A stylist’s guide to mixing vintage and modern fashion finds
A stylist’s guide to mixing vintage and modern fashion finds

Sarah Finnan

WIN a 9ct gold T-Bar pendant necklace from Gear Jewellers worth €250
WIN a 9ct gold T-Bar pendant necklace from Gear Jewellers worth €250

Edaein OConnell

Join our networking event: ‘Building a Business: The Real-Life Path to Success’ in Galway
Join our networking event: ‘Building a Business: The Real-Life Path to Success’ in Galway

IMAGE

Join our networking event: ‘Building a Business: The Real-Life Path to Success’ in Galway
Join our networking event: ‘Building a Business: The Real-Life Path to Success’ in Galway

IMAGE

Meet Emily Jean O’Byrne, the Irish designer dressing Ballerina Farm
Meet Emily Jean O’Byrne, the Irish designer dressing Ballerina Farm

Ruth O'Connor

Caolum McCabe: ‘It’s incredibly challenging to resist the pull of relocating to cities such as London’
Caolum McCabe: ‘It’s incredibly challenging to resist the pull of relocating to cities such as...

Sarah Finnan

The best events happening around Ireland this Valentine’s weekend
The best events happening around Ireland this Valentine’s weekend

Sarah Gill

An Irish stylist’s guide to Copenhagen Fashion Week
An Irish stylist’s guide to Copenhagen Fashion Week

Kara O'Sullivan

The financial red flags to watch out for in relationships
The financial red flags to watch out for in relationships

Sarah Gill

Jeanette Madsen and Thora Valdimars on Rotate’s next steps
Jeanette Madsen and Thora Valdimars on Rotate’s next steps

Corina Gaffey

Team IMAGE share their best fashion purchase of the past year

Team IMAGE share their best fashion purchase of the past year


by Sarah Gill
24th Jan 2025

From statement accessories to designer investments, the IMAGE staffers are sharing the best fashion purchases they made over the past year.

Meghan Killalea, Marketing Account Executive

I had my eye on The Aurora trousers from Sinead Keary for the longest time, and at the start of December, I said I’d treat myself to start sparkle season on the right foot. Every single time I wear them I get so many compliments. They are incredibly comfortable, are the perfect length (which being a 5″9 girl can be a challenge) and can be styled in so many different ways. I wore them for Christmas day with an off the shoulder white jumper and felt so put together – even while wearing slippers! However, I have also worn them to a client meeting with a simple black jumper, which just shows their brilliant versatility. They are by far the best purchase I’ve made in a while.

Lizzie Gore-Grimes, Editor-in-Chief

Without a doubt my best fashion buy of 2024 would have to be my Calle ankle boots from Russell & Bromley. They are just so incredibly comfortable; the perfect proof that investing in a pair of boots made by proper bootmakers is well worth it. They go really well with long skirts and cropped jeans and are the perfect solution to dressing down a slinky dress that you want to wear with a blazer during the day. I love this heel height too.

Sarah Finnan, Deputy Editor, IMAGE.ie

2024 was the year I finally found the perfect pair of jeans. It happened by chance – as most good fashion moments do. I hadn’t set out on a hunt for denim but spotted a pair of tapered indigo pants on the COS website and just knew they had to be mine. I’ve worn them almost every day since and always get compliments on them. The biggest win is that I didn’t have to get them taken up! At 5ft 3 (on a good day), too-long trousers are the bane of my life so to find a pair that hits just at ankle length is as good as winning the lotto in my book!

On a dressier note, I was very kindly gifted a stunning black velvet Rixo dress that immediately catapulted its way to the top of my ‘most cherished items of clothing’ list. It’s full-length, has scalloped lace detailing on the neckline, a gorgeous open back and is just the most beautiful thing to wear… it makes me feel like Morticia Addams, in the best possible way.

Photo by Kieran Harnett.

Shayna (Sappington) Healy, Branded Content Editor & Wedding Content Writer

I was having one of those days where I hated everything in my wardrobe, nothing fit quite right or was flattering enough for a girls’ night out I had planned. Short on time, I nipped into my nearest Tesco and snagged this green and black silk skirt. I’ve worn it a dozen times since! It hugs the right places and is easy to mix and match with different outfits – I’ve paired it with a velvet body suit and heels for Christmas drinks, with an oversized sweater and runners for the office and with chunky black boots and a t-shirt for lunch with friends. I love how versatile and comfortable it is and it’s hands down my best purchase of the year.

Amber O’Shea, Social Media Manager

My favourite purchase of the year was actually a gift, it was my August Night black satin ruche clutch bag. It goes with every outfit I have and everyone always stops me to ask where it’s from. I absolutely love that you can wear it in a few different ways, it’s so versatile, feels super luxury and I adore everything that Caoimhe Grant creates. My other favourite purchase is from a couple of years ago and they’re a pair of black Miista boots. I absolutely adore these, they go with everything I have, and just help me elevate my outfit.

Sarah Gill, Features Editor, IMAGE.ie

My logic has always been, if I’m investing money in a coat or shoes, they have to go with everything, so I usually lean towards black. And by ‘usually’, I mean perpetually. Every outfit and any semblance of colour is stifled, and last year I set about rectifying the situation through the magic of scarves.

My uncle gave me a beautiful silk scarf that’s the colour of Pinot Noir, which he apparently haggled down the price of at a market in Roscommon. I also came into possession of an olive green woollen scarf patterned with Celtic swirls and symbols, which I never tire of looking at. And by ‘came into possession of’ I obviously mean saw in my mother’s room and absentmindedly subsumed into my own collection.

Finally, my favourite purchase of 2024 was the Breacadh an Lae scarf from Eimear Alice. The design is inspired by the winter solstice, and the alignment of the break of dawn through the roof box at Newgrange. The colours are bold and vibrant, and it’s so soft and cosy to wear. Miraculously, it doesn’t leave me with a bird’s nest knot at the back of my neck like most scarves tend to. Perhaps it’s infused with some sort of Celtic magic?

Holly O’Neill, Editor, IMAGE.ie; Beauty Editor, IMAGE Magazine

These oversized COS Scrunched Mismatched Earrings, €39, are probably the fashion purchase that I get the most cost-per-wear from, they’re just about loud and fashion-y enough to dress up your most casual outfit.

Katie Brady, Marketing & Memberships Executive

Last autumn, I purchased a pair of black knee high vegan leather boots from ALOHAS. I honestly don’t know what I wore before these were in my wardrobe. They’re flat boots because I am allergic to wearing heels these days and they can be dressed up or down. Definitely one of my top purchases in 2024.

Also Read