My Style Rules: Jess Colivet
Coming through a breast cancer diagnosis changed my perspective on life. It made me realise that, if I was fortunate enough to have another chance, I wanted to spend my time doing something I was genuinely passionate about. Around that time, Trinny Woodall encouraged me to pursue styling – all it takes sometimes is for one person to see something in you before you fully see it in yourself, and that gave me the confidence to take the leap.
My children have taught me not to take myself too seriously. They’ve taught me to laugh at myself, stay open minded and keep embracing new ideas. They’ve also reminded me that confidence comes from being comfortable in your own skin, not from trying to be anyone else.
Some of the best things that have happened in my life have come from saying yes to something that felt a little scary. Right now, I’m saying yes to stepping outside my comfort zone. I’m also saying yes to experiences over things, to spending more time with family and friends, and to making memories. I’ve learned that they’re the moments that stay with you.
I love helping a woman see herself in a different light. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone leave feeling more confident than when they arrived. It’s never just about the clothes, it’s about how they make you feel. Those are the moments that remind me why I do what I do.
Confidence is always the best finishing touch. You can see when someone feels comfortable in what they’re wearing, and that’s what really catches your eye. Confidence is always more fashionable than following rules.
Buy clothes for the body you have today, not the one you hope to have some day. I once bought a beautiful designer dress in the sale that didn’t quite fit, convincing myself I’d slim down to wear it. It was such a bargain that I couldn’t leave it behind… But, as we all know, that rarely works. It’s taught me a valuable lesson over the years.
The most memorable outfits are never the ones that are trying too hard. They’re the ones that feel considered, beautifully put together and, most importantly, completely authentic to the person wearing them.
One piece of advice I always give is, don’t save your favourite clothes for best. If a piece brings you joy, wear it. Life is too short to leave beautiful clothes hanging in the wardrobe waiting for the perfect occasion.
The best piece of advice I ever received is not to let age define your style. Style should evolve with you, not be limited by a number. Wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable, not what you think you should wear at a certain age.
I always encourage women to stay true to their own style rather than dressing as somebody else for the day. Wear the beautiful dress, the fabulous hat or the statement shoes, but make sure they still feel like you. That’s what creates a truly memorable look.
I always encourage women to rediscover the pieces they already own. I think we’ve become much more conscious consumers – we all want our wardrobes to work harder. Sometimes all it takes is a different shoe, a statement earring or a great handbag to completely reinvent an outfit.
I always describe my style as classic with a contemporary twist. I’ve always loved beautiful tailoring and timeless pieces, but I also love bringing in a pop of colour or an unexpected detail to keep things feeling fresh. I don’t believe style stands still; it should evolve with you.
These days I’m much more intentional with what I buy. I’d much rather invest in pieces that I’ll wear time and time again. At the end of the day, I think the most stylish people are the ones who look completely comfortable being themselves.
I believe in buying better rather than buying more and, over the years, I’ve become much more disciplined about it. Before I buy anything, I ask myself the same question I ask my clients: Can I see myself wearing this in at least five different ways or for five different occasions? If the answer is yes, then I know it’s a piece I’ll enjoy for years to come.
I’m less influenced by trends now. I still love fashion and I love seeing what’s new each season, but I only invest in trends that genuinely work with my existing wardrobe and feel like an extension of my personal style.
The outfit that makes me feel most like myself is my Roisin Linnane Marlow trousers paired with one of her beautiful cotton tops. I find myself reaching for that combination time and time again because it just feels so right for me. It has that perfect balance between timeless elegance and modern style, and it’s one of those outfits that can take me almost anywhere. When you find pieces like that, they’re worth their weight in gold.
I’m always more inspired by beautiful collections than by trends. I loved what Jacquemus did this season – that effortless modern femininity, those beautiful shapes and a real sense of ease. I’m also a huge admirer of Natan and Mantu. They create pieces that feel elegant, beautifully considered and genuinely wearable. For me, it’s about taking inspiration from collections that have longevity and timeless appeal rather than buying into every passing trend.
There are a handful of brands that I find myself going back to over and over again. ME+EM is absolutely knocking it out of the park at the moment. Every collection seems to get better, and I always find myself wanting far more than I need. They just seem to understand how women want to dress and, more importantly, how they want to feel in their clothes.
For beautifully cut wardrobe staples that have real longevity, Massimo Dutti and COS are my go-tos. I currently have my eye on some balloon trousers and a panelled maxi from Cos. Victoria Beckham’s tailoring is always impeccable and Tory Burch has this wonderful way of combining timeless style with colour and personality.
The brands that really get it right are the ones creating clothes that women genuinely want to wear and feel good in. They’re beautifully made, incredibly wearable, don’ t shout for attention and simply make you feel like the best version of yourself.
Shoes are the one accessory that can completely change the mood of an outfit. The very same look can feel relaxed with a trainer or sandal or instantly elevated with a beautiful heel or elegant loafer.
Also, never underestimate the power of great jewellery. A statement earring or a fabulous cocktail ring can completely transform even the simplest outfit. Sometimes it’s those finishing touches that make all the difference. I love Melissa Curry’s Ginkgo Bloom flower earrings.
The last thing I bought was the Tanya linen blouse from The Linen Shirt Company in the most beautiful shade of blue – I absolutely love it and it’s such a versatile piece. I can style it in so many different ways and every time I put it on, I feel fabulous.
There are a couple of pieces I regret not buying. One is the most magnificent Prada cape with an ostrich feather collar – it was absolutely stunning and I still think about it. The other is a Tory Burch dress. I remember trying it on and really loving it. I still look back at photographs of it and I’ve searched for it more than once, but I haven’t managed to track it down as yet. I’m not giving up, though, you never know where these pieces might turn up. That’s the difference between buying something you simply like and finding a piece you truly love. Those are the ones that stay with you.
We have such a depth of creative talent in Ireland, and I love seeing more and more Irish brands being recognised internationally. Roisin Linnane is a designer I’ve admired for years – I’ve loved watching her collections evolve and I still have some of her earliest pieces in my wardrobe. That’s always a sign of great design to me, pieces that still feel as relevant today as they did when you first bought them.
I’m a huge admirer of Colin Burke’s knitwear. I have two of his pieces. His craftsmanship is exceptional and his pieces have a quiet elegance I love. Kindred of Ireland also has so many gorgeous collections. Aoife Mc Namara is another girl favourite of mine and the first Irish fashion house to get B Corp certified. The Linen Shirt Company continues to create beautiful wardrobe staples in the most wonderful fabrics. AndTate is another that creates elegant occasionwear with such beautiful attention to detail.
What I love most about Irish design is the craftsmanship. There’s real integrity behind these brands. They create pieces with longevity, clothes and accessories that you’ll treasure, wear time and time again and pass down. I think that’s something really worth celebrating.
My favourite hotel in Dublin is The Westbury – it’s perfectly positioned to explore the city. It’s so much more than just a hotel, it’s an experience from the moment you walk through the door, with beautiful, timeless interiors that are elegant yet welcoming. The service is always exceptional, the food is consistently wonderful, and the atmosphere has a lovely balance between elegance and ease. Being right in the heart of Dublin, with Grafton Street on your doorstep, makes it the perfect place to meet friends, celebrate special occasions or simply spend an afternoon.
If I’m turning and burning and have a busy day in Dublin, I’ll always grab a quick lunch in Sprout. I absolutely love it. But if I’ve got a little more time, there’s nothing nicer than a long, relaxed lunch with friends in Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud. I love the beautiful surroundings, the exceptional food and taking the time to properly catch up. Afterwards, a stroll through St Stephen’s Green is always a treat before popping into The Westbury Mall to browse the beautiful independent boutiques and discover those special, rare finds. And if the family are around, an early dinner at Peploe’s overlooking St Stephen’s Green is always a joy. That’s a pretty perfect day in Dublin for me.
For something further afield, I love Adare Manor. It’s a really special place for me as we’ve spent so many post Christmases there as a family, and I’ve made some of my favourite memories there over the years. Every time I go back, it brings all of that flooding back. I just love everything about it. It’s one of those places that instantly makes you slow down and appreciate where you are.
Movement is a big part of my day and dancing in particular is a huge part of my life. When I’m in a dance class, no other thought enters my head. I get completely lost in the music and, for that hour, I’m entirely present and it’s one of the few times my mind truly switches off. I love it. I started dancing with Jane Shortall about 11 or 12 years ago, and we do everything from disco to hip hop, any kind of movement is possible. Jane created these wonderful classes for women called Confidance, where women of all ages come together in a supportive, uplifting environment. I honestly have no words for how it makes me feel. I leave every class with the biggest smile on my face, my endorphins on overdrive and feeling lighter, happier and completely reenergised. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.
Follow @JessColivet
Photography by Holly Whittaker
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