Buy now, wear forever: the new season’s key pieces
Closet staples need not be boring. Here, we showcase the covetable new pieces that blend statement details with versatility, which will earn a place in your closet for years to come
After months of lockdown, deciding how we want to dress now comes with a whole host of new considerations. Eveningwear feels like less of a priority for party season, and in its place we’re craving multi-purpose pieces that aren’t occasion-sensitive. Helpfully, the new-season collections champion quality, craftsmanship and the concept of not just building a ‘capsule wardrobe’, but an entire ‘forever closet’. The key is to find pieces that you love and are in no doubt you’ll want to wear, not just for seasons to come, but for years to come.
There are a few no-brainers to populate this forever closet: sharp tailoring, the ultimate LBD, a timeless trench coat, hero knitwear, a luxe leather jacket, understated separates to pull it all together with, and at least one ‘fantasy dress’ (simply because it makes your heart sing). When it comes to suiting, Victoria Beckham has nailed it this season. “Tailoring becomes a focal point with 1970s iconography infusing a directional approach to dressing after dark – powder blue, wide-lapel mohair tuxedos; sculptural, jewel-like accents on tops; and allusions to skin through discreet slits. Silhouettes are just as precise with fitted, boyish jackets and ultra-feminine high-waisted trousers. Forms skim the body without confining it,” explained Beckham’s collection notes.
Accordingly, her sky-blue, cotton corduroy two-piece lends a timeless vintage feel to a modern must-have. Expertly tailored in the UK for a slightly loose fit, it works perfectly over everything from silk blouses (go bold and pair it with the brand’s elegant, ochre pussy-bow blouse) to fine and generous knits. The matching pants are cut in a slightly flared silhouette, making them both relaxed and universally flattering.
At his diffusion line, Derek Lam 10 Crosby, the designer seeks to create “luxury products with a modern sensibility”, which, much like Beckham’s timeless tailoring, are decade-defyingly chic. Gold sailor buttons add a playful touch to his checked two-piece, while the slightly cropped length lends a modern finish. Complete the look with square-toed Mary Janes pumps for a contemporary finish.
When it comes to dresses this season, it is wise to invest in a classic day dress that is comfy enough to work from home in, and smart enough for your return to the office. Danish brand Remain Birger Christensen’s belted shirt dress ticks all of these boxes and more. Cut from supple leather that will age beautifully, it can be worn with flats or over-the-knee boots by day, and strappy sandals for after hours. The label, which was created by Copenhagen’s coolest concept store, is beloved by chic Scandi style stars Linda Tol and Pernille Teisbaek for its statement silhouettes, and its green and white checked Theresa dress is truly exquisite. With dramatic puffed sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, it requires little in the way of accessories; style it simply with pointed flats and a minimal clutch.
For tailoring with a twist, look to Altuzarra. Having trained in Paris and New York, Jospeh Altuzarra has a fresh perspective on bringing a touch of femininity to suiting in his namesake label. His décolletage blazer can be worn demurely with a fine-ribbed polo knit beneath, or more daringly with just a lace bralet. Subvert any provocative overtones by pairing it with the brand’s high-waisted, wide-legged pants and sporty sandals.
As for the final key pieces to complete your forever closet, LVIR’s caramel-colored, leather utilitarian jacket will smarten up even the most laid-back of ensembles. Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini’s asymmetric LBD is anything but basic; its strong-shouldered silhouette makes it at-once pretty and powerful. And finally, for statement pieces that will never go out of style, Seoul-based label Andersson Bell has you covered. Blending experimental shapes with a minimalist attitude, its modernist pieces are contemporary classics. And for the ultimate finishing touch? Nina Ricci reinterpreted the trench by adding an elegant, detachable cape, meaning you really get two coats for the price of one, considerably upping its style milage.