For almost twenty years, Pamela Morrissey has been at the heart of Cork’s hair scene, running a thriving salon that has built a loyal following thanks to her expertise in cuts, colour and styling. Her passion for hair led her to qualify as a trichologist, giving her an even deeper understanding of what makes hair truly healthy. Known to many from RTE’s Today Show, where she transforms guests with dramatic makeovers, Pamela has seen just about everything when it comes to beauty and style. But away from the salon chair, her personal fashion story is just as inspiring.
But while most people know her for her hair magic, Pamela’s personal style is just as impressive. When asked to sum it up in three words, she doesn’t hesitate:“Simple, well fitted, casual chic,” she smiles.
At the moment, her wardrobe staple is one that many of us can relate to. “My leather jacket, it comes out at this time every year. It isn’t too wintery, it can elevate any look, it is trusty and transitional. I am even wearing it right now, although I am boiling with this unpredictable Irish weather.”
Pamela’s approach to shopping is all about balance. She admits she is not the type to shop every weekend. “Some months I spend absolutely nothing, others anywhere from one hundred to three hundred euro. I do not go shopping regularly, I buy things I will not part with. I do spend a good bit of money on basics like t-shirts and activewear that I live in. I would dress them up and use them for work. I could spend fifty euros on them some months.”
Her outlook on fashion has matured over the years.
“I think as I have gotten older, I am buying more sensibly. For example, I got a pink velvet suit last year, I spent four hundred euro on it but I will easily wear it once a year for the next ten years.”
That shift in perspective comes from experience.
“I have become very mindful with my money. I remember once working in America and asking my manager for a raise. My manager was wondering what I was spending all my money on. I had spent three hundred euro on clothes the week beforehand. My manager told me I was working very hard but not to be a busy fool. That resonated with me and it is something I still think about to this day. I could nearly spend a couple of days’ wages on clothes. Yes, you would go around looking fabulous but I did not have a reserve to fall back on.”
When it comes to icons, Pamela draws inspiration from some of the most timeless women in fashion.
“Jennifer Aniston, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Dianne Von Furstenberg. Their style has all stood the test of time. Their style has evolved but they never look like mutton dressed as lamb. But I love anyone’s style that is authentic and not overly trendy. I feel like that is true style.”
Closer to home, her sister Jacinta is her go-to for fashion advice. “She always has great style, she is always so dressed up. She would be my person that I would go to if I needed to run my outfits by someone to get the nod of approval.”
Not every trend gets Pamela’s seal of approval though. One, in particular, makes her shake her head.
“Socks over leggings. I do not get it. Is it a practical approach to keep out the cold?”
When it comes to shopping, Pamela’s heart lies in Cork.
“I definitely prefer to shop local. Monreal in Winthrop Arcade in Cork is a personal favourite. The owner Isabel has impeccable style, she is so chic. She also has stood the test of time even though she has a youthful sense of style. I would get a lot of my basics in Zara or Topshop though”.
She also leans on Brown Thomas for styling help. “Fiona Lemasney is a fashion stylist and image consultant upstairs in Brown Thomas. She never gets it wrong. You can tell when she styles someone because they just look great. She’s all about being authentic in your own style, comfort, and becoming confident in the way you dress. You can give her your budget and she’ll work around that.”
Pamela doesn’t shy away from investment pieces, either. “I have a black Burberry bag, a capsule piece in my wardrobe. I also have these over-the-knee suede boots from Suzanne, they cost me an arm and a leg. The first night I wore them I spilled red wine on them! I can’t rightly remember how I got the stain out, the memory is a bit seedy but I think we undid the damage by pouring white wine on it,” she laughs.
Of course, bargains are part of the mix too. “I only got a pair of shiny leather PVC trousers in H&M the other day. Something I would never spend a lot of money on, but they were only €20, and it’s definitely something trendy I’m excited to style coming into autumn-winter.”
Her wardrobe also carries some unique vintage treasures “I would love to shop vintage more but I do not give myself the time to properly peel through the shops. I do have a real wine-coloured vintage kimono that is over one hundred and fifty years old that my cousin got me in the markets in London. I cannot wait to pull it back out of the wardrobe.”
And then there are the pieces that have simply stood the test of time.
“I have jeans over twenty-five or thirty years old and my pyjamas. I hate wearing new pyjamas. I still wear the same ones from when I was pregnant with my daughter seventeen years ago.
She also will never part way with an old towel “I love old towels. I never get rid of them. The older the better honestly, they are great for taking off tan.”
Her style today reflects her shift towards quality and longevity.
“I shopped a lot on the high street when I was younger. But now I focus more on investment pieces. I have my eye on a nude cashmere jumper at the moment that is about two hundred euros but it will go with everything and can be dressed up and down.”
Pamela Morrissey has built her career around helping others feel confident, and her own approach to style reflects that same philosophy. She invests wisely, treasures the pieces with memories, and proves that true style is not about trends but about authenticity, timelessness and the little details that make you feel like yourself.
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