West Donegal designer offering fashion tips for summer season

A west Donegal designer is offering new styling tips for the sunny season.

Sarah Gallagher, from Bunbeg, who designs under the name ‘Sarah Lorraine’, is passing on advice for the “brighter, lighter days”.

Inspired by her mother and aunts, she grew up watching them sew, witnessing them “transform garments,” and noting that “they always seemed contented and rooted in what they were doing.” 

That has driven Sarah to bring back traditional heritage skills within communities across the county. 

She believes it is “like the old ‘cottage industry’ which is part of our fabric of life in Donegal. This sustained families over generations”.

She now owns boutiques in Bunbeg and Dungloe and runs sewing classes to teach people how to sew and to harness those skills. “It is lovely to think that we are continuing what was an intrinsic part of Donegal for aeons”, she has said.

Now, with spring being a “gateway out of winter”, she shares her fashion knowledge for the season.

Layering is recommended for the chilly evenings while still looking stylish. 

“I prefer lighter layers with a thoughtful approach,” she says. “I would usually opt for soft, washed tones - creams, oatmeal, pale blush, muted hues - that look refined and timeless.”

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Sarah loves to keep it elegant by using tailored coats or cropped tweed jackets over silk blouses or fine knits.

Cotton, silks, and lightweight cashmere blends are good alternatives to heavier fabrics due to their breathability. Light-washed classic denim would be nice with straight or cropped cuts. 

Finer tweeds are suggested to add texture to the outfit without it feeling heavy or wintry. A slightly cropped jacket with soft shoulders could also be used to create a feminine silhouette. 

Shoes should be comfortable yet sophisticated. Loafers, ballet flats, low sling-backs or even minimalist trainers are enough. 

Accessories are a great way to elevate the look, too. Items such as silky scarves, structured bags or even hair ribbons can add softness and bring out individuality to the outfit. 

Introducing tweeds and natural fabrics can, according to Sarah, “allow us to be playful and softer as the long days stretch out in front of us.”