Black Button-Down Top with Maroon Floral Skirt

A black shirt and a printed skirt is a combination that rarely goes wrong, and this two-piece makes it easy by putting both in one box. The top is a long-sleeved button-down in plain black with a clean, tailored cut. It sits neatly and keeps its shape, which is what lets the skirt take the attention.

The skirt is maroon with a black floral pattern running over it. The colour is warm without being bright, so it looks right in an office, at a brunch, on a coffee date or at a semi-formal dinner. The two pieces also split up well: the top goes with jeans and trousers on other days, and the skirt works with a white tee for a softer look.

Care: wash the two pieces separately in cold water for the first few washes, dry in shade and iron the top on a medium setting. Fold the skirt along the print rather than creasing across it.