Ireland – not just shades of green

• Climate: Temperate with mild winters, cool summers, and plenty of the wet stuff.
• Religion: 89% Catholic.
• Tourist information: Discover Ireland.
  
• Fashion media: If Fashion & Beauty, plus Irish editions of UK titles.
• Ireland packing guides: Virtual Tourist.

Lowdown

Contrary to popular belief, the Irish do not go around dressed in green velvet, wearing giant stovepipe Guiness hats on their head and pointy buckled shoes on their feet – well, unless you’re there on March 17 for St Patrick’s Day. Instead, most favour a simple layering system – ready for the old climatic wardrobe hokey cokey where clothes go one and off again with with speed of a stripper dancing to hardcore techno. This is down to the kind of changeable weather which is often a hot, cold, dry and wet legend in its own lunchtime. The degree of chicness when layering varies as to whether you’re a city dweller or a country type. Either way, comfortable shoes are advised for all the scenic walking you’ll be doing.

Dublin: cosmopolitan, trendy and stylish. Dark colours abound. It is always raining so regardless of time of year, pack a warm coat and umbrella. In the evenings, you can dress up or dress down depending on what you want to do and where you want to go, there’s plenty of choice. The pubs and bars are all pretty relaxed.

Galway: Bohemian and creative, more hippy-ish and relaxed. Rains constantly, so wearing jeans that are long enough to drag on the ground are an absolute nightmare.

Rest of Ireland: Girls plastered in make-up and fake tan and generally dressed up at all times. Style for men is not required, usually sport-related (rugby shirts, football shirts, etc) – although elderly uncles appear slightly more dapper in suits that are often in need of a good darn and a wash – or a darn good wash, depending. There is a lack of diversity in nightlife once you’re out of the big cities so you’ll need to dress up to a certain extent to get in anywhere. Nice top, jeans and shoes for the ladies and shirt, jeans and shoes for the gents.

Trends

Generally take cues from what’s been hot in the UK so brands like A/wear are currently pushing high-waisted trousers, skinny jeans, and denim. In Dublin, boots over skinny jeans are still pretty big.

No-nos

Going out on the town without a jacket, you’ll regret it like you’ve never regretted anything before!

Local buys

A/wear – a boutique-y Irish fashion brand that you’ll find on the high street. It’s geared towards female twenty and thirtysomethings and is pretty reasonable depending on the value of your euros. A/wear is mainly based in Ireland with only one outlet in the UK, so what you get will be exclusive (once you get back home, that is). Also check out more cuteness and loveliness for girls at Avoca…

Lots of stores in Dublin sell traditional and contemporary Irish clothing and jewellery. Go to Temple Bar and George’s St Arcade for vintage and retro shops. For those with more high-end department store tastes, there’s Brown Thomas on Grafton Street – the equivalent of Selfridges or Neiman Marcus – which has all the designer gear and make-up.

And if you’re visiting the West Coast don’t think about leaving without an iconic cream, chunky knit Aran jumper – buy one on Inishmaan, the middle Aran isle off the west coast, to get the genuine article. Also, it’ll be hard to resist the traditional Celtic knot jewellery. And for the romantically inclined, there’s the infamous Claddagh ring which signals your availability depending on whether you where it with the heart facing out or in. Subtle but you gots to love the Irish!

Photos

Here’s how to wear them jeans ‘n’ boots.