While it can be difficult to find out how to bring fashion from the runway to your office hallway, the FW 15/16 line by Balmain is rich with inspiration for modern women of all walks of life. Unlike past lines which have shown a bit more skin, this season has designer jackets for women that give broader coverage without feeling chaste. Lace accents keep everything from becoming too closed off, and shimmering fabrics balance rich lowlights with spectacular highlights evocative of mosaic art up close.
Color Theory
With Balmain this season we see a broad range of 70’s-evocative colors, from saturated violets and purples to deep sea greens and bold marigolds. These colors can be styled in many directions and pair well with every skin tone. Marigold and violet in particular can serve as the jumping off point for accessories, make-up, and nail polish. For the Balmain look, use plain black and white for neutrals; if you’re seeking a different kind of 70’s, use camel and tan for your neutrals to warm things up. Modern jackets for women get a boost with this look, coming in banana yellow and caramel, in addition to black and white.
Legwork
For pants you will want to consider culottes for a mature look, or dark denim for a harder edge. High-waisted flares are coming back into style as well and they can be styled to be appropriate for a full day of work and drinks afterward. If you’re more interested in skirts, suede skirts in camel or dark tan perfectly complement 70’s colors and can be paired with thick black tights during winter or patterned and textured tights year-round.
Coordination
If you want to play with some of the pants and top combinations shown off by Balmain this year, pair a button-less womens blazer (made of a soft fabric or suede in a seasonal color or plain black) with a thick inorganic or mixed-texture belt. The triangular space created by your jacket above the belt introduces a geometric element that can be employed a wide variety of ways. Try wearing a classic turtleneck, an unusual textured textile like cotton lace, or take the opportunity to innovate upon the Balmain book and wear a pendant or other heavy necklace instead.
———————————————————————————————
Jacket Society was founded by Nora Minassian in 2013, and specializes in classic jackets and fashion for modern and professional women. Visit online at jacketsociety.com to browse her designs, sign up to receive style updates, and more.