Glenda Gilson: A week in my wardrobe

I started my day with a reformer Pilates class with Ellen Redmond. I’m wearing Irish brand PeachyLean. I’m a big fan, I feel comfy, stylish and supported when wearing this gear. Here I’m wearing the sports bra and high-waisted full-length leggings with pockets in the colour magenta. My cardigan is also by another Irish brand Lucy Nagle. Deciding what to wear each morning is a nightmare that’s why I always do it the night before! I’m always more alive at night, definitely more of a night owl than a morning person.

A night at The Gaiety Theatre! Here I’m wearing my friend’s Self Portrait top. We borrow each other’s clothes all the time! It works well as we have the same style. My trousers are high-waisted, slightly flared at the bottom from Paige at Harvey Nichols in Dundrum Town Centre. My bow hair tie is from Sinead Keary. The best investment I ever made in my work wardrobe was buying lots of black! You can never go wrong. I always invest in a good coat a good pair of black boots and a nice black handbag. Avoid print when investment buying. I have a plain beige Joseph coat that I bought 15 years ago. I still wear it and love it and it has never dated. My favourite time of year to dress for is winter –even though I hate the cold! I love winter fashion. Coats, boots, knits, leather, layering and the autumnal colours of the season.

I’m coming from the hairdressers wearing one of my favourite brands ever, American Vintage. Here I’m wearing the Damsville knit from Seagreen. My jeans are Anine Bing also from Seagreen. My bag is a Louis Vuitton Neverfull from Brown Thomas (probably one of my best buys ever!) I have my eye on a Mulberry bumbag next. My favourite fashion era is 90s supermodel/Hollywood fashion. Levi’s jeans, white tees, leather jackets and the little black dress. Think Cindy Crawford, Johnny Depp, Kate Moss… that era. My wedding dress definitely has the most sentimental meaning though. I still love it and if I got married tomorrow, I’d choose it again. I wore the Diana gown by Vera Wang.

Today, I’m heading to my pal’s wedding, wearing a dress from Self Portrait. It took me about five minutes to get ready because I got my hair and make-up done. I feel most confident when I’m dressed appropriately for the event I’m attending. There’s nothing worse than feeling overdressed or underdressed at an event… we’ve all been there! Fashion is about you though. I really believe you can tell so much about a person by their fashion sense. The best style advice I’ve ever gotten was to “wear your clothes and don’t let them wear you” – it’s so true! If you’re not 100% sure about your outfit before you leave the house, I guarantee you’ll feel so uncomfortable by the time you get to your destination and will probably not enjoy your night because you can’t stop thinking about what you’re wearing. Some of the best nights out I’ve had is when I’m in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. The most worn item in my wardrobe is probably a pair of vintage Levi’s jeans.

Today is a fun day out with the kids wearing a parka jacket from the Giovanna Fletcher x Regatta collection. My cashmere knit from Zara, my cream chinos are from Avoca and my boots are by Louis Vuitton (another good buy… I have them years!) Shoes are definitely my biggest weakness. The one fashion piece I would save in a fire are my Louis Vuitton boots! I love boots, sandals and can’t get enough trainers. My favourite thing in my wardrobe at the moment is actually a pair of new Nike runners. When it comes to heels or flats, I adore both and can manage well in both… I can do a cartwheel in 5-inch heels! On weekends I tend to wear comfortable shoes during the day to go on adventures with the boys and a pair of killer heels at night for dinner with my husband.

I’m on hosting duties for the night wearing a navy two-piece suit from The Kooples at Kildare Village. I’m wearing a black crop top from Zara underneath and my Jimmy Choo sandals. I think three wardrobe staples everyone should invest in is a black dress, a black or navy suit and a good formal coat. I’d describe my style as classic, effortless and cool. Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham are my style icons. I love both their styles and have done since I first saw them. If I could raid one person’s wardrobe it would be Kate Moss’s! Every time I see a photograph of her, I have to zoom in on every inch of what she’s wearing.

Today I’m on driving duty, dropping the kids at various activities and have meetings over coffee. Wearing my favourite vintage Gucci. This was a great find. I came across it in a thrift shop and I loved it from the moment I saw it. It’s a bit too big for me and had a big stain on the front of it but once I got it dry-cleaned it was as good as new.  I’m wearing a brown American Vintage knit underneath. I choose my look each day depending on what I’ve got on. I always have to plan ahead and dig out my clothes as I’m a bit of a hoarder and could really do with some organisation. My relationship with fashion is a mutual love affair.