Fashion and beauty insider Lucy McPhail’s keen eye for detail translates to forever footwear, borrowed from the boys tailoring and a decadent collection of totes …
Tales From My Wardrobe, a style series that explores the wardrobes of THE GLOSS community, is 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.
Irishwoman Lucy McPhail is a strategy consultant at Space NK, the former executive vice president at Threads Styling, a global luxury fashion platform that provides e-commerce as well as a personalised styling service and, prior to that, she was an accessories and beauty buyer at Harrods. Naturally, this meticulous eye for detail carries over into her wardrobe, too. With a finely-honed bag collection and a penchant for statement coats by buzzworthy brands, McPhail’s wardrobe is a lesson in refined luxury. See her favourite pieces below …
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Lucy pictured in her favourite Loewe overcoat, love-worn Chanel ballet flats and her investment Book Tote by Dior.
My favourite piece in my wardrobe right now is a black Loewe coat which was gifted to me by my friend Suresh. It’s a men’s piece that’s a couple of seasons old but it’s a perfectly snug fit for me and it plays into this season’s penchant for floor-grazing overcoats.
My Dior macro houndstooth Book Tote was a big purchase. I wanted a black bag but went for the newer, medium size which is a bit daintier than the large one. I usually invest in a new bag for my birthday every year. With handbags, I only ever invest in an evergreen shape or model so I know I’ll get years of use.
I purchased some Chanel ballet flats eight years ago for about £300. I wore them loads at the time and always took really good care of them (mainly by never wearing them in the rain and re-heeling them properly). They are on trend again and to buy them new (if you can get your hands on them) they would be about double the price.
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Top and above: A Dior Book Tote sits next to a Goyard blue tote purchased in Paris; Lucy’s pavé ‘lips’ necklace that she never leaves the house without.
My most hardworking accessory is my blue Goyard tote. I love the colour and I’ve had it for ages. I never put it on the ground or overfill it so it’s as good as the day I purchased it (from Printemps in Paris). My Totême trench is also an incredibly hardworking piece.
I’m a big fan of Nensi Dojaka. I’m not so much lusting after a particular outfit – more, a reason to wear any of her pieces. Accessories-wise I would love a mini Kelly from Hermès in some sort of blue. It’s such a beautiful brand and the bags typically increase in value from the day you purchase (should you wish to re-sell). The craftsmanship and expertise behind each single piece is exceptional. It takes a couple of years of spending across the different categories to get a chance at purchasing a Kelly, though.
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Top and above: Lucy’s Totéme trench has become one of the most hardworking pieces in her wardrobe artillery; a Loewe tank top purchased at Dover Street Market was a summer buy.
I’m not lucky with bargains per se but I have been lucky in my career to avail of staff discounts and sample sales. Sample sales are great for ready-to-wear but I’m not sample size, so I’ve never had much luck. I did get a baby pink Loewe puzzle bag for £200 a few years ago in a sample sale. I had a friend choose it for me – as he got there at 7am!
Menswear sales are great for finding hidden gems. Especially for things like knitwear, sweatshirts and shirts. I have some great men’s shirts from Tom Ford and Dior. Also, Dover Street Market in London has a superb edit. I purchased a Loewe tank top there over the summer that was sold out everywhere else. When it comes to the high street, I always find things in & Other Stories and Free People.
The most recent thing I bought was black Christian Dior DiorBobby butterfly sunglasses last month which I purchased on loyalty points from Liberty London.
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The least ‘fashion’ thing I own are my dog-walking outfits. Everything I wear to walk my pooch Teddy in is pretty scruffy. We live beside a park in Central London which is great but it’s pretty mucky all year round so I have a lot of park shoes, track pants and puffer jackets. My general park attire would make Miranda Priestly wince.
I never leave the house without wearing my gold and pavé diamond ‘lips’ necklace. I have no idea who the designer is and can’t even remember who gave it to me, but I’ve barely taken it off in a decade.
Top and above: Dior DiorBobby butterfly sunglasses are a new addition; a collection of men’s shirts from Tom Ford and Dior.
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Lucy pictured in a Totême trench coat and Saint Laurent menswear sweater with her trusty Goyard tote.
You can follow Lucy on Instagram (@lucymcphail_loves) here. Got a wardrobe worth sharing? Send us your tales and imagery to digital@thegloss.ie.
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