Headlines This Week 11/27

• British designer Matthew Williamson will be next to design a capsule collection for H&M. Designs are slated to arrive in stores Spring 2009. He will join the ranks of Comme des Garcons, Stella McCartney and Viktor & Rolf. An extensive summer collection will follow within weeks after the spring arrivals, which will contain Williamson’s first venture into menswear.
• ShuAddikt is a new shoe boutique that opened up earlier this year in Dallas but this boutique is reinventing the online shopping arena by offering complimentary personal shoppers. Business professionals, busy mothers and fashionistas alike are taking advantage of ShuAddikt’s elite services. Their free service will undoubtedly make an addict out of me!
  
• DNR RIP, mens fashion trade paper dead at 116, DNR, known as “the bible of the menswear industry” died this week. It is suspected that both a faltering economy and management blunders have led to its demise. This is especially sad because it was actually this publication that launched the Fairchild publishing empire. LAT
• Style icon, Sarah Jessica Parker, is now searching for a home for her clothing line Bitten after parent company Steve and Barry has filed bankruptcy for the second time this year. She stated to NY Magazine “We have to make sure that any partner we enter into an agreement with wants the same thing for the brand as we do, which is to serve the customer first.” NYM
• Skin Deep: Out With Fancy Spas, In With Budget Salons $300 dollar massages seem a little excessive to those who can still afford it. Instead they are trading down for more economic venues as seen in this NY Magazine article.

Photo Courtesy of Matthew Williamson Spring Summer ’09 Collection

Dear Oligo Editor: How Can I Pull Off Menswear?

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.

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