more gentlemen pleaseAlan Kelly of Gentlemen Please continues to spread his sartorial style across Co Dublin.
Having opened his first shop in Glasthule in August 2002, he followed it with a second one on Main Street, Blackrock a year later. His latest store recently opened in Malahide, and it stocks his winning mix of good-looking separates, quality knits from John Smedley and Nicole Farhi, along with strong suit brands such as Strellson, Caramelo and new this winter, the Italian brand Pal Zileri. Kelly also has an extensive range of shirts including the Irish brand "I . . . like no Other". The new shop is at 2 Townyard Lane, Malahide, Co Dublin, 01-8168719, www.gentlemenplease.ie. Deirdre McQuillan
where everybody knows your nameMy calves don't look particularly enormous, but damned if they'll fit into a pair of boots very handily, so I immediately fell for these classic, flat-heeled boots the second I saw the clever, accommodating strip of elastic up the back. It was a complete coup de foudre and one I hope my bank manager will understand.
They come from Clothes Peg in Sutton, Co Dublin, a shop so smart as to practically strip me of my assets every time I go near it. Kaye Lennox has a terrific eye, well tuned to each season as well as to the vagaries of her loyal clientele, and she offers a rare, personalised service in this era of mega-malls and chainstores. I go to Clothes Peg for special occasions generally at 5.45pm the day before I need something - and always sashay out of there feeling great. The tiny shop houses everything from casualwear to smart work clothes, the dress you need for the fund-raising dinner, the ensemble for the wedding, the coat with an extra kick. She's got the shoes the hats, the bags, the belts and the zany jewellery to match, and you leave the shop poorer, but completely renovated and restored. And no, I'm not telling you how much the Sergio Rossi boots cost. You'll have to find out for yourself. Patsey Murphy
definitely not left on the shelfI'd never heard of a "shelf" bra until Brid Tully, manager of the new Myla concession in Brown Thomas, showed me one from the current lingerie collection. It is made of vintage pink silk, with ribbon slots and ivory lace, and is constructed in such a way as to give extra thrust and uplift, hence the name. Another novel item features the quarter cup, (actually more of a saucer) cut to reach barely under the breasts, for an altogether different effect. The brand is in the Agent Provocateur style, sexy and rather risqué, but exquisitely made, with great attention to detail, and prices to match. Bras in polka dot-silk or in a combination of smoke and peach tulle are particularly pretty. Myla's range doesn't stop at underwear; there are also delicate mousseline slips and silk satin pajamas. Deirdre McQuillan