Green and I even flew to LA for Fabulous to shoot the Kardashian sisters in their bodycon 'Kollection' for Dorothy Perkins. I am pleased to say they were the absolute dream cover stars. Fast forward to 2024 and while the high street doesn't look exactly like it did pre-Covid, it has made a gallant comeback. Stores like M&S, Reserved and Zara, and designer collabs like Victoria Beckham X Mango and Rochelle Humes for Next are giving me all the feels. The supermarkets have really come into their own, too, smashing it with gorgeous collections that look expensive, but at prices that still allow us to afford the weekly shop. The last 30 years of high street fashion have been one big adventure for me. Bring on the next 30!
The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Get the Farm Rio colourful, designer look, loved by celebs for over half the price this summer
If you want to inject a sprinkle of sunshine, a flurry of fun and a whole lot of carnival into your holiday wardrobe then Brazilian Label Farm Rio has it all. Banana prints dresses, Toucan T-shirts and red-hot chilly rompers all feature in their fun-in-the-sun designs. 5 Be inspired by A-list loved brand Farm Rio this summer Credit: Born out of a Brazilian market stall in 1997 by two friends, Kátia Barros and Marcello Bastos, Farm Rio's famous prints are a love letter to Rio's de Janeiro's vibrant sun-kissed style. Loved by the likes of Selena Gomez and Priyanka Chopra the brand has infiltrated the UK and most recently made its way into Selfridges. However, the designs do come with a price tag with dresses often retailing for hundreds of pounds. If you love the style, but don't have the budget then the high street is full of alternative options to give you the same look. Most read in Fashion So, whether you are heading to Copacabana Beach or just popping to Croydon for a coffee this summer the fashion team are here to show you how you can get the Farm Rio look for not as much buck. Tracey Lea Sayer, 53, Fashion Director 5 Get summer holiday ready like Tracey Credit: Shirt, £158, Reiss - Shorts, £130, Reiss - Bag, £79.99, Mango - Necklace, £25.99, Zara - Earrings, £17.99, Zara - Sunglasses, £55, Le Specs at Selfridges - Thong sandals, £99, Massimo Dutti - My obsession with Farm Rio knows no bounds but unfortunately my budget doesn't always stretch that far, not even on In the summer I always become obsessed with colours and prints. I start Most read in Fabulous Luckily the high street is all over this trend with prices to suit every budget. I have chosen this gorgeous mid-price range co-ord from Reiss. The lily and lemon print makes me think of soaking up the sunshine on a terrace, drinking a Emily, 25, Fashion Assistant 5 Take tips from Emily's home or way outfit Credit: Dress, £150, Forever New - Sandals, £36, River Island - Bangle, £35.50, Bijoux De Mimi - Bag, £59.99, Zara - Bag charm, £19.99, Parfois - I'm a big fan of summer dressing, and Farm Rio always gets it right, though their prices are a bit out of reach for me. Thankfully, the high street is full of budget-friendly, boho-inspired pieces that look just as good. This printed dress from Forever New is available in a midi and mini length and looks like it could be designer. The pattern is stunning and super detailed and I'm obsessed with the red bow straps. Plus it's super versatile, you could style it over a white baby tee with sandals for a daytime look or add gold wedges like I have for an evening on holiday. I finished the outfit with a stack of colourful bangles and a pearl bag from Zara. All of their pieces are fun, bright and just ooze holiday and hot weather style - what's not to love, aye? Clemmie Fieldsend, 34, Fashion Editor 5 Get inspired by holiday detailing with Clemmie's outfit Credit: Despite having a mostly neutral wardrobe, I do love Farm Rio. My personal style does tend to steer away from over the top, statement frocks but that doesn't mean I can't channel the brand. Punchy colour and tropical prints are at the heart of Farm Rio and this shorts and cardi combination embodies that. This cardigan from Never Fully Dressed, who have heaps of looks similar to Farm Rio, is more me. Holiday inspired detailing I can wear on cool summer evenings and I'm in love with this bright green shade. Topped off with a lot of texture, like this amazing bag from Reserved and shoes from Mango. Finish with gold jewellery and my go-to cat-eye sunglasses and get me to Rio. Cardigan, £100, Never Fully Dressed - Shorts, £45, Joules - Bag, £39.99, Reserved - Necklace, 46, Boden - Shoes, £59.99, Mango - Sunglasses, £15, Marks & Spencer - Abby McHale, 30, Deputy Fashion Editor 5 Embrace all things bright and bold with Abby's picks Credit: Dress, £62, River Island - Earrings, £15.99, Mango - Shoes, £49.99, Zara - Necklace, £14, Accessorise- Bag, £36, River Island - Summer is my favourite season to dress for and this kind of style just screams holiday. The colours, the prints, all the accessories, it's such a fun style to play around with. River Island is smashing its summer looks currently and its new range with Atlas is really hitting the spot. I'm obsessed with this asymmetric dress from the collection, the print is so vibrant and fun. Paired with some sun jewellery, a pair of bright heels and a raffia bag - now all I need to do is book another holiday. Why you should always buy a dupe over designer... Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend says it's time fashion snobs stopped looking down their noses at affordable versions of designer buys. Bargain US supermarket Walmart became a social media sensation when its £60 dupe of Hermès' Birkin bag, dubbed the Wirkin, went viral. Influencer @styledbykristi gushed: "Eighty dollars (£60), you can pretend that you got a Birkin. I mean, everyone will probably know it's not, because who the hell has the money to spend on the real Birkin? Not me.' Me neither. And why bother? I would never spend that on a designer bag (although if someone wants to buy one for me, that's a different story). Plus, if I splashed that much, I'd feel I was being ripped off... We've all been told how the leading brands use the finest leather, thread, dyes and craftsmanship in the world. But all that is inflated by fashion houses to create the desired illusion of exclusivity. Just last year, Dior came under investigation for paying £44 to assemble a bag that sells for £2,000. So while you might think you are paying for top-level craftsmanship carried out by a true artisan, chances are the poorly paid workers are not seeing any of your hard-earned cash. Dupes — not to be mistaken for knock-offs that copy everything from the logo to the inside label — are a more practical and all-round sensible way to go. I bought my first when I was 18. It lasted me four years and only broke after I wore it in the shower. And these days, British high streets have plenty of dupes. In the past three years, Marks & Spencer, H&M and Mango have all seen huge spikes in sales thanks to their canny copies. They use the same viral, must-have marketing tactics that pricey brands have. Fashion folk will tell you that you are making an investment and buying a 'heritage piece' and will turn their noses up at a high street equivalent. But we've been wearing looks inspired by catwalk designers for decades. If we can buy a bag that's the spitting image of the pricier version, but doesn't mean you have to remortgage, why not?
