#humblebrag

Mono jacquard trousers, £35; and jacket, £55 (marksandspencer.com)

How I wanted to include Marks & Spencer’s black leather A-line midi skirt from Autograph in the cult items (see left). Sadly, it’s so cult that it has completely sold out and there are no plans to restock (echoes of Pink Coat-gate, although it’s much nicer than that was). But this trouser suit is pretty good, too, and here’s why:

1. Trouser suits that look so sexy on the catwalk when they’re worn by Gigi Hadid with nothing on underneath, have a habit of going a bit British Airways circa 1985 (a bad year for aviation style, take it from me) in real life, especially if they’re navy or black, the very two colours you most want your trouser suit to be. The solution is a pattern that’s bold but not brash. Tick.

2. Oversized blazers are the most fashion forward right now, but cropped and nipped are often the most flattering.

3. It has white in it, without actually being white.

4. No animals were harmed in the making of this trouser suit. Who needs that leather skirt?