Three classic wardrobe items that will get you through spring
The current law of fashion physics states that wherever two or more fashionistas gather together, they’re either wearing inflatable rubber jumpsuits with eight-inch platforms (you think I’m exaggerating?) or a blazer plus stripy top/white shirt, a trench and Katharine Hepburn pegged trousers (or variations thereof). In other words, fashion is polarised. There are the brands chasing 15-year-old boys via TikTok with ever more outlandish trainers and oversized T-shirts. And the ones who are doubling down on the classics.
Interestingly, the high-street chains seem increasingly in the second camp. This spring, for instance, most of them have brought out versions of the trench, a Jane Birkin peacoat, pleat-front trousers (try Cos or Sézane) and a blazer, all of which were popular on many catwalks too. Hallelujah.
The best are tweaked to please modern sensibilities. It’s amazing to see the teeny, tiny recalibrations. The latest trenches have big collars and flaps. Some have acquired patchwork effects and oversized cuts. Some are downright edgy (Jigsaw’s) and they look amazing – if you’re 5ft 8in or more. Any shorter and you may want to consider a scaled-down one. OK, it won’t be as practical in a Wuthering Heights-worthy storm as the more capacious ones – but that’s what buildings are for.
Lisa wears: Left: knitted sweater, £35.99, and skirt, £35.99, both Mango; patent shoes, £295, Aeyde; Suede bag, £350, Miuur; gold-plated and pearl earrings, £195, Loveness Lee; all other jewellery and sunglasses throughout, Lisa’s own Right: Langford coat, £285, Jigsaw; cashmere jumper, from a selection, Aethel; tailored trousers, £220, Dai; leather shoes, £105, Charles & Keith; leather bag, £279, Flattered
This Uniqlo one is on the classic side, but you could play around with it, partnering it with a patent pencil skirt or trousers if that’s your thing. The length makes it youthful and it’s at the sandy end of beige, so it works with different complexions. It’s also showerproof – not always a given. A good buy at £99.90.
The Jigsaw Langford herringbone blazer is a repeat style. More and more brands are reissuing their greatest hits in different fabrics, with clever updates – another indication that a good design endures. This time it’s the flash of blue under the collar and an Italian wool blend. It’s quite long (Jigsaw calls it a coat) but it looks good on both short and tall women because of the shoulder line – defined but not too exaggerated. It’s a stylish hybrid of indoor and outerwear and its navy blue sister (with a flash of white under the collar) is very tempting too.
As for stripes, I thought I had them all. But these soft-to-the-touch, knitted Mango co-ords – with their French navy style
and mixed-scale stripes – had me at bonjour. Jumper and skirt £35.99 each. Versatile, fresh and about as bodycon as any of us need to go just now.
If you want a lighter-touch make-up as we head into spring, Code8’s lightweight BB cream with SPF is so good. It blends effortlessly, provides just the right cover and comes in 11 shades for the perfect match. A future classic if ever I saw one.
Lisa wears: Top image: Trench, £99.90, Uniqlo; Cashmere jumper, from a selection, Aethel; tailored trousers, £220, Dai; leather shoes, £105, Charles & Keith; leather bag, £325, Strathberry
Try these...
Left to right: Pleated trousers, £135, Sézane; radiate Beauty Balm, £43, Code8; wool peacoat, £229, Arket
More from Lisa Armstrong: This classic fabric is perfect for when denim isn't quite cosy or smart enough
