Gondolas, Glamour, and the Great Irish Lycra Epidemic 🥂

I’m back. The suitcases are unpacked, the Venetian prosecco has been thoroughly investigated, and I am officially a changed woman. Or, at the very least, a woman with a brand-new, highly specific grievance.

Myself, Ronan, and Eliza spent the last week in Venice celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary, and while the architecture was stunning and the pasta was borderline emotional, the thing that absolutely blew my mind was the people. Specifically, how they dress.

It was gorgeous. It was intentional. It was completely devoid of elasticated waistbands.

In three full days of wandering around Venice, I did not see one single person in activewear. Not one. Nobody was walking into a bakery looking like they were about to sprint a 5k. Nobody was sipping an espresso in a pair of neon gym leggings.

The Great Irish Gym Gear Epidemic

And then, I landed back in Ireland.

Every second person I’ve seen since getting off the plane is dressed like they’re on their way to a high-intensity spin class. We have turned into a nation of people who put on a full face of immaculate makeup, style our hair to perfection, and then decide to pair it with a tracksuit.

Now, before you start writing me angry emails, I do hear the "but it’s comfy!" argument. I really do. But I have to say, every single piece of clothing I own is comfortable. Otherwise, I wouldn't bloody wear them! You can wear actual clothes—beautiful trousers, lovely dresses, proper linen—without inflicting physical torture on yourself.

The Death of "Dressing Up"

We have so few opportunities to dress up these days. The world has gone so casual it’s practically horizontal. So, I have to admit, I find it incredibly frustrating to go out for a lovely dinner in a fancy restaurant, having spent time putting myself together, only to look across the room and see someone sitting there in cargo shorts and a pair of tracksuit bottoms.

Is it just me? Am I officially turning into an old, whingey woman?

Maybe. But honestly, seeing the effort the Venetians (and tourists!) put into just stepping out the front door made me realize how much joy there is in actually dressing up for the life you have. It’s inspired me at the workbench this week, too. Why make sparkly, joyful jewellery if we’re only going to wear it with a fleece?

Let’s bring a bit of that Venetian effort back to the cobbles of Ireland, shall we? Dust off the nice clothes. Wear the earrings. Leave the gym gear for the actual gym.

Right, I’m off to put on a proper skirt just to sit at my workbench and stare at some silver wire.

Stay stylish, stay sparkly. 🥂

RainbowRegalia blog, Pliers & Prosecco, Venice travel reflections, dressing up culture, Irish style choices, activewear fashion critique, handmade jewellery Greystones, RainbowRegalia, Rainbow Regalia.