Katherine Hepburn was one of the first ladies of the silver screen to really make wearing trousers acceptable. Turns out she just didn’t like wearing dresses and thought they looked funny on her hence, her signature style was born.
Then Diane Keaton ignited the phenom of the messy menswear look in Annie Hall. Seriously, at that time most of the women who copied the trend ended up looking like they were wearing their Grandpa’s clothes…. That is, their much taller, much heavier, much older Grandpa’s clothes. Not always a good look.
Today the menswear look is still holding strong but this season you can be much more refined with hints of femininity (like a great pair of heels) scattered throughout. Take a peek at some great looks from trendsetter we love.
The already statuesque actress LeeLee Sobieski turned some heads at the CFDA Awards a few weeks ago wearing a custom ADAM suit with Givenchy pumps. Nothing beats a cream colored suit for elegance especially when paired with pale hair…monochromatic so works here!
J. Crew’s President and Creative Director Jenna Lyons tore it up—in a men’s navy J. Crew Ludlow Two-Button Tuxedo Jacket ($358) and Tuxedo Pants ($158) to the Parsons School of Design Fashion Benefit in New York. Talk about borrowing from the boys! A few carefully chosen feminine accents, like a Thomas Mason shirt with jeweled detailing and Isabel Marant pointy-toe pumps, kept this look entirely modern and fresh.
And somehow the stylish girl about town in the group photo above from Stockhom Streestyle managed to make what could have been a very Amish looking situation look totally new and hip. Though you won’t catch many zonies wearing a full on top- coats in the heat of day, this is one look to stash for the fabulous fall.
More to speed for our weather, Chloe Sevigny took the idea of masculine/feminine to new heights (doesn’t she always?) The actress, fashion muse and designer was attending an event to benefit the Guggenheim Museum at the Hugo Boss store in New York last month, wearing the HB Alive Jacket ($565, 800.HUGOBOSS), Elvine Blouse ($135, 800.HUGOBOSS), and Renda Skirt ($250, 800.HUGOBOSS), all by said brand. The white–on-white jacket and shirt makes this look crisp when added to the combination of her mini skirt from her own line for Opening Ceremony.
The real key to making the menswear inspired look work right now is fit and proportion. Forget about boxy cut jackets and focus on more slim tailoring. Add to that a feminine blouse and some killer heels… or even a pair of milder heels and you have a modern combo that rocks!
