FASHION

15 Utility Inspired Items to Keep You on Fashion’s Frontline

Attention!

The perennial favourite, utility has returned to the runways in the chicest of ways. A multitasking hero, it’s masculine meets feminine in renditions of boilersuits, strong collars and pocket detailing from the likes of Isabel Marant and Sacai this season. 

Often a minimalist’s go-to, it’s the kind of investment dressing that doesn’t require too much thought. The result is a casual complexity that creates a sense of effortless appeal.

But what exactly is utility dressing? Introduced by British government in 1941, Utility clothing was labelled civilian clothing 1941 (CC41) with the intention of garments being simple, practical and agreeable-looking. Not to mention made of good material; think quality cottons and wools. No superfluous decoration was allowed.

Key features of the trend? It’s all in the details – pockets, pleats, buttons and stitching all work together to elevate a colour palette of sandy neutrals and army tones.

For style inspiration; think Meryl Streep in Out of Africa or Lauren Dern in Jurassic Park. For real life looks, turn to street style stars Pernille Teisbaek or Vanessa Hong who champion the utilitarian aesthetic.

For your own dose of safari sophistication, shop our picks of the utility-inspired pieces that will keep up-to-date on the fashion frontline.

New Utility

Elsa wears (left): ASOS shirt, $120, asos.com/au; Bassike Pants, $420, bassike.com; Senso heels, $229, senso.com.au; Brie Leon earrings, $159, brieleon.com. London wears: Frankie Shop jumpsuit, $323, at net-a-porter.com; Alias Mae heels, $219.95, at theiconic.com.au. Photography by Michael Brunt. Styled by Monica Russell. 

JW Anderson

JW Anderson, $2060.48, available at net-a-porter.com

Tibi

Tibi, $759.42, available at net-a-porter.com

Chloe

Chloe, $1462.75, available at net-a-porter.com

Proenza Schouler

Proenza Schouler, $1661.81, available at net-a-porter.com

Prada

Prada, $2400, available at net-a-porter.com

Style Tip: Tactile fabrics in neutral tones help to elevate a look with very little effort.

Matin

Matin, $695, available at theundone.com

Camilla and Marc

Camilla and Marc, $799, camillaandmarc.com

Fendi

Fendi, $1290, available at net-a-porter.com

Shona Joy

Shona Joy, $320, shonajoy.com.au

Topshop

Topshop, approx. $87.32, topshop.com

APC

A.P.C., $410, available at farfetch.com

Kassl Editions

Kassl Editions, $1557.95, available at net-a-porter.com

Nanushka

Nanushka, $405.22, available at net-a-porter.com

Michael Kors

Michael Kors Collection, $1095.81, available at net-a-porter.com

Rains

Rains, $253.33, available at net-a-porter.com

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