Smart Commuters: How To Dress For Comfort And Speed
Whether you commute by train or on foot, considered layers and comfortable shoes are what get you through the day – plus practical accessories!
A stuffy Luas, bus or DART journey can take the joy out of the most carefully planned office outfit, leaving you overheated and uncomfortable by the time you reach your desk. Whether you commute by train or on foot, considered layers (to address changes in temperature) and comfortable shoes and boots are what get you through the day. The best work bags for women should do the heavy lifting, keeping daily essentials – laptop, wallet, diary and gym kit – streamlined and in order. We’ve pulled together a selection of polished yet practical, unfussy, commuter-friendly pieces designed for days when you want to go from desk to drinks, or just stand comfortably on a packed platform.

LAYER UP
Wear a tweed blazer over a polo-neck knit, with an extra sweater (in place of scarf) over the shoulders instead of a heavy, chunky coat.

Auburn Rex check Donegal tweed blazer, €775; www.thelandskein.com
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Orange leakproof hot and cold bottle, Chilly’s, €43, at Arnotts
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Brown suede ankle boots with Forever Comfort padding, Tabitha Simmons x Next, €132, at Next
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Brown Honoré Anique crop-print leather laptop bag, €311; www.isabelbernard.com
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CHOOSE A ROOMY BAG
A hardworking bag should have internal pockets and compartments and be big enough for a laptop and a pair of commuting flats or trainers. Image; Chanel

Red clay Mokki compartment texture leather bag, €540; www.polene-paris.com
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Beige GG Emblem tote, €1,980; www.gucci.com
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Toffee deluxe bag organiser, €99.95; www.totesavvy.com
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WEAR NEUTRALS
For a versatile workwear capsule wardrobe, tones of beige make a fantastic base, a softer, warmer alternative to stark black.

Grey suede silk-lined gloves, Jaeger, €70, at Marks & Spencer
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Beige Philippa trench coat, €1,850; www.victoriabeckham.com
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Beige wool blend fringed poncho, €99, at Mint Velvet, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 16
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INVEST IN EXTRAS
Invest in a smart lunchbox, noise-cancelling earphones, proper trainers.

On The Go Cream XT-Whisper friction-free sneakers, Salomon, €150; www.zalando.com
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Blue folding hairbrush, The Smooth Company, €14.99; www.danceworld.ie
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Stainless steel lunchbox, €34.90, at Rains
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Live Beam 3 In-Ear True wireless earbuds, JBL, €179, at Harvey Norman
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NASTY SHOES? NO NEED!
Commuter shoes you’ll want to wear all day? Try heeled loafers, leather knee-high boots or brogues – all comfortable enough to wear on your commute but smarter than sneakers. Image; Chanel.

Tory Burch.

Grey ribbed wool socks, €18, at Cos, 6-8 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2
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Brown leather knee-high boots, €219, at Massimo Dutti, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 16
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Brown Totter crocodile-print leather kitten-heel loafers, €165.50, at Brown Thomas
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Brown croc-effect leather loafers, €149, at Cos, 6-8 Wicklow Steet, Dublin 2
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RAINY OR COLD
A solid, reliable umbrella makes all the difference in wet weather, while a knit hood is the new beanie.

Black Davek Commuter mini umbrella, €77.53; www.davekny.com
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Black polka dot umbrella, Moschino, €48; www.farfetch.com
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COVER-UPS
From lightweight breathable macs to extra-long, plastic-free parkas, a good raincoat is essential for drizzly day commuting.

Black Bold Longest jacket, €169, at Rains
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Brown lightweight long waterproof jacket, €49.99; www.oysho.com
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WARM & PRETTY
Layer pretty knits that you’ll happily wear from morning coffee to last bus home. Image; Chanel

Grey belted embellished wool mix cardigan, Self Portrait, €460; www.mytheresa.com
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Chocolate PU leather pleated skirt, €49.95, at Zara
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Tortoiseshell The Calligrapher frame spectacles, €160, at Specsavers
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ONE AND DONE
The coat-as-outfit is a godsend. Choose an unlined version for spring.

Gold-plated Vera earrings, Lie Studio, €280, at Seagreen
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Cream wool blend coat, €199, at H&M
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Black cat-eye sunglasses, Saint Laurent, €340, at Brown Thomas
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SEE MORE: 20+ Massimo Dutti Buys That Hint At Spring
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