{"id":142630,"date":"2023-10-08T23:27:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-08T23:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theprojectsworld.com\/?p=142630"},"modified":"2023-10-08T23:27:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-08T23:27:00","slug":"shane-watson-polish-up-your-act-in-tailored-pinstripes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theprojectsworld.com\/lifestyle\/shane-watson-polish-up-your-act-in-tailored-pinstripes\/","title":{"rendered":"Shane Watson: Polish up your act in tailored pinstripes:"},"content":{"rendered":"
When I think of pinstripe, I think of a blazer: dark navy with a chalk stripe, wide lapels, sharp shoulders.<\/p>\n
I think Yves Saint Laurent: glamour with a smoky 1970s filter. I think women looking powerful and sexy and smart in the working girl 1980s, and all of a sudden I really want a pinstripe jacket.<\/p>\n
We live in pretty casual times and a pinstripe blazer \u2014 pinstripe anything \u2014 has felt 25 per cent too dressed up for several years. But not any more. Effortless elegance are the watch-words of fashion right now.<\/p>\n
The camel coat is riding high. Smart, crisp, flared jeans are back in style. A blouse, a shiny ankle boot, grey flannel pants \u2014 these re-invigorated classics are crying out for a bit of pinstripe tailoring in the mix.<\/p>\n
Navy pinstripe goes with pretty much everything (it\u2019s basically navy), plus it will add that frisson of sophisticated It Woman that gives grown-up minimal clothes the bump they need.<\/p>\n
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The Princess of Wales teamed her navy blue pinstripe suit with a crisp white shirt for a smart look\u00a0<\/p>\n
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South African model\u00a0Candice Swanepoel looked chic in wide-legged pinstripe trousers and a matching navy blazer<\/p>\n
I\u2019m delighted we\u2019re back in pinstripe territory: the navy cord blazer I\u2019ve been wearing for six years is looking tired, and this is just the upgrade I want for autumn \u2014 sharper, more polished.<\/p>\n
And suddenly there are so many designs to choose from. Autograph at Marks & Spencer has a one-button blazer in a dark navy wool mix (\u00a3119, marksandspencer.com) that stands out from the crowd.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It could be wider in the lapels for me, but this is a good-looking jacket with a good fit, and it has the flap pockets that stop a blazer looking too square.<\/p>\n
There is a slightly oversize version by & Other Stories in a good chalky stripe (\u00a3165, stories.com) \u2014 great if you want to throw it on over a sweater \u2014 and Mint Velvet\u2019s ticks most of the boxes (\u00a3169, mintvelvet.com): it\u2019s double-breasted, so you can wear it buttoned up and instantly look twice as smart, and it\u2019s roomy without being too broad in the shoulders.<\/p>\n
Exaggerated shoulders are what separate this year\u2019s pinstripe blazers from previous incarnations, but a bit of sharp shoulder goes a long way.<\/p>\n
Massimo Dutti\u2019s jacket (\u00a3169, massimodutti.com) has a narrower, cleaner pinstripe, so it\u2019s a little more subdued.<\/p>\n
Navy and chalk pinstripe is the classic combination, but you could ring the changes with a light grey, again from M&S (\u00a379), and this one is (bingo!) double-breasted.<\/p>\n
For everyday officewear, grey has advantages: it\u2019s softer, less of a statement, and arguably less smart (navy always wins after dark).<\/p>\n
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Alexa Chung cut a stylish figure in a double-breasted pinstriped jacket with a slightly narrower trouser\u00a0<\/p>\n
But don\u2019t be tempted by black (too harsh) or other colours; the whole point of pinstripe tailoring is it\u2019s one of those classics that is back because it fits together easily and has a wearability guarantee.<\/p>\n
The only question is, do you stop at the blazer or buy the trousers, too? If you work in an office and\/or you feel comfortable in trouser suits, then I wouldn\u2019t hesitate. And then I\u2019d wear them separately 90 per cent of the time.<\/p>\n
A pinstripe suit is terrific, but it\u2019s not your Friday evening in the pub staple.\u00a0Wear the trousers with a grey or matelot-striped sweater, or dress them up with a cream blouse and a block heel.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wear the blazer with a dark blue-and-white striped boyfriend shirt or buttoned up over a layering top with A-line jeans.<\/p>\n
Pinstripe tailoring should look like it\u2019s borrowed from the boys, so make sure your trousers are relaxed and a bit slouchy but smart. Say no to drawstring waists, cargo pockets and cropped styles.<\/p>\n
Zara does a slouchy suit-style trouser (\u00a349.99, zara.com) and Warehouse has a wide-legged pair (\u00a345.50, warehousefashion.com).<\/p>\n
This pinstripe revival isn\u2019t confined to blazers and trousers. At Saint Laurent there were skirts to match the jackets, but most of us have limited opportunities to wear a pencil skirt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A pinstripe waistcoat plus trousers looks cute, but you\u2019d need to be Jennifer Aniston to carry it off.<\/p>\n
What shoes go best with the look? Boots will work, loafers or a high heel if you want.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the thing about pinstripe, it\u2019s the tailoring that sizzles after dark, packs a punch in the workplace or you can just wear it with a tank top, a striped T-shirt and trainers. Heaven.<\/p>\n