In Italian there’s a saying: “asso nella manica”, which roughly translates to having a trump card up your sleeve – and it’s exactly what a beautiful top will do for every elevated basic you own. This is particularly useful for those who prefer trousers to dresses, but still love those feminine flourishes: a blouse with lace, ruffles or embroidery gives you all the romance of a statement dress, without taking you out of your comfort zone.