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.

Founder and CEO of Bannerton PR Sharon Bannerton has a feminine wardrobe that doesn’t shy away from making a statement. Think playful pleats and glamorous metallics, with a cameo from some luxe loungewear, while her 9-to-5 look is defined by signature tailoring from heritage fashion brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry. A fan of investment shopping, Sharon has amassed a wardrobe of much-loved classics that work overtime and act as markers for some of life’s most important events. See inside Sharon’s wardrobe here …

Main image: Sharon is pictured at home wearing a pleated gold lamé dress by Forte Forte and sourced from Electra in Donnybrook. Photography by Julien Behal.

Sharon at home with her beloved cockapoo Hashtag wearing a tulle pleated skirt sourced at Arabella’s Girl in Sandymount and a ruffled blouse by Ulla Johnson.

My favourite piece to wear right now has to be my brown Róisín Gartland suede kick flares, matched with my very beautiful beige silk Ulla Johnson shirt, which has a plethora of ruffles and pleats. I like to team timeless wardrobe staples with an embellished statement piece. The flares can be dressed up or down, but I always throw on some nice jewellery and heels when wearing this outfit.

The most recent thing I bought was a dress by the Italian label Forte Forte. It’s knee-length in pleated lamé tulle and the elegance of the pleating, the billowing balloon sleeve and the dazzle of the platinum finish makes it a very flirty dress. It’s a wrap-over style, with a plunging v–neck, and it flares out dramatically and sways as you walk. I spotted it in the window of Electra in Donnybrook and I knew it was destined for my wardrobe. I’m looking forward to having an opportunity to wear it soon, as we head into the festive season, and I’m currently searching for the perfect gold shoe to go with it. I’ll keep the jewellery to a minimum though.

The best bargain I own is my beige tulle skirt. I bought it at the pop-up Arabella’s Girl in Sandymount; I just love it as I’m very girlish at heart, and it is so versatile. I went to Wimbledon this year (ticking-off another item on my bucket list) and I wanted to wear something elegant and stylish to go for dinner and drinks afterwards in the beautiful Mandarin Hotel in Knightsbridge. It worked perfectly with my beige silk Ulla Johnson shirt, Dolce & Gabbana belt and a pair of gold Gianvito Rossi shoes. I felt like a princess. The look was much admired, and I reckon some girlfriends would pay hundreds of euros for my stand-out skirt, and I only paid €70. 

A self-confessed heels obsessive, a vertiginous shoe plays a role in each of Sharon’s outfits. These PVC Louis Vuitton favourites are pictured with a suit by Dolce & Gabbana. 

My favourite place to find hidden gems is Havana in Donnybrook, although, I am spoiled for choice where I live in Dublin 4 as there are so many independent boutiques nearby, not to mention the department stores in town. And, of course, Galway is great for an eclectic fashion find too – I always make a pit-stop at Olivia Danielle in Athlone on the way home.

The least ‘fashion’ thing I own is a pair of Trendy & Bendy Chloe high-waisted pocket leggings in jet black; flattering and comfy – what’s not to like! Trendy & Bendy is my sister Jane Deasy’s business and, without doubt, I could live in all of her lifestyle pieces.  Dressing up is great, but sometimes only your cosiest activewear will do.  And, to be fair to Jane, she packs in a stylish and luxurious vibe, too. 

I always look forward to wearing a good coat as a style statement.  So, at the moment I’m adoring the Rye coat in olive green lambswool by The Landskein – it’s a real dream piece. It’s a long, double-breasted boyfriend-style coat, beautifully tailored with a notched collar and lapel. Founder Anna Guerin works with luxury Irish heritage textiles, and this is 100 per cent fine lambswool woven exclusively for The Landskein by Molloy & Sons in Donegal. I love the contemporary luxury take on traditional craftsmanship. Also, if I’m being greedy, I would love a new Louis Vuitton bag. I love a good bag to accessorise with, and this season seems to be all about ‘banana’ shaped bags. 

Sharon in her walk-in wardrobe with a Burberry trench coat that was a self-gift for her thirtieth birthday. 

The piece I own that has a story to it is my original Burberry trench coat: I bought it in Brown Thomas for my thirtieth birthday, as quite a generous present to myself. It is such a timeless statement piece, and practically vintage now, with the Burberry trademark pattern on the outside, rather than on the inside, like most. It has served me well, not only as a coat, but as a coat dress too. Someone told me recently that self-indulgence and self-gifting is now all the rage with women who no longer wait for someone else to treat them. I’ve been doing that for years and I can highly recommend it …

I have a few ear piercings from Maria Tash. I love a curated ear – multiple pieces of jewellery styled in different helix piercings along my left ear – for a unique look. I currently have eight diamonds in my ear. Add to this my lovely bespoke gold and diamond donut necklace made by The Bridge Jewellers in Ballsbridge in Dublin. Again, I like to wear a handful of beautifully made jewellery pieces, in precious metals and stones, rather than accumulate fashion pieces that don’t stand the test of time.

Sharon’s trusty Louis Vuitton tote is her go-to handbag.

I never leave the house without my Louis Vuitton tote bag; I must have it over 10 years, and it comes everywhere with me. It’s like a big dumpster sometimes, I just throw everything into it. But then, when I’m in Blow hairdressers getting my colour done, I turn it upside down and have a big clear out.  Sometimes I am shocked at what I find in it, including things I thought were lost and gone forever; it’s like a big black hole.

Sharon purchased a navy Ulla Johnson dress for a lunch to commemorate her late mother.

By far the most sentimental piece I own is my navy Ulla Johnson dress; I bought it for the lunch celebrating my mum’s life. She passed away a few months ago and is such a big loss to the family. She loved her fashion and always looked stunning and perfectly coordinated, without trying too hard. Mum never left the house without her lipstick, she believed it dressed up every outfit you wore, even a tracksuit!

Cost-per-wear investments beat fast-fashion, and feeling and looking good in what you wear is priceless. I invested in an Escada trouser suit which I bought from Olivia Danielle in Athlone around 20 years ago. I bought it to wear at the Galway races and was delighted to win Best Dressed Lady on the day. It is true what they say about investment pieces in fashion. You can never go wrong with a well-made timeless classic that never dates. 

Another piece that paid for itself in cost-per-wear is my Dolce & Gabbana black trouser suit. I bought it in Brown Thomas for my son’s communion 17 years ago, and I still wear it on many occasions, both as a suit and as separates. It covers work and socialising seamlessly. I am definitely drawn to a bit of bling, and this suit is lined with the signature Dolce & Gabbana leopard print, and has a diamond and black crystal collar, and cuffs to match. As there is so much detail, I tend to wear my clear PVC Louis Vuitton heels with it and subtle jewellery. As I’m such a small person, I need my heels!

All photography by Julien Behal.

You can follow Sharon on Instagram (@sharonbannerton) here. Got a wardrobe worth sharing? Send us your tales and  imagery to digital@thegloss.ie.