Menswear has had a heavy influence on women’s fashion. With Zara’s boyfriend blazers and fitted slacks to tuxedo jackets in Fall 2011 look books and shows. The trend is continuously delivered to the runway each season in various styles.
But where did the influence begin? Did women throw on their beau’s baggy button-up and start a fashion frenzy? No, history lent a hand in making men’s inspired fashion a mainstay.
During World War II, the government drafted a huge part of the male population leaving factories with an overwhelming need for workers. As men were forced to replace their suits with War uniforms, women went to work outfitting their husband’s old clothes into fashionable work wear.
The 1970s revived the trend with attitude and some perfectly tailored Yves Saint Laurent women’s suits. Style icon Bianca Jagger defined them as cool, chic and shockingly sexy. Jagger’s individual style, featuring many YSL and Halston pieces, showed women that a lady could feel sexy and confident sporting a suit and bow tie.
Today, the degree of influence of menswear increases each season. The trend has even surfaced a definite androgynous look. It’s perfectly acceptable for a woman to shop in the men’s section to achieve a certain look, whether it is the perfect baggy jeans, the must-needed bow tie or a unique pair of oxford shoes.
So ladies, if you’re ever looking to add a needed pop to your outfit, look no further than the other end of the store. Explore the men’s section and challenge your individuality. Who knows, you might just meet the man of your dreams while you’re at it.