Street Trend: Irene O'Brien

WHY IT WORKS

Name: Irene O’Brien

Age: 32

Occupation: Vintage stylist

From: Dublin

What are you wearing? I’m wearing a top and skirt from Emili Jean Vintage (€100), Zara coat (a gift), locket from Airfield Market (€60), chain and pendant from CiCi’s coins (€35), bag from Blondie Vintage, London (£50); and shoes from Suburban Dolls (I’ve had them so long I can’t remember the cost).

Describe your style in three words? Nostalgic, bright, changeable.

How long does it take you to get dressed in the morning? Since my days in AA Roadwatch (with their early morning), I nearly always have something ready the night before, although 90% of the time this is totally discarded as a result of my overnight mood-shift.

Fashion or function — which word best describes your attitude to clothes and why? Somewhere in between the two; I can’t quite function unless I’m feeling like myself, so what I’m wearing can dictate how on the ball I feel.

What’s your biggest source of style inspiration? Photos of my parents from the ’60s; old music magazines; nanas on the bus.

What do you think of Irish street style? I see some wicked style everyday on the streets throughout the country; although if I’m honest, I liked it best before it had a name. I love street-style blogs as much as the next person but the idea that everyone is ‘camera ready’ feels a bit contrived to me.

Where do you like to shop? I like to shop anywhere so long as it is stocking something that excites me. I’m definitely an investor in pieces I love rather than a fast fashion kind of gal.

Who or what is Ireland’s greatest undiscovered gem? The end of year collections from fashion students throughout the country. I think we’re absolutely spoilt with the homegrown talent here and I salute every single indigenous designer that goes about making it work.

Why does your style/outfit work? Whether it does actually work is a matter of opinion! I’m always true to what makes me happy so that’s good enough for me (for today anyway).