VPL in a trouser? Gasp!
Plaid, tweed, and pinpoint in a “strong” hue are becoming a widespread staple across women’s wardrobes yet, they are still regarded as menswear. One can see menswear in any retailer’s window, on any catwalk. One can hear about menswear on any podcast and read about menswear in any fashion publication, including fashion queen, Vogue. And honestly, it grinds my gears. Women are not submissive. Neither are our fashions. So we should not label as such.
But it is difficult! Ya can’t just type menswear into your thesaurus.
Technically speaking, masculine influences in feminine fashion dates back to the 1850s when Amelia Bloomer first wore blousy “bloomers” under her dress in lieu of the traditional hoop+petticoat+corset trifecta.
Coco Chanel was among the first to utilize tweed to design suits for the working class of women in the 1920s. 10 years later in the 1930s suiting was glamourized by the likes of Katherine and Audrey Hepburn in Hollywood. Menswear has been regarded as a modern fashion since the launch of Diane Keaton’s Annie Hall in 1977.
Nowadays women more often than not opt into wearing a pantsuit. 2019 corporate America rarely requires something dressier than dark wash jeans and a blouse that encloses cleavage and midriff meanwhile, an everyday suit is portrayed less as a status symbol because most of us have one.
As seen on the 2020 resort runway includes the likes of: double breasted jackets with wide 80s lapels, tuxedo-style vests, and wide leg printed pants always adorned with a pocket. Commonly desired accessories are thick belts, wide brim suede hats, and anything with a chain - mainly necklaces. Vogue reports they had traveled to Malibu, New York, London, Florence, Milan, Provence, and Paris, and menswear was widely the biggest womenswear trend around the globe. A menswear flair is becoming a part of every woman's daily outfits, even if you aren’t conscious of it. Peep that cuff you call a bracelet. Also,think of how popular jumpsuits have become in the past 3 years. All a jumpsuit is, is a masculine evolution of the dress.
As far as I’m concerned there is only one surface-level reason women try to emulate men: because their life is easier. Everything a man does is strong, logical, practical, and their dress is no different. Womenswear today in America, yes, is not ultra restrictive but, it is not equivalent to men’s. Several pieces in my closet lack pockets and belt loops. Several pieces in my closet are low-cut or backless where I have to get creative and have my roommates tape me in just so I avoid a Janet Jackson moment. For what reason? (Sidenote: Anyone know a man gutsy enough to wear a backless shirt in the club? Me either.)
For 40+ years women have been rocking boxy silhouettes and straight line tailoring in dark, robust prints not because we want to be men and wear daddy’s work shirts, but because we want to feel powerful too. We, women, want to be viewed as courageous and strapping and strong. And for the millions of American women like me, that feeling manifests and shines outwardly through our androgynous fashions.Tailored separates for women is no longer a trend, it is simply a part of our clothing collection!
Please, kindly, don’t call it menswear.
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