Tie-front jacket and pleated skirt set

A coordinated two-piece: a short jacket cinched by a tie, and a long box-pleated skirt with a supple drape.

This set brings together two pieces designed to be worn together, with no effort of coordination. The jacket, short and fitted, wraps over and fastens with a tie at the waist: you set the degree of shaping yourself. The tailored collar with notched lapels structures the shoulders, the long sleeves are gathered at the elbow and the flared cuffs close with a tied ribbon. That is the detail that sets apart an otherwise very sober piece.

The skirt is made with box pleats, very flared, and falls below the calf. The fabric, fluid and matte, keeps the movement of the pleats as you walk without adding bulk at the waist. The set is plain, with no pattern, available in aqua green and navy: two shades that go with beige, off-white, black or camel.

How to wear it

At the office, with low-heeled court shoes or loafers and a structured bag. For an event, add earrings and a pair of fine heels: the skirt's length does the rest. The two pieces separate easily: the skirt with a fine jumper tucked in, the jacket over straight trousers or raw jeans.

The cut in detail

• Short jacket, fitted at the waist, wrap fastening with a tie
• Tailored collar with notched lapels
• Long sleeves gathered at the elbow, flared cuffs with a ribbon
• Long midi skirt, box pleats, falling below the calf
• Plain on both pieces, with no pattern or print

A covering, dressed-up outfit, suited to mid-season: spring and autumn, with a straight coat over the top when the temperature drops.

Key points

• Coordinated jacket and skirt, bought together and wearable separately
• Waist tie: the shaping adjusts to your figure
• Box-pleated skirt that keeps its movement as you walk
• A covering, dressed-up outfit, from the office to an event
• Two neutral colourways, aqua green and navy, easy to combine
• Six sizes, from XS to XXL

Fabric and care

Composition: Fluid matte fabric, with a supple drape of the light crêpe type. Not see-through in normal use. The detailed composition is given on the garment's inner label; we do not state percentages we have not verified ourselves.

Care: Machine wash at 30 °C, delicate cycle, preferably in a net bag, or dry clean. Do not use bleach. Dry flat or on a hanger, in the shade; no tumble dryer, which would mark the pleats. Iron with a gentle iron on the reverse. For the skirt, a pass of vertical steam on a hanger is enough to revive the box pleats. Untie the cuff ribbons before washing so they do not twist.

Size

Six sizes available: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. The manufacturer supplies an indicative correspondence based on weight: XS 45-50 kg, S 50-55 kg, M 55-60 kg, L 60-65 kg, XL 70-75 kg, XXL 75-80 kg. That grid remains approximate: it takes account of neither height nor bust measurement. As the jacket is fitted and closed by a tie, go first by your bust measurement: if you are between two sizes or have a fuller bust, take the size up — the tie will take up the ease at the waist. The skirt, being very flared, is undemanding apart from at the waistband.

Good to know

• The size guide in kilos means nothing to me — how do I choose? It is the manufacturer's grid; we give it as it is and flag it as indicative. In practice, take your usual jacket size. If you hesitate between two sizes, choose the larger: the waist tie lets you take the fit in, the other way round is not possible.
• Does the jacket gape at the bust? The fastening is a wrap, so the overlap of fabric is generous. The tie holds the wrap in place as long as the size is correctly chosen. If you wear the jacket open, a plain top underneath avoids any question of coverage.
• Will the skirt's pleats stay sharp over time? These are pressed box pleats, not permanent heat-set pleats. They keep well if you avoid the tumble dryer and a strong spin. A pass of steam on a hanger after washing puts them back in place.