Dries Van Noten proves that the ultimate recipe for timeless, yet unexpected elegance consists of the following: classic, slightly over-sized clothes that you can make the most of styling-wise, a little play with textures, and a color palette consisting of black and a couple of surprises. “An elegant look for young guys, but combining things sometimes in a rather strange way,” is how the beloved Belgian designer described his intention backstage. There were oddities, mostly in the aforementioned styling: the way chunky ribbed-knit sweaters with an arching side zip were half worn: one sleeve filled, the other wound around the neck like a scarf. Ribbed knit details recurred as wide cuffs on all manner of coats. Denim shirts were bunched up and caught with big safety pins – a punk touch – and a camel polo shirt stretched to the fingertips. Striking but never jarring, Van Noten’s knack for combining colors and prints, and matching trouser volumes to a diverse array of tailored toppers, warrants closer study for anyone interested in pursuing great style.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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