Burgundy satin one-shoulder top and leather zip pencil skirt

The top is burgundy satin, one-shoulder, with a sharp panel of black suiting folded across the front like a lapel that has come loose, pointed at the hem and tucked into the skirt. The skirt is burgundy leather, a high-waisted pencil to the knee with two exposed silver zips running down the front, one each side, so the hem can open or stay closed.

It is a dinner look that works from six: the black panel keeps it from being a party top, the leather keeps it from being office. A pointed black pump, no tights while it is warm, small hoops and nothing on the neck. Autumn and winter in a bar with wood panelling and bad lighting, spring with the zips open.

Two zips, one skirt. I like having options I will not use.