Update your look with SS20’s key pieces

There’s no better excuse than a new season to really take stock of your closet and make sure it’s working as hard as possible for you. Luckily, SS20’s defining pieces are remarkably versatile, because buying better doesn’t mean simply investing in every new trend. It’s about finding the pieces that promise to slot effortlessly into, and elevate, your existing closet.

It would be impossible to discuss the summer collections without touching on dresses, and SS20’s offering did not disappoint. Striking the perfect balance between laidback and luxe, feminine styles by the likes of Lela Rose and Forte Forte make the perfect accompaniment to minimal sandals and luxe basket bags. A gingham design from 10 Crosby by Derek Lam might evoke bucolic scenes, but this endlessly wearable shirtdress also strikes the perfect balance between pretty and practical, making it the perfect addition to your closet.

When it comes to this season’s ‘new neutrals’, tan, beige, brown and cream pieces might once have been considered simple staples – rather than trophy pieces – but for SS20, all that has changed. Designers across the board made these timeless yet often-overlooked hues the star of their SS20 collections. Florence-based brand Casasola debuted a chic short suit, while powerhouse Jil Sander’s minimal white dress is a failsafe way to freshen up your look and promises to serve as the ultimate blank canvas for this season’s statement accessories – from chunky sandals to ’90s-inspired mini bags. These sumptuous designs might be understated, but they’re sure to turn heads. If you’re looking to tick off not one but two of this season’s biggest trends in a single look, Istanbul-based label Zeynep Arçay’s leather wrap robe is the way to go. Layer it over a simple tee and jeans to take your everyday look to another level or, if you’re looking for a look that’s effortless and elegant, wear yours as a dress.

Finally, suiting, a trend that has been bubbling away for a few seasons now, continued to gain ground for SS20. Once strictly considered to fall into the category of workwear, in the last few years, suits have also become a mainstay of our off-duty and after-dark closets. Take Parisian heritage house Courrege’s mood-enhancing orange two-piece; paired with bright accessories and layered over a second-skin knit, this suit makes for an insouciant look. Similarly, Paul & Joe’s ’70s-inspired camel suit is truly faultless, and can be transformed with the addition of some choice accessories; while Vivienne Westwood’s lilac tailoring looks can be styled with everything, from box-fresh sneakers and a tee to barely-there sandals and a black camisole.

In short, the allure of these covetable pieces lies in the fact that they promise to become closet cornerstones – buy them now and you’re sure to wear and cherish them forever.