Irish jewellery, Olympic trainers and a steal vs splurge for patchwork denim

TUCKERS CAST THEIR NET

The Tucker family have retail in their blood – mother Billie, daughters Tracy, Anne and Leigh, will shortly celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of their independent boutique, Costume, in Castle Market, Dublin 2. This airy corner shop was the first to introduce French designers such as Isabel Marant and Roland Mouret, to Ireland, along with London's Alice Temperley – names which are now familiar internationally. More recent finds include Cedric Charlier, Yves Salomon and the Turkish sisters behind Dice Kayek. The Tuckers have just launched their first website, costumedublin.ie, which has details of the designers, along with the latest sale items.

STEAL VS SPLURGE

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This leatherette jacket for €299, from Marc Cain, has coloured fur, a stand-out pattern and a flattering cut. These zany trainers (€177) from the hip Italian brand Ash, specially created for the Olympics, have colour-woven panels inspired by the five coloured rings of the Olympic flag.

These jeans for €738, from Stella McCartney, don't have a patch on the price of this floral appliqué version for €90, from House of Holland, on Asos.

A GRÁ FOR SHINY THINGS

The Irish landscape and its legends provide the inspiration for a range of silver and gold jewellery by designer Cara Sturgess called Loinnir (which means shiny in Irish), and for which she won the Best Young Entrepreneur award in the Fingal region and €10,000 last year. Handmade in her studio, in The Chocolate Factory in Dublin, the jewellery of this NCAD graduate is a contemporary take on Irish themes, such as this yellow gold necklace (€289) called Tumulus after Irish ring forts, or the My Little Bó (bó being Irish for cow) ring in 9ct yellow gold (€1,930). Find them in Designyard in South Frederick Street, Campbell Jewellers in Donnybrook or direct from her studio. loinnirjewellery.com

STYLE SECRET

Match your aesthetic taste to your ethics by only buying clothes you have respect for, sharing your wardrobe with friends, and mending any mishaps. And have fun with it!” Annique Van Niekerk, fashion designer

RUNAWAY LOOK

These zany trainers (€177) from the hip Italian brand Ash, specially created for the Olympics, have colour-woven panels inspired by the five coloured rings of the Olympic flag. For a limited time only, find them at ashfootwear.co.uk or in the following Irish boutiques: Fabiani, in Longford; Brown Thomas, in Dublin; Crave, in Naas; Seagreen, in Monkstown and Ranelagh; and Samui in Cork.

WEAR IT

This leatherette jacket for €299, from Marc Cain, has coloured fur, a stand-out pattern and a flattering cut. One for everyone, please.