Presented by eBay
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

FASHION

Beyond the Boyfriend Blazer: Menswear for Women, from Fad to Foundation

It was during a 1982 school function in a sea of girls in ruffled liberty print prairie dresses, that I, wearing my camel corduroy jacket, matching pencil skirt, white button down shirt and small pocket square, elevated my status from class tomboy to something a little more sophisticated.

I'm not exactly sure what to call it, but I remember thinking I looked "crisp" and "classic"—words my mother still uses to describe clothes that usually involve a tailored jacket or brass buttons.  And so my penchant for women's clothes inspired by men's clothes began.

Menswear for women is no longer an occasional runway trend. Headline-making designers like Rag & Bone and 3.1 Phillip Lim have made the look a part of their signature styles, sending the scores of girls that worship at these designers’ fashion altars flocking to Bergdorf’s for skinny vests, trench coats and extra-long tuxedo blazers in tweed, pinstripes and herringbone.

(3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2010 Runway Show, New York by Jemal Countess for Getty Images Entertainment; Rag & Bone Spring 2010 Runway Show, New York by Fernanda Calfat for Getty Images Entertainment)

 

Yes, traditional men's pieces—and the updates they have inspired—are now the foundation of many a modern girl's wardrobe. But that wasn’t always the case. Before a suit was acceptable dress for a woman at a cocktail party Yves Saint Laurent designed his famous “Le Smoking” suit in 1968, a classic tuxedo for women that broke the barriers between traditional dress for women and men. The suit inspired the now-iconic white version that he designed for Bianca Jagger on her wedding day to Mick in 1971.

The more daring of the fashion set dabbled in the trend then, but it wasn't until the release of Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" in 1977 that women began to truly embrace the idea of men's pieces as wearable, everyday options.  Diane Keaton, on-screen as Annie as well in her personal life, wore haberdashery-style pieces like neckties, vests, baggy pants and fedora hats—and engendered many a fashion follower.

(Woody Allen and Diane Keaton in "Annie Hall," 1978 by Brian Hamill via Getty Images)

Christys' Crown Tie-Ban Fedora (buy it now price, $59)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though it showed up 40 years later, Keaton’s look was similar in spirit to that of legendary pilot Amelia Earhart, the subject of the recently released (and much talked about) movie, “Amelia,” starring Hilary Swank. Part dapper, part utilitarian, Earhart's leather jackets, aviator shades and lace up boots may have been ahead of their time in the 1930s, but they look undeniably cool by today’s standards.

(Amelia Earhart, 1928 by Topical Press Agency via Getty Images)

Women's Brown Leather Style Bomber Jacket (buy it now price, $48)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses (buy it now price, $39.99)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tall Fye Lace-Up Leather Campus Riding Boots (starting bid, $99)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re all familiar with the boyfriend blazer  and it’s counterpart, the boyfriend jean—classic guys’ styles cut for with slightly sexy silhouettes for women. Same applies to the reinvention of men's oxford shoes: Now a little narrower and a little more refined, they can stand in this fall for boots or ballet flats.

Steve Madden Women's Tuxedo Oxford Shoes (buy it now price, $69.95)

 

The suited professional and the sported pilot aren’t the only men inspiring women’s dressing these days: There's also something incredibly cozy and rugged about pieces inspired by fisherman and sailors—like a pea coat, sailor pants, fisheman's cap or plaid jacket. And who knew Red Wings came in pink?!

Red Wings Pink Slayton Boots (starting bid, $9.99)

 

 

Comments

4f45d535-70ff-436f-9cb0-bbd7de1fe97c Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:57:32 PDT Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:57:32 PDT
beas
comment-post

to choose <a href="http://www.lacostecheap.com/"><strong>lacoste online</strong></a> is not because it is very hot now, but for its nice features and soft to waer.

7aced373-ac7b-48d3-a74c-3436c1472e95 Thu, 26 May 2011 02:26:29 PDT Thu, 26 May 2011 02:26:29 PDT
beater
comment-post

how the <a href="http://www.bikkembergsscarpe.info/bikkembergs-scarpe-casual-c-1.html">sito bikkembergs</a>Trainers are offered at an extremely increased price.

Add a Comment

  • Please provide all fields including a valid email address.

Â