Dear Oligo Editor: How Can I Pull Off Menswear?
November 13, 2008 by shylab
Dear Oligo Editor,
From runways to celebrities, I’ve been seeing a lot of chicks dressed up like dudes lately. I’ve tried and tried to wear my man’s clothes, but I end up looking like I’m in drag. How can I pull off the latest menswear trend without looking like I raided my boyfriends closet? Please help!—Lost in a Mans World, San Francisco
Dear Lost in SF,
Let me first pay tribute to the fashion Gods and remind you that man-inspired women’s wear was made famous decades ago by Yves Saint Laurent and the sexy tuxedo. Stop borrowing your beau’s clothes immediately, my confused friend. Baggy (and probably smelly) jeans, dirty flannels, and so-big-that-you-trip shoes are not cute nor are they fashion forward.
The inspiration behind the menswear trend is meant to accentuate femininity and highlight ones curves. When creating your look, steal only one or two pieces from the boys. Wear a man’s vest over your favorite dress or blouse. Try pairing man-inspired shoes with your jeans. Pair some wide-legged pants with a ruffly and ever-so feminine blouse. Wear a man’s blazer with some skinny jeans and heels. Accesorizing this trend is fun with a plethora of choices. Go with girlie by piling on bangles and long necklaces or finish off your look with a stylish fedora.
The beauty of this menswear trend is that it is a classic and timeless style. So your purchases will serve you well for years to come. There is no need to break the bank but a few key pieces from the list below (that you might already have) will help make your woMANly debut:
- Tuxedo trousers
- Well-tailored blazers
- Sharp vests
- Button-down shirts
- High-heeled bootie shoes
- Wide-legged pants
- Lace-up shoes
- Hats: Fedoras, newspaper boy caps
- Masculine dresses (with tuxedo belts or a front-button)
- Manly prints: dark checks, argyle, large stripes
- Menswear fabrics: Houndstooth and tweeds
- Briefcase style bags
Stay Stylish,
Oligo Editor
Got a fashion dilemma?! Email the Oligoville editors for a rapid solution at Claudette@oligoville.com
Photo credits: Elle.com, Mango.com, ThisNext.com, Flickr.
