Personal stylist Kara O’Sullivan on her favourite fashion finds

How would you describe your personal style?

I adore having fun with fashion, this is the most important part about getting dressed for me! I need to enjoy what I’m wearing and feel that it represents my personality. This gives me so much joy and honestly, confidence too! There’s not much your day can throw at you that you can’t tackle when you feel (and look) amazing!

If I had to describe my style in three words it would be colourful, denim and vintage. I really don’t own any black clothing! I don’t think it suits me but honestly it just doesn’t make me happy! So you will always see me in a colourful ‘fit. I think denim is the true love of my life!? I cannot explain how obsessed I am and how I just want everything I own to be made out of denim. Double, triple, honestly the more the better.

And vintage, I would say about 80% of my wardrobe now is pre-loved and vintage items. I think this is the best way to have real individual style, by sourcing pieces that can’t just be replicated by everyone else, and truly making them your own!

The go-to shoe

Ballet flats for spring, ground-breaking! But really I think there’s not many outfits that you can’t pair a good pair of ballet flats with. Baggy jeans, a cute girly skirt, a smart tailored look, ballet flats are my go-to.

A controversial one, but I’m also loving caged sandals at the moment! I’m seeing them creep back into style and think it is a matter of time before they are a major spring/summer trend! But these won’t be everyone’s cup of tea of course.

The does-it-all coat

A bomber jacket wins all year round for me. Big and puffer style for winter, leather for spring and autumn, and lighter fabrics like cotton for summer evenings, they answer all my layering problems.

The perfect jeans

The baggier the better for me. I love a pair of loose low-rise jeans paired with more feminine pieces like a cute top and heels, or you guessed it, ballet flats! I think the baggy style of jeans are the easiest to dress up and down, and can easily bring you from day-to-night.

The must-have knitwear

A standout piece from Hope Macaulay for sure! I actually don’t wear knitwear all that often, but I have got a surprising amount of wear out of the little knit crop top I have from the brand! I equally wore their Bella Colossal Knit to a rugby match in Dublin once and have never got so many compliments, and I mean especially from the men!? They were in awe of it like the work of art it is!

The everyday jewellery

Gold hoops, (the bigger the better!). These are honestly my uniform, no matter what the occasion. I’m also on the hunt for a dainty vintage gold watch, which I think will be a really great versatile pairing piece, so I have been scouring the Paris flea markets on the weekends!

The wear-everywhere handbag

If I won the lotto… a Bottega Veneta Hop Large leather bag in their butter yellow colour. When I say I cannot stop dreaming about this bag! It’s perfect and butter yellow weirdly will go with almost anything! But bringing myself back to reality in the the meantime, I always find myself with a colourful vintage bag in hand like a Fendi bowler. I love the vintage slouchy Miu Miu leather handbags and old Balenciaga city bags too.

The Sunday cosy casual look

Trackies! Bonus points as tracksuit bottoms are seriously on trend. I pair mine with a cropped tee and a bomber, or comfy knit to look a little more put together! Otherwise I always fall back on a pair of comfy baggy jeans with an oversized track zippy or rugby jersey.

The ultimate pyjamas

I have been eyeing up the cutest PJ set from this brand called My Mum Made It! They’re focused on sustainable fabrics like organic cotton which I think is especially important for sleepwear, and they have the most adorable styles. I wish I could say I have a cute PJ collection but honestly all my focus (and money!) goes on my daily outfits people see me wear!

The party look essential

Of course the look itself, but for me it’s the shoes! I think for a real stand-out party look, the shoes are the best part of the look to have fun with! Don’t get me wrong I will always be that girl that brings a pair of flats in my purse for when the dancing and party really starts! But I think a fun heel can elevate any look and give it that wow factor.

The most treasured piece

I have two! And both are from my all time forever favourite brand Chanel. They were both gifts to me from very special people in my life.

My Chanel pink vintage bag, which I sourced from RE BAG in New York, was a gift I got with an inheritance from a close family friend. She adored fashion but most importantly loved Chanel and a pop of pink! I saw the bag in the window and it almost jumped out at me! I love that every time I wear it, I can take her with me and it means so much.

Second are my Chanel Mary Janes, which are a recent purchase since I moved to Paris. A seriously special gift from my Mum. She was celebrating a big birthday here in Paris and had always dreamed of buying herself something from the Chanel store on Rue Cambon. Little did I know I was getting something too! We enjoyed sipping on champagne and their five star service, and walked away with pieces we will cherish forever. It was a day we will never forget!

The wishlist item

I’m obsessed with Sandy Liang’s Dosina pink trackies from their latest collection. I mean how cute?! Maybe not the most practical but being practical is no fun! Other than that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the Chanel Bronze Patent Jumbo Single Flap Bag since I borrowed it from Designer Exchange Ltd. for Paris Fashion Week! Week! The bronze colour colour, the patent leather, the size! It’s perfection, that is all.

The vintage shop to know

VINTED – I cannot believe the gems I have found since I moved to Paris. A Miu Miu skirt for €28 which I wore to the Miu Miu Fashion Week after party, Miu Miu vintage sunnies for €40 etc etc – I think it’s a CRIME that we don’t have Vinted in Ireland. I think I’ll start a petition so all the fashion lovers have access… I’ll keep you posted on that!

If you’re visiting Paris my favourite is Bimbo Vintage Club. It has the CUTEST most colourful curation of vintage I’ve seen in Paris, with really fair prices. And an added bonus, the store is totally pink! So it’s seriously Insta worthy too.

Who to follow for style on social media

Of course I have my favourite go-to Irish girlies; Johanna Dooley, Zeda, Gabby Luksaite, Sinead Gannon, Tara Kumar, Zoe Ardiff and Helena Gromotka – I have been renting her wardrobe  since we started greens are good for you, she has the BEST style!

Then I would have to say Emili Sindlev is my ultimate fashion icon. I just think nobody does it better than her! Never a dull day, she’s the queen of colour and having fun with fashion, and never sticks to the same style! Everything she wears is exciting and feels fresh.

I love Anna Winck, another Copenhagen queen! She’s definitely not afraid to spice things up.

Marie Gaguech is a Parisian stylist I love to follow since I’ve moved here. She has amazing daily style.

Emna Sellimi puts together some of the most incredible outfits, and is definitely high-fashion inspiration.

Threadsgen I cannot get enough of! It keeps me up to date on the latest new-in’s to know from the best brands, trends and what the most fashionable icons are wearing, all in a super fun and colourful way.

Romilux is my absolutely favourite fashion photographer, and captures THE best street style from every fashion week around the world!

Melissa Bon is another Paris based fashion icon I’ve come across more recently, but I’m obsessed with her effortlessly cool and laid back style.

And of course, LuxeGen I’m addicted to, to keep me in the know on everything that’s going on in the fashion, beauty, pop culture world, and far beyond. I literally just want a job in their office to be involved in all the fun!

The beauty essentials / self-care ritual

I cannot go a day without Skinceuticals Ultra Facial Defence Factor 50+. I think I’ve been wearing it everyday for the last seven years, even in winter! It just can’t be beaten.

My go-to foundation has been Mac Face and Body for about as long. It’s super lightweight so it lets your natural skin and freckles show through which I love, especially in summer!

I also swear by Glossier’s Solution to keep my skin clear. And their Boy Brow is my hero brow product!