The Dublin Woollen Mills launched its autumn collection yesterday in the Clarence Hotel.
This most traditional of shops is now mixing in a few international names, so there are trousers and jackets by Steilmann, including leather jeans (£189.95) and colourful bouclΘ jackets.
The real interest among the more unusual pieces lies with Irish designers such as Margaret Ryan of Limerick and Sorcha Holohan. Ryan's slightly risquΘ silky knits, particularly a kingfisher blue three-piece with fur trimming (about £480), and her revealing lacey knit black dress and scarf (£649), make exciting fashion statements.
Holohan specialises in sweaters which are different and attractive (£151.99 for one in rust and cream).
Gaeltarra has a wonderful boiled wool, shawl-collared coat in winter white or camel (£165). A best-seller is a black and white tweed belted three-quarter length jacket from Weave of the Irish (£106.32).
Blainroe sweaters include men's yak wool polos in rich colours (£79). Men are well looked after in a country kind of way: wax jackets by Mizen Head, including an unusual pull-over one (£698.45), and sweaters by Tivoli including one in cream with a funnel neck (£63.50).