Call it the Hillary Clinton effect: This season, fashion is all about the alpha-female. As Elise Weir's line at the 2008 Pratt fashion show demonstrated, there is something great about an effortlessly sporty yet stylish tomboy look. Put on your boyfriend’s button-down shirt over a pair of leggings and pumps or spring for a power suit with female tailoring—a woman in men’s clothing can be drop-dead sexy.
All About the Neck
Brooklyn-based unisex tie designers Ryan Sovereign and William Beck are the masterminds behind Shecky’s Girls Night Out brand Sovereign Beck, and there is no better way to get into the outdoor spirit than with their “Beetle” Tie (1) ($90) worn with a basic white shirt left open at the neck. If a necktie is too Avril Lavigne for you, tie blouses are a cool ’70s play on the traditional bowtie. We haven’t seen this many of them since 9 to 5 was in theaters, but thankfully, they look a lot better this time around. For a more delicate look, the Walter Bow Detail Silk Georgette Blouse (2) ($198) is a nice flirty number that would look great tucked into a high-waist pant, skinny jean or pencil skirt. Finish the look off with a pair of high-heeled peep toe pumps, and you’re good to go.
Feeling like an English Poet If you’ve picked up an Us Weekly recently, you know that starlets from Mischa Barton to La Lohan to model du jour Agyness Deyn have been sporting traditional fedoras. Forever 21’s Scaled Fedora Hat (3) ($10.80) is a simple and classic option, but for a more glamorous take, Eugenia Kim has a line of ultra-chic hats including the Floppy Boho Fedora (4) ($187). Lighten up for summer with a Paul Frank Straw Fedora (5) ($26), the perfect topper for outdoor concerts.
Vests Galore: Long, Short, and Even Bare
Vests do an amazing job of adding some tailoring to a free-flowing look and giving an outfit a cool, effortless vibe. The Privee Long “Tux” Vest (6) ($165) is a sexy racer back number with two front buttons and various vent pockets. A vest worn with nothing underneath is the new hot look for nighttime – try Bensoni’s Racer Back Vest (7) ($260). For a perfect male-female fashion balance, Rachel Pally’s Oversized Vest (8) ($163) is a great layering piece with a plunging V-neck, leaving room for you to balance the masculine fitted sweater vest, with some ultra-feminine jewelry.
Boyish Sexiness
As any Woody Allen-loving girl will tell you, the peak of androgynous cool is Diane Keaton’s look in Annie Hall. Whether perfectly tailored like the Theory Alphie Tailor 3 Button Jacket (9) ($365) or flowingly deconstructed like the Alexander Wang White Lapel Boyfriend Blazer (10) ($680 – now available for pre-order on Blaec), this season is all about ladies getting well-
The Final Touch Tie your look together with a Victorinox Swiss Army Pocket Watch (11) ($175), grab a cigar, and you’re sure to look fantastic as you spin menswear to flatter your own body.
