Emerald ruffle cut-out top with bronze brocade trousers

A cropped top in emerald duchess satin with a high round neck and sleeves built from stacked, pleated ruffles that stand out past the shoulder like wings. The front is cut with three horizontal slashes stacked down from the collarbone, and the hem drops into a point at the centre. The trousers are high-waisted and wide, in a crinkled brocade of bronze metallic over black, pressed with a front crease so the shine sits in one line.

This is what to wear when the invitation says cocktails and the terrace is concrete. Spring through early autumn, a thin black sandal, the hair straight and tucked behind the ruffles. Green against bronze is the whole idea; a black jacket over it would only apologise.

The courtyard was built to be photographed empty. It has adjusted.