Capture The Spirit Of Summer With The Elder Statesman
From technicolor tie-dye sweaters to refined knit dresses, the Los Angeles brand encapsulates laid-back luxury, offering easy-wearing cashmeres to wear on repeat
Few labels capture the spirit and soul of California quite like The Elder Statesman. The Los Angeles-based brand, which made its name in supremely soft cashmere and craftsmanship, has become renowned for its distinctive take on laid-back luxury that meshes the effortlessness of a surfer cruising the Big Sur waves with a refinement befitting of the city’s most polished neighborhoods.
Since it was founded in 2007, The Elder Statesman has also become synonymous with color — and shades that mimic the Californian landscape, from vivacious pinks and oranges that reflect the sky at dusk, to earthier tones that mimic the flora and fauna of its rich and varied terrain. Never has this sentiment been truer than for the pre-fall 2024 collection. Here, tie-dye motifs in warm yellows appear to depict the eye of a sunset, while smart knit staples in shades of chartreuse green, terracotta and desert tones conjure the notion of Palm Springs on a sunny afternoon.
This season’s closet hero is undoubtedly set to be The Elder Statesman’s open-knit mulberry silk dress. Knitted to a tank-like silhouette, this knee-length dress is bright, bold, and beautifully wearable. And with a loose-knit texture that brings it a beachy, bohemian spin, it’s as easy to slip on over a bikini for a vacation lunch by the beach as it is paired with a strappy heeled sandal for an alfresco dinner in the city. Pair it with gold-tone jewelry and a coral lip for a pop of color clash.
Meanwhile, no warm-weather wardrobe would be complete without a quintessentially sunny knit to layer when the evening chill sets in. And the Elder Statesman’s mood-boosting sweaters are just the ticket. For an effortless option, look for hues of sky blue, which will pair seamlessly with everything from stone-washed denims to crisp white shorts – or even over a slinky slip dress. To finish off the look, a pair of chunky fisherman sandals and a raffia bag will prove to be the perfect accessories.
“The Elder Statesman will inject the mood of a dreamy day spent on the Californian sand into your everyday closet
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If you’re looking to tap into your playful side, why not opt for a tie-dye knit? Cut in relaxed silhouettes, The Elder Statesman’s vibrant pieces are dyed by hand, in-house, in an array of kaleidoscopic motifs that ensure every single sweater is, by its very nature, unique. Pair painterly sweaters saturated in tie-dye hues with cut-off shorts for a relaxed look that is sure to take you from dawn until dusk. Not only will it will prove an ideal choice for packing in your everyday tote while you’re on the go, but the bold pattern will negate the need for further accessorizing – so that you can simply slip it on in the morning and head straight out of the door. Perfect for days when you need your look to feel ‘pulled-together’ when you’re short on time.
Meanwhile, a summer jacket can be a tricky staple to master – sometimes, there’s a chill in the air on even the sunniest of days, especially when the sun has set. Enter The Elder Statesman’s belted cardigan. Crafted from a more structured knit, this super cozy cashmere layer radiates with a relaxed mood but is hardworking to boot. This will keep you warm long after the sun has set – and with its brushstroke palette, it won’t look to jarring when layered over a summer dress.
Looking for something a little more demure? A fail-safe, understated knit will bring you endless wardrobe mileage – from smart collared styles with lace-up detailing, which are ideal for the office, to whisper-thin gauzier sweaters in a barely-there ecru and sophisticated button-up tops that will pair with a silk skirt and sandals for dinner or over off-duty shorts for brunch.
The Elder Statesman will inject the mood of a dreamy day spent on the Californian sand into your everyday closet, so now you can consider your summer closet officially sorted – whatever you’re doing, wherever you’re heading.