WOMEN IN THE KNOW: HOW TO WEAR HATS with Rachel Hawkins of Cotswold Hat Club

Launched in 2021, our White Collection was created especially with Brides to Be in mind and was on one of our favourite projects of the year! Also ideal for other important occasions, such as Christenings and milestone birthdays - an all white outfit is always super special and standout style. We were genuinely thrilled with the reaction and the best part of all, seeing you wear it.  It's fair to say our Vivienne feather dress was the 'piece de resistance' and our most sought after style; you couldn't get enough!  With some more intimate weddings and those who decided to just go for it rather than wait for the 'big day' the Vivienne dress was so popular - and just perfect for the occasion: beautifully detailed, elegant and easy to wear. We loved seeing all the different ways to wear it, from Tori's amazing emerald green heels... to Pam's 'Day 2' celebrations in her Jimmy Choo wedding heels...  To our first bride of 2021 to wear it, with a stunning beaded headpiece   We also loved seeing it worn for your Bridal Party - from Mother of the Bride   to Maid of Honour! We love an all-white family look We have decided to do a very small restock on this style, just because so many people asked and asked! So keep an eye out in early February... sign up to be notified by selecting your size & entering your email: https://8thsign.com/collections/white-collection/products/vivienne-feather-trim-puff-shoulder-midi-dres-ivory   It was also amazing to see our White Collection worn for Hen Party celebrations, Vow Renewals and Bridesmaids! Whenever we're tagged in your photos we can't wait to open it up and see... Broadway fishtail midi (centre): https://8thsign.com/collections/white-collection/products/pre-order-broadway-fishtail-midi-dress-white   Quartz sequin jumpsuit: https://8thsign.com/collections/white-collection/products/quartz-sheer-sequin-jumpsuit   Lilia lace pleat dress: https://8thsign.com/collections/white-collection/products/pre-order-lilia-lace-sleeve-full-pleat-skirt-dress    For AW'21 we also launched our separates - tops, skirts & beautiful jackets to compliment our dresses / jumpsuits - Or to wear with your Wedding dress.  How beautiful does Robyn look for her NYE Wedding! Wearing the Gigi jacket: https://8thsign.com/collections/white-collection/products/pre-order-gigi-feather-jacket-ivory   We have lots planned for Spring Summer '22 for the White Collection - it will continue to be part of our all year round range, offering a variety of special white styles you can always shop.  Keep an eye out for more over the next few months... 

A much anticipated post in our 'Women in the Know' series: a chat with the super stylish Jennifer Wrynne! A long time collaborator with the brand, we're so grateful to busy Mum & Milliner Jennifer for taking the time to share with us some of her best style tips. A regular at Ladies Days and international Race meetings, she knows a thing or 2 about accessorising, timeless style & how to plan a winning look!   Be sure to take a look at her stunning hat designs https://www.jenniferwrynne.com and follow her on Instagram for a behind the scenes insight to daily life and all things fashion https://www.instagram.com/jenniferwrynne/?hl=en   1. You always look so polished! What are your top tips for looking so elegant? especially when getting ready time is limited! Aww thank you so much!I’m not sure if those lovely compliments are fully true but thank you so much. I love a look to be fully complete from head to toe. I always think of Kate Middleton and how she dresses. From her hair style to the polish on her toenails, she always looks immaculate from head to toe. While I am nothing like Kate Middleton (!), I love to pay attention to every detail as much as possible as I feel an outfit isn’t complete without the little details.   (Jennifer in our Serena frill dress https://8thsign.com/collections/white-collection/products/serena-twist-frill-midi )   2. What’s the best way to plan your look for Ladies Day? Do you start with your outfit, headpieces or accessories? I always start with the outfit and work my accessories around it. I’m in the fortunate position where I can make a hat to compliment my outfit so I can play around with different colours & styles. Once I have my hat made, I then choose shoes and a bag. My jewellery is usually quite minimal when I’m wearing a hat as I like quite decorative hats so there’s never much need for both.   (Jennifer in a range of stunning outfits for Galway Races 2021)   3. What’s your favourite type of Occasion look? Do you love jumpsuits as well as dresses? Oh yes, I’m a huge jumpsuit fan! My favourite occasion look is usually something bright and colourful. I love structured dresses - Something with perhaps shoulder pads or peplum detailing. I also love detail - whether it’s lace, feathers, applique, I always like a dress with extra touches (Hence why I love the 8th sign dresses so much!). I also have to feel comfortable in what I’m wearing - Fabrics which are good quality, figure flattering and complimentary to my body shape.  ( Jennifer in our Vivienne feather dress https://8thsign.com/collections/white-collection/products/vivienne-feather-trim-puff-shoulder-midi-dres-ivory )   We're so lucky to work with this stylish & genuine lady, who was a loyal customer of The 8th Sign before we started to work together - here's a few more of her elegantly styled looks in our designs, particularly the black Bardot dress - which we had to relaunch after she wore it & there was so much demand! Renamed the 'Jennifer Bardot' (now sold out again!!)     Shop the NEW IN pieces she wore most recently here: https://8thsign.com/collections/new-in-1 and the Forest Green version of the 'Jennifer Bardot' dress here: https://8thsign.com/collections/sale/products/copy-of-pre-order-jennifer-bardot-maxi-forest-green

Welcome to second instalment of our 'Women in the Know' series - discussing here a very relevant topic right about now... Weddings!  We've spoken to so many brides over the past year, some who postponed several times & some who decide they couldn't wait any longer. As we know there's no right or wrong decision, everyone's Wedding means something different to them and the whole situation since Spring 2020 has been a massive upheaval for the entire Wedding industry.  Here we chat to Wedding expert and industry insider, Sara Kennedy of the Irish Wedding Blog, as she shares her thoughts on current trends, style ideas and advice for those ongoing dilemmas. You can read more on her blog: https://irishweddingblog.ie and be sure to follow her on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/irishweddingblog/ What are the biggest bridal trends of 2021?  Well what can we say about 2021! The biggest trend really is agility and resilience! Mental stance aside, given the level of uncertainty around the celebration of a wedding and restrictions on numbers, this has led to a shift on style and décor trends. Within Bridal fashion, the biggest trends emerging include: City Slicker: Given that so many have bit the bullet and proceeded with an intimate ceremony with smaller numbers, this has meant that brides have adapted their style to suit their surroundings. I’m seeing many brides go for a less formal look which would include a midi dress, high street two pieces and in some cases even a pant suit. Many are planning on having a bigger party towards the end of the year and even in to next year and are holding out their original dress for the party. Tailoring: What many are shopping for with the intention of getting married next year is the tailored look. Slim fit, well cut gowns are really popular at present. Designers like Suzanne Neville, Sassi Holford, Justin Alexander to name but a few are iconic in their tailoring. If you can picture full length, long sleeve and a fitted bodice, that is what brides are loving right now. Feck It Glamour: So many brides have gone to hell and back in planning their wedding and what ive noticed in the last few months is that so many are really treating themselves and going for all out glam! Big skirts, v cut neck lines, jewels and intricate appliques…you name it, they are going for it. Boho: I tend to see Boho always present but different times it heightens and this coming year I'm seeing it come back through again this year.             Couple who've decided to just go for it and have an intimate ‘covid’ wedding - what outfit would you go for?   I think this is really down to what feels right for the couple and what they plan on doing later on. Some may plan on having a second ceremony later in the year and may decide to hold their original wardrobe until that date or some may want to use their original looks for their intimate ceremony. On the flip side, I have seen many opt to wear a less formal looks. The less formal looks are so beautiful. Some of my favourite include the Midi Dress and I know that The 8th Sign do an amazing white, long sleeve midi dress. Others are going for two piece / separates with midi skirt and formal top. I’ve seen some wear jumpsuits and others a tailored knee length dress with a tailored blazer.             For those who feel torn what to do now for their big day with ongoing restrictions, what’s your advice?  I completely understand the agony that couples have been through and continue to go through and whilst we are seeing some improvement in numbers and an ambition to push numbers further, there are still some areas that remain uncertain. This includes restrictions around live music and novelty pieces. Even with some certainty and the likelihood that we will move forward progressively, couples are very nervous about putting down money and committing to an idea for fear of being let down. My advice is to try and go easy on yourself. Many brides-to-be that contact me are very anxious or as I’ve coined having ‘wediexty’. It’s very important to allow yourself to feel the way you feel and accepting that there is so much out of your control. If you plan to get married over the next few months, you need to have a few versions of a wedding planned, plans that account for the different levels of numbers. By having different contingency plans, you’ll feel more prepared and less stressed. Now this is no easy undertaking but even having different guests lists pending the different number levels (25, 50, 100 for example), and rough costs on each then that will give you a level of comfort. If the uncertainty is too much to deal with, postpone for a longer period of time as at least you will have more time to relax and enjoy the lead up.            Pre & Post Wedding Celebrations (rehearsal dinner, Day 2 celebrations) What would you wear!  I wore white on my own day 2 and rehearsal dinner.  I would highly recommend keeping with the white / ivory theme to continue that bridal feeling. I opted for a fitted knee length dress with light floral print which doubled up as a dress while on honeymoon. If my day two was now, I would probably go for a jumpsuit.           What are the current trends for Hen Party celebrations?  And what would you wear!  Well many are having pretty laid back hens at present which are more garden parties etc and that has meant less fancy dress and more cute white dresses. Many dresses im seeing are nice going out white dresses with some bling of course!         Thank you so much to Sara for taking the time to share her tips & personal experience, we hope it helps you with your Wedding Planning and gives you the confidence that everything will be just right.  Keep an eye on our White Collection, we're going to be adding to it throughout the rest of the year for your big celebrations: Engagement Party, Hen Party, Pre & Post Wedding events https://8thsign.com/collections/white-collection