Cut-out leather blazer, satin cowl top and pleated trousers

A black leather blazer cropped to the waist, with a notched lapel, a single metal bar clasp instead of a button, a teardrop cut-out at the chest and a slit cut-out at each side of the waist. Under it, a sleeveless satin top in a soft taupe with a cowl neck and a pointed hem that drops below the jacket. Black wide-leg trousers with front pleats, a high waist and a pressed crease.

The cut-outs are small enough for the office and large enough to be noticed on the way out of it. Autumn and spring, a long lunch, a dinner in a room with brick walls. Keep the shoes pointed and black, the bag small, and let the satin do the only softness in the look.

Holes in a leather jacket, on purpose. Some of mine are not.