Fashion Forward: Steal vs Splurge, Saoirse Ronan and style tips

STEAL v SPLURGE: Splash out on this suede biker jacket for €1,465.95 from Rag & Bone at Harvey Nichols or stay dry in this suedette version for €71 from Oasis.

DANKE SCHÖN: A chair made of twisted golden ropes in a cool, modern display space will feature in Luisa Cerano's new standalone due to open in Arnotts next month. This German brand familiar to fashion insiders is one favoured by boutiques all over Ireland, North and South. Known for its consistent quality and wide selection, it produces 10 carefully colour co-ordinated collections a year, with many items skilfully and precisely designed for the fuller figure – sizes go up to 22. There are always clean lined coats and well shaped knitwear with a judicious mix of work and weekend wear, though the tailoring is more easygoing than strict or formal. This threesome, for instance, from its pre-autumn 2016 collection features a pullover for €259, top €179 and trousers €229, though spring offerings include sparkly knits, blush tunics and pretty shift dresses. Other stockists include Carmels in Ballina, Cassini in Foxrock, Ebony in Wicklow, Ela Maria in Newcastle West, Pauls in Kilkenny, Vanilla in Cavan as well Katriona in Monaghan, Elegance in Lurgan and Statement in Belfast. luisacerano.com

WEAR IT: Pumps and socks: This is a trend we can get down with. Pop your socks on under your high heels for cosy glam and enjoy warm tootsies to boot. Or, of course, you could just wear boots.

PICTURE THIS: This portrait of Saoirse Ronan by Barry McCall is one of many taken by the influential Dublin photographer. A 20-year retrospective of his work six years ago showcased portraits of Claudia Schiffer, Sophie Dahl, Richard Branson, Colin Farrell, Liam Neeson and U2. McCall, who specialises in fashion, beauty and portrait work is holding a limited number of one-day digital photography courses at beginner and intermediate level. They take place in his Bond Street studios, Dublin where he has photographed Naomi Campbell, Michael Fassbender, Hozier and Conor McGregor. From April. Contact Róisín at 01-4166888 or info@barrymccallphotographer.com.

THE STYLIST SAYS... Courtney Smith: "My 'pearl of wisdom' is to relax and not take fashion so seriously. Style should be a form of self-expression, so it should represent you, who you are and what you want to say! Try new things – chances are you won't always "get it right" but it just means you are one step closer to finding your own personal sense of style."

BRIGHTEN THE LOAD: Modern luggage with an old fashioned look of steamer trunks is proving a hit with a new generation of discerning business or weekend travellers for carry on cabin use. Steamline Luggage, founded by Sara Banks eight years ago (an American now living in Dublin with her Irish husband) and mostly exported to the US, UK and Australia, has had successful collaborations with Kate Spade and Reiss in Selfridges. Crafted from high strength materials with colourful, zany interiors, the trunks are not as heavy as they look and weigh from 3.5kg depending on material. There are cases made from vegan leather, Japanese fibreboard as well as 100 per cent leather and the Carry On and Stowaway sizes have extendable aluminium trolley frames and silent wheels. Prices are from €295 with a leather strapped denim carryon for €695. Visit steamlineluggage.com.