"This is a man's world, but it wouldn't be nothing without a woman or a girl."

-fur
-camel
-1950's
-menswear
-colors
-capes

Continuing my pet project from last night's discussion on fur, here's the next item in our list of major fall fashion trends, 2010 edition!

Menswear

Click to englarge.

Menswear was HUGE on the runways this season, and not just in the "oh look, that model's wearing a vest" way. We're talking full-on borderline cross-dressing menswear. Think Annie Hall/Diane Keaton:


I personally love this look. I don't know, but I think it's sexy when ladies dress like gentlemen. I love the tailored looks, the fabrics (tweed, herringbone, pinstripes, oh my!), the shoes (flats!), the hats...I just like it. It's as close to socially acceptable cross-dressing as we're going to get.


Here's a collection of menswear-inspired items I've thrown together:

Menswear by insidemypumpkin featuring Old Navy

Click for product details.

Keys to accomplishing the menswear look:
-vests
-pleated shorts and trousers
-tailored blazers paired with button-downs
-brogue shoes and oxfords
-accessorizing with things like ties, suspenders, men's watches, and newsboy or bowler hats


I tried to keep the items affordable--what's lucky is that if you REALLY want to take this look and run, thrift stores host a wealth of men's clothes (could be very cute and Annie Hall-ish). I love the straight-leg trousers that are popular right now--not sure how they'd fit on me individually, but I will definitely try a pair before the season's out. They just look nice and tailored. I'm also a huge fan of blazers. I feel like if you have a clean-cut one that fits it's impossible to look frumpy.

If you're worried about looking too man-ish, take it one piece at a time. Add a vest over a ruffled button-down, or a fitted blazer over a dress. That's the idea of fashion. You don't go out and dump your entire wardrobe just to appease one trend. You borrow from all the trends that speak to you, and add just little touches of them to your own wardrobe and style. That's the beauty of it. It's there if you want it, but if trends are not your thing, you're not under ANY obligation to utilize them. After all, as Yves Saint Laurent said, "Fashions come and go, but style is forever."

Other style inspirations for this look:
Katharine Hepburn (who flouted fashion rules of the 30's and 40's, wore pants and *gasp* blue jeans, and once said that "stockings are an invention of the devil"):



and Cate Blanchett, who always manages to look put together and stunning no matter what she's wearing:


Enjoy, dears! Up tomorrow: colors for fall!