We're seeing boyish glamour everywhere on women — a vest here and a slick suit there. This fall the girls have taken on the boys, but the slim lines and tailoring keep us looking feminine. Stacy London, “Today” fashion expert and co-host of TLC's “What Not To Wear,” shares some great looks inspired by strong men.
Let's face it ladies, it was a major revelation when we finally got the opportunity to wear trousers, jeans even! The comfort! The ease! The power! The expanded wardrobe! The influence of menswear on this season's womenswear collection is undeniable. From vests to suits, skinny denim legs to jackets, women are stealing thunder from some iconic men's styles but to pull off the look, here are a few basic rules:
1. Don't wear men's clothes, buy the girl version.
2. Leave the necktie at home. One too many accessories looks too literal. This is a style, not a costume.
3. These are great power pieces. Mix and match them with pieces that already exist in your closet and mix and match feminine accessories as well.
4. The must-have item in your menswear wardrobe: the vest or “waistcoat” or a cape.
“The dandy” (inspired by Oscar Wilde)
A la Oscar Wilde, don a full-on, three-piece suit with a vest cut for a sexier, more feminine look. Try a print on the vest and trouser, like a foulard print, which is inspired directly from traditional men's ties. One thing to note, suits always look great when infused with some color and even better with sky high heels! Cheeky enough to wear a fedora? Hats are an inexpensive way to punch up an outfit. Jacket: Nanette Lepore, $350; shirt: Banana Republic, $58; vest: Nanette Lepore, $170; pants: Nanette Lepore, $195; shoes: Nine West, $99; hat: Cha Chas House of Ill Repute; ring: LaLounis; earrings: Yossi Harari; cuff links: Gumuchian
“The rocker” (inspired by Sid Vicious)I know, I know ... we've been talking the skinny jean thing to death, but it occurred to me that guys like Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten were wearing them forever and we hadn't really mentioned them in this kinda cool casual evening context. Who doesn't love a fitted leather jacket at a great price? Throw a pinstripe vest over a great graphic tee and add some great jewelry for a punk-y feel, without the eyeliner down to your cheeks. It's an edgier look for evening but the modern version should be done with cleaner, prettier make-up. It's chic, not grunge. Jacket: H&M, $129; shirt: Moonblood, $42; vest: BCBG, $138; jeans: J. Brand, $160; shoes: Aldo, $119.99; earrings: Steven Kretchmer; cuff: Nikos; necklaces: Stephen Webster; pins: Alexis Bittar
“The sleuth” (inspired by Sherlock Holmes)
The signature cape is huge for the season. It's everywhere, in plaid, solid, exaggerated and knit. But I love an outfit reminiscent of Kim Novak in “Vertigo” or Tippi Hendren in “The Birds” by pairing the cape with a pencil skirt and gloves for day. And a tweed/plaid combo is completely work-appropriate! Cape: Parameter, $329; shirt: Uniqlo, $79.80; skirt: Reiss, $215; sunglasses: Alain Mikli; shoes: Bettye Muller, $345; gloves: La Crasia
“The lover” (inspired by John Travolta)John Travolta, eat your heart out. Bianca Jagger, too. The white tux is making a comeback, especially for evening. This time it's slouchier and it doesn't have to be snow white. In fact, the cream silks are kinder on most skin tones and look a bit more sophisticated. Katie Holmes was wearing one by YSL at the couture collections a few weeks ago. To me, there is nothing sexier than a woman in a tux. To complete the look, try a black silk shirt from designer Benhaz Serapour for Target. She has her own line and designs the private label for Barney's. And the tux from Zara is a fraction of the price of the ones being shown by the top designers (like Gucci)! Pair the outfit with enamel, lucite and metallic accessories for a strong impact. Jacket: Zara, $189; shirt: Behnaz Sarafpour for Target, $39.99; pants: Zara, $99; black shoes: Naturalizer; pin: Alexis Bittar; wallet: Bing Bang; black hoops: Yossi Harari; bracelet: Alexan; tux scarf: Seaward & Stearn Savile Row