The Fashion Memo

How To Nail Timeless Tailoring

A pant suit is an enduring closet staple, combining everyday polish with versatility and ease, says GEORGIE LUCAS

Fashion editor Viktorija Tomasevic
Fashion
Chioma Nnadi (gray suit with T-shirt), Joan Smalls and Yumi Shin have perfected the art of styling a pant suit

‘Effortless’ is often lauded as the holy grail of sartorial success – an outfit that looks perfectly put together without feeling forced – elegant but understated, comfortable, versatile, easy. Done right, a pantsuit delivers all of the aforementioned, as proven by stylish tastemakers such as Christie Tyler and Achol Ayor. The trick for spring/summer ’26 and beyond lies in a few style guides (rules are too rigid when we’re talking modern tailoring). First, blazer silhouettes should run from relaxed to oversized; comfort is a key consideration here and anything too contoured feels dated. As for pants, look for wide-leg cuts with elegant pleats, or clean straight-leg styles.

The tenet underpinning modern tailoring is nothing new. Ever since Coco Chanel pioneered relaxed separates and Yves Saint Laurent introduced his historic ‘Le Smoking’ tuxedo, a slew of stylish women, from Marlene Dietrich to Julia Roberts, have worn a relaxed blazer and wide-leg pants to perfection. This season, the ’90s (the heyday of undone tailoring) are back on the mood board – think clean lines, crisp cuts and an absence of unnecessary extras. In terms of color, pay homage to the decade by opting for classic neutrals like gray, navy and beige. Model Christy Turlington proved why this is a winning formula at Milan Fashion Week, dressed in a tonal beige suit with a matching clutch and oversized shades. To recreate her look, team Joseph’s subtly darted ‘Fallon’ blazer and ‘Colburn’ pants with Toteme’s exquisite ‘T-Lock’ clutch in biscuit-toned leather. If you’re feeling a touch more adventurous, a flash of blue or burgundy should do the trick.

  • JOSEPH
    Fallon cady blazer
    €477.00
    Select a Size
    32 - out of stock
    34 - out of stock
    36
    38 - out of stock
    40
    42
    44 - out of stock
  • TOTEME
    T-Lock textured-leather clutch
    €623.00
  • JOSEPH
    Colburn cady straight-leg pants
    €340.00
    Select a Size
    32 - out of stock
    34
    36 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    40 - low stock
    42 - out of stock
    44 - out of stock
  • KHAITE
    Jett leather pumps
    €616.00
    Select a Size
    36 - out of stock
    37
    37.5 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - out of stock
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    40 - out of stock
    41 - out of stock

Kallmeyer and its minimal mastery can always be relied upon to deliver slick, timeless tailoring. The brand’s longline ‘Louis’ coat will look divine with Ssstein’s pleated wool-twill pants. To finish, reach for Bottega Veneta’s ‘Long Andiamo’ leather clutch (handheld silhouettes are trending for the season ahead) and loop a crew-neck sweater over your shoulders instead of a scarf.

  • KALLMEYER
    Louis stretch-cady coat
    €1,765.00
    Select a Size
    0 - out of stock
    2 - out of stock
    4 - out of stock
    6 - out of stock
    8
    10 - out of stock
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Andiamo long Intrecciato leather clutch
    €3,030.00
  • SSSTEIN
    Pleated wool-twill wide-leg pants
    €322.00
    Select a Size
    x small - low stock
    small - out of stock
    medium - out of stock
    large - out of stock
  • LUCY DELIUS
    Baby 14-karat gold diamond hoop earrings
    €4,600.00

Quite possibly the coolest suit pairing right now? A sporty tee. It’s an effortless way to make tailoring feel less corporate when you’re not in the office, yet still looks put together. Take cues from British Vogue’s head of editorial content, Chioma Nnadi, by underpinning gray tailoring, such as Saint Laurent’s double-breasted blazer and Gucci’s straight-leg pants, with Tibi’s ‘Perfect T’ sweatshirt. Finish with sneakers or loafers, depending on your plans.

  • SAINT LAURENT
    Double-breasted wool blazer
    €2,900.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    40
  • TIBI
    Perfect T two-tone cotton-jersey sweatshirt
    €259.00
    Select a Size
    xx small - out of stock
    x small - out of stock
    small - out of stock
    medium - out of stock
    large - out of stock
    x large - out of stock
  • NEW BALANCE
    Made in USA 998 Core rubber-trimmed leather, mesh and suede sneakers
    €168.00
    Select a Size
    4 - low stock
    4.5
    5
    5.5
    6
    6.5
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    7.5
    8 - out of stock
    8.5
    9
    9.5 - out of stock
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    11 - out of stock
  • STELLA MCCARTNEY
    Wool-twill blazer
    €894.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock
    44 - out of stock
    46 - out of stock
    48 - out of stock

If you’re heading straight to dinner after a day of business meetings, Loewe’s softly draped wool blazer and matching wide-leg pants are an effortlessly sleek choice – the looped D-ring belt will add shape to your liking. Pair with Khaite’s kitten-heeled ‘Mila’ mules and Jacquemus’s calf-hair ‘Salon’ clutch. Remember, matching is by no means necessary, so try mixing separates in different colors and textures and you’ll breeze through spring in style.

  • LOEWE
    Belted wool blazer
    €1,140.00
    Select a Size
    34 - out of stock
    36 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock
    44 - out of stock
  • JACQUEMUS
    Salon calf hair clutch
    €774.00
  • LOEWE
    Leather-trimmed pleated grain de poudre wool straight-leg pants
    €510.00
    Select a Size
    32 - out of stock
    34 - out of stock
    36 - low stock
    38
    40
    42
    44 - low stock
  • KHAITE
    Mila snake-effect leather mules
    €760.00
    Select a Size
    36 - out of stock
    36.5 - out of stock
    37 - out of stock
    37.5 - out of stock
    38 - out of stock
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    40.5 - out of stock
    41 - out of stock

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