Marie Donnelly from Ardara shares her love of texture and showcases her talents for designing beautiful handmade accessories.

My name is Marie Donnelly I work in Human Resources with Donegal ETB and outside of work I have a passion and flair for crochet and creative crafting. I have developed the skills and knowledge in crochet by completing crochet courses with Edel MacBride followed by continuous self-development in the area of crochet and crafting.

Here is Marie’s Style Study for Donegal Woman:

 

How would you describe your personal style?

I have a keen interest in fashion and style. I like to add my own twist/accessory to an outfit. I am drawn to textures and fabrics especially tweed, linen and lace. I like pieces that can be worn separate or layered. I love layering clothes I think it is the textures that I like to combine and this is where the interest and love of fashion has developed for me over the years.  I like pieces that are different and edgy.

“What you wear is such an expression of who you are” Diane Kruger

 

Who is your style icon? 

Kate Middleton for the style and cut of clothes that she wears. They are timeless pieces well-tailored with a classic look. It is an effortless style approach.  I also like the style and pieces from Simone Rocha she incorporates lace in her clothes which give it that quirky edge.

What is your favourite piece of clothing?

Tweed jacket from Zara. You can dress it up or down. It is a go-to piece. It is a versatile jacket you can wear with jeans. It is ideal for the spring months.

 

What inspires you when choosing an outfit? 

I pre plan in my head what I want the outfit to look like. That it is practical and comfortable. When I am buying an outfit I will check to see is there anything I can add to enhance the outfit such as adding an eye catching button, piece of lace or one of my own crochet pieces.

I get my inspiration from fashion magazines such as the Gloss Magazine, Stellar, Exposѐ and Fashion Bloggers on social media.

Finally the outfit should be flattering and work with my skin tone.

How would you accessorise a look?

It depends on the outfit whether it needs accessories or not!

I usually add a pair of earrings or one of my own crochet neck pieces or crochet broach.  Accessories can define some outfits and make other outfits look busy. You will rarely see me without a scarf or brooch.

What is your most recent fashion purchase?

Oatmeal jacket and khaki coloured trousers from H&M, both work well with other items in my wardrobe.

Oatmeal jacket which I bought in H&M, I teamed it up with a pair of linen trousers for a more classic look and added the crochet neckpiece to finish it off

 

Where do you usually shop for clothing? 

Mainly high-street shops which are H&M, New Look, Savida range in Dunnes, Tk Maxx and Zara. If I am buying jeans – Next, Only and Vera Moda in Tempest. Also I love to stroll through vintage shops and craft shops to pick up some homemade pieces that are made with such care and attention and if there is an tea room attached with homemade scones and buns it further creates that ambience.

Do you have any favourite local fashion boutiques?

Verve in Donegal town they stock some lovely pieces and a good choice of styles, accessories and shoes.

 

What are your wardrobe staples?

Black dress that is looks well and that you feel good in if any event comes up Nude sandals/wedges for the summer and nice nude coloured linen fitted jacket that will take you from spring through to summer and beyond.

This black dress I got in Tkmaxx this is really comfortable and I always feel good and dressed in it. I love black and have a lot of it in my wardrobe for the winter months.

 

Do you follow trends?

I love fashion and style therefore I have an interest in current trends   If the trend is very much lace and linen driven then I am drawn to see what I have similar in my own wardrobe  or what I can buy to blend in with my own style.

I don’t change my wardrobe every season I bring clothes back out and wear them differently or match up with current trends. I also like to be proactive and be trend setting myself especially when it comes to tweed and woollen pieces (crochet)

This is a crochet top I made and I teamed it up with skinny jeans and also with a pair of linen trousers.

This is a duck egg blue dress that I got in Cari’s Closet in Malahide I like the colour and it has the layering texture going on. I teamed it with skinny jeans for that casual approach.

 

Heels or flats?

Mainly low heels especially at work and when I am out and about, I wear the flats around the house and only wear runners for walking. A high heel can offer a sleek silhouette to an outfit or an occasion.

 

Shoes or handbags? 

I love both but my flare is bags I have a few designer bags. However I like the bag that offers style that is practical for day to day use. The designer bags can be a fashion statement and look lovely but they are not always practical.

 

What is the best piece of fashion advice you’ve ever heard?

Before you make a purchase with any clothing try a few sizes on as a lot of sizes differ in each range.

If something makes you feel and look good go for it and add your own personal touch to it.

 

 

What do you think about the fashion scene in Donegal?

I think there is some lovely trends out there at the moment and the fashion scene is being embraced by the women of Donegal

I think most women like to feel and look good and add their own personal style. There is great opportunities available to women with social media, online shopping and out about shopping.  There is ample opportunity to achieve a unique style.

 

What has been your best investment piece? 

I have a few investment pieces but I have a coat I got from the Per Una range in Marks & Spencer. It is the go to coat when a special event is coming up. It always looks good and you can team it up with the colour of the season. It is one of those dressy coats that works well with a number of colours. Also I have beautiful grey and black tweed cape that I got from Doherty’s tweed shop in Ardara.

This is the coat that I got in Marks & Spencer it is the go to coat and it always looks really well. It is a linen coat.

 

 

What is the wackiest item you own? 

I don’t really have any item that is really wacky I suppose the only item that comes to mind is a pair of really colourful leggings that I bought and only wore them once not a good choice.

 

If you could wear only one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?

It would consist of my favourite textures such as linen, tweed, lace and crochet. The trousers would be tweed or tweed and linen blend with a linen and lace top and a fitted tweed waistcoat. I love waistcoats in particular for work as they add that classic look to the outfit.

Finally, I would add a crochet neckpiece and a brooch to the outfit to finish it off.

 

If money wasn’t a factor, what would you buy?

Pair of Chloѐ boots, a Chanel tweed coat with a brooch, Hermѐs Scarf and a bag from Cѐline.

 

How do you feel when you are in your favourite outfit? 

I feel good and in particular when it has my favourite textures in the mix.  I love when an outfit comes together and you can say “O that really works well” I think clothes should make you feel and look good.

Anyone that knows me will say that you never see Marie without a piece of lace or crochet or broach in the outfit.

 

“Clothes maketh the man but they definitely maketh the woman.”

 

Do you want to take part in the DW Style Study? Email news@donegalwoman.ie to feature your style.