What I Wore In Ireland and Why

Fashion and travel, two of my favorite things. And they go hand in hand in many ways! When I start planning a trip, I immediately start planning my wardrobe. What will the weather be like? Will I spend a lot of time outdoors or indoors? What colors will be in the background of my photos? I’ll walk you more through my thought process a little more throughout this post. So if you’re wondering what to wear, or just want some inspiration, here is what I wore in Ireland and why!

I just got back from the beautiful Emerald Isle known as Ireland. It is autumn in October – typically between 46-64°F (8-18°C). To me, that meant being adaptable – layers! Leather jackets, tights, beanies, some of my favorite fashion staples.

The Essentials

When I hear Ireland, I think rain. So one of the first things I bought for this trip was rain boots. I knew I would be wearing both skirts and leggings, so I needed something that would go well with both. Then I found the cutest rainboots on Amazon. They look like regular chelsea ankle boots, but they’re waterproof! And they were pretty compact, not like Hunters or other knee-high rain boots which would be difficult to fit in my luggage. I tested them out before the trip, and they were perfect. They took a day or two to break in, so I’m glad I tried them BEFORE the trip. But once they were broken in, they were exactly what I was looking for. Cute, waterproof, small enough to fit into luggage. CHECK!

A beanie is always crucial if you’re traveling somewhere a little brisk. I love the way beanies can pull a look together. Plus, it’s a great solution for a bad hair day – which is common when you’re visiting somewhere as rainy as Ireland. Our first day there it was raining all day, and my hair was immediately a mess, so I put my hair in some braids, threw on a beanie, and didn’t have to worry about it again!

If I’m traveling anywhere in autumn or winter, I always bring an infinity scarf. They are great for the plane ride, because they can be used as a blanket, or rolled up into a little pillow. Then when you get there, you just have a cute accessory that also keeps you warm. I brought two on this trip, so my photos would have a little variation to them. I always bring one neutral scarf (black, grey, etc.) that can be worn with anything. Then my second scarf was a red plaid scarf from Target, because when I think European fall fashion, I think plaid. A little cliché? Maybe. But I loved it.

Fleece lined tights are great if you’re traveling somewhere chilly, and you know you’ll be spending time outside. I brought a couple pairs of regular tights as well, but on those days where it dipped into the 40s, I pulled out my fleece lined tights. When we spent the day in Killarney National Park, I knew we would be outside for a good part of the day, so I wore them under my leggings. Layers, layers, layers!

Wool socks are also great for cold climates. Wool is a great insulator, and keeps its insulation even when they are wet. They can also be worn multiple times without washing them because wool has natural anti-bacterial properties which makes them odor resistant. Yes, really. Not to mention they are so warm and cozy!

The purse is always one of the most essential things on my list. When I am traveling, I like to have a crossbody purse that zips shut – and of course, something adorable. I found this tan faux leather bag on Amazon that met all my criteria. Even better, it had a giant flap that covered the zipper. So if someone wanted to get into my purse, they would have to open this massive flap AND unzip it. In other words, it would have been impossible to do without me noticing. It had zipper pockets on the inside and outside of the bag, which I love for extra security. On top of all that, it’s waterproof, and the perfect size – not too big, not too small. It was truly the perfect bag for this trip. It’s also just a great fall purse, I’m still wearing it!

Faux leather jackets are one of my favorite pieces in general, and also perfect for Ireland – even better if they have a hood and pockets with zippers. Faux leather, if made with polyurethane (most are), is completely waterproof. As a bonus, it is also super warm and a fashion staple that goes with almost anything. Just check that they are 100% polyurethane and not a blend.

Where I Saved Money

I am a budget shopper. I don’t want to spend a ton of money on clothes, when I could be spending that money in Ireland! So I hit up a thrift store before I went for some basic staples. A black ribbed turtleneck, a raincoat, a grey turtleneck, and as a bonus find I found the most incredible maroon corduroy dress. All of those items combined were under $10. Thank you Salvation Army! I knew I wanted some of these basic items, and why spend the money at a department store, when I knew I could find them at any thrift store?

Most of my other items were either things I already owned, or pieces I bought on Amazon or Forever 21. I did this for two reasons: to save money, and because I don’t like bringing expensive items on trips. Things can get ripped, stained, lost. My sister lost one of my infinity scarves I got at Target, which was not a huge deal – but if it had been one of my Betsey Johnson scarves, I would have been much more upset. See what I mean?

The Details

I’m very logical with how I pick out my outfits for travel. First, I always think about what my background colors will probably be in my photos, so I could pick colors that contrast well. For Ireland, I knew a lot of my photos would likely be a green grassy background – or the greys of the cobblestone and ruins. So I thought about what colors would contrast well against the greens and greys – so I landed on black, reds, greens, navy blue, and mustard yellow. I like to stick to one color family when I pack, so I can mix and match pieces throughout the trip. If I stain, rip or ruin something, I can pair it with something else.

We stayed at three castles during our stay, so I knew I wanted a dramatic flowy skirt for the photos. Duh. I found an incredible copper pleated midi skirt on Amazon for under $25 which was one of my favorite things I wore on the entire trip. I got soooo many compliments on it. However, I would NOT have worn this piece if it had been floor length – floor length dresses and skirts always end up getting muddy, or tripped over, or both. This skirt was the perfect length.

The Inspiration Piece

With every look, I like to have one central inspiration piece. For this trip, my inspiration was my Dark Sandalwood & Emerald Jord Wooden Watch. I was already going for a cool, earthy jewel tone look, and this watch tied every look together. The wood band made it neutral enough that it went with literally everything I wore. And the emerald face? I mean, come on, I was in the EMERALD ISLE! I love a large faced watch. And I love how comfortable it is! I have too many watches sitting in my jewelry box that have not been worn in years because how uncomfortable or heavy they are. This will not be one of those watches. I got so many compliments on my watch while I was there. “Is that wood?!” was something I was asked a lot. It’s tough to balance a piece that’s unique but still neutral, and this watch is a perfect balance.

If you want a chance to win your own Jord Wooden Watch – I am your girl. Click here to enter the giveaway! Win a $100 gift card towards any Jord Watch, and just entering gets you 10% off. If this watch is not your style, no worries, you can enter to win one of many different Jord styles. But let me warn you, it’s hard to choose. You can enter the giveaway through November 11 – and remember, Christmas is coming up quick, and a beautiful wooden watch would make an awesome present. Good luck!

Wooden Wrist Watch

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