Oscar has the whole Uptown Ladies Who Lunch (and their daughters too) ‘look’ down pat. Each season, the designer continues to work within and refine his signature ‘oeuvre’ and he manages to stay true to his aesthetic while keeping his ear to the ground. But while he does not ignore the customer who wants and needs eye catching, elegant, luxurious clothes for day and evening, (distinctive pieces with distinctive details), it is often the more simplified, sporty, and ‘casual’ elements pieces that really stand out. That was certainly the case this season, where the day portion, marked by outstanding coats, snug jackets, shearling, hand knits, the abundant use of menswear inspired trousers, as well as the continued love affair with volume and sleeve experimentation (different lengths and silhouettes, making gloves a must have) stood out over the rather predictable dresses and gowns in black, gold, red, purple and pink. Boots (alligator, printed hair calf, black leather), and metallic leather sandals were the footwear of choice) and every outfit had a big bag(one of Oscars, of course!)

Standouts include the metallic brocade fitted cropped jacket worn offhandedly with grey flannel pants; the simple yet beautifully cut short black cashmere coat with dolman sleeves; a short sleeved cropped shearling jacket that had the look of a sweater, worn with matching long gloves and narrow pants; the ivory hand knit slouchy pullover paired with narrow brocade pants; the embroidered black cashmere jacket worn with a black sequined t-shirt and black flannel pants; and the lantern sleeved belted Lippi cat coat. Though Oscar seems to be loving pants these days, he didn’t ignore skirts – his idea of a new suit would be the boxy black cardigan jacket trimmed with Lippi cat and worn with a bold and graphic black and white tweed skirt, or the olive green shearling cropped boxy jacket thrown over a short and full black silk faille embroidered skirt. And nothing can beat the simplicity and all time chic of a little black dress (like Oscar’s deceptively simple version with sculpturally draped collar). Who needs grand statements when something so simple can have so much impact?

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