Black lace blouse under an oxblood velvet blazer

The blouse is a black stretch lace with a high ruffled collar and long sleeves, lined in black through the body so the pattern reads as texture rather than as a window. Over it, a single-breasted oxblood velvet blazer with notched lapels, cut close through the waist and ending at the hip, sleeves pushed up to show the lace cuff. Below, straight black wool trousers with a pressed crease and plain black leather loafers.

It is a morning look that would also pass at nine at night: the velvet is the only soft thing in it and the lace is the only ornament. Wear it to the office in October and November, or to a long coffee that turns into a meeting. Loafers, not heels; the collar has already done the work.

I take the window seat so the velvet gets the light. The coffee is secondary.