Gothetshirt

Plastic cagey ones, curly handled ones, ones that look like frogs when they open…ones with milk bottles on top instead of a point. Seriously. I saw one yesterday.  When did umbrellas become so fabulous anyway?  I blame it on Rihanna. The humble brolly is now having a fashion moment. 

I like the ones Topshop are selling. They’re frilly and dainty and polka-dotted with curly faux leather handles. Very My Fair Lady.  At €23 they give the phrase ’saving for a rainy day’ a whole new meaning. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far there’s always Primark’s cheap and cheerful ones. Penneys from heaven indeed.

Who is this Promod? http://www.promod.com/  is the new kid on the block in Liffey Valley.  Expect casuals and basics with a chic French twist.  Shoes and accessories are high quality too-buttersoft leather bags and boho suede boots.  Get them while they’re hot!

Check out www.strawberrynet.com for fantastic discounted make-up, perfume and cosmetics. Best of all, shipping is absolutely FREE to anywhere in the world.

Bored with Bershka? Tired of Topshop? Fed up of being a high-street fashion clone?  You could consider designing your own t-shirts.  Before you reach for the Dylon tie-dye kit, first log on to http://www.threadless.com/.  It’s a site dedicated to creating and voting for original t-shirt and hoody designs.  Right now they’re running a competition based on the theme of travel.  There’s a trip to Iceland up for grabs for the best design. Time to get crafty! Even if you’re not the ‘orty’ type, you can show your appreciation by snapping up one of the limited edition designs.

If RTE ever came up with an original TV format it would probably die of loneliness. Just last week it re-launched the new series of Off the Rails its ‘homegrown’ fashion series with two new presenters. Can’t say I’m sorry to see Caroline Morahan or Pamela Flood go, but the new series is nothing but an amalgamation of Channel 4’s 10 Years Younger, Trinny and Susannah Dress the Nation and any of Gok Wan’s shows.  Except it’s in Ireland.   So Brendan, what’s the colour of the season? Wait, let me guess, it’s ’scarleh’, isn’t it?!

Why would anyone want to put themselves up for a make-over show anyway???