Christine Duggan

Christine works with a variety of organisations through her PR business, DMpr, based in West Cork.

What are you wearing and where is it from? Denim Tommy Hilfiger dress, bought recently in Kildare village, red patent shoes from David Costello’s in Castleisland, Kerry. The coat is from Alma, Skibbereen, and a Paul Costello leather bag I found in TKMaxx.

How would you sum up your workwear style? It would be smart-casual. I tend not to have to dress too formally for work but it depends on who I am meeting that day. When I first started out, I would have worn a lot more make-up but in recent years I have pared this back and now invest more in skincare to improve my skin rather than suffocating it. I love Modern Botany Oil. In terms of clothes, I keep things as simple as possible with minimum accessories. As I’m usually running on west Cork time (late!), I don’t tend to change handbags around – just grab everything and get out the door like most working mums.

What is shopping normally like for you? I have given up on buying clothes for the sake of it and now tend to pay a bit more for pieces I know will last. This dress, for example, will be worn well in to winter with tights and boots and probably into spring with a pair of flats. Living in west Cork means I’m not trawling through the high street shops and chains on a regular basis as trips to the city are almost always strictly for work, so I make the most out of shopping trips by investing in pieces I know can be changed up and worn for different occasions.

What’s your favourite way to look professional for work? It’s hard to beat a really good coat for work for autumn/winter. I bought a velvet dark khaki green coat from Karen Millen four years ago and it’s still going strong and I feel put together when I wear it. I would also carry a good leather handbag (the bigger the better) and make-up to breathe life in to a pasty face, especially in the winter months!

Have you any unique or interesting pieces? I have a few but the piece I am wearing most at the moment would be a “Saol Iontach” pendant by Enibas, which was designed in memory of the singer Colin Verncombe (Black) who passed away in January 2016 in a car accident. It was created to raise money for Brú Columbanus, a home from home for close family of those who are in Cork hospitals. It was a gift from my husband and has the birth dates of my children and reminds me that it really is a wonderful life and that it needs to be appreciated every day.

Deirdre O’Mahony

Deirdre is senior enterprise development officer with Cork County Council at the Local Enterprise Office – Cork north & west.

What are you wearing today? I’m wearing a dress from Options boutique in Clonakilty and heels from Dunnes. I like to shop local for clothes, it’s really important to support our local shops, in so far as you can. We have a great selection of local boutiques in Clonakilty; Susu is one of my favourites along with Gooseberry and Options. Also, Fiona’s in Skibbereen is great.

How would you sum up your workwear style? I’m generally office-based or at business events quite a lot, so I like dresses; they are easy to wear, practical and stylish. I’m also out on site at client premises, which could be anything from a food processing facility to a boatyard, so for that I prefer skinny jeans with boots, smart-casual top and a jacket. For work, I like colours, and electric blue or navy is a favourite, but I also black and white.

What are your favourite shops and designers? I shop everywhere, I buy local, but I also like labels such as Part Two, Fenn Wright Mason and Phase Eight. I like Debenhams, Wallis, House of Fraser and Warehouse. I also have a fabulous long navy skirt from Lennon Courtney, which I love.

Have you any unique or interesting pieces? I have a lovely silver necklace from Enibas in Schull that I bought when I was pregnant in 2005, and I wear it a lot. It is a long silver chain with a small pearl, gold heart and silver cross on it. The heart says grá and the cross says creideamh.

Helen Wycherley

Chartered accountant Helen works in her family owned hotel, Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery.

What are you wearing and where is it from? Maternity wear Isabella Oliver blue dress ordered online, shoes from Next and jewellery from Keanes Jewellers.

How would you sum up your workwear style? Smart and structured but it must be practical and comfortable.

What is important to you while dressing for work? It is essential I am comfortable because I am on the move all the time. I am meeting people every day within and outside the hotel and it is important that I dress appropriately. I will always wear suits or dresses.

How would you describe your style? Overall it is casual and classic. I wear what suits me. I love to wear colour and love block colours over patterns.

What are your favourite shops and designers? I shop in high street stores – anything from Next, Warehouse, Zara, Oasis, French Connection, Debenhams brands etc. Occasion wear is Karen Millen or Coast. At the moment I love maternity work and occasion wear from Isabella Oliver and Mamalicious, which I buy online or in JoJo Maman Bébé.

Have you any unique or interesting pieces? I love my engagement ring. Without realising, it speaks what my overall style is! It is a classic three-stone diamond ring. We picked it out together and thought went behind it. I love the simple structure of it.

How do you dress best for your body type/any tips to share that you have picked up? I am tall at 176cm and I find it difficult to find length in jeans and trousers. Through searching, I have found the best stores for my length and I don’t waste time with others. Through three pregnancies, my body is changing shape all the time and it is important to change how I dress so I still feel good and comfortable. I highly recommend using a personal shopper as they are free and they do the work for you in half the time! Mahon Point Shopping Centre in Cork is excellent and Brown Thomas also offers the service.CL