Black leg-of-mutton blazer and satin overlay trousers

A black wool blazer with leg-of-mutton sleeves: gathered full at the shoulder, fitted from the elbow down, with a small notched lapel and a nipped waist closed on one hidden fastening. Below it, black satin wide-leg trousers with a floor-length overlay panel hanging from the waistband over each leg, so the trouser shows only when she moves. Black patent pointed pumps.

Head-to-toe black tailoring for a glass room high above the city. The sleeves do the talking, so the rest stays plain: the blazer worn closed on its own, no belt, no bag. The pumps are patent because satin needs one more shine. Autumn and winter, for a dinner that starts as a meeting.

The sleeves take up two seats. I only paid for one.