Hilary Chapple and Katie Sands, the duo behind Whitefawn Boutique in Clonakilty, are calm, capable, and quietly self-assured women. Both have lived in – or been connected to – Clonakilty for most of their lives. Hilary is originally from Skibbereen and Katie is from the UK. They opened Whitefawn Boutique in Clonakilty together in 2014 and have been running it ever since, creating a space that feels as much about community as clothes.
Outside of work, Hilary and Katie are drawn to the simple things in life – time with friends and family, being outdoors, and soaking up the sunshine when it appears. Hilary is an avid hockey player and Katie loves to crochet. That balance of movement and craft mirrors their approach to style: practical at the core, creative in the details.
They speak warmly about what makes the job special: a genuine work-life balance, the daily chats with lovely people, and the pleasure of being surrounded by beautiful pieces without the environment ever becoming stressful. They’re quick to credit their team, too – amazing staff who help create an atmosphere that truly doesn’t feel like ‘work’.
When it comes to fashion, their philosophy is refreshingly non-pressured. Style, they believe, is a wonderful form of self-expression – something that sparks joy and creativity. They experiment often (it’s part of boutique life), but they don’t believe in being bullied by trends.
I created three looks for Hilary and Katie that capture their signature boho mood – modern, layered, and wearable. Each one comes with a stylist’s tip you can borrow for your own wardrobe.
Look One: Pastel Boho
Thoughtful boho with a modern, town-friendly finish – relaxed, layered, and still polished.
An oversized dusty-rose coat creates instant warmth with its soft texture. Underneath, a sky-blue sweater adds freshness and contrast, while a delicate lace edge peeks out for a subtle feminine, slightly vintage touch. Powdery pink trousers echo the coat for a smooth tonal story, and the relaxed cut keeps it effortless rather than overly ‘done’.
Neutral beige suede ankle boots ground the pastel palette, and their embroidered detail adds a gentle ethnic note. Layered jewellery – long beads, a pendant, hoop earrings – completes the boho character, especially paired with natural, lived-in hair texture.
Stylist’s tip: In calm, soft palettes, jewellery becomes the ‘energy’. Long beads add movement and elongate the silhouette – don’t be afraid of a statement piece on a gentle base.
Look Two: Scandi-Boho
Brighter and more graphic, this is relaxed Scandi-boho with clever colour balance and cosy texture.
The hero piece is a long turquoise-and-white striped cardigan. The wide stripe adds rhythm, the knit brings comfort, and the length makes the silhouette feel intentional. A lighter inner layer keeps the contrast airy. A belt defines the waist and structures the volume, while a warm cognac leather bag adds depth and richness against the cool tones.
Blue trousers continue the colour story, white trainers modernise it, and a matching hat ties it together. Then come the details that lift everything: yellow beads and layered chains, adding a sunny accent near the face and pushing the look into joyful bohemian territory.
Stylist’s tip: Accessories aren’t just extras – they’re balance tools. Bright beads here act as a colour bridge between cool clothing and the warm bag, making the outfit feel cohesive rather than accidental.
Look Three: Ethno-Print
These final outfits show how one statement piece can shift completely depending on styling: the same ethno-print jacket, two different energies.
Left look: Texture contrast and feminine flow. The jacket’s bold print anchors the outfit, while a soft, flowing skirt with lace trim adds movement and femininity. High suede boots strengthen the boho mood and lengthen the line of the leg. A turquoise hat and earrings pull out cooler tones from the print, and layered beads add depth around the face – expressive, but harmonious.
Right look: Warm layers and creative ease. Here, the jacket becomes more playful: paired with a terracotta shirt-dress with an asymmetric hem and light blue jeans, the mix feels relaxed and artful. A bright yellow hat adds punch, oversized beads amplify the creative mood, and brown footwear grounds the warm palette.
Stylist’s tip: With an active print, repeat one of its colours in your accessories – a hat, jewellery, or shoes. That single echo is what makes a bold outfit look considered and complete.
If you’re shy to experiment, start small. Try tonal dressing and add depth through texture and jewellery. Use one warm accent to lift a cool palette. Let a print lead – and repeat one colour to keep it cohesive. Style isn’t a performance. It’s self-expression that should feel joyful, timeless, and entirely your own.
All pieces featured in the photoshoot are from
Whitefawn Boutique.
Instagram@whitefawnboutique.
Stylist and photographer:
Galyna Zaitseva.
