The bonds between a mother and daughter are unlike any other. They’re our first teachers, mentors and protectors. Our mothers have taught us (almost) everything we know – they are the living blueprint for navigating womanhood. So it’s no surprise that they have had a considerable influence on our personal style, too. We asked Irish women to share the style advice their mothers gave them, and to tell us how it has shaped their wardrobes …

Ruth and Jane Flanagan, Style Ignite

“Mum always had an excellent dress sense and chose her clothes based on quality, cut and colour coordination. Rather than having a wardrobe full of mediocre outfits, she would have half a dozen hero outfits for every occasion. She stocked up on the best suits by Paul Costelloe, jackets and coats by Magee 1866 and in recent times, wedding outfits by Umit Kutluk. Mum always knew where to find the best gems and shopped with Shelly Corkery and Nikki Creedon in the Design Centre in the 1980s. Mum’s advice to us centred around colour coordination – she was a great advocate for Colour Me Beautiful. As myself and my two sisters all have different hair and eye colouring, we had ample opportunity to develop our styling preferences under Mum’s watchful eye and careful guidance.”

Laura-Jayne Halton, Designer and Illustrator

“It has only been in recent years that I fully realise the influence my mother has had on my style and approach to fashion. No matter what, my mum dressed us in the best of the best. The clothes she held onto from our childhood look brand new. Her eye for beautiful, quality fabrics and well-made garments has undeniably informed my own approach to design and sustainability. What I am most grateful for is how she encouraged me to embrace and explore my own individual sense of style.”

Domino Whisker, Embroidery Artist

“Fashion is almost a second language to me, thanks to Mum [designer Mariad Whisker]. From an early age she instilled in me the importance of self-expression. Even through some dodgy punk years, she encouraged me, and congratulated me on my individuality. She’s a strong believer in the ‘less is more’ concept. For example, when I was trying desperately to look like Johnny Rotten, she guided me down a more subtle, feminine path, with influences like Debbie Harry and Siouxsie Sioux. Always respecting my inspiration, she taught me how to edit my style, to be discreet but unique. The most important advice she gave me was not to follow trends and not to put huge importance on labels.”

Kate Verling, Managing Director, Mink

“Growing up, Mum was simple, classic and very natural in her approach to style. I can remember her collecting us from school in her Aer Lingus uniform, which definitely shaped her approach to style. Less is more is my big take home from her. I worked in Diffusion in Clontarf during my college years and fell in love with a cream cashmere coat with fur collar by Martin Grant. I waited for the sale and bought it for her birthday. Almost 20 years later, it is just as beautiful, and feels really special to borrow and wear.”

Celebrate her on 27.03 with a gift of Butlers Chocolates. Available at Butlers Chocolate Cafés nationwide and online at butlerschocolates.com.