Last September, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez – the duo behind New York-based label Proenza Schouler – showed a collection dominated by slouchy summer suiting with an ’80s slant, inspired by the women in the designers’ office and their own mothers. Many of their team have children, and the pair (whose brand was named after their mother’s maiden names) based their SS20 collection on the daily balancing act that working mothers achieve. This manifested as a delicate contrast of structured tailoring against soft draping, as models strode out to Lesley Gore’s powerful 1963 ballad ‘You Don’t Own Me’.

In challenging times, many of us turn to mood-boosting music. So, today, with Gore’s rousing words ringing in our ears, let’s trade our oh-so-tempting sweat pants for Proenza Schouler’s tapered tailored pants, which feel just as good but will also make you look more pulled together and ready to take on the day – whether it involves Zoom calls with your team, home-schooling the kids or various other daily tasks.

PORTER’s senior fashion assistant Kristen Neillie is doing just that: “As the sunny spring weather in London takes a turn and makes life feel a little gray, I’m elevating my WFH get-up. And nothing makes me feel more empowered than a strong statement suit. So, who better to turn to than Proenza Schouler for tailored pieces with a casual, comfortable edge? Keeping the palette neutral, I’m wearing their beautifully draped, beige cowl-neck top tucked into their white pants, with a belt to cinch the waist. Tomorrow, I might go for a simpler statement and pair the pants with a graphic cut-out bodysuit in black by Matteau.”

Many of us have been thinking about Mother Nature, too, during these unsettling times and are keeping sustainable fashion production at the forefront of our minds when shopping. Mara Hoffman’s Aranza dress (below) is sustainably made from a stretchy organic cotton that’s been grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizer, while its puffed sleeves are a softer take on the ’80s power shoulder, making it a stellar choice for many reasons.

So press play on your favorite power-ballad playlist while you peruse the rest of the PORTER fashion team’s most-lusted-after pieces this week.

Discover more from this week’s What’s New.