Put the joy back into getting dressed, with style tips from some of Ireland’s most stylish women.

We’ve all been there. Standing in front of your wardrobe full of clothes in the morning feeling like you’ve nothing to wear. Whether it’s a need to streamline your rails, the fact that you’ve no time in the morning to make decisions on clothing, trying to keep up with seasonal trends, or you just feel like you’re unable to put something together that makes you feel good, we all know that feeling of falling out of love with our wardrobe.

What’s important however, is how your clothes make you feel. Labels, sizes, and passing trends are less important than how you feel wearing the garment. There’s no denying that in the right clothes, your whole mood improves, you get off on the right foot and generally feel better about yourself all day long. The converse is also true.

So, if you’re stuck in a style rut, never fear, because we asked some of Ireland's most style-savvy women to give us their top tips on how to put the joy back into getting dressed in the mornings.

Sonya Lennon

Sonya is one of Ireland’s best-known designers and runs Lennon Courtney with her long-time friend Brendan Courtney. She is also a savvy businesswoman and social entrepreneur, who is passionate about helping women move up in their careers.

Visit sonyalennon.com

Sonya’s Style Tips

1. The first step to being happy with how you look is to accept and love what you’ve got. Dress for who you are right now, not some mythical creature in your imagination.

2. Who we think we are is simply a story that we tell ourselves. If you don’t like how you look in your clothes, go shopping with someone you trust to craft a different story. I am not willing to be uncomfortable in my clothes ever again. And I am not alone. Women want clothes that help them feel comfortable and confident.

3. Use colour as therapy. Soft, pale and bright clothes reflect light back onto the skin. Black will absorb light away from you. Who needs that?

4. Level up your fun quotient in small, subtle ways. It could be brightly coloured underwear or a killer piece of jewellery, these little touches elevate our mood.

Sonya’s Outfit

This look is a co-ord set from our new Lennon Courtney collection at Dunnes Stores, launching late September. They work as pieces separately as well, but I love the tux trousers for their ease and versatility, and when worn with this co-ordinating top, it's such an easy look to wear - the same effect as a jumpsuit without the wrangling and like wearing a dress in its simplicity. I team with these statement earrings and my Nigel O'Reilly knuckle dusters. This look works just as well with heels as it does with trainers, I know they're out of shot, but I'm wearing vintage YSL sandals, you'll just have to take my word for it.

AOIFE MULLANE

Aoife designs and creates unique, luxurious fabrics for interiors and fashion accessories like bags, hair accessories and nightwear. Based in Wicklow and inspired by her surroundings, her Irish roots and the Irish coastal landscape, her pieces often feature flecks of metallics and prints.

Visit aoifemullane.ie

AOIFE MULLANE’S STYLE TIPS

1. Find a style that suits your body shape and flatters you. I don’t necessarily keep up to date with trends but rather buy what makes me feel good. Buy the right size. So often people get hung up with the number on the label - be sure to try on a few sizes and buy what fits and feels best.

2. I try to purchase capsule items like a good blazer that works well from daytime to night wear.

3. I think a good winter coat and boots will carry you through the whole season so it’s always worth finding them early.

4. Enjoy it. Fashion should be fun and make you feel like the best version of you.

Aoife’s Outfit -

“Working as a designer, every day is different for me. When meeting clients I like to dress smart yet still have a comfy and casual vibe. I think a good pair of jeans and a nice silk blouse is effortless and easy to get into in the mornings. I try to buy good quality fabrics that are natural and wash well. I also wear mostly neutral tones- so my whole wardrobe pretty much works together."

Cathy O‘Connor

One of Ireland’s best-known fashion experts and stylists Cathy O’Connor is beloved for her sense of style and championing of Irish designers. She regularly appears on TV style segments and has produced numerous fashion shows and hosts style workshops.

Visit instagram.com/cathyocstylist

Cathy O’Connor’s Style Tips

1. In my book, style is about self-expression; an instant and dynamic way to say to the world “this is who I am”. Sadly, we seem to be moving away from style as a form of self-expression and instead, have opted for tribal fashion. Fashion that applauds the 'wannabe' culture, where too many people want to look like someone else. 

2. I would encourage women to dress in looks that give them confidence; that make them feel really good about themselves.  That confidence can come from a style that’s really you, a shape that’s flattering, a colour that boosts your mood or a cherished accessory.

3. No matter what the look, dress to please yourself. We can be overly critical of ourselves so it’s worth keeping in mind that people rarely judge us as harshly as we might judge ourselves.

4. There are no rules, so enjoy the liberation of being yourself. God knows you’ve earned it.

Cathy’s Outfit

I really appreciate distinctive clothes, something a little different. This look started with that great turban by Irish designer Grainne Maher and everything else easily came together. I am only delighted to support Irish design as often as I can, so added one of my go-to tops by Irish designer Mary Grant and a striking skirt that I found at the great pre-loved shop, Unit K.

Fiona Heaney

Fiona is an award-winning fashion designer and the creative powerhouse behind Fee G. Fiona creates beautiful garments for the boutique market for women to wear and enjoy. She has a love of colour and bold print which is evident in the collection.

Visit fee-g.com

Fiona Heaney’s Style Tips

1. My advice is to ignore fashion trends, to understand your body shape and choose styles that make you feel good. When you feel good, you look good.

2. I am a busy working mum, so I need my style to be comfortable and versatile. I also love wearing all of my wardrobe. I don’t believe in having clothes for special occasions or work only. I will also wear this dress for dinner out on a Saturday night. Being able to wear your wardrobe to many different situations makes my use per wear very affordable.

3. My style for the studio is easy. I wear a lot of our dresses, as they aren’t complicated. With a change of footwear, I can completely change the look of the outfit for a meeting with agents or customers.

4. I love to design and wear colour, I believe colour can affect your mood and Irish women wear colour so well, so it’s a win-win.  Dull colours don’t help my mood, so I stay away from earthy tones.

Fiona’s Outfit

I’m wearing the Tanya dress in magenta, which also comes in teal, from the fee G AW22 collection. It’s a great transitional dress that can look relaxed or dressed up. I wear it to work with trainers as it's more functional and casual as I tend to run around the studio a lot. It's soft and unlined so it is very comfortable.

I am looking forward to autumn when I will wear this dress with a black leather jacket and ankle boots.

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