This season’s most interesting outfits are layered with personality and finished with a flourish: plush coats, statement sunglasses, luxe leather handbags and bold brooches that prove classic can be cool …
Photographed by MICHAEL DWORNIK | Styled by LUIS RODRIGUEZ
Vogue recently sounded the death knell for the word “chic”, stating it is overused and has lost all meaning. Much like chic, you could argue that the word “classic” has been rendered meaningless over the last few years, so often is it quoted in fashion scripture, those long reads dedicated to the little black dress, articles expounding on creating capsule wardrobes. Look at the fashion en route for autumn and the phrase classic, not conservative, springs to mind. There’s a marked return to familiar ideas that are tried and tested, elegant and enduring in their appeal, but not bland.
At Givenchy, dangling earrings uncorked some fun when paired with elegant waisted blazers, while at Altuzarra, full skirts with serious swing were remixed in leather with XL silver studs. For her debut collection at Calvin Klein – and the brand’s first return to the runway in six years – creative director Veronica Leoni subverted classic staples. She played with the proportions of a trench coat, teaming it with oversized flats and sailor hats. A classic wool and cashmere coat was wrapped in swathes of extra fabric, tossed over the model’s shoulder, for a relaxed yet sculptural feel.
This season, classic is a solid base for adding an expression of personality, adding something that’s slightly off to an otherwise classic outfit.
A micro-dose of eccentricity might include an embellished pouch as a bag, a sculptural pendant necklace that looks like a foraged objet or an unexpected choice of footwear as the final flourish.
Dutch style influencer Anouk Yve (@anoukyve) puts a twist on sophisticated buys by playing with proportions, clashing sheer fabrics with decadent silks or teaming a formal top with slouchy denim. She wears her curly hair natural and beach-frizzed, a counterpoint to her classic clothes. This quote from Noora Raj Brown’s Substack The Love List, on how the contemporary Parisienne accessorises, is apt: It’s about “a thing or many that look loved and vintage, often a clutch, watch, or a necklace stack, intriguing and slightly mismatched in a way that [means they] could only be collected over time”. Most importantly, it’s about being fully dressed. Remember, ten years ago, when you dressed up … well … better? Our closets have become dullish repositories of elevated minimal basics jazzed up with viral buys. The new season heralds a higher level of commitment.
Style Editor Aislinn Coffey believes we’ll be dressing from top-to-toe again. “It’s a rarified, layered look. It means a polished blouse with a trench, plus a great pair of directional earrings, rather than jeans and a mannish blazer.” Sophisticated yet surprising, black or brown but never boring; add a pinch of prep, hold the side of twee. Fashion that can be viewed decades on, beyond the prism of a certain trendsphere, is right, right now.
It’s time we reclaimed the word classic. It’s had a bad rap of late. Classic speaks to a quiet confidence. The ability to see past the spectacle of catwalk moments, a rejection of the “TikTok made me buy it” school of consumerism, that transcends the disposable. Perennially covetable, considered and, if executed right, very cool.
DRAMATIC BLACK
Black Kara wool coat with embellished collar, €1,995; black Kennedy 26 croc-embossed leather handbag, €1,695; both at www.louisekennedy.com. Black acetate shield sunglasses, €400, at www.bottegaveneta.com. Black Leah leather loafers, €170, at www.coach.com. Black ankle socks, €13.50 for five pairs, at www.marksandspencer.com.
CAMEL REVIVAL
Camel double-faced wool and cashmere mix coat, Victoria Beckham, €1,590; black V-Logo leather top-handle bag, Valentino Garavani, €2,500; both at www.brownthomas.com. Burgundy Holly crew-neck sweater, €95; brown Emma Donegal tweed skirt, €175; both at www.magee1866.com. Black Symbole acetate sunglasses, €370, at www.prada.com.
OPULENT EDGE
Multicolour Ceryse shearling coat, €4,350; multicolour Kiki patchwork suede boots, €1,295; both at www.ullajohnson.com. Blush Anagram acetate cateye sunglasses, €346, at www.loewe.com.
UTILITY ELEGANCE
Burgundy colour block blouson jacket, €1,728, matching trousers, €658; both at www.sacai.com. Black Symbole acetate sunglasses, €370; cognac leather loafers, €950; both at www.prada.com. Black ankle socks, €13.50 for five pairs, at www.marksandspencer.com.
SOFT STRUCTURE
Grey wool cropped sweater, €1,950; matching fringed wool mini skirt, €3,300; smoke grey Express PM leather bag, €3,500; rust wool and leather wedge boots, €1,500; all Louis Vuitton, at www.brownthomas.com. Dark grey knee socks, Falke, €22, at www.arnotts.ie.
TRENCH TWIST
Beige cotton trench coat with built-in knit bustier, €4,800; white cotton poplin ruffled shirt, €2,300; beige cotton trench bermuda shorts, €2,100; black Wild leather cuban heel boots, €2,000; all at www.dior.com. Black Knot leather hobo bag, €2,300, at www.jilsander.com. Black acetate shield sunglasses, €400, at www.bottegaveneta.com.
TIMELESS TWEED
Olive tweed blazer, 525; matching curved-leg trousers, €395; yellow brushed mohair V-neck sweater, €345; all at www.ganni.com. Black and brown leather boots, €246, at www.coach.com. Goldplated Lydia brooch, €107; at www.jenny-bird.com. Gold-tone clip-on earrings, Julietta x Cassetto, €244.21; at www.shopjulietta.com.
Photographed by Michael Dwornik at Walter Schupfer Management, assisted by Peter Doyle. Styled by Luis Rodriguez at Carolyn Bodner, assisted by Seoul Choi and Nate Woodruff. Hair and make-up by Craig Honeycutt at Carolyn Bodner using Violette FR and May 11. Digital tech: Efrain Muniz. Retouching: Dennis Barreto. Producer: Cindi Blair Production Model: Amy Hixon at Women 360 Management. We may earn a commission if you buy through affiliate links on our site.
