Harlan + Holden and the art of the elegant slouch

For a country that’s as scorching as the one we live in, we sure seem to have a predilection for tight, restrictive clothing. Skinny jeans, little black dresses in leather, bandage dresses with Spanx worn underneath, the list of offenses go on. What’s wrong with a loose fit? It’s almost as if “baggy” is a dirty word when applied to clothing. Why do we seem to equate slouchy silhouettes with being a louche in the style department? Is it because we prefer to that all our loose clothing be worn strictly at home, where no one can bear witness? Or is it because doing so in public means not playing “safe” in the sartorial game?

This season, Harlan + Holden invites you to step out of your comfort zone with their latest collection. Called “The Bare Essentials,” their latest pieces prove that when done correctly –– with clean lines and simple details –– slouchy is not only flattering and forgiving to the figure, it can also be elegant. Featuring oversized silhouettes and delicate, featherweight materials that make the idea of the upcoming summer months bearable, the clothes are all about luxury, comfort and casual style with overtones of romanticism and daintiness.

The palette of the collection, comprised of muted neutrals and soft pastels, creates diaphanous harmony with elements of airiness and dreaminess. You could say that it’s the clothing equivalent of escaping to the spa for an hour or two. However, not all of their pieces appear to be up in cotton candy clouds; there are also elegantly draped options in somber black for social functions at night, or any event that requires the chic appeal of the go-to hue (see the Harlan + Holden Side Godet Anouck top and Grecian Drape Kolifinna skirt in black).

As seen season after season, Harlan + Holden clothing has made unconventional shapes constructed with the most luxurious fabrics its signature. What appears to be a simple, sheer button-down top reveals surprise details when the wearer turns her back, as seen with the Two Back Flow Aminata top. On the other hand, the art of draping and layering is taken to another level with the Two Multi-flow Adina top. Think the caftan is better left to the ‘70s? Think again with the Two Oversized Kaftan Olga in orchid hush. Can you think of anything that translates as elegantly from day to night?

So go ahead and take a calculated risk in the style department. You’ll see that it is possible to mix comfort, function and fashion without breaking a bead of sweat.

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Harlan + Holden is available only at Adora, 3/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center Makati; tel. no. 217-4029.