As a lover of vintage, sustainable fashion afficionado Vilhelmiina Huuskonen on her style inspiration …
Coco Chanel is my muse because I’ve always loved men’s tailoring — especially the striking and unexpected pairing of menswear and feminine pieces. Chanel herself often wore tuxedos and white tie, reinterpreting them in her own modern, highly personal way. While she wasn’t the only designer to explore masculine styles for women, she was among the first – and certainly the most influential – to integrate menswear into women’s wardrobes as confident, everyday wear rather than costume. Her boldness still feels fresh a century later.
For the 150th anniversary of the RDS Dublin Horse Show, I wanted an outfit that honoured tradition yet subverted expectations. The antique men’s white-tie waistcoat, matching Marcella-front (piqué bib) collarless shirt, detachable collar, vintage tulle gloves, and 1920–30s two-tone shoes spoke to history, while the AllSaints lace maxi skirt, tailored Dsquared² dinner jacket, and Panama hat added contrast and lightness. Chanel’s pioneering spirit – and that delicious interplay of masculine and feminine – made her the perfect muse for the day.
I already owned everything except for the skirt, which I bought this spring. My short dinner jacket has been a wardrobe staple for years. The antique white-tie waistcoat and collarless dress shirt were acquired last year for my PhD thesis defence at the University of Helsinki, where the traditional academic dress code is white tie for men and a long-sleeved black gown for women. Naturally, I chose the men’s outfit, pairing it then with an antique tailcoat from Betty Bojangles in Dublin. @bettybojanglesdublin
SEE MORE: All The Fashion From The Ladies Day At RDS Horseshow
The detachable collar and studs came from Darcy Clothing, specialists in historical menswear replicas. Vintage tulle gloves concealed my work-worn hands (first as a chef, then as a vet), while a Chanel-esque brooch from Etsy anchored my tie. I wore it alongside a white linen pocket square from Louis Copeland & Sons, where I source most of my pocket squares. A gift from a friend – an Art Deco watch chain – was clipped to my waistcoat, but instead of a watch it held my prized Edwardian sterling silver pocket mirror. My navy and cream two-tone leather shoes date to the 1920s or ’30s and were found nearly two decades ago in a vintage shop.
Finally, the bag: a German-made Baron of Maltzahn doctor’s bag, bought second-hand from a private Facebook group. I’d wanted one since qualifying as a vet, so when it appeared for sale I didn’t hesitate.
SEE MORE: Our Guide To The Best Vintage Clothes Shops In Dublin
For me, the Dublin Horse Show is an event in two acts – the beauty of the horses and the spectacle of the fashion. But this year’s true highlight was unexpectedly personal: a young woman I had never met approached me to say her outfit was inspired by what I wore last year. It was one of the most wonderful compliments I could imagine.
Vilhelmiina Huuskonen is Associate Professor and Discipline Leader in Veterinary Anaesthesia at UCD School of Veterinary Medicine.
SEE MORE: Vilhelmiina Huuskonen’s Pretty, Preppy And Eclectic Wardrobe
