The Jackets to Buy
The New Moto: Tom Ford’s black leather motorcycle jacket with wide lapels and zipper details is one of fall’s ultimate pieces. But if you’re looking for a softer impact, try on a similar style in a fuzzy, light-coloured pelt. Isabel Marant has done one in bleached shearling (right) and you can use it to add an element of surprise as an outer layer for an evening ensemble. Just imagine shrugging it off to reveal a punk-y necklace or a multitude of chains worn over a dark dress paired with thick-soled boots. The Belted Safari Jacket: They don’t come better than this. A nod to vintage styling with a modern agenda, this simple style is all about practicality. Notice how the scoop of the neck is perfect for showing off the collar even when you’re fully buttoned, while the belt cinches in the waist to create a peplum-like effect. For day, pair it with cropped trousers and flats sans belt. And for the evening, simply exchange your ballerinas for stilettos, and cinch in your waist. Instant chic. The Single-Button Blazer: It is so important for a woman to have that one fall-back piece, and this is just that. But this season, you need to ditch the usual black number-it only gets an airing at official dos and parties with dress codes anyway-and try the khaki instead. The very incongruity of it (a nighttime style in a daytime hue) is guaranteed to make you stand out. And if you pair it with a black cocktail frock, all the better. You’ll be ticking off more than one key fashion trend in a single stroke. Androgyny, check. Layering, check. The Collarless Top Coat: This classic silhouette plays on fall’s favourite rounded shoulders and the A-line cut. And Thai-American designer Thakoon Panichgul has revisited the ’50s to create a version that’s ideal for women who want to appear smaller than they are. The length is perfect, cut as it is just above the knee, allowing you to play with leggings of different kinds and colours, while the simple act of removing it transforms you from an office-going professional to the queen of the evening. It’s almost like you’re emerging
from a cocoon. From cropped blazers to long coats, we list the OUTERWEAR
OPTIONS that you need to invest in this season