Image consultant Aoife Dunican talks us through her colour-focused wardrobe which she describes as “classic with a twist” …
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Tales From My Wardrobe is an ongoing style series that explores the wardrobes of THE GLOSS community – a love letter to the pieces we reach for again and again, the hard-earned investment purchases that make us smile with each wear and the items that supercede mere clothing to carry memories and foster emotional connection.
Everyone has their own unique style. “Mine is classic with a twist,” explains Aoife Dunican, a personal and corporate image consultant who trained at the London College of Style. Having studied the psychology of colour, she believes wearing colour is a great untapped form of communication and self-expression.
“I use colour to communicate how I am feeling and how I want other people to interact with me. I’ve edited my own wardrobe to make sure my tops are in my most flattering colours. I suit bright, clear colours. Having turned 50 this year, I need all the healthy glow I can get! It’s so true that if we look good we feel good, and if we feel good, we are unstoppable.
“One of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe right now is a pink taffeta full skirt by Alexander McQueen, because of the comfort and drama factor. I wore it this year for my Power of Image presentation. I was extremely nervous beforehand, as it was my biggest audience to date, but the minute I put this skirt on, I could feel my confidence growing and my anxiety weakening. It was a bonus too that I nabbed the piece in the Flannels sale. I paired it with an old burgundy Stella McCartney blouse – I adore burgundy with bright colours. I also love wearing my wide olive green AndTate skirt too.
The most sentimental piece I own is without doubt my silver and black Chanel pearls. My mother passed away in December 2009 in the middle of that crazy snowfall and I wanted to honour her the way I remembered her. She adored fashion and hugely encouraged my own style evolution growing up, including my mad deviation into a spiked bob and yellow polka dot suits! I remember the day after she died going into Chanel in Brown Thomas where I told this very kind lady about my mother. She helped me pick out these beautiful black and silver pearls and they’re now fondly known at home as ‘mammy’s pearls’. I love wearing them especially if I feel my look has gone a bit too edgy and I want to add in a little unexpected sophistication.
I also love Melissa Curry’s pearls because she has given a traditional item a contemporary finish. She uses a black shoelace tie to give an unpredictable edge. I often wear her pearls when my look is too classic to create a surprise element.
I’m definitely a savvy shopper and love a bargain, particularly a high-end bargain. I nabbed this black Alexander McQueen skirt in a summer sale last August. I think it said over €2,000 on the label but it was reduced to €199. It fit beautifully but sat a bit strangely on one side. I knew my tailor could fix it so I took it to the till and the lady serving me said, actually, it is only €98 – the excitement!
My most recent purchase was in March, when I was doing a show for Brown Thomas Limerick and came across these really unusual wide-leg black trousers with two big, long slits at the back. They are half satin, half crepe and the fit is beautiful. They were a from a brand called High which originated from a great label I loved 20 years ago called Marithe Francois Girbaud. They are sophisticated and demure but also quietly contemporary.
My black Victoria Beckham trousers from 2017 are my biggest investment purchase to date. We had just come home from a family holiday, and I was sent to Tesco in Dundrum Town Centre as we had no food in the house. Needless to say the Tesco shop was only half the size after I spied these trousers in Brown Thomas! I describe them as my power trousers. The fit is pure perfection. I wore them recently when presenting to an aircraft leasing company and felt great in them.
My Moschino leopard print jacket from 2005 has paid for itself in price per wear. I bought it with my mum when my second son was only six weeks old. At the time I wanted to treat myself. I thought my mother would say ‘you really don’t need a leopard print jacket’ but she saw how my face lit up as if I was trying to reclaim a certain part of me. The jacket is well past 300 wears and I’m constantly stopped on the street about it. We call it the ‘chatty jacket’. Your clothes can speak before you do.
When I’m in London, I love popping into the consignment store in Liberty, and the Weekday store on Regent Street. It may look like it’s only for teenagers but I’ve found their tops have interesting necklines. Another favourite shop is the top floor in Printemps in Paris.
The least fashion thing I wear all the time is my Georgia in Dublin raincoat. I love its functional, yet elegant design and it keeps the bob dry too.
I never leave the house without lipstick. I own about 20 shades of red and yes, they are all different. Currently I’m using Dior shade 772 – a classic rosewood with matching lip liner. For winter drama I love Pat McGrath’s velvet lipstick in Elson, which is a good match when I wear navy, black and grey. For summer fun or a dramatic lipstick to wear with taupe, ecru or white, I recommend Lisa Eldridge’s Strawberry Shock (do invest in the lip liner too). Before I leave the house I spritz Chanel No 5 or Calvin Klein’s Obsession – the latter always takes me back to memories of going out years ago.
The most hardworking accessory I own is my Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff from Tiffany. I have always loved silver cuffs, from the very first one I bought 30 years ago from Seamus Gill. I must have tried on the Tiffany cuff in every city I have visited and got this for my big birthday. I particularly love wearing it with an all grey outfit.
The dream fashion piece I am lusting after is a YSL Le Smoking Tuxedo – female sensuality in male tailoring. It has earned an iconic status since it debuted in 1966 and is tailored from grain de poudre wool and accented with satin peak lapels.
Need to Know: Aoife will be hosting a Style and Skincare in the City event with skincare expert Sherna Malone in the Herbert Park Hotel, Dublin 4 on Sunday December 1, from 11am to 2pm. Tickets go on sale on Friday October 4.
Follow Aoife on Instagram @thestylebob; www.thestylebob.com. Got a wardrobe worth sharing? Send us your tales and imagery to digital@thegloss.ie.
