WORDS BY NERYS D’ESCLERCS
Wherever you’re working from, or whoever you’re about to have an important conversation with, the right outfit can make all the difference. Clothes can make or break a power move, giving you untold confidence. But like everything else in our lives right now, suiting needs to evolve with the times. Enter the new minimalist suiting wardrobe, comprising tailored yet casual pieces with an understated slant, offset with colourful, high-impact accessories. To enlighten us on this new trend, we spoke to content creators Ellie Delphine, aka @slipintostyle, and Alexis Foreman, aka @alexisforeman, about how they’ll be styling minimalist suiting this season and the key pieces to have on your radar.
What Is Minimalist Suiting?
Alexis Foreman, who describes her pared-back style as ‘purist’, favors ‘a minimalist palette and clean lines, and mixing masculine and feminine pieces. It’s about wearing timeless designs that make you feel comfortable and chic,’ she explains. Both influencers’ styles convey a clean, simplistic mood, but always with an unexpected element. For Ellie Delphine, that could be ‘a pop of color, a funky print or a statement piece of jewelry’. For Foreman, it’s an asymmetric sandal that adds a modern touch to a tailored outfit.
The key thing to remember with minimalist suits? It’s all in the craft. As there are no prints or patterns to distract from the construction, look out for the designers who know where to place their focus. For Foreman and Delphine, the champions are The Row, Lemaire, Totême, KASSL EDITIONS, A.W.A.K.E. Mode, Khaite, Joseph and Low Classic. Plus, as Foreman notes, ‘Jil Sander has always been a hero in minimal.’
The Key Pieces
The Tailoring
‘I love wearing tailoring and tend to choose pieces with a more relaxed cut, like the Frankie Shop Bea suit,’ says Foreman. ‘I thought the [oversized] blazer might drown me, but it hangs so well,’ she adds. A capacious silhouette will bring an of-the-moment touch to a traditional cut. If you’re looking for a more tailored version, Delphine recommends unexpected, contrasting details to elevate the look, such as Rejina Pyo’s blazer with two different buttons: ‘One is white with an abstract shape, the other one is metal in the shape of a shell.’
You can also update a classic blazer by pairing with long shorts for a transeasonal shift; Delphine opted for Chloé’s long shorts. ‘They’re a no-brainer as they’re so easy to wear,’ she says. ‘They’re very versatile: you can wear them with a T-shirt during the day, then throw a blazer over them for a more dressed-up look.’ Foreman also included long shorts in her edit — a wide-leg, lambskin version from Bottega Veneta. Find their selection of casual suits, all available to buy on FARFETCH, below.
The Base Layers
Under minimalist suiting pieces, go for an essential white shirt (Delphine recommends opting for an oversized design); otherwise, a simple, well-crafted tank top will always work. ‘I especially love the fit of the Totême Espera tank top,’ notes Foreman. ‘It’s tricky to find good tanks, and the cut and fabric of this style were just perfect. Never underestimate good quality basics.’ Both content creators recommended base layers from Totême, Materiel and Jil Sander.
The Sandals
For Foreman, it’s ‘the non-symmetrical design detail of the A.W.A.K.E. Mode Delta sandals — simple style with a twist,’ that spoke to her when choosing the right footwear for her minimal suiting outfit. She also suggests ‘a casual sandal like the Suicoke Depa’ to tone the look down. Workwear nowadays doesn’t have to be head-to-toe formal like it used to: Delphine elevated her short/blazer pairing with Bottega Veneta’s Barely There sandals, which she calls ‘an immediate confidence boost’. Whether you want to dress down a full suit or elevate an already more casual workwear look, these sandals, all available on FARFETCH, should be on your radar.
Wandler Joanna sandals | A.W.A.K.E. Mode Delta sandals | Bottega Veneta Barely There sandals | Suicoke Depa sandals
The Bags
If you’ve opted for a classic suit, play around with the dimensions of your accessories. If you want to follow Delphine’s aesthetic, add an unexpected element with a small, playful design such as Bottega Veneta’s colorful Pouch or Cassette bags; alternatively, Foreman’s choice is to go oversized with KASSL Editions’ large Oil tote. Either option will stand out while simultaneously enhancing the beautiful simplicity of your suiting.