Masculin/Féminin: The Menswear Trend Hits Paris
When it comes to this season’s fashion inspiration, you don’t need to look any further than your boyfriend’s closet. From tweed jackets to flannel button-ups, streamlined loafers to carefree sneakers, it seems as though this winter’s womens’ fashion runways have definitely taken a page from menswear magazines. This play on masculine and feminine continues to be this year’s signature trend and is inspiring both the high-fashion runways and street style alike.
Though it has been a dominant trend for the last year or so, gender bending fashion has actually been recurring throughout the past fifty years. Menswear-inspired fashions have been continually re-invented with the 1980’s being the most dominant era of menswear-inspired looks, featuring boxy tailoring and exaggerated or oversized shoulders. Diane Keaton is perhaps one of the most notable icons of this look ever since her famed performance in Annie Hall. Now, stars like Tilda Swinton and Kristen Stewart make fashion headlines with their edgy and ultra-modern styles. It seems as though there has been a re-emergence of this masculine inspiration over the last few seasons, and this year it continues to evolve and surprise.
(Photo: Us Magazine)
This year, top fashion houses such as The Row and Stella McCartney are playing off of this theme by blurring the masculine and feminine to produce strong, boxy silhouettes to create powerfully expressive ensembles. This high-fashion look is reflected this fall with a nod to late 80’s, early 90’s, involving the use of classically masculine textiles and silhouettes to create tailored pieces that can be mixed with your current wardrobe for original and dynamic combinations.
However, this gender neutral trend expands beyond just the runway and also dominating current street style this season in a few different ways. In more dressed-up looks, a great pair of cigarette pants and patent oxfords look great paired with an oversized coat mixes to look effortlessly chic. But there is also the more laid-back version which includes such items as flannel shirts, boyfriend jeans, or boxy sweaters.
Balance and proportion are key to this look, but what is most important to consider with this trend is how exactly to mix and match pieces to reflect your own personal style. Whether it be the cozy flannel, a great pear of loafers, or a double-breasted pea coat, this season’s trend allows for a mix and match of menswear inspiration to reinvigorate your wardrobe.
(Photo: Fashion Gum)
