Vestes de nuit : briller en toute élégance

As night begins to fall and with it the heat of a long summer’s day, the modesty of shadowy shades gives way to the decadence of a bold and sensual chic.

Children of the night, we have but one desire : to shine the brightest. Whether attending society event or an intimate gathering, we are loath to fade into the backdrop.

At times, this longing to be desired can spiral out of control, resulting in garish and vulgar wardrobe choices.

Interepreting the ‘sex factor’ too literally is to be avoided at all costs! Aim for a bold yet elegant statement piece : the jacket. Achieving a refined evening look is a fine art. It may depend on a perfect cut, impeccable finishings or a luxurious fabric.

Here are three ways to stand out from the crowd… for the right reasons!

A Fresh Take on the Tuxedo Jacket

A staple piece of the menswear wardrobe, the tuxedo jacket needs to be just so. This is not to say that such there is no scope for innovation and creativity.

An asymetrical tuxedo jacket with a double lapel from Maison Martin Margiela illustrates this point perfectly. In perfect keeping with the slightly off-the-wall and imaginative design we have come to expect from Margiela, this jacket’s trompe l’œil effect will inevitably earn you a fair few admirers.

With its broad satin lapels, Vivienne Westwood take on the tuxedo jacket is decidely shorter than average. The queen of punk offers us an eloquent reminder of how to pair a classic and sobre piece with different prints and colours (parasol optional). In Westwood, you’ll be sure to shine.

For a playboy chic look, there is only one option : a Tom Ford cocktail jacket. An uncontested highlight of his Spring Summer collection, this piece owes its originality to a few subtle details : a delicate silk and cotton jacquard with a polka dot motif offset by a majestic grain de poudre shawl collar. Your exquisite taste will be on everyone’s lips.

Black and White Prints

If the tuxedo jacket is too formal for your tastes but you prefer to stay within a more sobre palette, allow the print speak for itself by choosing a black and white ensemble.

Back at Tom Ford, there is a most wonderful Snowdon cocktail jacket with a black and white floral design. Arbiter of chic Karl Lagerfeld was seen wearing this very model while accompanying Blake Lively to the Met Ball last month.

Somewhat less daring, the black and white motif created by British designer John Richmond is of a more delicate refinement. The pefect jacket to pull together a head-to-toe black look.

Donatella is clearly taken with the black-white association, which was a central feature of her oh-so-retro Spring-Summer 2011 collection. Longer than usual, this pearlescent white-grey-black number is both slimming and eye-catching.

Monochrome

If all is not black and white for you, wearing a coloured jacket is a surefire way to get noticed. Be careful, however, when it comes to chosing colours, as excessively bold tones can be borderline ridiculous.

For 2011, Roberto Cavalli showed a stunning piece you simply must get your hands on : the indigo blue jacket. Best stop at the jacket, though, as the all-in-one blue look could leave you looking like a smurf.

A noble and rich colour, indigo blue goes perfectly with slim jeans or a crisp pair of white chinos for the summer season.

In the same colour palette, Tom Ford has created yet another Snowdon jacket, this time in a satin-linen blend, available in royal and amaranth purple

This jacket’s oversized, sharp-tipped lapels embody the confidence of a man who is elegant and proud to be so.