Pella Skirt, Black Leo Print

Leopard is a neutral. We will die on this hill. And the Pella is, frankly, the leopard skirt to do it in — a fluid midi cut from soft polyester satin in a beautifully drawn print, sand-coloured ground, deep black markings shadowed with caramel. Nothing brash, nothing costume. Just very, very chic.

The cut is a high-waisted A-line that does most of the work for you. The waistband is elasticated so it gives where it needs to give (a kindness on a busy day), the skirt falls into a soft swing rather than clinging, and the midi length lands beautifully on the calf. From Danish brand Y.A.S., who understand that a print this good only works if the cut is grown-up — and this one is.

Wear it with a fine black knit and ballet flats for lunch, swap to a silk camisole and a heeled mule for evening, layer over a long-line shirt come autumn with knee-high boots. One skirt, a whole year.