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Stylist, creative director and veritable style expert, Courtney Smith is known for her fashion prowess. Here, we get an exclusive glimpse into her enviable wardrobe.
How would you describe your personal style?
Had you asked me this five years ago, I probably would have said ’70s rock meets bohemian as my overall vibe. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to lean less into any specific style bracket and allow myself to explore and experiment more and more. Somedays I love an oversized ’90s suit, the next day I might be in a colourful Hayley Menzies cardigan and then I might be in a full head to toe denim look.
The go-to trainers…
At the moment Axel Arigato seems to be my go-to. I started using their ‘Marathon’ styles in client campaigns as a generic ’90s runner and the more I styled them in shoots, the more I fell in love with them. They are big and chunky but also stylish and extremely comfortable too. Next on my list are their ‘Dice’ style which are more like a tennis shoe but still with the Axel aesthetic.
The does-it-all coat…
Can one coat do it all? I think you will find that the thing I own most of is coats and jackets because for me (living in Ireland) they are the most important part of any look. I can keep the rest of my look as pared back and basic and still create a killer look with just one statement piece of outerwear. Stand Studio definitely seems to be one of my favourite go-to’s for great coats, I have a shorter black patent jacket with shearling details that I adore and also a long pink snakeskin oversized trench coat by them too.
The perfect jeans…
& Other Stories Favourite Cut jeans are literally the perfect fit, every single time.
The must-have knitwear…
Zoe Jordan without a shadow of a doubt. I have curated quite a collection of her cashmere and wool pieces and I just adore how a simple jumper can create such impact in my outfits – the colours and tie dye effect she often uses are just so beautiful and probably the most asked about pieces when I post me wearing them on instagram.
The everyday jewellery…
I have a vintage 1940s ‘Joan of Arc’ gold pendant my boyfriend got me for my 30th which I am obsessed with from Monte Cristo in Powerscourt Shopping centre. Then I have a delicate gold chain with the letter Z for my son from Mo Muse also in Powerscourt and a shorter pearl necklace with B for my daughter. I rarely take these off.
The wear-everywhere handbag…
I’m not a slave to designer handbags. I have this beautiful oversized black woven leather handbag that everyone assumes is Bottega Veneta but I actually got in TK Maxx and it’s my go-to, throw the kitchen sink into handbag, that I love.
The Sunday cosy casual look…
My Sunday’s often consist of me running around a jungle gym soft play or trekking through a fairy trail so more often than not it’s comfort over anything. I find myself reaching for my 4th Arq tracksuits a lot, or my Zoe Jordan cashmere matching sets.
The ultimate pyjamas…
Irish brand Moon & Mellow create stunning cotton pyjamas which have really fun and vibrant prints. I particularly love their shorts sets during summer. For winter I love the simple silk stripes sets from The Nap Co.
The party look essential…
Anything with feathers or print usually!
The most treasured piece…
I have quite a number of treasured pieces in my wardrobe, I am someone who definitely develops an attachment to clothing and have suitcases of things I couldn’t bare to part with. It’s usually the vintage pieces I discover that are my gems, such as my lemon yellow Balmain blazer.
The wishlist item…
Anything from Wardrobe NYC.
The vintage shop to know…
Internationally, What Goes Around Comes Around in NYC and The Way We Wore in LA. Closer to home it’s hard to beat Nine Crows or Dublin Vintage factory, we have so many great vintage stores it would be impossible to list them all. For something fancy or occasion wear I love Jenny Vander!
Who to follow for style on social media…
I love to use instagram as pure escapism when I am scrolling, so the style accounts I follow aren’t necessarily always the ones whose style I always want to emulate. I adore Leonie Haan for her colourful and fun outfits. ‘Greens are good for you’ girls for a good hit of dopamine dressing and other than that I love following fellow stylists to see who they are styling and what pieces they are loving such as Hailey Bieber’s stylist Maeve Reilly, Christine Centenera, Mimi Cuttrell, Monica Rose etc- the people with their fingers firmly on the fashion pulse of what is next for street style.
The beauty essentials / self-care ritual…
I am recently obsessed with Sarah Chapman overnight facial elixir. It’s definitely a splurge but I can’t imagine my skin routine without it now, I wake up and my skin feels incredible. My self care ritual involves a cup of cacao in the mornings and an outdoor shower (Sounds random but it’s amazing, the best thing we built in our garden!).
This article was originally published in February 2023.