Most Wanted
A curated roundup of the best new fashion arrivals, hand-picked by our editors
As the mercury drops in London and New York (two cities where the PORTER teams are based) and fall segues into winter, it’s easy to feel as though the only part of our closets getting any airtime is outerwear – which is why investing in a covetable coat that strikes the ideal balance between chic and cozy is key to mastering a new-season look. Of course, there’s an array of styles to choose from right now, but if it’s practicality and polish you’re after, you’d be hard-pressed to find a harder-working piece than the classic puffer coat. This snug design might be enjoying a surge in popularity for FW21, but devotees would argue that this utilitarian staple never went away – and we’d be inclined to agree. Top of our wish list this season is Bottega Veneta’s luxe take: oversized, streamlined and complete with a detachable hood, this multi-purpose piece looks just as good layered over precision-cut tailoring as it does paired with rubber boots and chunky knits.
In fact, if you’re finding it tricky to get back into the groove of dressing for winter, we’d recommend letting this piece set the tone for your entire look by opting for similarly elevated takes on so-called essentials. For example, the quotidian winter sweater becomes something entirely new when reimagined by cult French designer Simon Porte Jacquemus – his second-skin knits are infinitely wearable style statements. Elsewhere, Italian heritage house Fendi married logomania and minimalism in the form of the chunky Chelsea boot with the house’s signature cleverly woven into the tread. Of course, for those who prefer maximum impact from their accessories, there’s nothing quite like an iconic handbag. From the moment it was first released in 2014, Loewe’s ‘Puzzle’ bag was a hit with industry insiders and tastemakers worldwide – and this season’s technicolor iterations are sure to continue that. These mood-boosting styles come with heirloom status guaranteed.
Putting a more playful spin on her go-to look is something fashion assistant Sabina Khan has been thinking a lot about this season. So when Agolde’s recycled white leather-blend pants landed on-site this week, she was quick to snap them up.
“Leather pants are always a no-brainer for me when this time of year rolls around. They’re my fail-safe go-to when it comes to adding an edgy touch to my fall/winter wardrobe – plus, they can easily be dressed up or down, so they work for any occasion. This season, however, I’m opting for white instead of black to give my usual look a fresh feel. For work meetings, I’ll be pairing these statement pants with a crisp black shirt and a boxy blazer. After dark, I’ll simply swap out loafers for a high-heeled pump and add an off-the-shoulder top into the mix – it’s an instant desk-to-dinner outfit.”
Discover more from this week’s What’s New.