CVsn3iJVl3
These Irish sisters have parlayed their love for fashion into careers in the industry, not to mention a successful joint-style blog
Anyone who has lived away from home can tell you how difficult it can be keeping up with what your family members are doing every minute of the day. But, despite living in different countries, County Louth-born siblings Ruth and Jane Flanagan manage to run and collaborate on their blog and Instagram account seamlessly.
Ruth (26) is based in London, where she works as a Visual Merchandiser at legendary department store Harrods. Meanwhile, Jane (29) is also pursuing a creative career as a Lingerie and Accessories Designer at Dunnes Stores in Dublin. Their approach is pretty genius, allowing the sisters to have a presence on both the Irish and UK blogging scenes and offering multiple perspectives for followers when it comes to how to interpret trends.
Here, they explain the style sensibilities that make them unique in their own right — although one quick glance at their cohesive Instagram account shows just how well their sophisticated style fuses together at the same time.
I will instantly have a positive outlook on the day ahead when I get dressed. It completely changes my attitude and I achieve more in work when I am dressed well.
It would definitely have to be a good blazer. You instantly look smart when you’re wearing a blazer, even if it’s just teamed with a pair of straight jeans, Converse and a t-shirt.
I’m constantly surrounded by nice things at Harrods and I feel my “to buy” list only gets longer and longer! However, I’m really trying to cut back on my spending this year and only buying pieces I really need. My last purchase was at Christmas, which feels like a lifetime ago. I bought an All Saints coat which I had my eye on for a while. It’s quite versatile and is light, so I will be able to wear it into spring too.
My All Saints leather jacket with a t-shirt paired with straight jeans. I have lots of different straight leg jeans but I am currently loving a black pair by Paige and then a light denim pair by Agolde.
My YSL monogram college quilted leather satchel.
Zara and Harrods. This is on a monthly basis for sure!
Harrods, Brown Thomas, Kildare Village.
I’ve been selling my preloved pieces on Depop and it’s been going pretty well. So far this week I’ve sold a gorgeous pair of crocodile leather biker boots and my Gucci belt that I bought in Browns Boutique in London last year. I can see a much younger audience like Gen Z shopping on Depop. They are clever shoppers and are always on the lookout for designer gear but at an affordable price.
My day-to-day style is quite casual. I really feel my best though when I am dressed for a big occasion. I love occasion wear as you can have so much fun with it. I feel I’m most feminine when I am in a short dress and stilettos.
A Versace evening wear blazer that I got for £89 in a vintage store in Fulham, London. The cut on it is absolutely amazing and it has gorgeous velvet and diamanté buttons.
It definitely would have to be my first Holy communion. I want to thank my mum Maggie for not making me look like a dog’s dinner on that day! I remember so vividly putting on a gorgeous pair of pure white satin pumps. I was so excited to wear them. I wore them at home around the house for weeks beforehand. My dress was really different: it went straight down and had thin straps and lots of different layers of mesh paired with a cropped see-through jacket to match. I thought I looked deadly! To finish off the look, I got my hair twisted on either side of my head and tied back, pinned with gypsophila in my hair.
Ralph & Russo, Elie Saab and Chanel.
When I’m looking at clothes online, I’m really inspired by each brand’s online styling. In particular, I think Anthropologie nails it. Instagram is really big for us too. Also: shops in London, what people wear at events and travel.
We’re over polka dots now — they’ve been too overdone.
Definitely the sage green colour trend and kitten heels.
A good nude crossbody bag. I’m thinking about the upcoming garden parties, BBQs, weddings I will have. It will be a great investment.
I have a lot of long, printed midi dresses that are just so easy to throw on with a pair of slouchy boots. You don’t even have to think about it.
A gorgeous white Alpaca wool coat that’s has a tie leather waist belt from Jaeger in Kildare Village.
I’m a loungewear lover: all I want to wear when I’m off-duty is a pair of leggings, a nice wool jumper and my trainers.
For high street, I shop in Mango, Dunnes Stores and & Other Stories. I would usually buy something every month — as soon as I get the payslip.
For special occasions, I look on Revolve, The Outnet and Brown Thomas.
I have recently started selling my clothes at the Sustainable Fashion Flea market in The Workman’s Club which has been so much fun! It’s on the third Saturday of every month, there are some really great bargains.
In January I bought a pair of Mulberry camel flared trousers for €100 in Kildare Village. That was such a bargain; they are very much a strong staple piece in my wardrobe now.
Mine would be an outfit I wore to my cousin’s wedding. It was a navy midi dress by Stella McCartney and it had cut-out embroidery panels in the skirt. I teamed it with a pair of nude Rockstud Valentino shoes and a navy Ferragamo clutch bag.
Zimmerman, Isabel Marant, Johanna Ortiz and Ulla Johnson.
I get inspiration from Instagram, travelling and styling mailers from ShopBAZAAR.com and Moda Operandi.
I can’t stand the micro bag trend, I just laugh when I see them.
I love long straight-leg leather boots with midi skirts and dresses.
Suede over the knee boots by Isabel Marant.
Read more: Meet the stylish young mum who runs a swimwear business on the side
Read more: Meet Audrey Hamilton, the artist with a closet as colourful as her eye-catching artwork
Read more: The fashion PR with a die-hard love for vintage