Jordan Becomes an IT Girl

Katie Price unveils her own brand of iPods

From: Andy
To: Neil, Annmarie
Subject: I'm wiping out the Pritt Stick and iPods

Check this out. It says 'techie yet practical'.


From: Neil
To: Andy, Annmarie
Subject: Re: I'm wiping out the Pritt Stick and iPods

This is exactly what the IT gays have been waiting for, the collision of of tech & tat. Next up will be Girls Aloud being shot around the Large Hadron Collider.

From: Andy
To: Neil, Annmarie
Subject: Re: Re: I'm wiping out the Pritt Stick and iPods

I thought it was the Sugarbabes getting loaded with Froyo; or maybe that's Katie Price as well.

Pride in the Name of Shorts

From: Andy
To: Neil, Annmarie
Wore my Pride shorts to the gym today just to give them a trial run. It's exactly like a Pride march in here most days; in fact Elton just swished off to the sauna in his tracksuit.

But they're a tad on the short and slightly see thru side. Luckily I've coordinated my underwear, though there's a risk if its windy on Saturday. The crowd may get a look at my milkshake as Kelis would say! :)

From: Annmarie

To: Andy, Neil
Get thee a nude thong. They are the answer to all ills.

Annmarie OConnor

Get thee a nude thong. They are the answer to all ills. :) --

Jun 21

Annmarie OConnorLoading...

Jun 21

From: Neil
To: Andy, Annmarie
That'll be quite the look that will, can you send on a pic so we can establish how short they are? Are u shaving the beard by the way? 

Neil Mchale

That'll be quite the look that will, can you send on a pic so we can establis...

Jun 21

Neil MchaleLoading...

Jun 21

From: Andy

To: Neil, Annmarie

I'm undecided about the beard. Will make a rash decision on Saturday morning. Will take a pic this evening and send it on.

Am sensing dropping the shorts and revealing a nude thong may not be what my target audience is looking for, thats unless I arrive home with Paul O'Grady :) 

From: Annmarie
To: Andy, Neil
It's all about how you wear it. Wear it right and you can look like Bjorn Borg or Sport Ken; wear it wrong and you risk the 118118 effect. choose wisely my son. xx 

From: Neil
To: Andy, Annmarie
Actually you're the living spit of Sport Ken. Am loving his weave, though it could do with a little de-stressing. How did poor Barbie think she was ever in with a chance? 

From: Annmarie
To: Neil, Andy
That's just one Ken. There's another version too (sans facial art). See attached. Methinks we need a Ken 3.0. Andy, will you step up to the plate? 

From: Neil
To: Annmarie, Andy
I think this is actually a Richard Simmons doll which actually could be a very good look for Andy this Saturday. 

From: Andy
To: Neil, Annmarie
LOL! I don't think I can carry off a bob a la Ken. I haven't decided on the wig yet. I'm still trying to work out an afternoon costume change as well. Bought a pair of navy city shorts and had an electric blue belt to go with them matching the gola trainers but they're clearly marked wrong. 32 my arse! It cut off the circulation when I put them on.

Annmarie OConnor

it's all about how you wear it. wear it right and you can look like bjorn bor...

Jun 21

Annmarie OConnorLoading...

Jun 21

Richard Simmons

You can only truly appreciate the nuances of this post if you read the previous email dated pre-Dublin Pride. Read above and then go below...if you know what I mean.

From Andy:
To Annmarie; Neil:

He's 62 and still has that twinkle in his eye, along with most of his body; thinking of channelling him for summer in the gym.

Oh, and your readers would probably been keen to know that myself and Neil where highly impressed with Cheryl Cole picking up malaria for summer 2010; she's always at the forefront of what's hot.

That was until we heard Sam Fox has rabies, from a malicous moggy; girl is channelling spring summer 2011.

Andy :)

Meggings

From: Andy
To: Annmarie, Neil
Subject: Please tell me this won't take off...
Jeggings for men????
If it is I'll need boob tap and a short primer on tucking.

From: Annmarie
To: Andy, Neil
Subject: Re: Please tell me this won't take off...
In Ireland? Two words: doubt it. Can you imagine our fellas squeezing their bits into lycra whilst holding pints and watching the match? Something tells me this is the sole provenance of the runway. Then again, speedos and Jesus sandals (with socks) have also been spotted on the Milano catwalks. Yikes! Imagine double trending that?!

Pic: Burberry Prorsum MFW

Move Over GaGa

Fashion gaydar alert! Once more Neil, I am humbled by your sartorial sixth sense. Your cheque is in the post...

P.S. A special mention to Neil's source - The WOW Report
P.P.S. Loving the turban although it has to be said, I've been working that trend like a Times Square pickpocket. Snaps to me!

From: Neil
To: Annmarie

The internet has finally cottoned on to a fierce new fashion diva rockin the Kasbah: it's the fabulously named Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned of Quatar, and the only thing longer than her name is her haute couture shopping list. And why not? What else do you do if you're wife number three? Her style rule is monochrome colours only and yes, while it may be easy to dress well when you're funded by two billion barrels of crude oil, nevertheless it's a refreshing change from GaGa's budget use of household duct tape or worse, thrifty art students. I'm off out to buy a lottery ticket...

Blog post here: http://worldofwonder.net/2010/04/08/Mo_Mozah_please/

More pics here:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2831089891_f6f60b38d2.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/06/23/article-0-0570E76D000005DC-878_468x787.jpg
http://static1.purepeople.com/articles/5/34/20/5/@/236989-cheikha-mozah-bint-nasser-al-missned-et-637x0-3.jpg

Pic: courtesy of The Wow Report - WOW indeed!

Poorlydressed.com

Fashion gaydar is most acute in San Fransisco these days. That's because our Neil is temporarily domiciled in the foggy Californian city while seconded on work. Ever the style-phile, Neil has managed to fulfill his sartorial duties by keeping the Irish fashion fraternity in fun finds. Remember - he was the one to discover People of Walmart and now its kissing cousin Poorlydressed.com. This is why he gets his own section. I cannot lay any claim to this content - it would be tantamount to intellectual property theft. Neil - you're so next season. Touché!

The gmail reads:

New site to waste time over:

http://poorlydressed.com/2010/03/10/fashion-fail-optical-illusion-fail/

And here...

http://poorlydressed.com/2010/03/08/fashion-fail-tight-end/

And here...

http://poorlydressed.com/2010/03/06/fashion-fail-beautiful-day-for-a-bike-ride/

Actually, that last guy is kinda famous in Hollywood, he cycles around sans knickers.

And am ordering this for the next cold snap:

http://poorlydressed.com/2010/02/08/fashion-fail-back-away-slowly/

Oh and here:

http://poorlydressed.com/2010/01/02/these-boots-are-made-for-standing-around-by-the-trash-can/

And lastly here...I vote for the polka dot.

http://poorlydressed.com/2009/12/30/jes%E2%80%A6jes-one-more-cinnamontini-kay-guyss/

People of Walmart

Take that Scott Schuman! I'll see you and raise you The Sartorialist with People of Walmart. Forget colour blocking, immaculate tailoring and natty nous; the real deal is happening at the checkout. It's all about man thongs, onesy PJs, superhero costumes and seventies bling. Fashion be damned! Love it! Of course I owe this post to Neil's razor sharp fashion gaydar. Touché m'dear. xx

From: Neil
To: Annmarie

Loving it! This is what the internet was invented for, it's kinda like the Anti-Sartorialist:

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

This is the only way to spin around the aisles of Lidl!!: http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/?p=7130

Biya - Fashion's Fiercest First Lady

The latest Gmail thread from the boys:

Andrew
to Annmarie, Neil
8:04 AM
Read this on a blog;
Last Thursday Vic Mizzy, the songwriter behind The Addams Family theme tune, died at the age of 93.
Obviously the family of the President of Spain were mourning his passing when they recently met the Obamas.


Neil
to Annmarie, Andrew
9:14 AM
Some people have been hitting the patatas bravas in a bad way. And the mother isn't that bad looking, if in a mannish way. Placing her beside the Uber-mannish Michelle was a good move so. Is Michelle wearing a monks cassock? This whole photo has an air of extreme recession asceticism: bring back glam I say!

...Talking of which, can we please compare this with the shot they took with the Cameroon president? This b*tch Chantal Biya knows how to dress for the occasion, I'm sorry, but she looks savage.

...And to prove it, here she is rocking a ecumenical-stylee hat for Pope Pius earlier in the year.

Annmarie
to Neil, Andrew
9:23 AM
In fairness, I'm liking Michelle's frock. The glitzy bow injects a soupcon of 'yes we can' to an otherwise sober dress. And you cannot fault those killer pins.

I'm hoping Chantal was just caught blinking and not taking a cheeky nap. Perhaps she's smug in the knowledge that she's the only one boasting an eco-system in that stacked hair; or maybe a selection of travel size hair products. Handy that....

As for that statement hat, shouldn't there a law to state you can't out-Pope the Papa; much like a bride at a wedding? Speaking of which, imagine if she docked up to the church on your big day? The wedding photos would either bear a hazy shadow from the height of her hair; or a searing flash of light from her blinged out baubles. Still...she's one fierce b*tch. Gotta love her!

Neil
to Annmarie, Andrew
9:48 AM
On mature reflection I too like Michelle's frock. She actually looks fantastic beside Chantal, though am not sure that's saying much. Am surprised there are any weaves left in the western hemisphere with the amount Chantal must get through. I'm sensing an as yet untold news story where entire villages of women are having their hair shaved off just because Chantal has some glitzy reception that evening. And I can't imagine under what circumstances she'd be coming to my wedding (although 3rd world dictators could be an as yet untapped dating pool, having exhausted every other channel), but if she did the only approach would be to out-Biya her; although I'm not sure there is enough gold lamé in existence to manage that feat.

Fashion Gaydar - Stagwear

From: Andy
To: Annmarie, Neil
So my brothers stag is fancy dress and I'm thinking drag, have done some research and I'm wondering do these shoes say:

a) Practical yet up market; ideal for the gay-about-town
or
b) White trash winner
N.B: stag is in the North so I may need to run in these.

From: Neil
To: Andy, Annmarie
Loving them, the elastoplast really adds a classy touch. Only thing is they really fall into the category of any-occasion-wear, would have thought you'd want to bling it up a little for the big night?

From: Annmarie
To: Andy, Neil
OK - honestly I think the crystal embellishments are fab - very f*ck-the-recession and a great nod to the opulence of the 80s. Alexis Carrington Colby Dexter better de-lamé and move over. I do wince however at the perspex - a bit Stringfellows. Also, what's the dilly-o with the band-aids as velcro? If you are running from potential political strife that could prove problematic. Don't see much adhesive qualities there.

My advice is to opt for a big-ass ankle boot with a small platform at the front. This means you can rock out some bitchin' heels without the pain on the ball of the foot. Go all out Balmain with leather straps or go to A Rubanesque in Powerscourt and order a ream of feathers that you can stitch or Wundaweb onto the front of the boot. Very Margiela. Au sauvage even.

From: Neil
To: Andy, Annmarie
ROFL. I can see Andy being chased now with a ream of feathers scuttling down the Shankill Road. Actually I suspect that's a scenario he'd enjoy!

Anna Wintour - She Speaks!

Get your own valid XHTML YouTube embed code

Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 7:18 PM

From: Neil McHale
She speaks! So Ams, I assume you also have a $200k per year personal clothing budget?

From: iblogfashion
But of course! Mine might translate more likely into yen than dollars however. Not only does she speak but she walks amongst us too! She parted the crowds walking into the Dries Van Noten show. No lackeys. No nothing. Just an uber-coiffed bob that deserves its own reality show. So excited, I nearly peed.

Fashion Gaydar - Donna Mills

Neil sent me an email yesterday. It seems I've got a fashion rival and dammit, she's got bigger shoulder pads than Balmain and soft lighting to boot! I love the sheer lack of irony when espousing 'the natural look' theory in full-on 80s-tastic blue shadow. Priceless.

from Neil
date Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 3:32 PM
subject Real Glamour

Ams, you make be a style diva but you have some stiff competition from
Donna Mills (Knots Landing anyone?? Don't think so.) in her landmark
video "Give yourself over to Romance & Glamour!" Seriously, who
doesn't need tips on what to wear when answering the phone?

NM

Must-have IT Accessory SS09

Another afternoon missive from the boys...

Andy: Hey. Saw this and thought your readers should be made aware. I'm asking my boss at my next review if I can have one. It would set the right tone at the next service meeting. Just screams butch. ;)

http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/58_7525.htm

Neil: I'm loving the "Designer White Carry Bag" thrown in for free. Yes, that's what all the fashionistas will crave this season - an Aldi branded bag. I'd say Pauric Sweeney is bricking himself.

I Blog: Hey, don't knock it. The anti-it bags were rife at LFW SS09. Even Erin O'Connor was carrying one. It says 'I'm conscious of the times in which we live and don't wish to flaunt my wealth' or even 'Don't be fooled suckers. My snakeskin maxi clutch is tucked neatly inside this clever ruse!'

Neil: Anti-it bags?! What is the fashion world coming to? I plan on being buried in an over-sized Prada bowling bag. A banking pal of mine in London told me that they're starting to see the first signs of turn in the economy there, so with any luck, by summer the fashion crew will be able to flaunt their Balenciaga gladiator sandals in peace. Amen.

Drag or Drop?

This just came in from Andy on Facebook:

April 25 at 12:19pm

I'm seriously thinking of doing Drag, maybe for Pride; but if not, definitely for Halloween this year. So what do you think? Could I carry off green or is it only for Liz Taylor?
Source: cgi.ebay.com

At $51.99 this Ebay diva gown is a winner. What do you think? Should Andy work the green glitter or should he leave the emeralds to Liz?

Fashion Gaydar - C&A

Andy and Neil are back with some email musings on C&A's advertising campaign:

Subject: Is cheap and awful ready for a comeback?

Andy: Found this on a new blog I'm reading called Made in Brazil. May make me venture into C&A if only to look at the posters.

Neil: One hot poster does not a H&M-collaboration-with-Comme-des-Garcon make! C&A are perfectly positioned to be the Primark for 2009 but unfortunately the last time I was in one they still had granny gear and not in a granny chic type of way! Cheap Dutch rubbish.

Gaydar Wisdom

I met my friends Will and Joanne earlier this week for a quick drinky-poo and a catch up. I chose to channel Mary Tyler Moore in a 70's vintage frock and almond toe courts. Unfortunately I couldn't wangle a Grasshopper to complete the look. It seems they ceased production circa 1979 along with 8 track cassettes and lava lamps. Hmmm. Anyhoo, the convo by contrast proved incredibly progressive due to Will's well-tuned gaydar. Here are a few soundbytes:
1) Irish men need to invest in better glasses. John Lennon and James Joyce are about the only men who can forgivably wear teeny round specs. You can buy a pair of Prada frames for €50 in Italy. Will has four pairs. We love the pink!
2) Saturday, 11.50am at The National Gallery is the ideal time and place to pull a hot single man.
3) My Blackberry Storm is not the piece of shiz I've been accusing it to be. Will informs me it's Skype compatible which means...free long-distance phone calls! Hurrah!
4) Despite the new year having only started, there are disturbingly only 94 dating days left when you occlude birthdays, religious holidays, weddings and any other events that cut into your 'pull' time.
With this he left for his date with the Armenian, leaving Joanne and I with a renewed interest in the works of Louis Le Brocquy.

Christmas Cocktails with Diana Vreeland

Last night saw my reintegration back onto the social scene. After compressing a month of fashion features into two weeks, I finally got to have a well-deserved Crimbo tipple..or eight. Vintaged to the max, I perched cocktail in hand at Bar Upstairs with Solo Ed Karina and my two GBFFs - Neil and Andy. The conversation (abridged version) went something like this.
Andy: "You look hot as balls!!!"
Me: "Thanks! I'm channelling Jackie O!"
Neil: "Will we have a cocktail."
Me: "Sure, why not? It's the holiday season."
Andy: "My brother just called me. He's getting married next year. Oh my God! What am I going to wear?!"
Karina: "Will we have another cocktail?"
Neil: "Why not? It is Christmas after all."
Me: "I actually can't pee unless I pull the dress off over my head and put it back on again."
Andy: "Doesn't matter. You look savage."
Me: "Let's have another cocktail - just to be festive."
Neil: "I bought you a little present. It's a book on Diana Vreeland."
Me: "Oh my god. You're so good to me! I love you! (hic!) "
Neil: "I think it's time we went home."
In bed at 10.30 p.m. on a Friday. Rock 'n' roll!

Fashion Gaydar

I can't take credit for this one. This piece of priceless reality TV gossip comes directly from my one of my gay best friends.

Andrew sent you a message.
-------------------
Subject: Makes Project Runway Look Butch

Well throw out your back catalogue DVDs of America's Next Top Model, delete Project Runway from your Tivo, we have a new reality show on the block - Blush:Search for the Next Great Make Up Artist. Loving the fact the tasks are designed to test the compassion and confidence of contestants; makes the other shows look like they belong on Men and Motors :)

On a slightly less serious note, when are we doing Xmas drinks?

Andy x

Fashion Gaydar

I love my gays. Without them I wouldn't have emails like this to brighten an otherwise inclement blah Tuesday morning. This comes courtesy of my GBFF Neil to whom I am indebted for razor-sharp sartorial insight and Allegra Versace on speed dial. Have a read:

NEIL: "Hey Ams, You may have already seen this. It's my favourite picture of the week from the fashion wires and I thought iblogfashion needed to be alerted. It's from the visit of Carla Sarkozy to the UN last week. Looking ever elegant in her Dior suit, she is being subjected to an awfully fierce case of "the evils" from Chantal Biya, the fantastically glamorous first lady of Cameroon. Am sensing Chantal's amazement at how anyone could truck up to the UN like Carla has here without so much as a lick of make-up or having spent at least an hour of vigorous back-combing."

Genius! Lovin' your work Neil. Stay fabulous! xxxx