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Spring Dressing

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Now that we're going back to getting dressed for ourselves and each other, we really sat down and thought about the shapes and silhouettes that will ease us into real-life clothes. Yes, we want to feel comfortable but also, we want to feel modern and stylish as we come together again. So we have a mix of pieces that will transform your staples, as well as ideas for styling your basics in new ways. Sometimes, all it takes is throwing some unexpected colours together or switching up the top you wear with your chinos. So whether you're in the mood for big investments or small style tweaks, we've got answers for you.

Wide-leg Trousers

"This is a massive trend on the catwalk but also one I've always invested over the years. I find the cut so flattering and it's a great alternative to jeans. The great thing about this season's take on the silhouette is that you needn't worry about keeping the look elevated, unless of course you want to. In the interest of easing out of your at-home uniform, style them with trainers and a spring knit or cardigan."

The Shorts Suit

"I spotted this twist on classic tailoring last summer but didn't have a chance to really embrace it until now. Traditionally, I only ever wear shorts on summer holidays. Turns out, a matching blazer gives them a polish that's perfect for city life and the office too. This style of dressing is so easy: keep the top simple, and then add accessories and sandals. My favourite finish is a light linen - when I pushed the sleeves up I felt like I'd stepped into my favourite style moment from Pretty Woman!"

Gentle Prints

"I fell in love with this Isabel Marant Etoile blouse as soon as I saw it-I think because it really is the perfect print for spring. It is soft and pretty but not too distinctive, which is what makes it perfect for repeat-wear and also loving for many seasons to come. Given that we'll likely still be in Zoom windows for a while with our colleagues, this is one of those pieces that hits the sweet spot of feeling special, but looking low-key."

Shirting With A Twist

"A classic white shirt is probably one of the top 5 wardrobe icons you can own, and l'm always excited when staples are in the spotlight. What I'm loving about this season is that the white shirt has had a reinvention. There is the oversized trend, but this Awake style takes it a step further with a corset layered on top of the shirt. It's so flattering that I couldn't resist buying this one-I love that you can pair it with staples like chinos or jeans and they get a bit of an edge. That is certainly the hallmark of a worthy wardrobe addition in my mind."

Subtle Stripes

"I have a confession to make: I am not the hugest fan of the traditional Breton. There, I've said it. It's true that it is an iconic piece that I reach for often, but I don't always feel the horizontal stripes suit me. All of which is why I was thrilled to see so many designers offering their own take on stripes this season. Take this flattering Three Graces skirt, with horizontal, tonal stripes that are so easy to wear."

Polished Raffia

"For me a raffia bag signifies the wardrobe switch from winter to spring and summer. This season, I love how designers have taken this fabric and designed incredibly polished bags, with leather and hardware accents that work to elevate a finish that is usually more at home on the beach than smart city dressing. These styles by Isabel Marant and Yves Saint Laurent are perfect examples of investment-worthy new-season raffia."

Pretty Contrasts

"One of the fastest ways to fast-track your wardrobe into spring is to start pulling together mood-boosting colours you wouldn't normally combine. In seasons past, it's been about bold clashes, but this spring the mood is more considered. Take softer contrasting shades, and then pull them together with a neutral like your trench coat. I find this sort of dressing is a great way to get pieces you haven't worn for a while back into rotation."

Blossom Pink

"For their spring collections, many designers embraced pink. And my favourite of all the shades they sent down the runway is blossom pink. I love that it plays so nicely with the neutral staples we live in at this time of year, like chinos and trench coats, and also looks great worn tonally or clashing with shades like red and blue. To be perfectly honest, I think I've been looking for a dress to wear with the slightly polarising shoe of the season from JW Anderson, which I absolutely love. And I found it with this AJE dress. What a pretty pair these two pieces make!"

Pillow Bags

"Without analysing the mental state of luxury designers and their consumers too deeply, is it any wonder after the year we've had that we're all gravitating towards soft, plush bags that are perfect for snuggling? I love the cushion-like purses we've seen on so many of the SS21 runways, especially in soft pastel shades. They are completely functional in terms of storage, offer a super relaxed aesthetic and I think are an iconic shape worth owning."

The Blazer

"This season I'm so looking forward to getting into tailoring after what feels like an eternity in oversized knits and hoodies. In spring, the weather calls for lighter layers which makes the blazer a perfect staple. Without changing much else about the way I'm dressing, I find a little tailoring will polish any look and quickly elevate spring dresses and slips. I also feel more pulled together in good tailoring, like I'm ready to take on anything."

Elevated Cargo

"I never fall out of love with classic chinos. It's a staple in my wardrobe and here I've styled it with a knitted cotton stripy top and barely-there candles. I'd just as quickly throw these on with trainers and a t-shirt. I guess that's really why I love them so much: for their versatility. What I love about these Agolde ones: The deep pockets, slightly high-rose waistband and the cropped length, which looks fab with any shoe you put on."

Tonal Trainers

"I've been watching the retro trainer trend closely, waiting for find a style that would be as wearable as my classic white ones. And until recently, I was down on darker styles until I happened across this navy pair from New Balance. The tonal shades of blue with the suede logo make them feel elevated and I can attest that they really are as versatile as white trainers, and feel more on-point for this spring."

Midi Dress

"This is the ultimate everyday spring dress. The silhouette is long-sleeved and relaxed, which we love, but you can really make it your own. That's really what drew us to Mondo Corsini's thoughtful designs as a Future Icons-each dress is perfectly stylish alone, but something you can also reinvent every season. Add a logo belt or a basket...trainers or sandals...wear it to work or throw it in your holidays suitcase. Anything goes!"

Simple Slides

"For me this is one of those summer capsule shoe buys of the season. While these Church's slides also come in black and tan, I'm investing in the white. It's such a great sandal colour to wear with all your white dresses and the many neutral shades we'll be wearing tonally throughout spring and summer, like beige, toffee and brown. The trick to a simple sandal with staying power is in the details: this one has large, intersecting straps that give it a point of difference. Also, I'm awarding points for comfort!"

Chain Gang

"This is a nod to the power of the humble yet classic gold chain. I think it's one of the most underrated, but transformative, accessories you can own. Whether worn alone or layered with finer pieces, it's one of those touches that never fails to elevate a simple outfit or add just that extra special something when you're dressed, but still feel something is missing."

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