How The Editors Are Styling SS26

A great cotton blouse has long been a staple in the spring wardrobe, the perfect partner to your light-wash jeans and chinos. But this season blouses take on a new perspective, having been upscaled and turned into statement pieces on the catwalk. This is the piece that will make every skirt and pair of trousers in your wardrobe feel like new.

Experimenting with statement silhouettes doesn’t necessarily mean departing from the classics. An easy way to execute this look is to reach for a statement blouse in white and wear it with a pair of jeans (go for wide turn-ups for an extra hit of modernity). Layered over black tailored trousers, a big blouse will refresh your 9-5 look, too.

This season the likes of Chloé and Bottega Veneta have put forward the case for wearing leather during the warmer months – and it makes for the perfect way to give a sleeker edge to your spring basics. Think of this as your easy workwear styling switch – or a contemporary evening option.

A midi skirt is a clever way to dip a toe into the leather look – style it with simple sandals now then layer it with long boots come autumn. If you’re wedded to your white jeans, a leather jacket will update them. Don’t be afraid to add more than one leather element to your outfit but try playing with texture with patent or high-gloss accessories.

Bold and bright is the style memo when it comes to colour this season. The catwalks were awash with paint-box hues styled head to toe for a fully saturated look. Whether red, blue, yellow or green – simply pick your favourite and lean in.

One of the easiest ways to wear strong colour is in a tonal outfit – pick matching or similar shades and wear them top to bottom. If that feels like a step too far, temper the brightness with neutrals. A white T-shirt makes bright trousers feel more wearable, or try adding a tan shoe. Come high summer, raffia accessories will provide a chic counterpoint.

It was a pleasure to see stripes celebrated on the catwalk this season – they have long been a warm-weather classic after all, and most of us have plenty already in our wardrobes. The way to wear them now is with an elegant twist – think pared-back colours on simple silhouettes.

The appeal of a beautiful striped shirt knows no bounds, and if you’re looking to extend your striped repertoire, this is the piece to do so with. Go for premium fabric and a classic silhouette and wear it with everything from sharp tailoring and jeans to a pair of linen shorts.