Playful Styling for a Sophisticated Look, Rather Than a Uniformly Coordinated One

“I’m focusing on styles with distinctive silhouettes, like those from Stella McCartney, and the traditional, masculine designs of Thom Browne,” says Mika Maruyama, MD and Chief Buyer at INTERNATIONAL GALLERY BEAMS. Her recommended style keywords for this season are ‘Neo Big Silhouette & Masculine.’

“I’m drawn to items with volume in the sleeves and knitwear. Knitwear is a key trend this season, with many brands offering a variety of silhouettes and materials to enjoy. Volume in the upper body, as exemplified by Stella McCartney’s collection, is also recommended. The trick to styling is to incorporate playful accessories or vary the volume balance, rather than aiming for a perfectly matched look. This will create a much more sophisticated ensemble!”

Play with Volume Balance and Differentiate with Accessories!

“For outfits centered around voluminous tops, like those seen in Stella McCartney’s collection, how about a dress with voluminous sleeves? Camel, a continuing trend color, is paired with a red belt for a pop of color. Cinching the waist creates a pleasing volume balance. Furthermore, accessories like a wide belt or oversized sunglasses evoke the ‘retro’ mood, one of this season’s major trends. Leopard print pumps add definition and a touch of femininity to the style, aiming for the image of a ‘cool woman’ reminiscent of legendary actresses of yesteryear.”

A Sophisticated Girl Style Featuring This Season's Must-Have Knitwear

“Another proposal is an outfit centered around knitwear, a must-have item this season. The key is the balance between a striking, relatively short cable knit and the flared silhouette of the skirt. This look completely transforms the image, adding elements of a ‘good girl’ style with a tweed skirt, playful knit cap, and traditional shoes—another major trend this season. Incorporating ‘retro’ and ‘British’ keywords, I want to try a sophisticated, girlish style.”