Discover The Covetable Off-Duty Pieces To Elevate Your Weekend Wardrobe Right Now
You may have logged off, but your style game is still on; so here are the off-duty outfits that deliver comfort and ease with stylish sartorial impact…
Weekends might be about going casual, taking it easy and catching up with friends, but lazy days deserve better than lazy looks. The key to mastering off-duty cool is to think low-key luxury: relaxed cuts, sumptuous fabrics and, yes, a little swish of glamour. These eight outfits will see you through the weekend in style – whatever you have in store.
The go-anywhere trench
The key to mastering superlative weekend style is not to overcomplicate things. That’s a lesson that has always been at the forefront of Rag & Bone’s designs, whose elevated basics keep pace with its New York roots. The ‘Icons Gwyn’ trench would make a compelling cornerstone to any weekend wardrobe. Chic, cool, classic: throw it on and go, go, go.
The LBD
That’s LBD, as in the long, blue dress, by the way: a softer alternative to black, navy is always a good idea. Take it from La Ligne – the label founded by former American Vogue staffers Meredith Melling and Valerie Boster, and Molly Howard of Rag & Bone– whose gathered crepe midi dress is a poised and pared-back take on romance. It’s endlessly versatile: wear with flats and a basket bag for farmers’ market jaunts, then just add jewels and a red lip for after-dark impact.
The fresh floral maxi
A statement print does all the work for you; even better if it’s found on a great dress. Borgo de Nor co-founders Carmen Borgonovo and Joana de Noronha know that well. Drawing on their intercontinental backgrounds – from El Salvador and Rio de Janeiro to Miami and Portugal – their exuberant clothes are designed to transcend seasons, dress codes and, probably, destinations. Indeed, the brand’s floral ‘Amara’ dress would look just as good on a Friday night as it does on a Sunday morning.
The out-of-office suit
Tailoring for the weekend might sound counterintuitive, but, done right, it’s an easy way to re-energize your off-duty look. Simply seek out languid silhouettes and muted shades for a shortcut to unpretentious polish. Partow is the brainchild of Nellie Partow (the New Yorker is also a professional boxer, which might explain her eye for precise, knockout designs). Her baggy ‘Fia’ pants even have a drawstring waist, making them a serious contender for sleek comfort-dressing.
The khaki co-ords
Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with putting your phone on airplane mode and lounging around at home from Friday night to Monday morning, some weekends, however, do call for a little bit more action. So for busier occasions, you might want to go for dash-around-town pragmatism in utilitarian pieces, such as these khaki co-ords from Helmut Lang. Three, two, one… action!
The haute cocktail dress
While there is undoubtedly a place for spur-of-the-moment after-office drinks, there is unparalleled luxury to the more diarized ritual of getting ready on a weekend with time to spare. And besides, whether you’re a guest or a host, it’s always enjoyable to make that extra effort. Jason Wu’s sweet sophistication has made him a favorite of women who are, shall we say, familiar with red carpets. This sparkle-smattered, semi-sheer dress is a pitch-perfect balance of simple (see the minimal, ’90s-inflected cut) and statement. Definitely worth going out for.
The white-hot jumpsuit
Having started her career in fashion as a fit model, Paige co-founder and creative director Paige Adams-Geller knows the importance of the best cut and fabric. That, plus her eye for detail-driven designs, have made Paige a favorite of the style set – for Saturdays and beyond. Case in point: this denim jumpsuit has wide legs, a belted waist and patch pockets. Expect to wear it everywhere.
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The perfect day dress
Fun fact: A.L.C. founder Andrea Lieberman used to work as a stylist and was the woman who put Jennifer Lopez in that green Versace gown. Her ‘Florence’ dress, however, is proof that you don’t need to wait for a red carpet to wow the crowds. The A-line crepe design has an ultra-flattering fit-and-flare silhouette, as well as a pleated panel for an unexpected twist. Relaxed yet refined, it’s a shortcut to Sunday chic.