The beauty in myth is that they all serve to teach us a valuable lesson- Icarus let his hubris launch him into the sky, only for him to come crashing back down, a beautiful, blazing glory. While Clare Waight Keller used Icarus to inspire the Givenchy Pre-Fall 2019 collection, it did not fly too high for its own good. In fact, it too, has a valuable lesson to teach- the art of layering.

 In the Fall and Winter seasons, it may be tempting to put style aside and just focus on keeping warm, but this collection serves as a reminder that Winter fashion is just so damn fun, so why not take advantage of it? One look sees a cinched dress pulled over a high-neck collared top for a prim, pressed style. Another pairs a soft, slouchy knit sweater with a crisp, pleated skirt. Every outfit plays with your expectations of color, pattern, line, material- begetting looks that are chicly unique.

Perhaps one of my favorite looks sees a structured,  super-cropped jacket paired nicely with a long, classic-looking, yellow dress, creating a stimulating juxtaposition of length. Plus, the collection employs one of my all-time favorite shoe looks- a tall, slouchy boot coupled with a long, flowing dress. 

While myth and legend can serve as muses for the most dramatic of collections, Givenchy’s newest collection is understated and sleek- a modern crash course in how to put together a thoughtful outfit. I was struck and inspired by the smart use of length and layers, married gorgeously with architectural lines and varying delightful textures. This collection proposes a thesis we should all heed- when consideration goes into the choice of each piece in an ensemble, the results will be nothing short of elegance. Excellent tailoring helps too.

Check out a few of my favorite looks from the collection below:

All photos found on Vogue.com courtesy of Givenchy.