You’ve found the perfect dress, the Uber is 3 minutes away, you take a quick glug of the pre-game flute. Then arrives the inevitable sinking feeling when you realised you are satorially underprepared: “Ah - I’ve not got as far as planning a jacket for this one.”
It’s a common dilemma, but summer 2023 brings good news: a new dash-grab dressing formula for nights out is gaining traction and, thankfully, it’s less sparkling co-ord, more chuck it on and embrace the clash.
Feathered frock and your Dad’s tweed blazer? No, it doesn’t sound like a match - but one solid seasonal statement it is turning out to be.
This has been lead, in part, by Heartstopper and to-be Doctor Who star Yasmin Finney, who at Annabel’s bacchanalian 60th Anniversary bash in early June, opted for a cowl neck, sequinned mini dress pulled up high, and paired with a long, boxy houndstooth blazer. It was part Berkshire country, part Berkeley Square - all enviable glamour.
Mia Regan, model and girlfriend of Romeo Beckham, followed suit on Givenchy’s AW24 front row, boasting a pop-pink party leather bra and matching bag, paired with cargo shorts and hefty black blazer, for a more casual style. Elsewhere, influencer Violet Ezedimora wore her white feather trimmed evening gown with a tuxedo blazer at Castillo de Ibiza’s sunset rooftop party in Knightsbridge on 7 June. The key takeaway: this pairing offers the perfect level of gender-fluidity to give an outfit edge, is smart but carries subtle subtext: ‘What this? I just threw this on’.
During London Fashion Week’s Spring Summer 2023 shows, the styling hack came in droves. It-girl party label 16Arlington made broad-shouldered blazers with cinched, double breasted waists worn over chequered micro-minis and lilac satin slips. Burberry leant into the tuxedo style, with manly black jackets worn with silk and lace gowns; as did David Koma, who paired his with cobalt blue bralettes and asymmetric slit skirts.
It’s not just the celebrities, however. Fashion insiders have caught on too. Lianne Wiggins, Head of Womenswear at Matches Fashion, put the look in action last night at the celebration for Fashion Trust Arabia party thrown with Matches at The Connaught Hotel.
“I love an oversized blazer, it is such a good investment for summer events and much more modern than any other type of cover up,” Wiggins says. “ I love that aesthetic of a feminine evening dress styled and toughened up with a more masculine feeling oversized blazer. It is quite an empowering way to dress for me.” Her party jacket came courtesy of Matches’ brand Raey, worn over a classic black Valentino dress.
As for shopping this yourself? First step, it’s a simple one: hit up your dad’s wardrobe. “Proportion wise - go for a slightly oversized fit and push up or roll the sleeves or use a belt for a more cinched in waist,” says Wiggins, before suggesting some labels to look at if you are after something new. “I would recommend Blaze Milano, Raey, Rohe (a new brand we are obsessed with), Acne Studios, Gabriela Hearst, Toteme, The Frankie Shop and Bella Freud,” she says, “and Saint Laurent for the ultimate tuxedo jacket.” On the more affordable end of the spectrum, check out your local charity shop.
For those of you thinking of going fancy this year, don’t forget to add a touch of farmer, too.
