Dresses inspired by the 1870s to the early 1900s are relaying this message: Conservative dressing is not a fuddy-duddy idea.
![Her World](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/magazine/jziPlvop08MDLSbSoGBErUK8xJ5oTcUUpbM3wEUl.png)
![Portrait of Tammy Strobel](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/media/17591/c/landscape.jpg)
Ikat meets Joan Lindsay’s Picnic at Hanging Rock at Isabel Marant.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/C83wMZPBsdhl6dZ2br50pJWa8fnYgcC1Z2UvOTVa.jpeg)
A nightdresslike smock from The Row.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/jtvokVxUwoq1mFGaMKUYrDmloLPEWgtGOsDETnB0.jpeg)
Viscose, $99.90, Zara.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/oOLb0tBmVT1ijoP11fSuXPX5c6UPm7eB2ov2pCOA.jpeg)
Polyester, $119, Zara.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/pTvvaiqGj9b6HuyGlopwvg6mBqQMRI7vg9MQ6o1C.jpeg)
JW Anderson x Uniqlo rayon, $79.90, Uniqlo.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/ABrD2AKcONxKFUGqeHTeQWQST71KTk3TeN2DoFk8.jpeg)
Silk blend, $219, H&M.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/WtnUjic1g8Nvs9BphuLWRIeGWS7rjTGNQ6BJu1Jj.jpeg)
Viscose, $119, Zara.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/B75IvNu8shbmJS1yWDdrEG6MitjvLKfXBYpSkPnq.jpeg)
Delpozo chiffon (price unavailable), Club 21 Forum.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/oXFji53jZDRPdwMMsSYwMdPheL8NqJswVFMMKYCg.jpeg)
Cotton and polyester, $730, Sandro.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/Dp2CyBDVE0olTog8rvpYguAeCm0oJ2oDCHPyfSmY.jpeg)
Silk, $4,900, Chloe.
COORDINATION SEAN THAM
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/R08wmVeZe7zM1cHATrYuNGEjlh8Xtcrx4g7hejRv.jpeg)
The 1-minute Formula
A classic top + an equally classic or printed skirt = recipe for be-at-ease dressing. Now, which busy modern woman doesn’t want that?
"Iris & Ink wool-blend top, US$95 (S$129), and cotton skirt, US$100, www.theoutnet.com."
Start with great basics, like a tailored shirt or well-made knitwear for your top. Ditto for the bottom. Turn the page for printed skirts.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/vIpUjvZjKOcTrTu5r8NZOI7pzf73ood7tYj3OfMz.jpeg)
Cotton knit top, $49.90, Uniqlo.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/ngAzhIy0iyl3u5Hsf18xqTswgJReaRhIz9jv6H03.jpeg)
Polyester top, $45.90, Mango.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/uAZkNdYNmWIsfmUI0WTSdE46fGaku8SrCMdNUL1n.jpeg)
Cotton shirt, $49.90, Uniqlo.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/px3zRose5DDqsujwTsv3SOr9jc7vPHNoCVI9Dur3.jpeg)
Iris & Ink cotton pullover, US$120, www.theoutnet.com.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/kGek5Lg3UgFkwpUdLsFt59VQTEcKNRZG3kzQTo5J.jpeg)
Acrylic pullover, $49.90, Stradivarius.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/cHKD3WdlylSjxUV9R19Tg1LtaTKUwDmYmQDn9foe.jpeg)
Acrylic pullover, $39.90, Bershka.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/zYk4if79WXA0y3QTgggOe1nTfQeUZivc0dZlq2zz.jpeg)
Cotton poplin shirt, $375, Pinko.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/KVGAVBYUQ07hOZFk6w4mYn6IE1RufLGoLF1zYU7B.jpeg)
Viscose-blend top, $66.90, Topshop.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/QAcMHbqLO1OzxZUBVkS8fK09qkSDLrD4TMAduUQP.jpeg)
Polyester midi skirt, $380, Sandro.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/XfkOEeR52OciZFpzpMyHoTBngT44qWuqttqbSCIB.jpeg)
Cotton-blend midi skirt, $59.90, Mango.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/fETnM1WcZKc3wtybf5xHKi6aM80QeBCPfYtiOP85.jpeg)
Polyester midi skirt, $89.90, Mango.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/zOHGJ9l6kTsnMrxauqlVE7CQv3MkVxwNYdAEhb68.jpeg)
Cotton skirt, $160, Cos.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/pKBZOW5IM3XL13p8UULvaV5uoiBtWA7cP5KG2Lcd.jpeg)
Cotton skirt, $125, Cos.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/TvXC2LU9HTWBYBEsJWqIGgfkBOMsL7aQnvb86QH4.jpeg)
Max & Co. wool skirt (price unavailable), Max Mara.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/LOdWlNLErS9B7raKoXPgDpH2BNe0Si9bs70rAA7A.jpeg)
Cotton skirt (price unavailable), Sandro.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/ocKZ6WKPo8nUWazlctpsLsglw2T2TQe4sr3IZDvO.jpeg)
Cotton knit pullover, $49.90, Uniqlo.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/nBI3MwGQl5NZ6evt545UoSUcSxwGtJ68EKB4JeYP.jpeg)
Cotton knit polo shirt, $235, Bimba Y Lola.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/EEjfmdFM183A2yIRbIRGoFA0YtRv5RfbUD3pHdQS.jpeg)
Cotton knit polo shirt, $195, Cos.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/0vn218MyPMmRLMF51y3HCJx31mxZS7K02ysFl9Hd.jpeg)
Acrylic pullover, $79.90, Mango.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/4pYZx5dgeR0OTrbXt6BHRDDE2Pr8HGNrLDdOzCQt.jpeg)
Polyester top, $63.90, Dorothy Perkins.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/ccX4tg4JSPkcbk6485zRZbULm1lgQxwtVg6aalGo.jpeg)
Viscose camisole, $49.90, Zara.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/TuRcmVethyCRCKDqDOrNuRyW6pemKrLxcRGQi8Of.jpeg)
Cotton blouse, $49.90, Uniqlo.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/ZgOZxR4LpubOX79xmpt3PQzT5UCHWMnWDIbaZznS.jpeg)
Cotton knit top, $235, Bimba Y Lola.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/N1aEHMQCqmNCiHI9mTyDjwcyA1BJC1L8mG64BAuh.jpeg)
Polyester skirt, $325, Bimba Y Lola.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/qQNVaPh6mvsuvNwoTDEKmwuxhEInmftSBoRt8nh8.jpeg)
Delpozo cotton skirt (price unavailable), Club 21 Forum.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/RsPXK5xmi9XasECR8J4k79OEGJUEzDr5pk6Y9rsP.jpeg)
Polyester skirt, $69.90, Mango.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/LtPvp9NcOEU7yj735PTejb2JnSBLjeGbp2GzBzp9.jpeg)
Viscose wrap skirt, $59.90, Zara.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/DrLafqaw1uIlQa7nwWxMzJKun51RbBVWxXJDI0vg.jpeg)
Polyester skirt, $89.90, Topshop.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/3ctT8ocKnqjR0kRWhQCIqhnJr7W7NwCpNQWXFxSd.jpeg)
Polyester wrap skirt, $79.90, Mango.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/RWSO8QRSz9hAndODb5KT8ArIo1Ekjf1vvXFTSY5M.jpeg)
Viscose skirt, $79.90, Topshop.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/SKHfHWGGLeVbZZeDSSaH0qLoLsxX0w71krwS8WSG.jpeg)
Polyester skirt, $450, Bora Aksu.
![My Reading Room](https://myreadingroom.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/article/media5mQGqaVN/Eo8p6CXdb94ACcSdx0WAhfMfJOON5bqZU1znM6Hp.jpeg)
The relaxed top + summery printed skirt + thong slippers: Vince’s take on resort chic.
COORDINATION BRYAN GOH
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