Keep up with Goose Island's latest trends!

Thursday 30 October 2014

How to Wear Ladies Shrugs

You may ask – what exactly is a shrug? Essentially, a ladies shrug is similar to a cardigan, but is usually much lighter weight, and cropped so it only falls across the upper back. It can be fastened at the front, usually loosely with a tie, or not at all.

Shrugs can be a great addition to any woman’s wardrobe. Not only do they come in such a huge variety of styles and colours, so that you can wear them with almost anything, they are also a great way to cover up. A lot of women are self-conscious about their upper arms, and a shrug allows you to cover them, without having to wear a heavier jacket, or choose a different outfit, and would definitely be worth adding to your wardrobe.

If you have never owned or worn a shrug before, then you may be at a loss of how to wear one. The short answer would be – however you want to if you feel you want to cover up, but you can read on for a few more tips and advice on how ladies can wear a shrug.



To wear a shrug casually, you could choose almost any colour that matches your outfit; whether it’s jeans and a top, a dress, or a skirt and boots. Shrugs are great to carry with you in the summer, as they are small and lightweight enough to store away in a bag, and then easy to throw on for a little cover when it cools off in the evenings. They would also make great bikini cover-ups for summer holidays.

Shrugs are also great to add some personality to work or office wear. A lot of people will mostly wear black to the office - black trousers, black skirts – and wearing a coloured shrug will add some vibrancy and lift to your everyday wardrobe.

Don’t like taking a jacket on a night out? Shrugs can be the perfect answer to the eternal dilemma of taking a jacket to keep warm at the end of a night on the town, or taking one and just ending up carrying it around and leaving it somewhere. Lightweight shrugs lend themselves perfectly to a glamorous ‘night-out’ outfit, as they can often be sheer, with a bit of shimmer or sparkle, and would definitely not detract from your style. They are small enough to fit in the smallest of bags, but sufficient enough to offer comfort when the evening gets a bit chilly.

Similarly, if you find yourself attending a glamorous party or event, and your favourite dress shows too much of your back or upper arms, a shrug can help you feel a lot less self-conscious by adding a little something extra, and seeming like a part of your outfit itself. Which is a lot better than someone nagging you to ‘take your jacket off’ all night.

Monday 27 October 2014

Long sleeved dresses can be the perfect winter style fix


It’s that time of the year again, and as winter rushes in, many women will find themselves at a loss for what to wear to keep warm and smart at the same time. There are a huge number of knitwear styles available, but knitwear isn’t for everyone; some find it itchy, and wearing several layers can make some people feel extra hot and uncomfortable, especially when ducking in and out of shops.

But winter dressing can be extremely fun for some people, particularly those who love layers and getting cosy with their style choices every day. But others get fed up with pulling drab or dark clothing out of their wardrobes every morning. Of course, winter clothing doesn’t have to be drab or dull at all, but often, people are just missing the summer months, and how easy it was to just throw on almost anything, and know it would be weather suitable.

Summer dresses are always a popular choice, and are essentially a whole outfit in one piece of clothing. However, that doesn’t have to stop as the weather cools off.

Long-sleeved dresses could be the answer to your problems. Just like summer dresses, long-sleeved dresses can be the all-in-one outfit for winter. There is such a huge variety of long-sleeved dresses available, that you can find one to suit any need or occasion. Work wear? Weekend wear? Evening wear? Long-sleeved dresses might be more versatile than you think, and Goose Island has a variety of them to pull you out of a winter style rut.


This two-layered dress is a great option for everyday or weekend wear this winter. The long sleeves will protect your arms from the cold, and the knitted material will also provide an extra bit of warmth, the lace inserts add a sophisticated style to suit almost anyone.

This dress would look great styled in so many different ways; wear it with black tights and ballet flats for a smart casual look, wear with leggings and boots for a true winter look, or you could even wear it over jeans. It even comes with a matching scarf!







This beautiful dress will add an element of style to any outfit or occasion. The pink is a perfect colour to warm you up, along with the long sleeves and nipped in waist.

If it’s not too cold, you could brave bare legs with a pair of black heels and black jacket for a night out, or you could team it with flat, knee-high, black boots for a pretty Christmas shopping outfit.









The lace on this long-sleeved dress really lends itself to a glamorous Christmas party or a night out with friends. The long sleeves will keep out the chill as you enjoy yourself, and the double layers will even add an extra bit of warmth. 

You could wear it with a long pendant necklace for a bit of winter sparkle, or you could wear a waterfall cardigan soften the look for day to day wear.









This navy dress is a great winter colour, and its long sleeves and ruched skirt mean that it is extremely flattering for any shape and body size. It will also suit every style and occasion, and can be accessorised to work for the office, a night out, a day shopping, and the jersey material makes it extremely comfortable to wear all day long, or even to travel in.











There are almost unlimited options when it comes to buying or styling long-sleeved dresses, and you are sure to find something that suits you this autumn and winter, whether you just want something to make outfit planning easier, or your wardrobe is missing that essential long-sleeved piece.

Monday 20 October 2014

Women's Knitwear - It's not all about the jumper!

As we approach the tail end of October, and the temperature has started to drop, everyone is starting to add a few items of trusty knitwear to their everyday wardrobe. There is nothing better than snuggling up in a cosy jumper, whether you are out and about, or even just sitting on the sofa at home; there’s something about this time of year that demands cosy comfort from your wardrobe.

However, being cosy and comfortable can sometimes feel like you have to make style sacrifices. Big, thick, woolly jumpers are great for keeping out the cold, but can be overly cumbersome under a coat, and can also appear quite shapeless.

Women’s knitwear doesn’t always have to be about bulky jumpers; there are many more options that will keep you warm, but still remain stylish.

Cardigans

Women’s knitwear comes in a huge variety of styles and shapes these days, and cardigans are a great option to add some style while still staying snugly warm. The sheer variety of cardigans means that you can usually find one to suit any outfit or occasion, and they are great for layering.

Knitted Dresses

Knitted dresses are one of the chicest knitwear styles. They are almost an entire outfit in one, and there is freedom to style them how you want as you can dress them up or down. They are also a great transitional piece for when the seasons start to change; meaning you will get great wear out of them.


Statement Jumpers

Women’s jumpers do not have to be boring. Gone are the days when jumpers meant chunky, garish items that were knitted by your aunt.  With all the options available today you can certainly find a jumper to suit your personal tastes, whether you’re into flowers, animals, stars, stripes, or slogans. Imagine this floral jumper with jeans and slouchy ankle boots, and it would look just as good worn with block skinny jeans and strappy heels for a smarter look.


Ponchos

Ponchos are no longer just for the Wild West fans out there. Ponchos are making a comeback in the knitwear world, with a whole host of high street stores stocking them as a must-have item for this winter. Ponchos are an easy and relaxed knitwear choice, giving you a simple alternative to a coat or jacket. They can even be styled with a belt at the waist. Plus, a poncho is essentially like wearing a cosy blanket, and who wouldn’t want that on a cold winter day.


Goose Island currently has a huge selection of fashionable knitwear for autumn and winter, including a great range of jumpers, cardigans, ponchos, dresses, scarves, and everything else you need to stay cosy and stylish at the same time.

Wednesday 15 October 2014

Cowbridge Fashion Week with Goose Island

The Cowbridge Fashion week is certainly an annual date for the diary, and the team at Goose Island is looking forward to participating in this exciting event yet again this year.

The high street fashion scene in Cowbridge is a collection of unique and diverse stores that all offer a little something special; helping to elevate the shopping experience above what you would normally encounter. The independent brands offer a range of women’s and men’s clothing, footwear, accessories, jewellery, and even children’s wear.

To celebrate the wealth of fashion and style available in this South Wales town, Cowbridge hosts three days of exciting fashion events every year. This year, the celebrations are sponsored by WM magazine and start on Wednesday October 22nd, including fashion shows, champagne, late night shopping, and lunch at the Bear Hotel.


On Wednesday October 22nd, the champagne trail will begin. All the fashion shops in Cowbridge will be open until late, including Goose Island. On the night we will be showcasing our new products ready for the autumn season, and we will be offering 10% off everything, along with homemade brownies and a glass of champagne for all our customers. During the evening, we will also be announcing the winner of our monthly prize draw. Have you filled out a feedback form in store? Pop in to Goose Island on October 22nd to find out if you are the lucky winner of one of our fabulous handbags.

On Thursday October 23rd, Goose Island will also be taking part in the Cowbridge fashion show in aid of Velindre cancer centre. The fashion show will begin at 7pm in The Bear Hotel, and tickets are available for £15 from Lynne Beresford at Ushi’s, which is located at 44 High Street in Cowbridge. You can also call 01446 773552 for tickets.


On the last day of the fashion celebrations, October 24th, there will be a grand lunch and another fashion show held at The Bear Hotel at 12pm, which will be aid of Ty Hapus. Goose Island will be part of the celebrations as we showcase our new and most popular styles and products in the fashion show. Tickets are available for £29.95 from Esther Hitchcock at Jon Ian at 16 High Street in Cowbridge, and you can also call 01446 775226.

This fashion celebration grows bigger every year, and Goose Island are proud to be a part of something that recognises the hard work of all the fashion stores in area, dressing South Wales in elegant and classical styles.

Judi Dench visits Goose Island!

Academy award winner Dame Judi Dench, famous for her roles as M in James Bond films, as well as her recent role in Philomena, paid a visit to Cowbridge today.

Goose Island was honoured and delighted to welcome the beloved British actress in to our store. Dame Judi was truly lovely, and spent some time chatting to our staff and trying on a few items. Dame Judi was also extremely complimentary about our store, commenting particularly on our Italian dresses, and telling us how her daughter would have also loved them, as it was very in-keeping with her style!

Dame Judi mentioned that she was filming in the area, and had popped in to Cowbridge town as it was nearby. She also paid a visit to The Bear Hotel afterwards.

All of our staff were over the moon to meet such a icon of British film. One of our staff, Jess, even managed to sneak in a selfie - see below.

Visit our Facebook page to see the original post about the visit!


Monday 6 October 2014

Karen's Italian Fashion Trip



During her latest fashion buying trip to Italy, Karen managed to take some time out to explore the countryside, which included cycling the cobbled streets of some picturesque local villages (and helping herself to some fresh lemons for her G & T from the hotel grounds).


 It all sounds fabulous fun and more like a holiday than a fashion buying trip. But the reality is far from the glamorous and glitzy image people have of fashion buying.

The challenges are continuous. Not only is Karen constantly searching for the best fashion designs to meet the demands of her customers, but she is committed to visiting suppliers herself to ensure the quality of the fabric and finishing meet her stringent standards.

At the moment, she is travelling to Italy on a regular basis to source top quality Italian designs for the many wholesale customers they supply throughout the UK and Europe, as well as to stock both of her boutiques and online shop. These buying trips are essential to enable Goose Island to be able to offer customers an eclectic range of seasonal clothing which is genuinely ‘Made in Italy’.


 Her day starts early to ensure she is able to oversee the selection of fabrics and ensure patterns and production is set up is correctly. Italy is considered to be the stronghold of the Italian textile industry and, when she’s there, Karen spends her days from 9.00 am to 8.30 pm, viewing designs, negotiating on prices, and placing orders.

To put this task into perspective, Goose Island is working with many manufacturers in Northern Italy where the factories are spread over a vast area which involves a lot of driving time and, of course, this makes Karen’s task to find the right products for her brand a huge challenge. Whether it is knitwear, which will include the very popular shirt/jumper, layered tunics, dresses, or tops, she has to spend hours visiting each different manufacturer to find just the right styles and colours.  She also has to organise the shipping and delivery to the UK within the tightest deadlines.

So bearing all of this in mind, Karen has earned her time out on her recent trip, and her G & T on the hotel veranda. Chin Chin!