From stylish suits to fluid trench coats: Amp up your work and travel wardrobe with these versatile staples

There’s no better time to overhaul your work wardrobe than when temperatures dip in most parts of the world and fall/winter staples begin to fill store racks. 

Think crisp shirts, tweed blazers and polished suits in sharp neutral colours and gorgeous jewel tones. This season’s dark chocolate and burgundy shades are especially divine, ensuring you head straight from boardroom meetings to business lunches looking impeccable.

MAX&Co. is no stranger to elevating workwear essentials. The Italian brand, part of the Max Mara Fashion Group, was founded in 1986 and is renowned for its versatile styles and well-crafted clothes designed for the modern woman.

The Runaway and Longrun coats are reliable mainstays, considered stylish must-haves for their softly structured silhouettes and luxuriously tactile finish. Another core offering from the brand is the MAX&Co. Tee, a slightly oversized T-shirt that can be worn in a myriad of ways – whether as part of a blazer and pants ensemble, or tucked into a pair of high-waisted wide-leg jeans. 

The best part? You don’t have to travel too far to peruse their clothing in person. The full range of clothing and accessories is readily available at its new concept store at Ion Orchard. 

Spanning over 1,000 sq ft, the store design adopts the same ethos as its clothing lines, blending Italian craftsmanship with contemporary elements. Swathes of coral red, rose and deep burgundy punctuate the luxurious space, alongside traditional Italian terrazzo flooring made with marble fragments.

While MAX&Co. is deeply rooted in Italian sartorial tradition and long-lasting quality pieces, the brand also embraces its fun, irreverent side with an innovative design approach and penchant for vibrant colours. 

This clever approach is further solidified by its electrifying collaborations – which spans fashion, sports and charitable initiatives – with partners such as Warner Bros and style influencer Sofia Sanchez de Betak. 

Stay stylish in classic coats and travel-ready pieces

The central focus of any great work wardrobe is a well-fitted coat or blazer. This fall/winter, MAX&Co. delivers a stunning ensemble of tailored outerwear such as its wool-dyed pea coats and velvet jersey jackets.

Our top picks? The cream-coloured single-breasted Ara blazer and matching Puffo pants, as well as the Lambro coat. 

Minimalism reigns supreme, as evidenced in classy favourites such as buttery-soft knitwear and boxy shirt jackets kept deliberately pared down. Rich burgundy and wine-coloured reds are the seasonal go-to colours, as is a simple, sophisticated palette of white, grey and camel shades. 

Behind every successful clothing label is a dedicated investment in quality and material research. The current season’s offerings are testament to that. While prints like the Prince of Wales check pattern remain popular, MAX&Co. has also brought onboard cutting-edge fabrics crafted with experimental yarns.

With winter holidays beckoning, MAX&Co.’s chic travel pieces are here for it. Shiny leather jackets and practical trench coats are making a strong comeback, in addition to the brand’s Runaway and Longrun coats. The oversized gabardine trench coat, crafted from water-repellant technical cotton gabardine, will keep you snug even under patches of light rain.

If space permits, don’t forget to take MAX&Co.’s double-breasted undyed wool-blend coat with you. A solid choice for colder months, the sleek coat is made by Italian wool mill Nova Fides using at least 50 per cent natural fibres in their original colour, so as to avoid colouring agents altogether. Wear it straight or cinched at the waist, and slip into a pair of chunky loafers or glossy slingbacks to match.

What’s more, MAX&Co.’s selection of duvets, reversible parkas and quilted down jackets with recycled feather padding are essential for below-freezing temperatures or if you are hitting the ski slopes. Embellished with sporty drawstrings and voluminous sleeves for extreme comfort, this might just be your preferred collection for snowy conditions yet.

Jazz up your wardrobe with bold psychedelic prints

Feeling quirky or seeking kooky fashion? London-born designer Richard Quinn – who honed his skills at Christian Dior and Savile Row – has released a scintillating capsule collection with MAX&Co.

Coined MAi., it is an inspired crossover of the glamour of 1960s sci-fi films and a dystopian aesthetic dominated by artificial intelligence.

With sumptuous crepe de chine dresses and Space Age-type coats at the forefront, waltz into a world of psychedelic floral patterns punctuated by bright colours and blacks. The future of fashion could not be any brighter.

Shop these pieces and more at MAX&Co.’s new store, located at #B1-28 Ion Orchard.