Preppy with a passion for hats – Alice Joule’s style decoded …
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.
As creative director of Joules, the British brand known for its colourful, preppy classics, Alice Joule’s love of fashion began early. Even while studying history at university, she explored the past through the lens of clothing, a curiosity that still shapes her approach today.
Thornton Floral Accent Chair in Festival Floral Blue, €799, Joules Sofas exclusively at DFS.
Having grown up living the outdoorsy lifestyle Joules celebrates, Alice has an instinctive understanding of the brand. She began her career refining styling, overseeing product concept, illustration, campaign styling, store design and more.
Known for her effortless style with a hint of theatre, Alice mixes Joules’ pieces with vintage and luxury finds – especially hats, a lifelong obsession. Her weekends are spent with her husband and their young son exploring vintage fairs, often finding inspiration in unexpected places. She recalls, “A few years ago, we were attending a family wedding in London. After the ceremony and before the reception, I managed to dash across the street to this wonderful vintage store (yes, I am THAT person). It was the quickest, ninja shop you could imagine! I found the most amazing vintage mac and every time I wear it I’m reminded of the happiness of that special day. Now named ‘the wedding mac’ it’s a piece I reach for when I feel a little joy is needed.”
Other pieces of sentimental value include a vintage hand-embroidered Ukrainian smock purchased on a trip to the Rose Bowl Vintage Market in LA (@rosebowlfleamarket). “It’s unique, so detailed and reminds me of special times. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let it go,” she says.
For other hidden gems, she raids her husband’s wardrobe. “He has a great eye, so his wardrobe is always good to have a rummage through on occasion, especially for knits, scarves and belts that I will adopt for the day.”
The most recent item I bought was a hat from Maison Ola. As hats are an obsession, I wear them almost daily in the winter and find myself returning to them year after year with the same joy that I had on initial purchase.
The piece I wear on repeat is the Joules Belchamp Wool Peacoat. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a weakness for a good coat and this one is fabulous. Preppy to perfection, great quality to stand the test of time and so easy to style.
The best bargain in my wardrobe is a pair of Joules Raindance wellies, to be fair! They look great, even when it’s not raining, and are so lightweight that you can wear them all day.
The least “fashion” thing I own is a crossbody leather water bottle holder. I’m not great at remembering to drink water – I’m much more of a ‘coffee is liquid, right?!’ sort of person – so I find physically attaching it to my body helps.
I’m lusting after a pair of high-heeled boots in a gorgeous Bordeaux wine colour. I think they’d look great with a skirt, chunky knit, and accessorised with a cool pair of glasses and maybe an oversized coat.
My most hardworking accessory is definitely a silk square scarf. I wear them as bandanas, around my neck, as a belt, on my bags for a pop of colour. They can often be the difference between wearing and styling. I love to show our customers different ways of wearing them to help get maximum use.
SEE MORE: Tales From My Wardrobe – Bonne Ryan
