How to Style Patou: An Editor Guide

Patou is built on one proportion rule and a permanent range. Get the rule and the range and
the rest of the house falls into place.

The rule: volume against a narrow line

Nearly everything the house designs is cut full through the body, and nearly everything else is cut close. It expects you to pair one with the other. La Patou Blouse with its batwing sleeve and
elasticated waist goes over the Iconic trouser, not over a full
skirt. The bloomer skirt goes under a fine knit, a tucked tank,
not under a voluminous top. When a Patou outfit looks like fancy dress, it is almost always
because both halves are full.

The five-piece Patou wardrobe

1. A collarless wool jacket. RWS virgin wool twill, JP-engraved buttons.
   Wear it over the matching trouser for a suit, then open over a t-shirt and denim at the
   weekend. This is the strongest thing the house makes.
2. The Iconic trouser. Straight, signature darts at the back, wool and
   denim. Breaks just above the shoe.
3. La Patou Blouse. Poplin for daytime, recycled faille for occasions.
4. A wool and cashmere knit. Layer it over a poplin shirt for the
   week, wear it alone with a midi skirt at the weekend.
5. Le Petit Patou. Small, structured, carries
   a phone and a card case. The strap drops for crossbody.

Three outfits that work

The working week. Collarless wool jacket, La Patou Blouse tucked, Iconic
trouser, a flat leather shoe, coin studs. Nothing shouts and the cloth does the talking.

Weekend. Jacquard logo knit, Iconic denim, a cap, a bucket hat, and a
raffia bucket bag in summer. The monogram is the only
decoration, so leave the jewellery off.

Evening. Bloomer skirt in recycled faille, a slim long-sleeve knit, opaque
tights and a low heel, with a long wool coat over. Alternatively a draped midi dress and a single
coin choker.

Colour

The house palette runs from black and ivory through the seasonal tartans, the Rodeo Blue
denim and a run of pale pinks and blues with names like Frost Pink, Polar Sky and Winter
Blush. The tartans and stripes are the loud pieces. Treat them as the ornament and keep
everything around them plain.

One ornament rule

A bloomer skirt, a tartan jacket, a raffia bucket bag is already the statement. Pick one
per outfit. This is a house that reads as expensive when it is quiet and as costume when it is
not.

Build it from designer jackets, designer trousers, designer tops, designer knitwear and
designer bags. See everything in one place.

More Patou guides

• Brands Like Patou: 8 Alternatives Worth Knowing
• Le Patou Bag: The Complete Guide
• Patou Iconic Trousers: Fit, Fabric and Styling
• Patou Dresses: Every Silhouette, Ranked by Occasion
• Is Patou Sustainable? The Numbers the House Publishes
• Who Owns Patou? LVMH, Designer Parfums and the 2018 Split

Frequently asked questions

How do you style Patou?

Pair volume with a narrow line. The house cuts blouses and bloomer skirts full and trousers and knits close, and expects you to combine one of each. Keep to one statement piece per outfit.

What is the Patou signature look?

A high-volume drawstring blouse tucked into a straight Iconic trouser, with a collarless wool jacket and a flat leather shoe.

What shoes go with a Patou bloomer skirt?

A loafer, a ballet flat, a low heel. A stiletto pushes the shape into evening territory, which is fine at night and too much by day.

Sources

• Patou product pages and lookbook styling, patou.com

Written and fact-checked by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti. Last reviewed September 2026.