Not only is Alister Mackie an accomplished stylist, he is also the creative director of Another Man magazine. On top of these achievements, he holds a Master of Arts from Central Saint Martins, which means he knows a thing or three about how to make a good shirt. In his first capsule collection for MatchesFashion, Mackie uses illustrations of flora and fauna to create his silk-twill pieces, which are finished with pointed collars and buttoned sleeves. The long, loose silhouette pairs well with leggings or ultra-slim trousers, but should a fancy mood strike, the blouse tucks into a high-waisted skirt just as nicely. ($795, matchesfashion.com)
The Shirtdress
Busayo
Busayo Olupona, founder and designer of her self-titled brand, lives in Brooklyn, but she grew up in Nigeria, the home of adire, a traditional Yoruba fabric-dyeing technique that was developed in the early 1900s. Now, Olupona develops her own textiles in an array of vibrant colors, and uses them to create beautiful jackets, dresses, skirts, tunics, tops, and more. The piercing-blue Ibukun shirtdress is an irresistible choice for summer, especially when paired with flat sandals and statement accessories. Ideal for travel, it will also do double duty as a bathing suit cover-up—a much more elegant look than the flimsy little caftans that are ubiquitous these days. ($265, busayonyc.com)
The Button-Up
With Nothing Underneath
Based in London and founded by a former editor at Tatler and Vogue, With Nothing Underneath does only one thing and does it well: the classic button-up, which is an easy upgrade to loungewear’s cotton sweatshirt. This striped linen shirt, inspired by icons such as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Jane Birkin, and Charlotte Rampling, will become a new stalwart to work, eat, sleep, and live in. Manufactured in a female-only workshop in Portugal and delivered plastic-free in a keepsake cotton envelope, the garment’s distressed texture means it’s ready to wear straight from the clothesline or dryer. ($119, withnothingunderneath.com)
The Midi Skirt
Anine Bing
Finding a slip skirt that won’t be mistaken for an underpinning is a very tall order. And Anine Bing must care deeply about such difficult matters, hence her Bailey skirt. Made of a relatively weighty silk-satin and cut on the bias, its asymmetrical drape and high-rise waist ensure a flattering, fluid silhouette. It’s the kind of thing that we’ll be wearing to work on the regular, when circumstances require it, but for now it will do nicely for a socially distanced cocktail, paired with an easy tee or tank. Bonus points for the versatile color—one that our closet, frankly, could use in abundance. ($250, net-a-porter.com)
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