It’s been obvious for a long time now that the days of uniform petticoats and billowy skirts are far in the past, but never before have the lines been so blurred between men’s and women’s apparel. For seasons now we have watched girls strut down the runway in boxy loafers, thick tweeds and slick pantsuits. The fall/winter 2015 collections were no different. Stella McCartney demonstrated this growing trend perfectly with contrasting textures and androgynous silhouettes. In a lot of ways, the “Menswear Trend” doesn’t exactly feel like a trend, which generally implies a relatively short lifespan. In an age where the ideas of gender are continually being questioned and reinvented this seems like a prime example of the way fashion not only adapts to but also reflects continual cultural changes. It is here to stay.
I wear this trend on the regular. As the winter wind howls on and the threat of flashing my fellow schoolmates on the way to class increases with wearing a dress, I can retain a polished look by opting for my own variation of the classic pantsuit. When we think of a pantsuit, particularly on women, an image of a matchy-matchy pants and blazer set comes to mind. Any Fashionista I know loves playing with layers and textures and that’s just what this type of outfit allows for in order to take the business staple from predictable to exciting. In my variation of the trend I chose to keep the silhouette classic while pairing alternative prints and textures together, however, dynamic silhouettes are also a huge component of this style movement and can be experimented with on a variety of levels (refer back to Stella).
If you want to start wearing this style outside of the office, look for the basics but with a twist. I chose a pant in a rich color with a subtle enough pattern as to not look overbearing paired with the patterned blazer, preferably tailored in a heavy tweed or another fabric with a rich texture. For under the jacket, the opportunities are endless. One could easily go the more traditional route and pair the ensemble with a blouse, but in order to retain that vague masculinity and create more depth I picked a collared shirt with a simple pattern and a plain knit sweater. By combining a medley of different colors and patterns you can rev up anything that was once considered “Boys Only.”
Get My Look: 1. A skinny trouser. 2. A printed blazer. 3. A collared shirt
