Forget must-wear trends; instead, it’s all about individuality and self-expression. The trick is to find pieces that feel authentically you. Feeling cute? Spring’s pastel shades work perfectly. In a fearless mood? Let bold, maximalist styles do the talking for you. When stylist Ingrid Hoey (@ingridhoey) sat down with Sinéad Kelly, Senior Personal Stylist at Kildare Village, to talk spring style, the topic of confidence came up time and time again. “There are a lot of emotions when it comes to getting dressed,” says Ingrid. “We don’t give clothes enough credit for how much power they can hold over people – you almost have to face yourself, I think.”

Even if fashion’s not the thing that “sets your soul on fire”, as Ingrid puts it, everyone wants to wear clothes that make them feel good. And colour can be one of the tools that helps. “As a stylist, I’ve always asked, what's your eye colour and what's your hair colour?” explains Sinead. “Even those details help determine whether black is your best neutral or whether it’s navy.” Colourimetry is nothing new, but figuring out your ‘season’ (winter, summer, spring or autumn, for the uninitiated) can simplify the styling process. “Once you’re dressed in a complementary colour palette, then everything in your wardrobe starts to mix and match,” adds Sinead.

It’s a stylist’s golden rule: nail the basics. “When I’m building a wardrobe, I always start with the essentials: a really good pair of denim jeans, a nice T-shirt in white, black and grey – you can't go wrong,” says Ingrid.

When it comes to the “cushion and photographs” – the decoration, as Ingrid calls it – that comes later. “It sounds boring, but you’ve got to fill a wardrobe with good basics before you start adding the fun things.”

Ingrid and Sinead agree – don’t scrimp on “a really good blazer, a nice overcoat, a quality pair of boots, a shirt and a great fitting knit.”

Maximalism, tailoring and the new boho. Ruffles, polka dots and metallic accessories. There are seasonal trends and new arrivals aplenty, and each one offers a new, exciting way to express yourself. “One of the things I love about fashion is that everyone doesn’t have to dress the same. We don’t have to like the same things,” says Ingrid.

And whichever sartorial tribe you identify with, there’s the connecting feeling of confidence that comes with dressing for you. “When I’ve got my armour on, I feel like 'okay, I’ve got this.' You show up that little bit differently, and I think that’s why fashion is important,” says Ingrid.

“I have this rule in my head when I’m buying something: can I immediately think of four ways to wear it? If I can tick off those outfits using my existing wardrobe, it usually comes home with me,” advises Ingrid.

“For spring, I love the whole sheer skirt trend, and I'll wear those now, with a cashmere jumper and boots. Then in summer, I’ll update it with a tank top and slicked-back ponytail,” says Ingrid. “I always try to think about how I can wear something in every season.”