Tops

Alaïa builds this short poplin shirt with a knitwear sleeve. Crisp cotton forms the body, with a French collar, a concealed placket and V-shaped seams front and back; above the elbow each sleeve gathers into a long rib knit that runs close to the wrist. White poplin makes the change of texture sharp.

Sculpted volume from a horizontal knit: the Mella is generous through the body, then drawn in at an hourglass waist so the cashmere breaks into deliberate drapes front and back. The fashion marks left by the knitting are kept as decoration rather than hidden. Black reduces it all to shadow.

An everyday staple, the Rubie T-shirt is crafted in Lisa Yang's fine knit jersey composition, combining the softness of cashmere and the breathability of cotton. The wide fit, cropped silhouette features a round neck and short sleeves, and drapes softly at the hem.

An everyday staple, the Rubie T-shirt is crafted in Lisa Yang's fine knit jersey composition, combining the softness of cashmere and the breathability of cotton. The wide fit, cropped silhouette features a round neck and short sleeves, and drapes softly at the hem.

An everyday staple, the Rubie T-shirt is crafted in Lisa Yang's fine knit jersey composition, combining the softness of cashmere and the breathability of cotton. The wide fit, cropped silhouette features a round neck and short sleeves, and drapes softly at the hem.

Elie Saab builds this top from sheer black lace scattered with sequin flowers and gold-toned beads. A draped bodice sits over a sweetheart underlayer, the waist wraps into a short peplum, and the long sleeves end in scalloped lace at the wrist. The embellishment is worthy of a gown; the shape is a separate, cut to wear with a plain skirt or pants.

Retrofête's Aradea top takes a mock neck and long sleeves in burnout velvet, the technique lifting a paisley pattern in soft relief across the pile. A small keyhole closes the back, and the velvet carries the soft sheen and heavier fall typical of a burnout weave. Done in a vivid envy green with gold and olive tracery throughout.

Retrofête's Kourt blouse takes a wrap silhouette in a fluid satin, its wide collar opening into a deep V neck. An intricate paisley print sweeps across the fabric in purple, teal and gold against an ochre ground, gathered into a soft ruche at the hip. Long sleeves finish in a plain cuff, the fabric catching light along every fold.