Reflecting a lifelong love of fashion and eye for accessories …
Tales From My Wardrobe, a style series from THE GLOSS community, is a love letter to favourite pieces and hard-earned investment buys that all have a story to tell. From Irish designer Orla Kiely’s colourful wardrobe and Charlotte Temple from Magee 1866 to Lorraine Keane’s pre-loved fashion finds and Joanne Mooney’s handmade clothes with sentimental value, this is your chance to take a sneak peek into the most treasured possessions of some of the most stylish women in Ireland, and read all of the meaningful stories behind them. Here, Dr Sinéad Ryan shares her wardrobe with us.
Has my style evolved? Not really, but nowadays I have more access to explore fashion and more confidence to lean into different looks. I work in Limerick as a full-time GP in both the public and private sector. I love my job, which I’ve been doing for over 25 years now. I also work in disability service with the Brothers of Charity. I support local boutiques in Co Limerick and Adare, and also buy pre-loved clothes when I travel. I buy some items online, but for me nothing beats touching clothes and trying them on.
My work attire is smart casual unless I have meetings where I’ll pull out a suit, but always with a fun element like this reworked baby doll bandeau A-line dress and jacket from Diane Von Furstenberg that I bought over 20 years ago. I adore its striking pleat placement and detail. The original dress was just above the knee and no longer suited me, so I repurposed it into a skirt and added a pocket as a welcome addition. I take great pleasure in figuring out how to find new ways of wearing older items in my wardrobe.
My current favourite item is a Molly Goddard white maxi skirt that I bought on a recent trip to New York with my two adult kids. My daughter and I trawled pre-loved shops with my son looking on bewildered and bored! My daughter picked out this feminine skirt and it was an instant ‘yes’ for me. I’ve had lots of wear already, switching it up with different looks. I’ll treasure it forever.
I really enjoyed the recent wedding of my friends Mike Quinn and Gillian Power in Doonbeg, Co Clare where I wore this fabulous rose gold dress by Maria Lucia Hohan, which I bought in Harrods. It’s called the Alana gown and is in a foiled plissé silk tulle. I paired it with a rose gold vintage Gucci clutch and Jimmy Choo Heloise 120 heels. My accessories included my original engagement ring repurposed as a pendant, a Cartier Trinity chain in gold/rose gold and white gold, and a gold-toned lariat and anklet, both from Love Beth. I wore my usual wrist stack – a mix of Cartier and bespoke pieces by Barbara Pietrzyk at BP Goldsmith. My rings are also a mix of Cartier, Bvlgari, and bespoke pieces from BP Goldsmith and Tadhg Kearney Jewellers (@tadhgkearneyjewellers). My MiuMiu sunglasses were a recent purchase from Brown Thomas Limerick.
The most sentimental piece in my wardrobe is my wedding dress, not just because it was a wonderful time in my life (my husband is since deceased), but because it was my first big brave fashion statement.
It looks modest by today’s standards, but this was the late nineties when wedding dresses were not very interesting. We had few options other than standard off the rail offerings or a homemade dress created by the local dressmaker. I avidly followed fashion and design in my 20s while moving forward with my medical career, which is my other great love. I was a regular at the Limerick School of Art and Design fashion show for graduates where one year I was really taken by a collection of eveningwear by Elizabeth Tucholski. I asked if she would consider making my wedding dress, which was her first commission. It was very exciting for both of us and I was thrilled with the result. The dress is made from Italian lace with silk underlay and a signature crocheted long coat. I also wore a little headband embroidered with pearls instead of a veil. It was really me at the time and got a lot of attention.
My most recent purchase was a blue suit by Aoife McNamara from her Hope Collection. Aoife is a graduate from LCAD and is doing fantastic work, based in Adare. I bought this wool coat from her last year and loved it so much that I had to get another piece. I’m impressed with the ethos, quality and sleeve detail. Aoife’s work is totally sustainable, which I’m trying to lean into by buying more pre-loved or truly sustainable pieces.
The biggest bargain is my Zimmermann two-piece co ord. We all know this brand can be a bit spicy on the pocket. Typical of me trawling for a bargain at the end of BT’s sales when I spotted the skirt and it fitted perfectly. Initially, I thought of wearing it with a fancy top when I chanced upon the matching blouse three sizes too big, which was also a bargain. I took it to a tailor and he did a wonderful job sizing it to perfection.
The piece that has paid for itself has to be this denim sundress by Joseph. I bought it around the time my daughter was born and she’s now 25! I can safely say I have worn it multiple times every year since. I wear it casually with trainers, dressed up with a heel or even with a funky boot and sweater. I thinks it’s several shades lighter now, but it has cost me nothing at this stage.
I have many Rebecca Valance dresses that are so versatile, especially for functions. I bought this cobalt dress for the annual Arc cancer fundraising lunch in Dublin. I’ve since worn it for other events and get lots of compliments as it’s such a fab colour.
My biggest investments have been my collection of Chanel bags and my jewellery … which my daughter is already eyeing! Every piece was carefully chosen and is precious to me. I have a core set for day to day and layer up for occasions – a mix of investment and bespoke pieces. My most hardworking accessory has to be my Chanel chain belt from the 1980s, which was a pre-loved purchase from the iconic vintage store in New York, What Goes Around Comes Around. I add it to everything from a Victoria Beckham dress to jorts and a T-shirt. It elevates anything. My Hermès scarves are also having a moment this year – around my neck, across my hips, as a top, tied to bags, I could go on …
I adore ethereal Irish design and knitwear, so my dream item is a custom dress from one of our high-end Irish designers like Simone Rocha, Roisin Pierce, Roisin Linnane, Colin Burke and so many more. @drsineadryan
