Stylist Jan Brierton on her favourite fashion finds

Fashion stylist and creative director with Morgan The Agency, Jan Brierton began her fashion styling career twenty years ago after a number of years spent working as a buyer, visual merchandiser and store manager. From styling fashion campaigns and fashion shows to scouting new talent and directing creative work, this is one woman with a true wealth of experience. Here, we get an exclusive glimpse into her enviable wardrobe.

How would you describe your personal style?

Relaxed, colourful and unexpected.

The go-to shoe/trainers

Trainers, ALWAYS. I do have some beautiful shoes, really special jewel heel ones from Dries Van Noten and before Christmas, I got these fabulous glitter boots from Nikki Hoyne, but I always end up in trainers. I am coveting the Y3 Kaiwa from Adidas at the moment.

The does-it-all coat

I collect Dries Van Noten, and one of my prized pieces is a coat from his 100th collection. I really should wear it more, but I am most often found in my trusty quilted green ‘throw over everything’ jacket, which is actually the lining from my husband’s German army surplus parka (shhh, don’t tell him!) I wear it with everything but change it day to day by adding Electronic Sheep triangle scarves. My favourites are 10am Bethnal Green, and the Digital Replay blanket scarf.

The perfect jeans

I don’t own a pair of ‘classic 4 pocket jeans’, instead I prefer to find denim with a twist. My favourite pair of blue denim is from Irish designer Orla Langan. They are rigid indigo denim, wide leg, with a jersey panel at the hip. Denim is a staple in her collections and she mixes it with sports and technical fabrics in her designs.

The must-have knitwear

IrelandsEye are a forever favourite of mine. Years ago, on a trip to Clare and after years of talking about it, I decided I was gonna treat myself to a classic Aran. I found a local shop, with the best selection of Aran knits in all shapes, sizes and colours. After trying on almost every Aran in the shop, I fell in love with an IrelandsEye classic cream Aran, a men’s jumper. IrelandsEye Knitwear aren’t far from where I live in Dublin, so it was funny that I travelled all that way and bought local. I love how they marry heritage and tradition with contemporary styling and colour.

The everyday jewellery

I don’t feel fully dressed without my hoops. I’ve so many different ones, big and small, some really beautiful fine gold ones, and lots of different-sized ones and jewelled ones from MoMuse. I’ve wanted a pair of gold Creole Hoops for a long time and my husband gave me them for Christmas just gone, so they are my absolute favourites.

The wear-everywhere handbag

I have a Longchamp Pliage which I customised on their website. I call it the ‘Jan Bag’ and I wear it with everything.

The Sunday cosy casual look

I always wear jumpsuits and boiler suits. I’ve dressy ones, casual ones, fitted ones, loose ones and on Sundays, you’ll find me in (surprise surprise) a jumpsuit — my Adidas Originals adi colour black jumpsuit is a comfy classic.

The ultimate pyjamas

It’s a real treat to have beautiful pyjamas. In the Arnotts sale many years ago I bought lots of Princess Tam Tam pyjamas, which I still have. Moon + Mellow’s Juno printed cotton pjs are next on my pj wish list!

The most treasured piece

I have my Zandra Rhodes ‘lion dress’ for over 20 years now and I still take it out for special occasions — I love it. And my late mother-in-law’s ‘going away’ outfit. Cecilia had the most beautiful taste… her graphic coat dress by Louis Feraud is treasured, along with some of her other very special outfits from the 60s.

The wish list item

I don’t really have a wish list, but I am always on the lookout for something unique from Dries Van Noten.

The party look essential

A fringe dress from Tim Ryan — actually, maybe another Tim Ryan dress is on my wish list!

The vintage shop to know

Maeve Brady is Vertigo Vintage, and she has THE best collection of beautiful vintage frocks and accessories. I’ve gotten some really special pieces from her over the years, and I went through a stage where I collected vintage gloves and got some beauties from her. She pops up regularly at markets and antiques fairs you can find her on Instagram at @vertigovintage.

Who to follow for style on social media

I don’t elect to follow accounts on social media for style, I find a lot of the ‘style accounts’ look very staged and very contrived, so I enjoy more the freedom of accounts like @stylelikeu and Ari Seth Cohens @adavcnedstyle. I also love historical fashion Instagram accounts. I love Rebecca Arnolds’ account @documenting_fashion and when I was a kid, I was a huge Princess Diana fan, so I really love @ladydirevengelooks and @dianasfashionarchive. I collected pictures and books of her different outfits, I think this is where my love of fashion hatched.

The beauty essentials / self-care ritual

I am allergic to EVERYTHING and am chemical sensitive, so I use Waleda Skin Food — it’s organic, and my skin drinks it up. Off-the-shelf shampoos can give me chemical reactions, so I use Jasön haircare. Natural deodorants are a must-have for me too, I adored Modern Botany, but it’s no longer available so I’ve found Lavera spray deodorant is a good replacement. The only beauty essential I use daily is red lipstick – Tom Ford’s ‘Best Revenge’ is my signature one, but (arrgh) it’s discontinued and I’m struggling to find a replacement. All suggestions are welcome!

My self-care ritual is sleep. I have learnt that there is no exercise class or diet that makes me feel like I do when I’ve had a good night’s sleep. So, now I prioritise a good night’s sleep whenever I can.

Feature image by Kieran Harnett.

This article was originally published in March 2023.