Most Wanted

“January, for me, is all about wardrobe essentials and making my clothes work harder,” shares NET-A-PORTER’s junior market editor Abbi Minchin, who’s well versed in the key names to know for a chic, well-curated capsule. “Métier, Savette, Khaite and The Row are a great starting point for elevated everyday dressing that’s interchangeable from day to night,” she says, touching on the importance of versatility.

One other brand in particular caught Minchin’s eye at New York Fashion Week shows for spring/summer ’24: “Proenza Schouler was a highlight of NYFW back in September, with easy suiting, luxe leather and a sleek nod to the ’90s,” she says, recalling the covetable looks that designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez sent out at the Park Avenue headquarters of Phillips’ contemporary auction house. “The standout piece, however, was the ‘Lara’ maxi dress,” Minchin adds, revealing that there’s so much more to this runway design than initially meets the eye. “At first glance, it’s a minimalist, long-sleeved white dress with a cutout – which is nonetheless impeccable, and how I will be wearing it – but with smart styling, it can be manipulated to be worn as a backless halter design with a very chic mock-sweater neckline,” she says. “That’s essentially two dresses for the price of one!”

On the SS24 runway, Proenza Schouler’s knitted dress – which we wasted no time in snapping up as a pre-launch NET-A-PORTER exclusive – was modeled with a squishy white bag and cool black sandals. That’s one easy way to wear it, but Minchin sees stacks of styling potential. “What I love about this dress – and most maxi dresses – is that your shoe options are endless,” she says, recommending ballet flats, barely-there sandals and knee-high boots as just some of the many possibilities.

If you’re in need of a little more guidance on how to wear white dresses now, Minchin suggests focusing on boots and bags in rich chocolate tones. Delicious in dark-brown leather that’s soft and buttery, The Row’s knee-high boots have a rounded shape defined by raised seams, while Métier’s suede ‘Market’ tote is detailed with clean topstitching for an elegant take on the Western trend. The contrasting textures of the two pieces will work together beautifully and add depth to your outfit.

Finally, Minchin proposes pulling your look together (quite literally) with a textured belt. Khaite’s ‘Bambi’ style is cut from snake-effect leather in a skinny width and cinches with a curved buckle inspired by gleaming jewelry. You could even coordinate your jewelry to the fastening by choosing something modern and polished in silver. If the idea appeals, turn to Sophie Buhai, who effortlessly mixes elements of minimalism and surrealism with a thoughtful sense of proportion and scale. Designed in the Hollywood Hills and handcrafted by artisans in Downtown LA, the ‘Secession’ drop earrings are tipped at the base with deep-red garnets.

Browse this week’s New In.