Style Vs Fashion: OOTD Diaries Best of 2017!

Thursday, January 04, 2018



So it's the beginning of a New Year, and with that comes the start of many new fashion adventures! For me every day is a catwalk moment, how I dress has very little to do with the current hot trend, or what celebrities are currently wearing. Instead I care about wearing clothes that make ME happy, yes that’s right ME! It’s not about how many instagram likes I can get from wearing a trending look, or if I’ve scored that sell out bag or jacket you're sick of seeing on everyone, it’s about wearing things that make me feel good, that put a spring in my step and a smile on my face!

Trends can be great for inspiration but personal style is something different, it’s about understanding the language of clothes, knowing how they make you feel, what best suits you (body shape AND personality wise) and most importantly wearing looks that YOU love!

For me it’s not about chasing after the latest Instagram trend, it’s about expressing my personality and love of craftsmanship and quality pieces when it comes to my fashion tastes. I might choose to wear head to toe designer, or pull out a vintage item from my wardrobe that I’ve had for twenty years, or even rock a pair of designer shoes with a Primark dress! I love the fact that my clothes reflect where I am in my life, they are an extension of how I'm feeling and what makes me happy. My style has reached a point where I know what works for me and I know how to dress in a way that will best showcase my physical assets as well as my personality! No longer do I feel the pressure of having to fit in, changing up my look every five minutes to stay “fashionable”, instead I choose to be stylish, and wear looks that work best for me. If I feel inspired to push my fashion boundaries, I opt for a new take on my core fashion DNA rather than jumping on a fashion trend bandwagon that may be massively popular but just doesn't work for me!

With all this in mind I thought I would look back over the past twelve months and share with you my Top 5 favourite looks from 2017! Looking back over my photos it was certainly the year of the dress for me, with so many of my looks revolving round a show stopping dress and a pair of killer heels! (What can I say, I'm a sucker for a cute dress!) So here they are, in no particular order, my Top 5 favourite looks from 2017!!

Love thy Self (Portrait)!


2017 was the year of Self Portrait for me! A brand I had loved for what seemed like forever, I finally took the plunge and bought my first Self Portrait piece, this AMAZING Butterfly guipure lace mini dress! The quality of it is seriously next level, it's lace detailing is beautifully finished and the dress itself weighs a ton! Such a classically chic style it’s given a fashion edge with it’s cuff detailing that even has concealed wire in the ‘wing cuffs’ to help them stay in shape! Worth every penny (and the certainly not the only Self Portrait that ended up in my wardrobe in 2017!) I wore this dress styled with chic green accessories to the opening night of SS17 West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK!


Bandage Style!


What can I say, I do love my designer items and not because I'm a label queen but because of my love for the quality, workmanship and attention to detail only found from designer clothes. I had always lusted after the iconic Hervé Leger bandage dresses and it was such a fashion milestone for me when I finally snagged this Hervé Leger “Dania” dress! The amount of hand crafted detailing in this dress is totally insane, and the fit is sheer perfection clinging to every curve of my petite body! I loved wearing it to The Merchant Hotel’s Fabulous Fashion Tea event where I styled it with a Zara Chanel inspired fringed jacket (worn so much in 2017), paired with a diamanté Chanel brooch, See by Chloé “Paige” handbag and satin Lanvin shoes!


Urban Jungle!


By the time it came to the University of Ulster’s Fashion Graduate show I was ready to push some fashion boundaries, so I opted for this show stopping neon leopard print skort suit! Not for the faint hearted, it’s print is bold, but it’s tailoring is minimal and slick, letting the print do all the talking! I paired it with a lace crop top to show off my abs, a statement necklece, skyscraper heels from Karen Millen and a burst of orange from my Furla tote bag. The look certainly turned heads ending up in a full page spread in Ulster Tatler magazine's Style Watch feature! 


Love Lace!


Dresses are so flattering for my petite frame, and I love the sense of femininity I feel when I'm wearing them. I always look for attention to detail and when I spotted this Pretty Lavish lace dress in boutique Ora Ora I knew it had to be mine! Unfortunately the dress had sold out in my size, but the Ora Ora team were amazing and ordered in my size in double fast time! It was THE perfect dress to wear to the Press Launch of AW17 West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK and it certainly had all the photographers snapping away! I love being super co-ordinated and I matched it up perfectly with a Karen Millen satin clutch bag and co-ordinating sandals, finishing off the look with my Cartier Love bracelet and a pair of killer sunglasses!


Faith in Fashion!


Last but by no means least is probably my favourite of all my looks from throughout the year, as this was a true dream dress! Not only was it channelling my love for Self Portrait, but the fit was sheer perfection! The second I tried it on it felt like it had been made for me, showing off my tiny waist and petite frame to perfection, while the lace and mesh detailing gave it both a chic and sexy edge! I loved wearing it to the opening night of AW17 West Coast Cooler Belfast FASHIONWEEK in the majestic surroundings of Belfast Cathedral. I was in my fashion element in this dress, and I loved it so much that it was also my choice of attire for Christmas Day too!!


 So there you have it, just a few of my favourite looks from 2017! The past twelve months have flown by and I for one cannot wait to embrace all that 2018 has to offer! Let me know which look was your favourite and here's to a fun filled, fashionable 2018!!


All photography by Adrian Quinn photography.

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18 comments

  1. Louise, absolutely gorgeous, as always!

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  2. That blue dress is so pretty! I love that you paired matching heels with it.

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  3. These outfits are incredible! I love the urban jungle look. It is so fun! 2017 was also the year of the dress for me as well lol thanks for sharing your outfits!

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  4. These were jaw dropping fashions! I was drawn to the green, the color was so alive! can't wait to see what is in store for 2018!

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  5. WOW. That Leopard outfit sure would steal the show. Amazing and good for you for having so much confidence.

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  6. Those outfits are beautiful! I especially love the green dress! I think having personal style is the best. Trends come and go ...

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  7. My favorite is the urban Jungle! so cute! I love all the colors

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  8. You look amazing in them all. I especially love the lace. I have always loved lace. Great colors too!

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  9. Seriously obsessed with all these looks! They're so elegant and unique, each and every one. Also, definitely checking out that Zara blazer, WOW.

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  10. I see you love knit fabrics and they look great on you. I love the bell sleeves on several of your outfits. Here's to a fabulous 2018!

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  11. So gorgeous all of these outfits are just stunning! I love the look of the lace one though I could never pull it off - I wish! - Jeanine

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  12. I love the green dress at the top with the sleeves. And the lace dress. Beautiful and you can tell there is real artistry in the design.

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  13. These outfits are gorgeous! I would love a few of these in my wardrobe.

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  14. I love all the styles but I especially love the blue one. so pretty!

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  15. Wow! You had some truly amazing looks for 2017! I think that navy blue lace dress is my very fave!

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  16. Wow that green dress is so cute! I’ve always loved green and it looks so good on you too!

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  17. Absolutely stunning! You look fabulous and I'm excited to see what 2018 has in store!

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