As the calendar ticks over to March, hints of the end of summer begin to surface. Maybe you traded your cold brew for a flat white this morning, considered booking a weekend in the countryside or even popped on a closed-toe shoe.
There’s almost a sense of relief when it comes to getting dressed at this time of year. The mornings are (slightly) cooler, and a back-to-business energy invites a little more polish. With new-season collections landing almost daily, it’s time to turn your attention to the tailored pieces that you eschewed not too long ago.
Whether you choose to wear a blazer pared back with denim, match wide-leg trousers to a crisp button-down or don the whole ensemble, invest in styles that will go the distance. From committing to made-to-measure pieces from brands like E Nolan or P Johnson to tweaking off-the-rack styles (even small adjustments can make a big difference), it pays to take the time to get the fit right.
Matteau
Brown is having a moment. And Matteau demonstrates the power of coffee hues this autumn with its relaxed suiting styles. Taking cues from traditional menswear, the brand’s blazer and pants are cut from a wool and eco-nylon blend with enough stretch to keep you comfortable beyond the nine to five. Opt into a three-piece set with the coordinating waistcoat as well.
Assembly Label
Linen tends to feel somewhat summery, but Assembly Label proves it can be otherwise with the Leila jacket and pants. Classic in black (but also offered in white), the boxy blazer is partially lined, giving the fabric a soft structure. Wear these pieces with a T-shirt for now, layering with lightweight knits and a pair of heeled boots as the temperatures start to dip.
Elegance is the defining word when it comes to P Johnson’s signature suiting. The brand creates true investment pieces, offering a bespoke tailoring service alongside its collection of ready-made styles. This navy blazer and matching classic trousers, both cut from silk twill, have a cost per wear that will span years. With showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne, the experience of finding your perfect fit is (almost) the best part.
Maggie Marilyn
New Zealand brand Maggie Marilyn makes a case for colour-pop suiting with its vibrant green Have the Faith blazer and Power to You pants. Match yours with sneakers by day or let a pair of pumps make this set an instant cocktail-hour hit.
St Agni
Go for grey in St Agni’s shawl collar blazer. Clean lines compliment the heathered hue, while the lightweight wool-blend fabric offers just enough fluidity to keep this classic style from feeling too corporate. Channel minimalist chic in the matching trousers – and tailored bralette, if the occasion calls.
Sir reworks a classic with its Sandrine blazer. The deconstructed design is complete with button fastenings at the sleeves for a fully convertible silhouette. Layer it with the mini dress of the same name in ice blue for a new-season take on event dressing.
Blanca
Blanca might be best known for its oversized shirting, but the Australian brand’s foray into tailoring is equally compelling. Cut to an XS/S, S/M and M/L sizing curve, the petrol blue Vincent blazer and pants give off exactly the right sort of nonchalant attitude for the office or the weekend.
Acler
If you’re ready to buy into the Barbiecore aesthetic, Acler’s Yerbury jacket and pants are cast in a soft take on trending saccharine shades. A D-ring belt cinches the waist of the vintage-inspired silhouette, which is complete with padded shoulders and button details across the back yoke.
Arnsdorf
With designs that are cut, sewn and finished in Melbourne, Arnsdorf’s suits are one of a kind – well, one of a few at the very most. Pieces like the Ruth jacket and Agnes trousers, which are made from wool herringbone sourced in Japan, are produced in limited-edition runs.
Lean into the change of seasons with leather pieces from Country Road’s latest collection. The soft caramel hue and buttery handfeel of this single-breasted blazer are perfectly autumnal. The coordinating A-line skirt, meanwhile, offers a modern alternative to classic suiting silhouettes.
Friends With Frank
Handcrafted in Melbourne, the Fearne blazer and Greta chinos from Friends With Frank offer a casual-cool approach to suiting. The Japanese cotton gabardine wears just as well with separates, while the beige colourway is a chameleon when it comes to change-of-season outfitting.
Oroton
Hear me out – a cream suit is not as impractical as it might seem. Oroton’s double-breasted blazer is made from a stretch-wool suiting fabric and pairs just as well with the brand’s matching flat-front pants as it does dark-washed denim and printed dresses. Yes, you might have to form a close alliance with your local drycleaner to maintain these styles, but the palate-cleansing colourway will remedy any cold-weather wardrobe dilemmas when the heaviness sets in later in the year.
Fans of the brand will know that founder Anna Hoang is no stranger to a suit. But her designs are never boring. This season, the Audrey Dress turns timeless details on their head: cut-outs and nautical-inspired ties define the waist of this style. Layer it over the Corey pants for a contemporary take on the classic two-piece.
Aje
Aje applies its feminine whimsy to tailoring with the Elle suit. The ivory jacket features a pleated waist, ornate single-button fastening and open-back detail that is begging for a special occasion. Steer away from anything but clear liquids and don the matching linen-blend pants too.
Silk Laundry
Silk Laundry lends some fluidity to your wardrobe foundations with ’80s-inspired suiting styles. The Miami blazer and slouch pants are cut from silk twill in an arresting sky blue hue that is sure to sell out (like most of the brand’s limited-drop styles).
Camilla and Marc
Camilla and Marc are here to remind you not to be afraid of drama when it comes to suiting up. The label’s Anise blazer and pants arrive in a bronze herringbone jacquard that promises to bring a luxe touch to the everyday. An exaggerated boxy fit maximises the appeal of this statement jacket, while the slim-fit bottoms are ever so slightly flared at the ankle to elongate your leg.
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