Stop press! All-girl rock band in no airs or graces shocker! Going against the grain of dolling yourself up in designer-wear, newcomers The Jades have a radical philosophy when it comes to rock'n'roll glamour: just wear your normal clothes.
For guitarist/vocalist Elaine Weldon ‘normal’ means the ubiquitous jeans/t-shirt combo.
“Last night we went out to a duck race – I’m from Wexford, where we have mad social events like duck races – and I was wearing exactly what I wore onstage a couple of gigs ago,” she reveals.
That’s not to say they haven’t committed their share of fashion crimes in a bid to look like proper rock chicks.
Taking to the stage in leather pants and leopard-skin, they realised it wasn’t so practical under the hot lights, particularly when you’ve got to lug amps around afterwards. Instead, she personalises her look by concentrating on the peripherals.
“I’m more of a fan of accessories,” she confesses. “I prefer to dress down with clothes, and glam it up with jewellery, hair and make up.”
She swears by the Mac brand, having discovered it during the band’s time on You’re A Star.
“It was one of the best finds ever,” she enthuses. “They’re brilliant, and the foundation has the best coverage of any make up I’ve tried.”
Her handbag must-have is lip gloss – although the shiny-lipped look comes at a price.
“We were playing before the football in Croke Park on Sunday, and just before we went on, I realised I forgot to wear any lip gloss. Then I remembered the last time we were playing Croker. It was windy, so our hair totally flew all across our lips and stuck to our faces. I changed my mind while running like mad back to the dressing room.”
While Penney’s is her favourite shop (“it’s the best place in the whole world”), she also frequently wanders into high street shops such as Oasis and River Island. But she also harbours a soft spot for independent shops, like Die For Love Fashions in Limerick and Villa in Wexford, where she bought her favourite bargain.
“It’s this pinstriped jacket that I wear all the time, and it was only €10,” she beams. “Most of my friends would say I’m a good bargain shopper because I usually manage to wangle things down. But that’s because if you look long enough, you’ll find what you’re after.”
True dat.