We have found a fabulously diverse and exciting bunch of independent retailers – scroll through the list below to discover the best womenswear shops in Ireland …
Following the success of THE GLOSS X TheShopkeepers.com collaboration in 2022, when we found and celebrated unique, creative and inspiring independent shops in cities, towns and villages all over Ireland THE GLOSS X TheShopkeepers.com Best Shops Ireland 2023 list is here with over 200 shops included!
THE GLOSS team, led by Sarah McDonnell, Editor, and Síomha Connolly, Digital Editor, and Paula Flynn of TheShopkeepers.com, have been sifting through nominations for our Best Shops Ireland 2023. With your help, readers and followers, we have found a fabulously diverse and exciting bunch of independent retailers. And now we want you to vote for the best of the best: those truly special shops that really stand out. Only one shop can win the title of Best Shop in each category, so be sure to get your vote in and tell us what you love about your favourite stores around Ireland. The Best of The Best Shops in Ireland will be announced in January 2024.
Below discover the best Womenswear Shops in Ireland. Click here to discover the best Book Shops, Interiors Shops + Studios and Children’s Shops.
While every effort has been made to ensure the information reflected in the list below is accurate, up to date and correct, please email digital@thegloss.ie with any issues, corrections or queries.
BEAUTIFUL SOUTH, Swan Centre, Unit 3D Castlewood Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6
Coinciding with – or preempting? – the cool-ification of Rathmines (so many interesting places to eat and drink; young, diverse vibe) Grainne Wynne’s BEAUTIFUL SOUTH has had an elevating influence on the D6 village. Among other elegant labels, find Ros Duke cashmere, Cleo Prickett tailoring, Eudon Choi separates, Daki Daki jewellery, Aoife Lifestyle bags and Alohas shoes. Think cool architect aesthetic – beautifully cut, restrained pieces with minimal detail and a contemporary edge. @beautiful.south.
COSTUME, 2, 10/ 11 Castle Market, Dublin 2
The Tucker sisters, Tracy and Anne, have been steering the COSTUME ship for almost 20 years (the shop itself is 26 this year!) and it has been consistently brilliant, ahead of the fashion curve and abreast of everything on the runway with a bias towards elegant-with-an edge clothes we really want to wear. They did Isabel Marant first! Zadig first! Yves Salomon first! The phrase “unerring eye” is a little staid to describe the Costume approach to buying. This season check out in particular Soeur, Les Ottomans, Rupert Sanderson and Markus Lupfer. www.costumedublin.ie.
ELECTRA, 16 Donnybrook Road, Dublin 4
French Girl style has a home and it’s ELECTRA, in Donnybrook. Owner Sadbh Fahy, who lived in Paris for years, is the perfect poster girl for the look. From Vanesso Bruno to APC, Christian Wijnants to Isabel Marant, Maison Kitsune, to Forte Forte, pieces are classic yes, but with a contemporary cut, with an ever-present soupçon of sexy. Look out for Astier de Villatte ceramics and Aurélie Bidermann and Ginette NY jewellery. www.electra.ie.
EMPORIUM KALU, South Main Street, Naas East, Kildare
Kalu has been stocking innovative designers including Vivetta and Vivienne Westwood for over 20 years. The duo are known for their edit of beautiful, boundary-pushing occasionwear. Run by Louise Flanagan and Kate O’Dwyer, Kalu is for the fashion-conscious who want original artistic pieces. This boutique is a must-visit. www.emporiumkalu.com.
ENVOY OF BELFAST, 4 Wellington Street, Belfast, Co Antrim
Timeless and understated, ENVOY OF BELFAST’s selection of clothing and accessories are chosen for their distinctive quality of design, fabric, and craftsmanship. Clothes that have the ability for the wearer to create their own look, rather than the clothes defining the individual. Owner Ruth Spence selects pieces from international brands in Europe, Japan, and the USA. www.envoyofbelfast.com
FRAN + JANE, 2A Main Street, Blackrock, Co Dublin
Step inside this brilliantly merchandised boutique and find treasure after treasure, from newly arrived Tara Jarmon dresses and suits to a whole shelf of soft, slouchy joggers and hoodies by Studio Parisien, alongside well-priced knits, Rains weatherproof coats, good jeans, excellent cashmere, blouses and accessories. Ask Jane to help you, she’s a brilliant eye on the trends, and will translate them for your body shape. @franandjane
GALLERY 9, Sallins Road, Naas East, Naas, Kildare
Few leave GALLERY 9 empty-handed, such is the range of designers and styles (including Saloni, Stella Nova, Stine Goya and Self Portrait). From clothing and accessories to jewellery, owner Niamh McCoy’s taste is impeccable. Look out for printed co-ords by Copenhagen brand Munthe, minimalist cool-girl jackets and sweatshirts from Anine Bing and GLOSS favourite Gia Couture shoes. www.gallery9.ie.
HAVANA, 2 Anglesea House, Donnybrook Rd, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Ireland’s edgiest fashion destination, HAVANA has been the first port of call for women seeking conceptual fashion for over 25 years. Stocking avant garde Irish and international designers, Nikki Creedon, as prescient about trends and how Irish women want to wear them as ever, says statement skirts and outerwear are a focus for autumn. Colour comes via bags and accessories. www.havanaboutique.ie.
JUJU, 3 La Touche Place, Rathdown Lower, Greystones, Wicklow
Unusual, contemporary brands have been the remit of JUJU boutique, which stocks The Landskein coats, Lis Lareida shirts, Pedro Garcia footwear and Gigi Clozeau jewellery. “Our style is very much timeless and classic – we want our customers to dress in pieces they will cherish forever,” says owner Juliet Ledwidge. www.juju.ie. Photograph by Jenni Browne.
KHAN, 15 Rock Hill Blackrock, Dublin
Celebrating over 25 years in business, KHAN is an integral part of Blackrock’s thriving village culture. Its loyal cohort of clients return each season to update their wardrobes with Mackay’s focused edit of brands which includes Paul Smith, Fabiana Filippi, Annette Gortz and Irish designers Roisin Linnane and Lainey Keogh. www.khan.ie.
KIMONO, Provincial House, Bishop Street, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick & Main Street, Charleville, Cork
“I’m wearing Sara Roka, my favourite out of the 40 or so labels we stock, which reflects the style and ethos of KIMONO – nostalgic with a contemporary twist,” says owner Ailish Mullane. Kimono, situated in a former bank (complete with safe), celebrates 20 years in business in 2023, and has recently enhanced its online offering. “Customers love our exclusive range of Soru jewellery too.” www.kimono.ie.
LOUISE KENNEDY, 56 MERRION SQUARE SOUTH, DUBLIN 2
Award-winning, internationally recognised Irish designer, Louise Kennedy has created a luxury lifestyle brand. Her elegant flagship store on Dublin’s Georgian Merrion Square is an appropriately gracious home for her collection of beautifully made, timeless clothes, jewellery, and accessories.
www.louisekennedy.com. www.instagram.com/louisekennedyofficial/
MACBEES, 26 New Street, Monearmore, Killarney, Kerry
In MACBEES boutique, founded in 1984 by Mary McBride, visitors are met with a riot of colour and interesting design. Mary’s daughters Aoife and Doranne, are now at the helm, bringing their experience – in costume design and as a buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue respectively – to the edit of brands stocked. These include Irish knitwear designer Colin Horgan and handbag label August Night. www.macbees.ie.
MAGEE 1866, The Diamond, Donegal Town, Donegal
The MAGEE store has stood on the same site since it opened in the 1800s and is a true destination shop for womenswear, menswear and gifts (with a great café too). “Our ethos has always been one of ‘slow fashion’, with high quality, natural fabrics our focus,” explains creative director Charlotte Temple. “This season we dipped into our archives and revived some exciting patterns, adding a contemporary slant and new colour palettes.” www.magee1866.com.
MILLARS, Main Street, Clifden, Connemara, Galway
Clifden’s iconic yellow-fronted store, led by mother and daughter Treena and Claire Sweeney, has a strong following of Irish and international regulars who appreciate the edit of designers including Magee, Dubarry, Ireland’s Eye and Eco Tree knitwear, Niamh Daniels scarves and The Landskein coats and accessories. www.millarsconnemara.ie.
OLORI, 131 Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork
Susan-Jane and Lisa are sisters and their boutique is testament to their shared love of style, passed down to them by their mother Dolores, and classic-with-a-twist French style in particular. Look out for Soeur knitwear and classic white shirts, Filippa K blazers, Hache dresses in bold colours and gorgeous Roisin Linnane full, ballet-length skirts. @oloriboutique
OM DIVA, 27 Drury Street, Dublin 2
Ruth Ní Lionsigh is a dynamo with a generous appetite for nurturing young talent and creativity. It’s difficult to pass OM DIVA’s extraordinary window – inside is a vibrant mix of new designs and vintage pieces which work together to create a pretty, fey aesthetic with a subtle, punky edge. Sure, Drury Street isn’t a village, but between Loose Canon wine shop, Kaph café and the other independent retailers, it sure feels like one. www.omdivaboutique.com.
PEEL FASHION STORE, 107 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast
This mini, three-storey department store (and its neighbouring Sale Shop Peel 2), has lured Belfast’s fashion crowd to Bloomfield Avenue for 22 years. For AW23, bold colours, print, pattern and staple black, are on offer, with sleek velvet occasion wear from Qui Privé, embellished kimonos from Essentiel Antwerp, versatile suiting from Emme and edgier pieces from XD Xenia. www.peel.fashion. Photograph by Khara Pringle.
PLEASE DON’T TELL, 675 Lisburn Road, Belfast
“I focus on shapes, fabrics and interesting accessories,” says Ann Donaldson shopkeeper, of her personal style, which she defines as “cool classic”. Her boutique on Belfast’s buzzy Lisburn Road is where you’ll find unfussy trenches from Kassl Editions and oversized corduroy suits from luxury brand Cawley Studio. “This season don’t wait until Christmas to wear your sequins,” says Ann, who will pair hers with a white tank by Dorothée Schumacher. www.pleasedonttell.ie
QUACK+DIRK, Rear Marino Mart, Fairview, Dublin 3
A charming shop with an equally charming backstory. Deirdre Mahon first opened her shop for the summer of 2003, affectionately naming it after her and her bestie, QUACK + DIRK. When she opened the shop permanently in 2009 she kept the name. Quack + Dirk is a family affair. Deirdre’s architect mother and siblings helped her convert the garage, which housed spare parts for her father’s car mechanic business, into a quirky, vintage-inspired clothing boutique. www.qplusd.com. Photography by Dena Shearer.
ROCOCO, 20 Glasthule Road, Sandycove, Dublin
As part of its 21st birthday celebrations, Roxanna Allen is collaborating with Bl^nk London to produce a range of sustainably made kimonos and scarves, for which the boutique is known. “Rococo has always worked with labels that are making a difference to the fashion community,” says Roxanna. www.rococo.ie. Photograph by Lois Creighton.
SAMUI, 17 Drawbridge Street, Cork
Foodies visit the English Market; women who love fashion visit Clodagh Cronin’s store SAMUI. Clodagh’s collection has a strong rootstock of iconic designers like Rick Owens and Dries van Noten and Acne Studios, onto which is grafted an evolving, season-by-season selection of the labels of the moment. Samui’s styling videos went viral during lockdown – no surprise, they kept the joy of dressing up alive through the darkest days of leggings and loungewear. www.samuifashions.com. Photograph by Miki Barlok.
SCOUT, 5 Essex Street West, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
“I’m wearing an indigo denim dress by Toast with corozo button detailing, cut in a shape I will wear for many years. It works really well across all seasons too,” says Wendy Crawford. “I love the longevity of Toast pieces. The quality of fabrics is really beautiful and I find their pieces are real workhorses for your wardrobe, something we always bear in mind when buying our collections.” www.scoutdublin.com.
SEAGREEN, 6a, 7a Monkstown Crescent, Monkstown Co Dublin & 45 Ranelagh, Dublin
“At SEAGREEN, we stock timeless pieces that can be worn multiple ways, season after season,” says owner Sarah Gill. New brand this season Second Female offers chunky knits and printed skirts while those in the know head to Seagreen for its edit of Yves Salomon coats and denim from Agolde and Citizens of Humanity. www.seagreen.ie.
SLOW STREET, 16 Main Street, Blackrock, Dublin
In SLOW STREET – IDI Store Design of the Year 2021 – on the Main Street in Blackrock, you’ll find recycled knits, organic denim and simple, chic silhouettes. “We don’t do trends. My passion is sourcing feelgood, clothes which have a positive impact on people and the environment,” says owner Evelyn Brown. www.slowstreet.ie.
SUSAN HUNTER, 13 Westbury Mall, Off Grafton Street, Dublin 2
Step inside Susan Moylett’s tiny store and give yourself over to the charming vendeuse within – who might indeed be Susan herself. This is the place to go when you resolve to spend more time choosing elegant, feelgood underwear (and nightwear) that fits properly and gives you confidence. Don’t wait for a special occasion – be more Frenchwoman this year! This store might actually change your life – it will certainly transform how you regard yourself. www.susanhunter.ie.
