Chanel Jacket (similar here), Rosie Assoulin Top (last seen here), Attersee Skirt, Chanel Pumps, Hermes Bag (similar here), Arielle Ratner Necklace

When the color palette is more simple, which, I know, isn’t always my instinct, I start building outfits differently. Between layers—structure against softness, polish against ease, masculine against feminine—the focus shifts away from color and onto how everything actually works together.

There’s usually a fluid base, a skirt or dress that moves with the body rather than holding it in place. Bias-cut, sheer, lightweight silk keeps the look from feeling too rigid or fixed. Adding a tailored jacket, a sculpted corset, or a clean, architectural top shifts the entire energy, defining the shape and creating contrast against that movement without taking away from it.

Texture becomes the point, especially in spring and summer materials. Silk against linen, sheer cotton against fine knits, everything stays light, but each layer still reads as its own. With the palette kept tight, the attention naturally stays on cut, proportion, and fabrication rather than color.

Accessories follow the same direction. Small bags, sculptural shoes, minimal gold—pieces that finish the look without interrupting it. It all comes down to how the layers sit together, and how each one holds its place.

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

As you may have seen mentioned elsewhere (such as at Above the Law), Google has now rolled out a way to add websites to your “preferred news sources.” It’s a one-click process if you are signed into your Google account, essentially; this link should do it.

This feature puts you back in control. Instead of relying entirely on the algorithm, you can tell Google exactly which voices you trust.

For example: if you’d rather not see workwear roundups written by 20-year-old interns (no shade, but…), adding Corporette as a preferred source helps ensure our coverage shows up higher in your personal results.

This can make a huge difference for us! Over the past year and a half, Google changes (and now AI-heavy search results) have significantly reduced traffic for independent publishers. I’m hardly alone in this, unfortunately. Many smaller sites have seen the same decline, with some shifting to subscriptions or shutting down entirely.

I’ve always tried to keep Corporette — including our community features — free and accessible. Adding us as a preferred source is a genuinely low-effort way to support the site and keep that model going.

How to Set Corporette As Your Preferred Source

The quickest way is to use this direct link (make sure you’re signed in to your Google account).

Click here to set Corporette as one of your preferred sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I only see Corporette? No– Google will still show numerous sources. This simply prioritizes Corporette when we have relevant, timely content.

Can I add more than one source? Absolutely — you can (and should) add multiple trusted sites.

Does this work on mobile? Yes! This feature is active across both desktop and mobile browsers, as well as the Google app.

Thank you, as always, for being part of the Corporette community. By adding us as a preferred source, you’re helping ensure that our workwear roundups, career advice, and community discussions remain easy to find — and continue to exist.

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

The irises in my garden beds are just starting to poke out of the ground, so I’m officially ready for all the spring florals. This blouson-sleeve blouse from Alice + Olivia is so delightfully spring-y that I’m confident that any day I wear it into the office will immediately result in a happy hour on a patio somewhere.

If you’d like to really lean into the print, it also comes in a pant, blazer, skirt, and dress for maximum spring fun.

The blouse is $375 at Alice + Olivia and comes in sizes XS-XL.

Sales of note for 4/10:

• Nordstrom – End of Season Sale – Spring styles up to 50% off – lots of great deals from Natori, Boss, Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss, Spanx, True & Co., Hanky Panky, Commando, Tory Burch, Theory, Zella, CeCe, Eliza J, Halogen, Vince Camuto, and more.
• Ann Taylor – 30% off tops and sweaters, and (4/10 only) 25% off dresses, skirts and shoes
• Boden – 15% off new styles with code
• Brooklinen – 15% off sitewide, plus up to 50% off bundles
• Brooks Brothers – Friends & Family Event, 25% off sitewide. Lots of cute florals and stripes in the sale.
• Evereve – 1000+ items on sale, including lots from Alex Mill, Michael Stars, Sanctuary, Rails, Xirena, and Z-Supply
• Express – $40 off $120, $100 off $250
• J.Crew – Midseason sale: Extra 40% off sale styles, 200+ new styles just added!
• J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything
• Lands’ End – 50% off full price styles and 60% off all clearance and sale – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
• Loft – All jeans $41, 40% off entire purchase
• Macy’s – 25% off already reduced prices + 15% off beauty & fragrance
• M.M.LaFleur – Spring Sale Event – Buy More, save more! 10% off $250+, 15% off $500+, 20% off $750+, 25% off $1000+ (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off if you find any exclusions.)
• Sephora – Spring sale! 20% off for Rouge members starting today, and 30% off the Sephora Collection for everyone — if you’re looking for a really muted everyday eyeshadow, I like both 106 and 301 here!
• Talbots – 40% off regular price tops + 30% off everything else

If you’ve watched Taboo you’ll know that the James Delaney inspired look is hard to forget. Tom Hardy plays him with a quiet power that pulls you in from the very first scene. He is no doubt very intimidating but a big part of that impact comes from the way he’s dressed.

A long black coat. A tall black hat. Heavy boots. Dark gloves. That is it. No color, no decoration, nothing flashy. And somehow it is one of the most dominant looks in the past of television. People have been trying to copy the James Delaney outfit ever since the show came out and in this blog, I will show you exactly how to do it.

First, A Little Background on the Show and the Character

Taboo is set in London in 1814. James Delaney comes back from Africa after being gone for over ten years. Everyone thought he was dead. He returns to take over what his late father left behind and almost immediately, powerful people want him gone.

The world he walks into is Dark Victorian menswear, dirty and dangerous. This is not the clean, polite London you might imagine from history books. This is the docks. Mud, fog, crime and money moving through dirty hands. And Delaney fits right into that world not because he blends in but because his presence fills every room he enters.

His costume was designed to match that world. The show’s production team made a clear choice to keep him away from the fancy customized look that other period dramas love. No bright colors, no silk cravats and no polished gentleman energy. Just black, heavy, worn-in clothing that looks like it has been through something.

Why Everything Is Black

This is worth talking about because it is not just a style choice. In 1814 London, wearing all black as a man meant something. It was the color of mourning. It was what priests wore. It was what people on the edges of society wore. Respectable gentlemen of that time actually wore quite a bit of color, brown, navy, dark green and burgundy. All black was unusual and a little unsettling.

Delaney wears it like a statement. He is mourning, dangerous and does not belong to polite society. His clothes say all of that before he opens his mouth. That is why the James Delaney outfit feels so powerful. Every piece of it is doing a job.

The Coat: Start Here

The coat is the most important piece. When people talk about the Taboo Tom Hardy Black Coat, this is what they picture first. And that too for good reason because it is extraordinary.

It is a long, double-breasted overcoat in black wool. It falls below the knee, almost to the ankle. The collar is a wide lapel style that can be worn up against the wind or laid flat. The sleeves are full length with open cuffs. There are side pockets at the waist. The inside has a soft lining. The shoulders are structured and the fit through the chest and torso is close without being tight.

What Goes Under the Coat

The coat gets all the attention but the layers underneath matter a lot. They are what give the outfit its structure when the coat is open.

The Shirt

Delaney wears a slim, dark shirt with a tall collar. In the Regency era, collars mattered; gentlemen usually wore them starched high and done with a cravat. Delaney skips the cravat altogether, which was unusual at the time. To recreate the look, a slim-fit dark shirt with a pointed collar works well. Nothing with logos, embroidery or extra detail. Keep it plain.

The Waistcoat

This is the layer between the shirt and the coat and Delaney actually wears two of them in various combinations throughout the series. They are slim fit and dark. The screen versions were made from rayon and polyester blends.

In that era, waistcoats were one of the few ways men could show a bit of personality. Patterned fabrics, brighter colors and interesting textures were all common choices. Delaney obviously wants none of that. His waistcoats are as dark and plain as everything else.

The Trousers

Straight cut, dark and sitting slightly higher on the waist than what most men wear today. In some scenes, you can spot a drop-front style with laced detailing along the outer calf, a feature common in working-class and military dress around 1814. For a modern take, straight-leg dark trousers with a clean cut work just fine. 

The Accessories: Hat, Boots and Gloves

The Top Hat

This is the next standout piece after the coat. Delaney wears a tall, tapered stovepipe top hat in black felt, with a crown around six inches high. It narrows slightly toward the top and sits on a flat brim, giving it a sharp, unmistakable shape. In 1814 London, this style was standard for men. 

The Boots

Long black captain-style boots that come up to the knee. Round toe, flat sole and no heel. They have a cuffed or slightly buckled top. These are working boots, built for someone who walks on wet docks and rough ground. By 1814, this style of long boot worn over trousers was completely normal street wear in London, especially around the docks and in working-class areas.

The Gloves

Simple black leather gloves that fit tightly on the hands. They are made from soft lambskin leather. There are no buckles, no extra stitching, and no designs. They look plain and clean. 

How to Wear This Look Today Without Looking Like You Are in Costume

I know that most people reading this are not going to a cosplay event. They just like the look and want to bring some version of it into real life. The good news is that this is actually one of the easier periods to modernize because the whole thing is built on basics.

The coat is the one piece worth investing in properly. A long wool overcoat in black or deep charcoal shows the modern version of the look.  For everyday wear, a dark fitted turtleneck works well in place of the traditional shirt and waistcoat. Pair it with slim dark trousers or straight-leg black jeans to keep things clean and balanced.

Finish it off with boots or simple black lace-up leather boots that give the same sharp edge as the original.

The top hat is the one piece that takes real commitment. If you’re going to wear it, wear it with confidence. The rule across all of it is simple. No color, no decorative details and no accessories that call attention to themselves. The Delaney look is about presence, not decoration.

Conclusion

There’s something about James Delaney’s outfit that goes beyond just looking cool on screen. It taps into something many men respond to: the idea of clothing that carries meaning. Every piece has a reason to be there. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is there just to look nice in 19th century men’s fashion style.

The coat is protection. The hat is the authority. The boots are practical. The all-black palette sends a clear message, creating the impression of a man who neither seeks nor needs approval.

FAQs

1. How can I dress like James Delaney from Taboo in everyday life?

Keep it simple: a long black wool coat, slim dark trousers and a simple shirt. 

2. What are the key pieces of the James Delaney outfit?

The important things include a long black coat, a slim dark shirt, a waistcoat, straight-leg trousers, black boots, a black felt hat and fitted black leather gloves.

3. Why is the all-black look so important for this style?

All black shows authority, seriousness and presence. 

Dries Van Noten Top, Frame Jeans, Ferragamo Sandals, Cordera Bag

Getting dressed for dinner always takes a little more thought. It’s not quite daytime, not fully evening—it sits somewhere in between. Do you dress for the weather, where you’re going, or the piece you’ve been wanting to wear? I’ve found once the outfit is right, everything else, hair, makeup, comes together quickly after (my go-to makeup staples).

It starts with a top that carries the look. A ruched chiffon style in a saturated green brings in shape and movement right away. Paired with a clean flare jean, it creates that contrast that always works—structured on the bottom, more fluid up top.

Color plays a strong role here. Emerald, gold, light green, rose pink shades that hold through the evening and don’t get lost once you step outside. One clear color choice can carry everything.

Texture follows. A beaded bag or leather clutch adds dimension without needing to layer more in. It feels like part of the outfit, not something added at the end.

There’s also a place for pieces that move—fringe, draping, anything that shifts slightly as you walk. Even a simple satin skirt or pant changes depending on the details.

Finish it with a sculptural heel or a minimal sandal that holds its own.

It’s really about choosing pieces that already feel like something the moment you put them on, perfect for a night out, whether it’s somewhere casual or somewhere you’ve been looking forward to all week.

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you’re looking for a lightweight, durable fabric tote, this one from Baggu looks great.

I was browsing Shopbop the other week and noticed this affordable tote — I’ve always liked Baggu’s more colorful nylon bags, so I was intrigued to see this one.

It’s a “technical weave” made with 59% recycled material and looks quite sturdy. It’s got a lot of thoughtful details, like padded handles, and I also like the zip on top and zippered pocket inside. Also nice: it packs into its own pouch for easy storage.

The bag is $62 at Shopbop in black and a beigey taupe; you can find more colors at Baggu.com. (Ooh: this boxy carry on bag from Baggu also looks great.)

Sales of note for 4/10:

• Nordstrom – End of Season Sale – Spring styles up to 50% off – lots of great deals from Natori, Boss, Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss, Spanx, True & Co., Hanky Panky, Commando, Tory Burch, Theory, Zella, CeCe, Eliza J, Halogen, Vince Camuto, and more.
• Ann Taylor – 30% off tops and sweaters, and (4/10 only) 25% off dresses, skirts and shoes
• Boden – 15% off new styles with code
• Brooklinen – 15% off sitewide, plus up to 50% off bundles
• Brooks Brothers – Friends & Family Event, 25% off sitewide. Lots of cute florals and stripes in the sale.
• Evereve – 1000+ items on sale, including lots from Alex Mill, Michael Stars, Sanctuary, Rails, Xirena, and Z-Supply
• Express – $40 off $120, $100 off $250
• J.Crew – Midseason sale: Extra 40% off sale styles, 200+ new styles just added!
• J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything
• Lands’ End – 50% off full price styles and 60% off all clearance and sale – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
• Loft – All jeans $41, 40% off entire purchase
• Macy’s – 25% off already reduced prices + 15% off beauty & fragrance
• M.M.LaFleur – Spring Sale Event – Buy More, save more! 10% off $250+, 15% off $500+, 20% off $750+, 25% off $1000+ (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off if you find any exclusions.)
• Sephora – Spring sale! 20% off for Rouge members starting today, and 30% off the Sephora Collection for everyone — if you’re looking for a really muted everyday eyeshadow, I like both 106 and 301 here!
• Talbots – 40% off regular price tops + 30% off everything else

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For any questions/feedback regarding the above mentioned products/brands,
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