When it comes to workwear, it can be hard to know exactly what to go for. You don’t want to go overdressed, but not too casual either that you look unprofessional. You still want to remain fashionable and cool whilst dressing respectfully and appropriately. Here’s my top tips for how to dress for work.

Suit Up

In my opinion with workwear, a bold suit is a fail safe option. You really can’t beat it. It’s an easy outfit to throw in in the morning with a pair of heels and blouse, shirt or jumper. The great thing about investing in a good suit too is the pieces work great as separates, you could wear the trousers with a blouse in the summer or style the blazer with different outfits.

Try a Pinafore

If you want to wear a more girly outfit for your office attire, consider wearing a pinafore dress. These dresses can look especially good in Autumn/Winter with tights, boots and a jumper underneath. Consider a pattern such as plaid, to mix up your look.

Stick To a Neutral Colour Palette

When shopping for workwear, it can be tempting to go for bold eye catching prints and colours. However it is often more savvy, to stick to a neutral colour, in order to create a capsule wardrobe. Buying basic neutral pieces that you can style in different ways will allow you to make the most out of your wardrobe and mix and match with different looks. 

Invest in a Good Pair of Shoes

When it comes to workwear a good pair of shoes is key, whether you prefer loafers, flats or heels being comfortable should be everything. So invest in a good pair of shoes that will last and will go with your everyday look.

If in Doubt Wear all Black

A backup outfit is always an all black outfit, cause it requires zero effort and is still so chic. It’s a great one if you are ever running late for work because you can just throw it on and instantly look put together, add a statement coat or sunglasses to dress it up and you are good to go. 

Written By: Patience Bradley 

• Belfast selected for French and Japanese International Cultural Partnerships
• 14 Premieres, 200+ events, 20 days
• 15 October – 3 November 2019
• International programme focuses on crossing artistic borders and pushing boundaries

The programme for the 57^th Belfast International Arts Festival has been launched, with a showcase performance by one of the Festival’s signature artists, Cuban-born Parisian musician, La Dame Blanche, who will perform at the Belfast Empire on Friday 18^th October.  (Real name) Yaite Ramos Rodriguez is the daughter of the Creative Director of the Buena Vista Social Club.  Reflecting the festival’s key themes of internationalism and artistic fusion, La Dame Blanche brought guests at the launch to their feet with her infectious and unique blend of hip-hop, cumbia and reggae.

Festival Artistic Director, Richard Wakely unveiled the programme, which will this year feature over 200 events from the world of music, dance, film, visual arts, literature and theatre.

He revealed that Belfast has been chosen to contribute to two major international cultural celebrations, Japan-UK Season of Culture and FranceDance UK.  He said, “The 2019 Belfast International Arts Festival will open on 15 October with the UK premiere of Median, a contemporary paring of choreography with digital projection and electronic sound from Japanese multi-disciplinary artist Hiroaki Umeda. Think of the most creative music videos by Radiohead and Aphex Twin, meets the stealth and intensity of The Matrix.  Also featuring in the programme will be ASUNA, a wonderful young artist from Tokyo with his quirky, immersive sound installation, 100 Keyboards. It is an honour to have been selected to host some of Japan’s finest artists.”

Richard went on to reveal another major arts first for the city.  He said, “Showcasing the best of international dance for Belfast audiences has always been one of my biggest goals for the Festival.  I am especially pleased to announce that on the weekend of 25^th and 26^th October, Belfast International Arts Festival will be co-hosting the first ever all-Ireland dance conference, Co-Motion, in partnership with Dance Ireland, Dance Resource Base and Queen’s University Belfast.

“That weekend’s Festival programme will include performances by Shobana Jeyasingh Dance performing an Irish premiere of Staging Schiele (the story of radical Austrian nude artist and self-portraitist, Egon Schiele) before it heads to Southbank’s Queen Elizabeth Hall for its London run; and acclaimed French company (LA)HORDE performing their high energy jumpstyle piece To Da Bone.  This is a captivating, contemporary rebel-call to the social media generation, both in its narrative and in the way that the cast was crowd-sourced from across Europe, through an open audition on the internet.  The work of (LA)HORDE will be recognisable from the multi-million-viewed music video for Christine and the Queens’ track Girlfriend.” This y

For me, blazers are a wardrobe essential, you can style them so many different ways, and they are a timeless piece that will never go out of style. Whether you prefer patterned blazers like a Prince of Wales check or just prefer to stick to a plain black blazer, here’s some ways I love to style my blazers. 

Roll up Your Sleeves

I love to wear a blazer with the sleeves rolled up, often wearing an oversized blazer, can look big and boxy so rolling up the sleeves can add a nice shape. This is especially good in the summer months when it’s warm outside and you just want to add a light jacket.

Round the Shoulders

For an evening look, or on a hotter day you can style a blazer by simply wearing it over your shoulders. This gives a classy and instantly dressed up feel to any outfit. You then have the option of wearing it as a jacket when it gets colder in the evening.

As a Transitional Piece

Whilst blazers may be known as a spring/summer piece they are the perfect transitional piece to bring your wardrobe into autumn. For months like September and October when it’s not yet cold enough to bring out your larger over coats during the day, a blazer can be the perfect in between piece to compliment any outfit. 

As a Suit 

If you have trousers or jeans in the same colour as your blazer why not style it as a suit. Suits are the perfect workplace attire and can look great for daytime or nighttime. Style a suit with a pair of flats and handbag for day, or switch it up to heels and a clutch for an evening outfit.

With Accessories 

Add some accessories to your blazer to change it up, think about cinching your blazer in at the waist with a belt. Or even add a brooch to the lapel to add a bit of sparkle to your outfit.

Written By: Patience Bradley 

Aspects Festival is delighted to once again welcome Lady Dufferin and The Clandeboye Reading Party to be part of this year’s festival programme.

The Reading Party is a joint initiative between Trinity College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast, Clandeboye Estate and Aspects Festival and is returning to the Festival for its fourth year. This year’s theme is “Food for Thought” and the programme will feature a weekend of public talks, discussions, readings, launches and food, all taking place at Clandeboye Courtyard, 5 – 6 October.

On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October, The Reading Party will host a series of free Lightning Talks about the history, culture and literature of food and drink. These showcases always promote interesting discussion and are free to attend, although registration is required.

Sure to be a highlight of the weekend, Lady Dufferin will host a Mad Hatter’s Tea party in Clandeboye’s beautiful Banqueting Hall on Saturday afternoon at 3pm. Expect an afternoon tea with a difference with a delightful spread provided by The Kitchen Academy. The fun afternoon will also include some food anecdotes from Lady Dufferin and her guests. Mad Hats are optional!

On Sunday afternoon at 3.30pm, florist to royalty Shane Connolly will give a special talk on the relationship between Flowers, Food and Drink. Northern Ireland native Shane designed the flowers for the weddings of TRH Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and holds the Royal Warrant for both HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales.

The Festival is also delighted to welcome Dr Susan Flavin from Trinity College who will be giving a free talk on The History of What We Eat and Drink on Sunday at 5pm. Susan’s research concentrates on the history of trade, consumption and material culture and identity in Ireland c1550 – 1650.

Women Aloud NI make a welcome return to Aspects on Sunday at 6.30pm with their Food for Thought event which will feature poetry inspired by food! Enjoy this showcase of local poets celebrating their love of good food! Women Aloud NI is a local initiative which aims to raise the profile of the women’s writing scene in Northern Ireland. This is a free event but registration is required.

Join the incredibly talented duo The Darkling Air on Sunday at 8pm, as they launch their new album at the Festival Finale event. The Darkling Air are Rachel McCarthy and Michael Keeney joined by their long-time collaborators Arco String Quartet. This will be the first performance of their new album Ancestor. Expect an evening of a haunting music in the atmospheric setting of Clandeboye’s Banqueting Hall.

Aspects Festival runs until October 6 at various locations around Bangor. For further information on the programme and to book tickets see aspectsfestival.com

Popular family Christmas event to take place at Culloden & Slieve Donard Resort

DUE to overwhelming demand from families across Northern Ireland for Polar Express at the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa over the last five years, Hastings Hotels has announced that the popular festive event will also take place at the Culloden Estate & Spa in the lead up to Christmas.

The Polar Express is a fun festive occasion with a host of attractions for all the family, including a winter wonderland, story-telling with Mrs Claus and the Polar Express train adventure which will take guests on a magical journey to visit Santa and his elves in their busy workshop as they prepare for their busiest time of the year.

The much-loved Christmas event will take place at the Culloden Estate & Spa from Tuesday 19^th November – Saturday 23^rd November and at the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa from Saturday 14^th – Sunday 22^nd December. Booking is essential and early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. 

Julie Hastings, Marketing Director of Hastings Hotels said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Polar Express to the Culloden Estate & Spa in November before its annual visit to the Slieve Donard Resort in December. Families from across Northern Ireland have been visiting Polar Express at the Slieve Donard for the last five years and we are delighted to be able to give more children the chance to visit this exciting Christmas experience by running it at the two hotels over the festive season.

It’s a magical event that gives families the chance to make special festive memories with lots to keep everyone entertained from movies and letter writing, to Christmas stalls and face painting before hopping on board the train to meet Santa and his Elves with gifts for the children and a personal photo.”

Both hotels will also be offering a fabulous selection of festive dining options including Santa’s Buffet and Afternoon Tea.

To hop on board for some Christmas magic at the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa and Culloden Estate & Spa tickets can be purchased by going to www.hastingshotels.com/polarexpress andare priced £18 per adult, £25 per child (under 14) and £10 for children under one.

The search is over as the ‘Lost Boys’ have been found for an exciting new musical production of Peter Pan at Lyric 29 Nov – 4 Jan. 

Adapted from the play by JM Barrie Peter Pan The Musical by Paul Boyd sees fairies, crocodiles, flying children, and mermaids, embark on the most magical adventure – where Hook and the crew of the Jolly Roger come face to face with all of Neverland and the boy who won’t grow up.

Fly away on an awfully big adventure where anything is possible if you just believe.  Visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk for details.

Getting ready to take you on a journey to Neverland were, from left,