Take the reins and evoke a feeling of fantasy with ethereal clothes that scream grandiosity, future forward athleisure looks, and trailblazing arm candies

by ARCHANA AITHAL ROSE.

IN THE BAGUETTE
“It’s not a bag, it’s a baguette!” With this cheeky but earnest correction on hit TV show SATC, Carrie Bradshaw may just have immortalized Fendi’s baguette bag in fashion history. Naturally, when the sparkly purple arm candy from Carrie’s past made a reappearance on the show’s current revival, And Just Like That, it sparked the glorious return of the baguette. Designed by creative director Sylvia Fendi in 1997 and named after its slim, rectangular silhouette, the Fendi baguette is available now in a plethora of iterations. The only question is: which baguette are you? fendi.com

Baguette Gray Mink with Fringing
The ultra-luxe iteration of the classic baguette, designed here in super soft mink, is embellished with a statement fringe, FF clasp on the front flap, nappa leather trim, and with both shoulder and crossbody straps. $6,400

Baguette Fabric Purple
Intricately embroidered with a tidal wave of purple sequins in varying shapes to deliver a 3-D effect, this re-released version is quite the fire starter, featuring a removable cross body strap in addition to a classic front flap and gold-finished metal FF motif. $4,300

NOUVEAU RICHE
Fight or flight? Fashion’s answer to this familiar post-pandemic turmoil seems to be a bit of both. After last year’s submission to a sweatpants existence, you may be inclined to believe that dressing up has become obsolete. But Valentino, like many other revered high-fashion ateliers, is convincing us to fight the status quo and take a little flight of fancy in 2022. Guided by the creative brief “daring to be radical,” Valentino’s head designer Pierpaolo Piccioli created a smorgasbord of sensational daywear and evening concoctions for the brand’s resort collection. A statement masculine tailored blazer in an electric fuchsia, an oversized neon green shirt, bright orange twin sets in tweed, and voluminous dresses in lime green make for standout pieces that aim at play. Feminine day dresses and roomy kaftans are given a Studio 54 makeover with plumed details and rainbow sequins. Piccioli, in his own words, “set out to make what is ordinary more imaginative and fantastical,” and he might just have hit the mark. bergdorfgoodman.com

UNCOMPLICATED LUXURY
If there’s one thing we’ve all ascertained by the turn of this decade, it’s that comfort and style are no longer considered oil and water and no persistent trend reinstates that sentiment better than sports luxe. Out of the realm of athleisure of yore, sports luxe is, today, estimated to be the fastest growing clothing category in fashion, and with good reason. From Beyoncé to Rihanna and the Jenners to the Kardashians, take a cue from the holy rollers of luxury athleisure. Our supremely chic separates are sure to take your sartorial game to stratospheric heights.

Max Mara Cotton Jersey Sweatshirt
Here to win you some serious street cred, a sumptuous drawstring hoodie in a signature Maxmaragram logo embellished cotton-blend jersey featuring large turn-up kimono sleeves and a metal zipper. $1,090, maxmara.com

Balmain Wide Ivory and Black Monogram Pants
Best styled with chunky boots or a pair of trainers, Balmain’s trademark pants in a merino wool-linen blend flow beautifully and are punctuated with graphic trainer stripes on the in-seams and the drawstring waistband. $1,995, balmain.com

Stella McCartney Mimosa Scuba Zip Corset
Loosely inspired by the Y2K subcultures and club vibes, an off kilter cropped corset in a punchy mimosa hue is crafted in sustainable viscose with a scalloped hem, front zipper and impeccable boning. $895, stellamccartney.com