Is It Really A Man's World?

Menswear is definitely something one can appreciate, a man who knows the importance of a tailor fit is a man that can capture the essence of menswear. However what I can appreciate even more, is menswear on women especially when put together very well.

From reading the Elle Edits from the July issue of the Elle magazine, I was drawn to a particular male bloggers (Marco) view on menswear that struck a cord on what I’ve been seeing recently as I walk around the city and it became apparent that women do this menswear “thing” too and they do it well.

Women’s wear has developed over the years and what I have seen more recently in the streets are women wearing items leaning towards the male end. To me, it looks like a curious girl, who went snooping in her father or boyfriends closet and happened to fall in love with the treasures she found in there. More women are adding a touch of masculinity in their attire and to be frank, it looks good. Women have the advantage of being able to cross between the girly girl and the tomboy in their dressing and furthermore the privilege of being able to infuse the two. More and more clothes that were originally made for men are worn by women, from your classic shoes such as brogues to bowties and even sneakers and canvas shoes. I must express that I love how women can dress in a style inspired by masculinity yet still retain their femininity. 

One of my favourite style icons has to be Katherine Hepburn, (who was the first women to boldly dress in menswear), because she paved the way for this trend and the trend has made a strong return in the female closet. Katherine opposed the norm and wore pants in an era where only men were allowed to wear pants along with ladies who clothed themselves in the usual pleated skirts, dresses and stockings.

The great thing is that this trend isn’t mono-style, essentially it can range from casual looks to more formal looks which is illustrated below in the pictures I took of a lady friend mine, Pelo who’s never afraid to bat for the other team (men) with her style. In fact she appears just as good, if not better than most men and I say this with the utmost surety. I coupled her with different guys that exude different styles to show you the variety of styles that menswear fits into. Feast your eyes!

Are those your boyfriend’s Chucks?

Chuck Taylor’s are undoubtedly the most popular canvas shoes amongst guys and your boyfriend probably owns a pair or two. If you’re drawn to the relaxed “hanging out” boyfriend look, adding chucks to your outfit is a big do! Chucks started off basketball shoes in the USA and made such a big hit that guys started wearing them off the court. As fate would have it females are now liking the shoes just as much as guys, because of the simplicity of the shoe design (making it easier to pair up with a variety of things) and also because of the comfortable fit. So comfortable you’d think you’re walking on pillows.

Tie a bow!

The bowties were originally worn by Croatian men, mainly to hold the opening of the top of their shirts. The tie was then imitated by the French and has now become a fashion classic worn mainly to cocktail parties and various formal events.

With more women jumping on the bowtie trend, looking classic and chic has never been simpler. The trick is to make use of a shirt that’s well fitting on the neck. More recently I’ve noticed ladies who have a distinct way of incorporating a playful look when wearing bowties, usually paired with big framed glasses, creating a “cute school girl” image.

Who wears the pants?

Chinos have become a big trend in menswear fashion. Now more recently women are adopting the trend. Although chinos are extremely popular with men, high waited chinos add a female touch to the pants which makes them perfect for ladies. I love the chinos that Pelo is wearing, and what I love more is how her femininity still stands out.

One thing comes to mind, men wear it good but women wear it better.

Back to Basics

The shirt is nothing new to a women’s closet. Button up shirts takes masculinity back to its roots and is one of the simplest ways to add manliness. Many hip-hop street wear enthusiasts have adopted this trend and have added youthfulness by collecting shirts with prints and clashing colours. Never be afraid to let your personality shine, allow yourself to use different printed shirts as a medium to express your “you-nique” character.

 

One would think a fashion rule has been broke by wearing a button up shirt without a tie yet it is something that could have been wrong but turned out so right, once again proving that there are no rules in fashion.

Backpacking                          

Backpacks have become the best way to contain all your belonging that you will need throughout your day. Women are expected to carry handbags and it is usually the guys who are seen carrying backpacks, however the pack fulfils the role of the handbag just as good.

The packs usually come with a number of pockets and compartment inside, so there is more than enough space to carry your womanly goods. Added to this, the pack are more relaxed than a handbags and balance out the weight of your belongings on both shoulders, instead of one.

Designer, Billy Reid created similar designs for both men and women, such as the brown suit with the black lapel and many more ensembles. Reid showcased his Spring 2013 collection at this past weekend’s Mercedez Benz Fashion Week New York (MBFWNY), infusing both menswear and womenwear. With designers such as Reid, it is apparent that the trend is here and it will be here to for some time.

My tip of the day: Be brave enough to wonder around in the males section of a retail store.