There’s a back-to-school mood in the air as we move ever closer to September. A reset is ahead, with many consolidating their wardrobes ahead of the new season, and just in time, H&M has launched its latest collaboration. Now, a refined edit has launched, one that draws upon core wardrobe staples with contemporary edges. Sharp shoulders, sculptural silhouettes and clean lines define the H&M and WARDROBE.NYC collaboration, and already we’ve picked out the exact pieces that will sell out first.

H&M’s collaborations are renowned in fashion circles. Countdowns are set for each new launch as the high street powerhouse pairs up with a distinctive designer, this time, luxury essentials label WARDROBE.NYC. Founded in 2017 by editor and stylist Christine Centenera and designer Josh Goot, the designs are focused on elevated wardrobe essentials, curated with premium fabrics and with contemporary accents that set them apart whilst building the foundations of a well-edited wardrobe.

“We don’t really follow the trends; we design into archetypes of modern dress, and we refine our own standards over time. We think about what’s essential for a season or a lifestyle, and we build that into the wardrobe,” shares Goot. The edit is a perfect reflection of this, focusing on foundations of denim, tailoring and jersey to curate a series of cohesive pieces that feel exceedingly versatile and contemporary in equal measure.

Centenera adds that the collection is designed for “a busy woman with a demanding day who is discerning and wants to feel confident and assured by her wardrobe.” In trying the collection on, this is exactly how we felt. Fellow editor Imani and I had the chance to try on the pieces, get a feel for the materials, and play around with styling and restyling the collection as we went.

Whilst we were both impressed by the silhouettes, bold structures and more classic pieces, we found a series of standouts. For me, the denim jacket edited to have an hourglass silhouette immediately caught my eye, and soon followed the double-breasted coat featuring sharp shoulders, an oversized silhouette and a sculptural form. For Imani, the layering possibilities with shoulder-pad body suits and soft-cotton long-sleeve tops felt enduring and versatile. As Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor and Head of Design, Womenswear at H&M, states, “This is an ideal wardrobe—it’s timeless but sensual, and it still has a lot of character. The sculpturality, the way every shape is so well considered — and then everything goes back with everything else. I think it’s very modern.” Together with the contrast of smart tailoring and soft jersey, the balanced collection offers endless styling possibilities, with foundation styles that will hold their own in our wardrobes for many years to come.