Irish Tatler

The Thoughtful Shopper: Fancy flats, Irish linen and bright, bold bags for summer

A round-up of the best new and guilt-free fashion and lifestyle buys

Nicki Hoyne’s SS22 collection stays true to the brand’s ethos of seasonless style in fun colours and textures

Happy feet

Offering all of the pleasure with none of the pain, the fancy flat is joyfully versatile. Ideal for travel, work and everything in between, forgoing a heel doesn’t have to mean drabness, and Nicki Hoyne’s new Mary Jane Mules are testament to that. A creative spin on two classic styles, the mules come with a Mary Jane-like strap in contrasting colourway to make them secure on the foot. Available in five colourways and made from 100 per cent leather by master craftspeople in Spain, Nicki’s focus is on designing and producing a footwear collection that has as little an impact on the planet as possible. Prices from €200, nickihoyne.com

Part Two are constantly looking at new ways to improve their production processes and products

Copenhagen cool

Being devoted to the new while staying loyal to the past, that’s how luxury Danish brand, Part Two describes its design philosophy. Now available to shop in Avoca, its new spring/summer collection is full of unshakable summer wardrobe foundations - classic shirting, transitional blazers, tailored pants and floaty dresses, with fun pops of colour and print too. Aware of the environmental impact the fashion industry has on the planet, Part Two is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative (although it is a natural fibre, conventional cotton can be far from environmentally friendly) and by the end of this year, will source 100 per cent of its cotton from more responsible alternatives (e.g. organic, Fairtrade and recycled). Avoca.com

The brand’s bestselling larger tote has also been updated to come in a sunshine yellow and purple

Do the bright thing

According to those in the know, the season’s style penchant for bold and bright hues stretches too across accessories, with the popularity of bags in vibrant Bottega-esque green, pink and tangerine increasing tenfold. Getting in on the saturation action, Irish handbag label Peelo has launched its new Mini Tote bag, €275 in four statement-making shades of Italian leather. Coming with a cross-body strap and just large enough to carry all of your everyday essentials, the bag’s clean silhouette keeps things feeling fresh and grown-up. Peelo.ie

Irish luxury brand White & Green’s new bedding has been years in development

Overnight success

With a reputation for providing luxury organic bedding, silk sets and bathroom accessories, Irish mother-and-daughter founded brand White & Green have added three new products to their offering: the Luxury Duck Down Duvet, from €239, the Luxury Down Surround Sleeping Pillow, €129 and the Luxury Feather Support Pillow Set, from €105. Available in a variety of sizes and TOG ratings, if you’re not getting eight hours of essential shut-eye each night, then it might be worth reconsidering whether your bedding is best for you. Splurge on some new essentials and enjoy the best sleep possible. Whiteandgreenhome.com

Wave bucket hats, €120, Lack of Color

A moment in the sun

Wherever you seek sunshine – whether that means jetting off to far-flung shores or planning a staycation – a cool beach hat is sleek, directional and most of all, practical. For several summers, the brimmed bucket hat has held sway as the style du jour, and never more so than in 2022. For a seriously sophisticated take, look to Loewe’s collaboration with Ibizan legend Paula’s (visit Brown Thomas’ dedicated pop-up on Level 1, Grafton St.) or if vibrant colour is your new-season lexicon, check out Lack of Color’s ‘Sun to Sea’ collection - made from 100 per cent terry towelling, their bold hues will liven up denim or city monochrome.

Princess Diana and Gwyneth Paltrow were both fans of the Cabana shirt in the '90s

Cuba Libre

The Cuban shirt - or Hawaiian or Cabana as it is also sometimes known - has many guises, and many are easier to wear than you might think. Typically featuring short, widely-cut sleeves with a low V-neck collar, and a relaxed, boxy fit, the vintage-feel shirt is particularly chic when worn with tailoring or over swimwear. Seen on the runway and all over the high-street too, a monochrome version is included in the latest drop of Penney’s premium label range, The Edit, while London-based brand With Nothing Underneath (which just opened its first bricks and mortar store in Belgravia) has the striped take nailed. Withnothingunderneath.com

No minimalist summer wardrobe is complete without a pair of linen trousers like those made by Aoife McNamara

For the love of linen

Spring-summer tends to be a fertile time for the fashion industry, but as the seasonality of clothes starts to wane, the concept of an intentional wardrobe that works almost year-round feels especially possible given our changeable climate here in Ireland. Instead of going around in circles chasing the latest trends or must-have items, a few clever swaps will see you right through to September, and linen always looks and, crucially, feels cool. Aoife McNamara’s tailored 100 per cent Irish linen trousers, €190 are impeccably cut and if you look after them well, they will last you for years. Aoifemcnamara.com