Wardrobe confessions with TV presenter Anna Daly
TV presenter Anna Daly is a dedicated follower of fashion. Each week, we see her on the Ireland AM set in a stylish ensemble, but off-screen, at home with her three boys, she admits to being much more casual. Her love of fashion has now extended into the creation of her own sustainable clothing brand, Little Bliss, which is proving a hit and she’s planning additions to the cosy and casual collection. Here Anna shares some of her own fashion hits and misses and the things she treasures most in her wardrobe
Piece of clothing that reminds you of your childhood There was a palm tree print on one of my kids t-shirts recently and it brought me right back to a Hawaiian print dress I had as a little girl. I thought I was the bomb in it!! Lol!
Your best bargain buy A faux fur jacket for 20 quid I bought in Camden market in London years ago – it’s a classic boxy shape and it’s a nice piece to have for wintery nights out. I like to imagine it clocked up many a fun nights before I bagged it!
How much has your wardrobe changed since Covid? It’s very casual when I’m not on air on Ireland AM. My new brand, Little Bliss, is very much inspired by these laid-back days and was timed well but really it was put together as a representation of my off-air and off-duty style.
Your biggest ever splurge My Jenny Packham wedding dress. I bought it at Sharon Hoey in Dublin and will love it forever! An Irish artist (illustrator Rosemary Wiley) actually did a beautiful sketch of it that hangs on our sitting room wall beside a photograph of my husband and me on our wedding day.
A fashion stage in your life that you truly regret Oh, there are many. I had the dodgiest Joe Bloggs jeans that made you look ten sizes bigger than you were. They were combined with more oversized sweatshirts and t-shirts that were all very unflattering! Then there was the All Saints-inspired combat pants and bra tops. Truly awful!
Favourite accessory My Louis Vuitton speedy handbag. It was an ‘investment’ as the stylists say!
What does fashion mean to you? Fashion shouldn’t take over. It should be about style rather than following trends that don’t necessarily work for you. It’s fun and shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
Most treasured item: My engagement ring, which holds a diamond from my husband Ben’s late mother’s (Shirley) engagement ring. A sentiment that is priceless.
Favourite piece of jewellery Aside from the above mentioned engagement ring, I love to support local Irish brands and I wear a lot of delicate Juvi pieces – their initial rings are some of my faves. Another bohemian brand is Beauabea (right). The owner Katie has a good eye for unique pieces that don’t cost the earth.
The inspiration behind your own fashion brand For me, Little Bliss was always going to be about a moment of bliss, from a solitary quiet coffee to curling up with your favourite movie, it’s about cosy casuals that will be classic pieces in your wardrobe and knowing they’re sustainably made will give you a sense of warmth and good conscience. Up until now, we as Irish women have spent money on our ‘going out’ wardrobe but never really concentrated on how we look on a Tuesday! Funnily enough, it’s the weekday outfits we wear more of and get most value from so I’m thinking like a French woman from now on and spending money on a classic wardrobe that works for me any day of the week.