“Plus chic, plus dressy,” said Isabel Marant, describing her latest collection using the French word for “more.” But really, no translation is necessary. Season after season, the designer delivers wardrobe standbys imbued with elusive Parisian allure. For Pre-Fall specifically, you might notice subtle silhouette adjustments: detailing at the shoulders or sleeves of blouses and dresses, and pleated pants with just the right waist-to-hip ratio thanks to an integrated snap-front belt.
Indeed, these images suggest a renewed emphasis on dresses following the colorful corduroy trousers that were ubiquitous throughout the previous pre-collection. Most of them short and sassy in various prints and unexpected hues of burgundy, orchid, and violet, they offer lively alternatives to the LBDs that are in your closet. What came through in the showroom and is reinforced here is how each piece seems to have built-in attitude: funnel-neck cashmere sweaters with nonchalant slouch; trenchcoats with more dramatic volume; boots that fold over without effort. Sparing you those extra styling steps is no small feat.
Compared to the cleaner lines of the chinos, some draping appeared less attractive—and executed to better effect elsewhere. Which is why the leather pants will be worthy of the splurge; ultra-supple with lacing up the sides, they embody what you expect from Marant, which she described as “sophisticated but nonetheless cool.” And you can be sure they will be flattering—yet another plus.
