Slouchy jeans with a short jacket: the more relaxed power suit

Jeans and a nice top is the tried-and-tested formula for an evening out — the little black dress of real life. For local dinners, theatre trips or pub birthdays you do not need a cocktail dress, but you still want to look presentable. Jeans and a jacket is the daytime equivalent: a no-nonsense, I’ve-got-this outfit that comes together in seconds, looks good and stays comfortable.

It is grown-up without being stiff and useful in a capricious climate when your commute can take you from an overheated train to chilled air conditioning. The combination works on the principle of yin and yang: jeans are laid-back and democratic, a jacket adds a shoulders-back polish.

A longline blazer with high-waisted jeans has been a reliable formula for years — perhaps with a loafer or a kitten heel — offering a slick, office-appropriate, low-key look. Jeans and a jumper can be snoozy, while a matching two-piece suit can feel like a lot; the jacket is what balances denim without making it formal.

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