Black one-shoulder top and green wool wide-leg trousers

A black one-shoulder top in a matte stretch crepe, cut with a single long sleeve that puffs at the shoulder and narrows to the wrist, the other shoulder left out. Below it, forest-green wide-leg trousers in a brushed wool flannel, high-waisted with a flat front, a pressed crease and a straight leg that stops just above the ankle. Black leather ankle boots with a pointed toe and a low block heel.

This is the office-to-dinner answer when the office is a cobbled street at five o'clock. The top does the shape, the trousers do the colour, and the boots keep it on the ground. Autumn and winter, no coat until it is really cold; the sleeve is already warm enough on one side.

One sleeve is a decision. Two would have been a cardigan.