HOW TO: ELEVATED ESSENTIALS

When it comes to building that all-important transitional wardrobe, it’s time-tested designs that make for the smartest investments. Here, we look to essential pieces with a touch of additional flair and style them in a way that feels both effortless and celebrates their quiet luxury.

WHITE TAILORING

The pure simplicity of white is never more relevant than as we make the transition into spring and this season’s crisp suiting styles make it impossible to resist. Offering a striking alternative to more traditional tailoring, it perfectly embodies our elevated essentials focus. Channel the less is more mood of now within your styling, sticking to a concise colour palette of neutral shades and experimenting with hem length to dramatic effect. Shirting is also key for spring, so layer longline silhouettes beneath a lightweight knit to play with proportion in the most elegant manner.

THE LEATHER PENCIL SKIRT

There’s something enduring about styling a leather pencil skirt in unexpected ways and the secret to downtime excellence is to keep things easy and understated. Typically associated with eveningwear, this fashion-pack favourite takes on a whole new meaning when teamed with an oversized knit. The result? A look that’s altogether effortless and prepped for whatever your weekend diary might hold. Minimalism is key so avoid prints and embroidered detailing, opting instead for the small but significant detail of an artful stitch or exposed metal zip on the leather skirt.

THE TROPHY BLAZER

Sleek, steadfast and resolutely modern, the double-breasted women's blazer is the new power dressing piece to know. Nodding to silhouettes of decades past but punctuated with accents that make it resolutely modern, this season’s hero designs epitomise classic style with a contemporary slant. The black-meets-navy debate is still very much present for SS17 so if you’re an advocate of this controversial colour clash then look to deep blue shades with unexpected leather detailing. Popped at the collar and rolled at the cuffs, a blazer that follows this design protocol promises to add instant edge to any ensemble. Try it with jeans and sneakers on downtime for an eclectic mash-up of style.