London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Sep 29, 2026

10 things to buy now to look your best post-lockdown

10 things to buy now to look your best post-lockdown

The end is in sight! Late spring socialising is, tentatively, back on the agenda and when we emerge from our cocoons we’ll all be in need of a style reboot. Trackpants, begone — Chloe Street has your post-lockdown hit list
1. What’s your pointe?


Haven’t worn ballet flats since Sienna and Kate made them cool in the early Noughties? Well, the prima ballerina is taking the stage once again this spring and this time she’s got bite. Look for square and almond-shaped toes, punchy colours and Mary Jane straps… and don’t go skimping on quality; a well-soled pump will have you pirouetting blissfully back to normality

2. The back is back

After a year of two-dimensional Zoom dressing when only our front halves counted, designers have embraced spine-showing ensembles that require IRL dance floor appreciation for spring 2021. From bum-skimming, scoop-back stretch jersey at Givenchy to shell-encrusted gowns at Gabriela Hearst and Victoria Beckham’s wafting silk beach dresses, the back is officially back. How low will you go?

3. Cuff love

Coin pendants, chain necklaces and chunky gold rings are all very lovely but when was the last time you lavished love on your wrists? This season it’s all about the gold cuff. Monogram iterations were seen at Louis Vuitton, crushed metals at Chloé, while Osman finished empowered looks with warrior-like golden wrist armour. Double down on carpal cuffing to show ’em who’s boss.

4. Going polo

As we judder, hesitantly, towards warmer weather, keep it cosy in a trans-seasonal spring knit. Button-up, collared, T-shirt styles were big at Fendi, Proenza Schouler and Drome, while Madeleine Thompson’s cashmere is cosy chic 101. You just met your ultimate work-to-weekend wardrobe staple.

5. Brights all right


There’s nothing like a neon yellow stiletto or an electric blue suit to lift the mood and, after the year we’ve all had, it’s time we re-energised with Stabilo highlighter hues. An oversized hot pink shirt stole the show at Valentino, while Molly Goddard paired apple green dresses with bubblegum pink stockings. There’s a time and a place for an LBD, and your post-pandemic party ain’t it.

6. Hot mesh


Keen to keep purchases to a minimum but looking to add some edge to your existing wardrobe? The meshy underlayer, seen at Sportmax, Miu Miu, Prada and Marine Serre, is a versatile spring staple that brings an unexpected element to more formal dresses and suits. Tie-dye and floral prints make for mesh that’s extra spesh.

7. Third base

I take last year’s bucket hat and raise you the humble baseball cap. Seen on Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber and every model at the Celine SS21 show, searches for caps are up 85 per cent since the start of the year, according to shopping platform Lyst. From retro Ralph Lauren Polo to vintage Lehman Brothers merch sourced on eBay — this one’s a game of the geekier and more ironic, the better. Someone pass the Von Dutch.

8. Cross-body cool

After all that time indoors there’s every chance you’ve not only forgotten how to make small talk at social events but also how to handle a handbag. Ease yourself back in with a chic cross-body that’s as perfect for park walks as it is parties — where it’ll leave you hands-free, ready to twiddle awkwardly with the canapés in the corner.

9. Hang loose


Good news: you might be migrating from your tracksuit but comfort still comes first, with high-rise, loose-fit jeans a focus for spring. From the pleat-front, pastel, wide-leg, Barbie pink options at Chanel to the ankle-pooling, ripped denim at Etro, this season’s jeans come high-wasted and wafty on the leg.

10. Midriff-flossing

After the least erotic year on record, sauciness is firmly back on the agenda for 2021, and a gentle midriff tease is the latest way to flash the flesh. Super-fine stomach straps have become a trademark of emerging designers such as Nensi Djoka, Supriya Lele and Christopher Esber, while London label Rejina Pyo’s bubblegum pink trousers offer a pared-back take on the tummy-tie trend. Best put down the Hobnobs.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Metropolitan Police Rule Out Terrorism in Golders Green Stabbing Investigation
Lithium-Ion Battery Identified as Cause of Fatal Merseyside House Fire
UK Department Rejects New Sea Use Framework Due to Stakeholder Fatigue
Major Thames Water Pipe Burst Causes School Closures in London
Aldi Commits £900 Million to Expand UK Supermarket Network
Scottish Affairs Committee Warns Skills Shortages Threaten Defence Sector Expansion
Parliamentary Committee Warns Northern Ireland Budget Deadlock is Stalling Economic Growth
NHS Hospitals in England Face Severe Shortages of Essential Medications
Home Secretary Signals Major Overhaul of UK Immigration and Leave to Remain Policies
Chancellor Promises New Job Schemes Alongside Strict Fiscal Discipline
Energy Secretary Proposes Taxpayer-Funded Green Transition and National Electricity Grid
UK Government to Renationalise Avanti West Coast Railway Franchise in March
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Major Social Care and Infrastructure Reforms
Five Suspects Released on Bail Following Alleged Bomb Plot Near RAF Fairford
UK Diesel Prices Hit Record High of 199p Per Litre
Transport for Wales and Network Rail Complete Electrification of South Wales Metro
Defra Expands Incentives for Sustainable Farming and Biodiversity in England
Northern Ireland Executive Approves Funding Package to Resolve Public Sector Pay Disputes
Universities UK Warns of Financial Insolvency Risks for Higher Education Institutions
UK Prisons Activate Emergency Protocols to Manage Capacity Pressures
UK Government Establishes New Safety Standards for Frontier AI Models
Home Office Tightens Skilled Worker Visa Requirements and Dependent Rules
Ministry of Defence Restructures Royal Navy Frigate Procurement to Prevent Overruns
UK Government Mandates New Housing Targets to Address National Shortage
UK and Scottish Governments Reach Agreement on North Sea Energy Transition
NHS Launches Digital Overhaul to Reduce Surgical Backlogs in England
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates as Service Sector Inflation Persists
UK Chancellor Announces Fiscal Consolidation Measures to Stabilize National Debt
RNLI Chief Executive Condemns Misinformation and Abuse Targeting Volunteer Crews
Metropolitan Police Charge Swindon Man with Assisting Foreign Intelligence Services
British Intelligence Report Warns Environmental Collapse Threatens Global Defense Infrastructure
Conservative Party Rejects New Taxes to Fund UK Social Care Reforms
Labour Government Signals Intent to Ease Residency Restrictions for Foreign Care Workers
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre Meet to Strengthen North Atlantic Defense
UK Government Plans to Revive Equity Loan Scheme to Assist First-Time Home Buyers
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Radical Reform for UK Utilities and Social Care
UK Treasury Prepares Difficult Autumn Budget Amid High Debt and Energy Volatility
Civil Aviation Authority Launches Review of Air Traffic Systems Following Digital Failure
X Reports First Increase in UK Revenues Following Advertiser Boycott
Shetland Islands Council Approves £400 Million Inter-Island Tunnel Project
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband Warns Iran Against Hostile Activities on British Soil
UK Ministers Concede Chagos Islands Sovereignty Agreement Terminated After US Opposition
More in Common Poll Projects Hung Parliament with Labour Leading and Reform UK Gains
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Defends Economic Strategy as Public Finances Face Headwinds
Tony Blair Urges Government to Set Long-Term Goal of Rejoining the European Union
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Universal Free Social Care Funded Through General Taxation
UK Diesel and Petrol Prices Surge Near All-Time Highs Amid Middle East Energy Volatility
Analysis of Reform UK conference highlights deep political divisions over welfare and immigration
Bangladesh garment exports to the United Kingdom reach $915 million in early fiscal year
Royal Navy begins sea trials for new HMS Agamemnon hunter-killer submarine
×