Artisan Pleat Colour-Block Midi Skirt

Pleated from the waist to the hem, in black, with one panel given over to vertical stripes in cream and tan. The block is off-centre on purpose: it drags the eye diagonally and makes a simple pleated skirt look drawn rather than bought.

The pleats are knife-sharp and hold through a day’s wear, which is what separates a good pleated skirt from one you stop reaching for.

The fabric

A crisp polyester that takes and keeps a pleat. The stripe panel is woven in rather than printed on, so the colours stay separate at the fold lines.

How it fits

One size, with the waistband sitting at the natural waist. Midi length, which puts the hem below the knee on most people.

Looking after it

Dry clean, or a cold delicate wash inside a mesh bag if you are confident, hung by the waistband so the pleats fall straight. Never fold it across the pleats. A cool iron on the reverse if an edge has softened.

As a korean fashion skirt it is the one people ask about, and a chic dress to impress answer for anyone who would rather wear two pieces — one of the few statement pieces here that still goes with what you own.