I’ve been a longtime fan of stealing some ideas from the guys to pump up my style.
Vintage Menswear Style For Women
In the photo below I’m wearing my own tie I bought some twenty odd years ago.
The red tie below was stolen from my husband’s tie drawer. He has quite a collection, many of them purchased secondhand.
Buying items in the same colour palette ensures everything you own will automatically work together.
I had all of these items in my closet just waiting for a chance to shine together. Taking the time to create with the clothes we already own stretches our imaginations and helps save the environment. Shop your closet first.
As A Taste Of France so eloquently put it,
“Creativity without consumption is great.”
You’ve seen this vintage suede skirt loads of times on the blog. It is one of my favourites as it matches my hair colour perfectly.
People often assume that it is their skin tone which decides which colours they can or cannot wear.
I disagree. The colour of your hair plays a much larger role than the colour of your skin. Try on a wig and notice how it changes your skin tone.
What do you think of the print mix? The blouse has small polka dots creating a quirky medley of dots, diagonal stripes and horizontal stripes.
I’m really happy how this came together. It hits the five descriptive words of my personal style statement dead on; artistic, unique, relevant, fun and strong. I know it’s not for everyone but I think that is exactly why I like it so much.
I’m not everyone so why dress like it?
Do you enjoy lifting some style ideas from the guys?
Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl
Love all you combos!
Isn’t it fun “shopping” your sweetie’s closet?
I’ve worn men’s garments since my high school Levi’s 501 and painters pants days. They were de rigueur in the ’70s.
(I was going to insert my “Preppy Badass” link BUT it was a Polyvore image and I think might be lost to the sands of time) (Sigh)
Currently, men’s tees and button down shirts tend to fit me better — sleeves more generous for my lymphedema (swollen arm) issues.
love the looks – the outfit with the suede skirt and long jacket is very cool – and the little pattern mixing takes it away from to serious…..
i think you´r right with hair color – i was a natural dark brown (almost black), a platin blonde, a fiery redhead and now i´m silver – and i discovered that with every change of hair color i could wear a whole new palette. of cause i needed a complimenting makeup.
oh – and i´m all for “shop your closet first” – even if one is into 2.hand clothes!
xxxx
I love vests, and I’m not sure I understand why more women, especially older women, don’t embrace them. “Too masculine”? “Too harsh”? I think it’s fun and challenging taking men’s style and making it feminine. Love the looks. A.
Shopping your own closet as well as your husband’s! This style really suits you, Suzanne. Love the DIY appliqué tie sweater. That’s just brilliant. That last outfit is utterly fabulous and so you. Love all the pattern mixing going on here. I’m drooling over that skirt, but of course it would never work as well with my hair 😉 I do agree on the importance of one’s hair colour. There are even colours which suit me better when my hair is freshly coloured, and thus darker, making my skin tone much paler too. xxx
Love all the combos, Suzanne. The last one definitely has your name written all over it! It has a little steampunk vibe–another Victorian hit!
– Sherry
I adore all the tie looks!
I love a men’s tie and at one time I purchased several and wodd them frequently. Since retiring they’ve sort of dropped from my radar but the hold just as much charm as ever! THANKS for reminding me! 🙂
I do love your style and creativity!, those masculine pieces look fabulous and you look gorgeous!.
What a great idea to add a waistcoat, a tie or a pair of brogues, they look so lovely with jeans!. And I love particularly your last outfit, the fabulous color combo, the interesting layering and different patterns. So elegant and cool!
And I agree on the hair’s color subject, you made a brilliant remark and comments were also interesting!. Never thought on this until I quit dying my hair. Such a difference a red fringe makes!
besos
I couldn’t think of a better way to have fun with our closet. And by our closet I mean the one with the guys stuff in it too. And why not?? Hat’s are in no way only for guys or girls.
And those brogues…I never thought about men’s shoes. Obviously not my hubbys since they wouldn’t fit. But I do have a pair of snakeskin cowboy boots that used to be my dad’s….as long as I wear some thick socks, I’m good. Now I need to pull them out and style them (obviously I have a case of too many things to wear and too little time…)
I used to wear ties quite a bit …was it in the 90’s?? I still have them and my favorite one is a paisley print. I love how you added them to so many outfits!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I purchased a tie a few weeks ago, new, I used to wear it a lot in my teens. I love a bit of a androgynous style from now and then.
I’m a big fan of your menswear style and I love menswear myself. If I’m really lucky I find narrow men’s shoes in thrift stores too, but I also love women’s brogues and brogue styles with a heel. Ties and hats mostly but I’ve added huuuge jackets and coats too, maybe a phase. Secondhand shopping makes it easy to buy and then adjust, or not, as needed. I LOVE that sweatshirt you farked.
Job well done. And yes I like the pattern mixing of the dots with the stripes. Coming from me, that is quite something haha.
I never “do” menswear much as I seem to have a men’s shape anyway, which makes me look like a bloke. The whole idea is that it really underlines your femininity. And it doesn’t with me.
Greetje
I loved all your outfits with a masculine twist! I think my favourite is the jeans, vest, hat and coat in the first picture. So smart but very feminine, too.
I haven’t worn a tie since I left school in 1969….I have a couple of men’s vests that I wear occasionally and I do have a fedora hat that I wear as well. So, I do have a go!
Hope your week is going well.
xxx
I used to wear a lot of vintage menswear in my 20’s – vests, overcoats, dress shirts, and ties. Although, with my much flatter chest and short haircut there were several occasions when I was mistaken for a guy, which pissed me off at the time. I don’t wear those styles now as they don’t suit me anymore, but they look brilliant on you.
I LOVE this look on you. I have been ‘borrowing’ father/ brother/ husband’s ties and waistcoats for over half a century! I used to wear my father’s tail coat to parties but it has now been claimed by our younger daughter. Vintage clothes for men are so beautifully constructed.