Fashion Forward: Splashing out on shoulder bags – and time to pull your trousers up

Wear It

This black leather biker jacket for €479 from Mint Velvet is a butter-soft investment. DMcM

Edgy classic

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This bag by JW Anderson called ‘the Pierce’ has a classic and costs €1,345, while the black leather biker jacket for €479 is from Mint Velvet

Among the many limited edition gifts in the Brown Thomas Marvel Room this year, is a particularly handsome shoulder bag by J W Anderson whose leather accessories (shoes, bags, belts) for Loewe, the famous Spanish luxury brand, have become one of his particular strengths. The Northern Irish designer will be in the news next month as he has received no less than four nominations for the British Fashion Awards, more than anyone else. This bag called the Pierce has a classic look but its bold ring clasp, reminiscent of a bull’s nose ring, gives it a standout edge. A limited number in black, navy and white have been ordered and go on sale next Tuesday and you will need €1,345 to get your paws on one. DMcQ

Style secret

“A wardrobe with classic items like a navy blazer, a white shirt and black pumps will never let you down, but when in doubt, wear black. Black is always timeless and always makes an impression.” Glenda Gilson, TV presenter.

Rugged island heritage

Award winning Sligo jeweller Martina Hamilton who has always drawn inspiration from the land and seascape of her native county and fused it with ideas picked up from her travels in China and Japan, has just launched her new Shore and Island Link Collections which go on sale next week. Founder of the Cat & Moon craft boutique (called after a play by Yeats), she is also the owner and curator of the Hamilton Gallery and director of Yeats Day, both in Sligo. Her new Island Link Collection in sterling silver and rose gold is particularly special since in researching the rugged coastline, she discovered her ancestral links with Dernish Island, which linked up her designs in a new way. Charms, for instance, are inspired by weathered iron mooring links, twigs of driftwood and even an old horse halter ring all have a story for her and the wearer. A short documentary about her unearthed island heritage and how it has affected her work has been made by BBC documentary maker Susan O Keefe with cinematography by Peter Martin. See https://vimeo.com/188801050 password: island. Or visit www.martinahamilton.ie DMcQ

Steal vs splurge 

Wear the barely-there sandal trend with these Ena single strap heels for €35 from PrettyLittleThing or walk tall in these Nudistsong Leather Sandals from Stuart Weitzman for €430. DMcM

Trouser browser

“It’s about time you pulled your trousers up”, is the slogan from Finery London, a reference to high-waisted trousers, so in vogue at the moment and far more comfortable for most women, than those with short zips and which sit on the hips. Finery has some really appealing winter offerings and given that their buyers include the talented Caren Downie ex Topshop and Asos, the prices are equally attractive too. Finery’s winter trouser offerings, for instance, include tweeds (Eastcote) with trim black tops, go-faster sporty stripes (Lawford) and this one called Oliver. The white off-the-shoulder top is €40 (though the shell top is a good alternative for chillier evenings), trousers €68, shoes €90 and earrings €37, all from www.finerylondon.com DMcQ