How To Nail Timeless Tailoring
The ’90s just called – and they’re here to talk tailoring. The key to honoring the decade’s timeless style is with smart separates in clean, minimal shapes, from boxy blazers to neat pencil skirts, says COLLEEN ROSS
There are few things more empowering than slipping into a perfectly tailored suit. Whether you’re stepping out at an event or heading to the office, a strong-shouldered blazer paired with a neatly pressed pair of pants is the ultimate confidence boost. We’ve known this for decades, of course. Thanks to the likes of Coco Chanel and Marlene Dietrich, many pioneering women were already wearing pantsuits as far back as the 1920s. And since then, each new generation, from Katharine Hepburn in the ’40s to Diane Keaton in the ’70s, have been putting their own spin on the menswear-inspired look. But there’s one decade that has become the ultimate reference point for timeless tailoring among the style set: the 1990s.
Cast your mind back and it’s easy to see why. Suits at the time were typically cut in relaxed, slightly oversized silhouettes that would make anyone wearing them feel both poised and totally at ease. So much so that they became a hit on the red carpet as much as they did in the workplace. Who could forget Julia Roberts accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 1990 Golden Globes in a men’s suit by Giorgio Armani, tie and all? The moment has become so iconic, Roberts broke the internet again recently in a near-identical look, this time by Vivienne Westwood, while promoting Luca Guadagnino’s After The Hunt. Co-star Ayo Edebiri also paid homage to Roberts’ original outfit earlier this year at the very same event in an impeccably tailored ensemble by Loewe.
To replicate the look yourself, team Alaïa’s double-breasted wool-gabardine blazer (size up to achieve a looser, ’90s fit) and straight-leg pants with a crisp white shirt by Victoria Beckham underneath, buttoned all the way to the top. If ties aren’t your thing, try accessorizing with a silk scarf or a sculptural brooch instead. Then, to finish, slip on a pair of sleek black loafers or kitten heels.
ALAÏADouble-breasted wool-gabardine blazer
VICTORIA BECKHAMOrganic cotton-poplin shirt$314.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size6 - out of stock8 - out of stock10 - out of stock12 - out of stock14 - low stock
KHAITELori snake-effect leather shoulder bag
ALAÏACapri pleated wool-gabardine straight-leg pants$2,109.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock4244 - out of stock
Elsewhere, embrace a ’90s palette with Sasuphi’s dark-chocolate suit – the tuxedo-style blazer and wide-leg ‘Bogart’ pants are minimally detailed and perfectly capture the decade’s pared-back aesthetic. All you need to complete a chic day-to-night look is a pair of kitten heels or loafers, like Saint Laurent’s burgundy leather pumps, and sculptural jewelry – Tabayer’s 18-karat gold ‘Oera’ choker is our top pick.
SASUPHIWool double-breasted blazer$782.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size3638 - out of stock40 - low stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock46 - out of stock
TABAYEROera 18-karat gold choker
SASUPHIBogart pleated wool wide-leg pants$564.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock46 - out of stock
SAINT LAURENTLe Loafer leather loafers$1,290.00View Product DetailsSelect a SizeEU 35EU 36EU 36.5 - out of stockEU 37EU 37.5 - out of stockEU 38 - low stockEU 38.5 - out of stockEU 39EU 39.5 - out of stockEU 40 - out of stockEU 41 - out of stock
Few brands epitomize ’90s minimalism more than Calvin Klein Collection, and while creative director Veronica Leoni’s debut collection was as much about looking to the future as it was honoring the past, it’s hard not to picture Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy or a young Naomi Campbell wearing any one of the recent looks from the runway in the brand’s heyday. A highlight from Calvin Klein Collection’s fall/winter ’25 show, the ‘Parker’ blazer is neatly cut in a boxy, collarless shape that will work just as well with tapered pants as it does with the matching ‘Luna’ skirt. Complement the corporate gray shade with burgundy accessories and a gold bracelet watch.
CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTIONParker wool blazer$2,055.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock38 - low stock40 - out of stock42 - low stock44 - low stock46 - out of stock
SAINT LAURENTVoltaire mini leather shoulder bag
CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTIONLuna wool skirt
KHAITEJett patent-leather pumps$1,235.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock36.537 - out of stock37.538 - out of stock38.5 - out of stock39 - low stock39.5 - out of stock40 - out of stock40.5 - out of stock41 - out of stock
Alternatively, for something a little more laid-back, opt for a classic black blazer from Toteme’s Garderob collection. The single-breasted shape works well in both smart and casual settings, so you can either wear it to work with the matching pants and Aimé Leon Dore’s striped shirt, or dress it down on weekends with a simple white tee and jeans.
TOTEMEGarderob oversized recycled grain de poudre blazer$850.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size32 - out of stock34 - low stock363840 - low stock42 - out of stock
AIMÉ LEON DOREStriped cotton-poplin shirt
TOTEMERecycled grain de poudre straight-leg pants$470.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size32 - out of stock34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock
GUCCISoftbit suede tote
YOUR TIMELESS-TAILORING ESSENTIALS
16 items
DRIES VAN NOTENWool-twill blazer$1,030.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44
SPINELLI KILCOLLINArla sterling silver and 18-karat gold diamond ring
FRAMEStriped cotton-poplin shirt
DRIES VAN NOTENPleated wool-twill wide-leg pants$837.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock
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