The Fashion Memo

Most Wanted

A curated roundup of the best new fashion arrivals, hand-picked by our editors

Words Francine Heath
Fashion
Clockwise from top left: dress, Ralph Lauren Collection; coat, Brunello Cucinelli; earrings, Lié Studio; gloves, Agnelle; jeans, Agolde; black bag, Saint Laurent; flat pumps, Khaite; Mary Jane pumps, Gianvito Rossi; brown tote, Loewe; necklace, Melissa Kaye

Faced with the task of winter-proofing your wardrobe? A do-it-all coat will be your sartorial savior. These multitasking marvels are dressy enough to slip on over your most glamorous eveningwear without ever dulling its sparkle, and stylish enough to elevate your more relaxed daytime looks. Our coat edit might have you feeling spoiled for choice this season, but one hack is to whittle down your wish list to modern winter whites for a clean, polished look.

“Wearing white can feel like a gamble in winter, but it’s a risk worth taking, as the rewards are plentiful,” says NET-A-PORTER’s fashion assistant Maya Gunavardhana. “Crisp white and fresh ivory hues exude style and elegance, and they will always make you stand out in the best way amongst a sea of black and navy in the cooler months,” she adds. Sharply tailored with the maxi silhouette seen on the fall/winter ’23 runways, this ivory coat by Brunello Cucinelli ticks off wearability and practicality thanks to its well-considered fabric. Neither too light nor too heavy, the luxe twill features viscose in the blend for a harmonious smoothness that complements slinky party dresses, while there is also the perfect amount of wool in the mix for extra warmth and enough structure to elevate knitwear and denim.

If you are yet to discover the perfect party dress, an LBD is a fail-safe choice. Exclusively available at NET-A-PORTER, this elegant strapless velvet number by Ralph Lauren Collection is part of a special capsule built around the timeless appeal of the tuxedo – the silk trim tracing the bustier neckline nods to the satin lapels typically found on a classic black tux. The inspiration behind the capsule relates directly to Ralph Lauren’s storied heritage, too, recalling the time he delighted both loyal customers and fashion critics alike by taking ample cues from menswear when releasing his first full women’s line back in 1972.

As PORTER’s beauty editor Malena Harbers notes, creating a little extra glow on bare skin this party season can have a transformative effect when you’re wearing something strapless. Try applying Susanne Kaufmann’s Signature Serums to your face, neck and décolletage roughly half an hour before you get dressed – they will leave a hydrating veil on cleansed skin and add a soft luster, thanks to a potent concentration of vitamin C.

Finally, when it comes to casual daytime pieces to go under your new sophisticated coat, follow Maya Gunavardhana’s lead with a tried-and-tested combination. “I would pair this coat with Agolde’s ‘90s Pinch’ jeans, because I love the straight-leg fit and how the lightly faded blue wash looks a little bit vintage,” she says. “To finish off my look, I would add some glossy black heels, such as Gianvito Rossi’s ‘Nuit’ Mary Jane pumps, and Loewe’s roomy ‘Puzzle Fold’ tote.” Showcasing Jonathan Anderson’s signature origami-style folds, this collapsible bag will easily hold your laptop and water bottle, plus a few additional accessories that you might like to have on hand, such as Agnelle’s silk-lined leather gloves.

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