Marie Claire Turkey April 2011

Feminine with a masculine elements, so cleverly styled, with the women's body in mind. Cest magnifique!

Obsession Du Jour: Wide-brim floppy hats and Bow-ties

There are two fashion items I keep a look out for, as of these few weeks; wide floppy hats, and bow-ties. (I won't necessarily wear them together) Floppy hats being a polished choice for headgear this winter, and bow-ties, just because I love adding masculine edges to any outfit and the late "borrowed from the boys" trend. Let's draw inspiration from runways, street styles, past editorials, and some trendy celebrities.

Sources: style caster, hidden gems, fashionising, man repeller, style.com

Boyfriend Coats

Yesterday after my first proper shopping experience in Seoul, it was confirmed once again my tendancy to seek for masculine-feminine clothing. Almost half of my wardrobe seem to be borrowed from the boys. I'm talking about oversized cardigans, lace up boots,oversized button ups, just to name a few. After hours of browsing through mostly "girly" clothes that were too sweet for my fashion taste, I bought yet another menswear-inspired item: the boyfriend coat, but wait, in a subdued canary yellow. There's something delightful about slipping into a semi-oversized outerwear that is also surprisingly practical, as it allows all sorts of layering. It's also thrillingly versatile because I could pull off two distinctive looks. Un, a unisex outfit with a masculine hat. Deux, the I-stole-my-boyfriend's-coat aesthetic, contrasting it with feminine pieces like a wool mini skirt and a blouse. (But what are the chances of my boyfriend having a yellow coat?) All in all, it'll be perfect for my January in New York. Exhibiting masculine touches (lapels, double-breasted shape, boxy, large pockets) - yet fit for the feminine frame, boyfriend coats are winter-wonderful!

I wish I could upload a photograph of my new coat, but I had left my adapter at home, back in Sydney. This is a very similar one in cut and style.

Octobre Inspirations

A handful of designers (Louis Vuitton, Karen Walker, Marc Jacobs, Celine, Proenza Schouler, and recently Dsquared2) are inspiring my personal wardrobe choices. I love how the fashion tide is towards polished lady-like looks. It's very grown up and chic. I'm incorporating this trend into my wardrobe via button up shirts, pleated skirts, boyfriend blazers, and girly stack heels. I'm also crazy about animal print accents; a hint of leopard is the ideal way to freshen up classic staples and make them feel current again. All in all, I'm incredibly excited.

I've been needing a new handbag for so long (I've been using my Veronika Maine black leather and chain handbag for every occasion, both appropriate and inappropriate). I want a replacement that is so far from what handbags have become expected be. Something minimal to the extreme, like this Chloe beauty.

Inspiration: Dsquared2 Spring 2011

It's not much of a secret that the female dandy, as an quintessential look, is one of my enduring favourites. I find inspiration in Dsquared2 Spring 2011's effortless masculine styles. Button-up, chinos, double-breasted blazers, oxfords and socks, straw hats, and to complete the look - black thick framed glasses (which I already own, from back during the Geek-Chic trend of 2009).

Bon Voyage: Vogue Korea

Summer stripes, bright whites, and dandy delights!

Model: Lee Hyun Yi

Photographer: Bo Lee

When Boy Meets Girl

I'm not gender-confused. I'm a princess to the core. I don't actually want to look like a man. I just like unisex clothes, and androgynous looks. Hey, I even like unisex names, and will be naming my kids Taylor, Jesse, London, Harper, Hayden, Ashleigh, Blaire, Reese and Noa. (Androgynous, definition: Uniting both sexes in one, or having the characteristics of both male and female.) I think I have a androgynous-driven wardrobe, to satisfy the sharp dandy in me. For example, oversized T-shirts, lace-up brogues/oxfords, bowler hats, distressed boyfriend jeans, tuxedo jackets, masculine high-waisted pants with feminine draping (a little more structured than a harem), jodhpurs, double-breasted waistcoat and leather biker jackets.
Moreover, when I design, style or draw, I find that I enjoy blurring the lines. I like to draw inspiration from menswear from the past, more often than by womenswear in the history of fashion. I like to play around with masculinity and femininity clothing because I think there is something quite fierce and sexy about this!

Girls Who Likes Boys

As a woman - one thing I envy about men's fashion is that it doesn't radically change. The style subtly adjust overtime allowing a stylish man to really enjoy the currant trends. In me, lives a few people and animals, but one sharp, urban and dandy 26 year-old male is quite dominant, (along with Laura-Ashley, my classy, romantic and delicate 42 year-old distinctly European woman). He comes through in the way that I dress. I become the 'me version of him' if that makes sense. He also manifests himself in the way I style. When I design, sometimes I design for him, and/or my inspiration comes from him. My colleagues have gotten to know him a little (he tends to show up once in a while), and say I should really name this guy! I think when I come across a particular name, I'll just know it'll be the right name suited for him. I'll let you know.

Sources: modenaarsmenstyle.blogspot.com, the urbangent.com, wolf-whistle.typepad.com, venessajackman.blogspot.com, waynetippetts.com

P.S. Oh, and one lesson I learnt from these inspiring street styles: men look better in colder climate. Noticed that?