all in one

This suit by Anne Valerie Hash made me want to do some kind of tribute collage to the black pantsuit. It's by now, practically a fashion cliche in its evergreen-ness (like the Little Black Dress) but I've always loved it classicism, and the fact that it comes in all sorts of permutations (cut, fabric, length, fit) and there's something for everyone - razor tailored, louche, mannish, relaxed, rocker.

Ironically, whilst I gush and pile on the superlatives, I don't own a pantsuit. Yet. Because here where I am, it's too hot to wear a jacket, ever. But I dream a lot about my perfect black suit - which I hope to have tailored for me one day, or even better, acquire a fancy bespoked one from Savile Row. I would have one perfect sharp-ish blazer and maybe two pairs of trousers in different cuts to suit various moods (skinny and cropped! slim and straight! cropped and relaxed!). The blazer would narrow my linebacker shoulders and have sleeves that reach my knuckles (impossible to find off the rack for me) and hit the perfect balance between relaxed and tailored. I want to look elegant, but relaxed.

Anyway, yes, that Anne Valerie Hash suit looks awesome, and if I could afford to fly to Paris couture week and have a go at it, I would. Since I don't, I will keep a mental snapshot in my mind as I (sigh) return to work (the grind) tomorrow.

Image from Style.com