The Neutral Classic.

   As a modern woman, if your bored of feminine dresses or lovely skirts, then just change to the trousers or jeans as a boy or a gentleman. It takes seconds.  You could dress up whatever you want in the modern age. ” Tom boy ” style or ” Smoking” style is one of the most important trend in fashion industry. But historically it wasn’t really easy to be accepted by people that a woman would be in men’s wear. People thought that women in men’s wear is kind of anti society a century ago (or queer in many respects). 
   At 1920s, Coco Chanel started to design trousers for women under big pressure. Coco loved riding, she thought it was really annoying to wear such heavy dresses, outfits to ride. Then she cut the dress, put the pants on. It wasn’t normal at that golden age when every woman was still wearing an art deco style dress.  I disagree that many people said Chanel (the label) is a feminine dream, this brand never could be this simple. Whatever Coco or Karl, they present the theme of  Chanel is ” Beyond the time”, it shows that woman can be  handsome and elegant taking traits of men and women then combining them.
   Afterwards, Marlene dietrich was the first actress to wear men’s wear in movies. She has a magical attraction, it is difficult to find an actress that could be suave and attractive at the same time.  I read many women fell in love with her since from the movie “ Morocco“, not just because her amazing acting, nice singing,  but also the smoking look that become a classic in the movie history. During WWII, it became more and more difficult to live because most of men had  joined the war effort. Women had to be independent responsible and productive, then easy style became a big trend. After the war, women’s style has changed, less decoration, neater and stronger, but elegant still.  Katharine Hepburn made men’s wear turned to a fashionable way. Jeanne Moreau‘s tomboy look from Truffaut‘s “Jules et Jim” inspired more and more fashion designer to present men’s look to women. Also at 1960s, Yves Saint Laurent created” Le Smoking“, Newton‘s photography present a strong , suave and elegant woman’s figure, “Smoking look” turned to a real popular fashion culture.

   Has been a long time since I have posted men’s style, actually I love men’s style a lot. Not because it looks cool, but I think it is also suitable of my character.  🙂 , this series of pictures was taken during the last day of paris fashion week. 

Hat by Steton
Blazer and Vest from Vintage shop
Shirt by Givenchy
Pants by Comme des Garcons
Socks by Topshop
Shoes from my friend’s Jia

Illustration by Nancy.Z
Photography by M.Yu

     A lovely girl took these pics during  fashion week and sent them to me by twitter, I really appreciate that everyone support me so much! Thank you!

Inspirations:

Coco was the first fashion designer who designed men’s style and trousers for women.(1920-1930)
How many women fell in love with Marlene dietrich in 1940s? She could be so attractive and suave at the same time. Her smoking suit outfit look is a forever icon of ” Smoking style “.(1942)
Not just for playing a role, Katharine Hepburn loved wearing men’s wear in her private life. It became a trend in 1950s  (1952)
One of my favorite movie from Truffaut, “Jules et Jim“.  Jeanne Moreau’s ” Tom boy” style inspired a lot of designer and artist.(1962)

Was inspired by Marlene Dietrich, Yves Saint Laurent created” Le Smoking“, It become an icon of YSL afterwards. Slim suit outfit with gentleman’s hat, it shows more women’s confidence and elegance . (1966)  

7 Comments

  • Reply October 25, 2011

    Rosalinda Tjioe

    Great outfit! Love the menswear inspired look <3 Gorgeous! x

    http://rosalindatj.blogspot.com

  • Reply October 25, 2011

    Joy

    You pull it off so so well. It’s great!

  • Reply October 25, 2011

    Bani

    I really loved reading the introduction… it actually made me go out and read a bit more on the topic! I think you really pulled off the look well and you definitely kept the essense of menswear!

  • Reply October 25, 2011

    Hazel

    Hey Nancy! I absolutely adore menswear-inspired looks and I even have a blog dedicated to it. Just wanted to let you know that I posted that photo of you with a link back to your blog of course 🙂 You can see it here: http://la-garconne.tumblr.com/post/11908374395/nancy-zhang

  • Reply October 26, 2011

    ls-music

    a men’s style that I particularly appreciate when feminised on Nancy 😉

  • Reply October 26, 2011

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  • Absolutely fantastic outfit and amazing drawing!

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