Waist Tie

Add interest, and a waistline with an outsized knot at the waist. Paperbag waist wide-legs reiterate the point

Shirt by Victoria Victoria Beckham from Luisa Boutique, trousers by Stella McCartney from Caron, ring (left hand, worn throughout) by Astley Clarke from Astley Clarke and ring (right hand, worn throughout) by Maria Black from Uzerai.

Check mate

Check is at the height of its powers this spring. Don’t mess about. Wear it with a classic white shirt

Shirt by Joseph from TwentyOne St Johns Wood and skirt by Monse from Monse. Rings as before.

Black on black

These Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini vinyl trousers require an extremely refined partner. Michael Kors’ flared sleeve shirt fits the bill

Shirt by Michael Kors Collection from TwentyOne St Johns Wood, trousers by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini from Penelope and earrings (worn as cuffs) by Maria Black from Uzerai.

PraIrie girl

Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini’s buttoned-up frills are prevented from exploding into full whimsey by a pair of high-waist, original fit denims

Shirt by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini from Spazio Pritelli and jeans by Saint Laurent from Joseph.

Shirtdress hybrid

Palmer/harding’s unique selling point is that it does extraordinary things with shirts. This version is business at the table, party at the hem

Shirt by Palmer / Harding from Entrance, trousers by Victoria Victoria Beckham from Lattuada and shoes by Marques’Almeida from Browns.

Off the shoulder

Cold shoulders are still hot. Black cigarette pants make off-the-shoulder styles look ‘expensive’

Shirt by Rejina Pyo from The Shop At Bluebird, trousers by Alexis.

City boy

Pinstripe cotton, a fabric associated with boardrooms and city traders, has been subverted to the point of abstraction. We love it

Shirt from Smets and skirt from Browns, both by J.W Anderson.

For the frill

This shirt is perfect for when summer comes and you’re feeling a floaty look but you’re not really that kind of woman

Shirt by Monse from Monse.

Pyjama day

Like pyjamas, but not actually because who wants to sleep in an item with such beautiful big buttons

Shirt from TwentyOne St Johns Wood and trousers from TwentyOne St Johns Wood, both by No.21.

Punk lite

Which other item could carry off a safety pin and still look smart?

Shirt by Helmut Lang from The Shop At Bluebird, trousers by Maison Margiela from Wendela Van Dijk and sunglasses by Cutler & Gross from ShadesOriginators.

The Finer Details

Slim-drop gold earrings soften sharp tailoring. The best come courtesy of Paige Novick, Shihara and Delfina Delettrez.