THE BIG IDEAS

While S/S and F/W generate the bigger showmanship buzz, it’s the in-between seasonal collections – Pre-Fall, available from May to August, and Resort (also known as Cruise), from November to January – that are designed for longevity as much as desirability. Our first look at this year’s Pre-Fall ran last month. This is the second part.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Victoria Beckham

Do Look Back

A revealing back is often sexier than an even more revealing front. Men may beg to diff er, of course, but women do not dress only for them, right? 

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A.W.A.K.E. Mode
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Bottega Veneta
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Acetate dress with asymmetrical hem, $89.90, Mango. 
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Mesh top with back tie, $55.90, Zara. 

A Silk-like Sheen

It elevates everyday wear, giving it a little shine. 

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Polyester top with bow, $139, Zara.
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Polyester skirt, $89.90, Topshop.
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Polyester dress, $55.90, Zara.
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Chloe 

Rust

An orangey-brown that’s a Pre-Fall favourite. 

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Max Mara

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M-sized Aby deerskin and calfskin bag, $3,550, Chloe. 

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Paul & Joe

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Polyester dress, $116, Topshop.
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Beaded crossbody, $69.90, Zara. 

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Cotton polyester sweater, $99.90, Zara. 

The Plisse Effect

#Oldceline reintroduced the knife pleat in 2012, and Gucci’s Alessandro Michele popularised it after. Seven years on, it’s a staple. 

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Alice + Olivia

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Fendi

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Gucci

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Polyester, $94.95, H&M.
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Polyester, $109, H&M.

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Polyester, $69.90, Zara.

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Burberry

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A.W.A.K.E. Mode

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Givenchy

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Polyester, $59.90, Zara.
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Cotton, $415, Maje.
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Polyester, $74.95, H&M.
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Cotton and polyester (price unavailable), Brunello Cucinelli. 

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Polyester, $84.95, H&M.
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Polyester, $59.90, Zara.
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Polyester, $415, Sandro.
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Polyester, $89.90, Topshop. 
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Polyester, $89.90, Topshop. 

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Metallic, $750, Coach.

Suit Up

Women adopted the suit in the early 20th century because it made looking pulled-together and dressed up much easier. The reason for wearing one now is the same. The difference: We have a much wider choice, from casual or slouchy to structured or funky. 

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Gucci

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Coach 1941

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Burberry
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Paul & Joe
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Max Mara

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Paul & Joe

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Burberry
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Fendi


PANSUITS
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Lined linen jacket, $129, and matching pants, $89.90, Mango. 

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Lined linen jacket, $345, and matching pants, $135, Massimo Dutti. 

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Lined polyester jacket, $179, and matching flared pants, $99.90, Zara. 

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Lined polyester jacket, $89.90, and matching pants, $59.90, Zara. 

SKIRT SUITS

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Dsquared 2
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Unlined polyester jacket, $149, and matching skirt, $79.90, Topshop. 

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Gucci

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Lined linen jacket and matching skirt (prices unavailable), Massimo Dutti. 

SHORT SUITS


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Christian Dior
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Chloe

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Lined polyester jacket, $129, and polyester shorts, $89.90, Mango. 

A Certain Shade of Green

Emerald-like, it makes everything take on a vintage quality. 

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Cotton dress, $199, Zara.
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Denim and printed canvas mini Dauphine, $4,150, Louis Vuitton. 

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Embossed calfskin and suede mini C bag, $3,170, Chloe. 

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B Blossom yellow gold ring with malachite, diamonds and white gold, $5,400, Louis Vuitton. 

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The Rocket Eyewear Company sunglasses, $149, Design Orchard. 

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Polyester shorts, $56.90, Topshop.

Flats for Evening

When sneakers are not permitted and you still want to be comfortable. 

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Givenchy

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Max Mara

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Square-toed slingbacks, $46.90, Charles & Keith. 

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Suede mules, $59.90, Zara.
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J’Adior embroidered fabric pumps, $1,450, Christian Dior. 

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Laminated lambskin sandals, $1,930, Chanel. 

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Suede mules with jewelled buckle, $1,250, Jimmy Choo. 

The Yellow Gilet-inspired Vest 

Oversized or puffy, these vests show that France’s protest movement continues to inspire in more ways than one. 

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Burberry

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Sportmax C

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Chloe

A Great Coat

It used to be the final piece over many layers of clothes to keep the cold out during our winter holidays. Today, a coat can be as lightweight as a dress – or, in a pinch, a jacket in temperate climes. 

TEDDY BEAR

Soft, cuddly and comforting, the made-famous-by-Carine Roitfeld coat returns.

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Hermes

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No. 21

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Givenchy

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Unlined polyester, $139, H&M. 
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Lined polyester, $119, H&M. 

STATEMENT

When you like telling people you’re wearing the latest. 

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Givenchy

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Chloe

SOFT 

Don’t let its laid-back style mislead you. The simpler and less structured the coat, the more versatile it is – which means it works over PJs as well as a party number. 

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1 Polyester, $109, H&M.

2 Lined wool (price unavailable), Cos. 

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Max Mara


MAC

The difference between it and a trenchcoat: no epaulettes and belt. It’s also known as the car coat. 

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1 Cotton, $179, Zara.

2 Cotton (price unavailable), Cos. 

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Christian Dior
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Chloe

TAILORED 

Single- or double-breasted, it’s a classic with peak lapels and structured shoulders. 

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Lined linen cotton, $179, Zara.
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Givenchy

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Paul & Joe

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Givenchy

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Fendi

TRENCH

Of all the coats, it comes in the most varied of designs, fabrics and weight. Not all are waterproof now, but that’s no longer why we wear them, anyway. 

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1 Polyester viscose, $179, Topshop.

2 Polyester and cotton, $159, Zara.

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Dice Kayek

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Givenchy

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Burberry

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Burberry

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Michael Kors Collection
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Tibi