Menswear has been a source of inspiration for women since the Roaring Twenties, more commonly known as ‘the flapper era’, that saw an increased popularity of more masculine looks in women’s fashion. Waistlines were dropped, corsets were ditched and shorter haircuts preferred.
But it was Coco Chanel who further liberated women’s fashion and pushed menswear into the limelight, making it more acceptable for women to wear trousers. She wore combinations of pants and shirts and fashioned bows out of neckties, all nipped and tucked to suit the female figure.
Like Chanel, the key thing to wearing menswear is to make sure the pieces — whether they are shirts, pants or jackets — fit properly. You want the silhouette to be masculine, but it pays to know what works well with your curves. Here are a couple of quick tips to make the most of menswear-inspired looks without looking like you borrowed clothes from your boyfriend’s closet.
Keep it simple
Spring and summer is a good time to start trying on menswear pieces for size. Next time you’re looking for a work-appropriate top, skip the frilly blouses and go for a simple, crisp shirt. Depending on your body shape, go for a fitted or a loose fitting shirt, but a simple shirt can go a long way paired with workpants, A-line skirt, or jeans for a more casual look.
Pants can be interesting!
We all know skirts are the most comfortable things to wear, but don’t be afraid to venture into trousers territory. You can inject some colour into your workwear and hop on the colour blocking trend while you’re at it, with some great some colourful options out there.
Go vintage
Take note from the people who started it all and take a leaf from vintage fashions. 70s-inspired, wide-legged pants are back on the racks and unisex blazers have been making the rounds lately: why not jazz it up old-school with a pocket square? But while we’re on the topic, let’s not fall into the trap of the dreaded power-suit look favoured by many working women in the 1990s. Stay away from the shoulder pads; we don’t want to look like an American Football player.