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Italian Vogue

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Oh I’ve had so much fun with this post! It’s been one of my favourites.  The sumptuous menswear influence in women’s fashion this Fall has inspired me to pull out all my tailored pieces, vintage waistcoats, manly trousers and brogues. I’m not really a ‘suit’ girl but I’m definitely feeling my inner Kate Hepburn/David Bowie this season. I haven’t quite decided if I’m going “Philadelphia Story” or “Thin White Duke” but  what I do know is that Husband’s closet will be raided.  The good news is he couldn’t care less. He’s always loved me in this look and I don’t think he’s alone there-I think many men find women dressed in masculine attire to be very attractive-How many “Esquire” shots of women in men’s white shirts (and nothing else) have we seen over the years?!

We’ve always ‘stolen from the boys’.  Guess it’s probably because we don’t have quite enough variety in women’s fashion :)

 Think Lauren Hutton, Bianca Jagger in her wedding suit, Garbo, Diane Keaton…the list is endless.   The bad news is; my husband’s closet is, to put it mildly, a rather barren territory. Sherpas living on Everest have bigger personal closets than my husband.  So Tom Ford he ain’t, but what he does have, God bless him, I’m more than welcome to filch.

Sons…ahhh, not so much.  Although basket ball shorts and Comicon t-shirts could possibly work with my new Stella McCartney white jacket if say Daphne Guinness or Carine Roitfeld were stopping by to help me accessorize, but somehow I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

I would pay to see Daphne  coming up my gravel driveway in those shoes though.

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A little music for your stroll from The Thin White Duke,  pre-TWDuke  & from one of my 10 favourite albums ever

“Hunky Dory”

Double click to play

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Slim Paley photo

A little tableau of some of my finds, including a long skirt I had made for me of vintage ties. It’s fun with big chunky sweaters and riding boots.

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Italian Vogue

Dior watch

I have a silver fob  which I’m going to polish up and start using again- perhaps I’ll attach my pedometer to it-a sure way to stop it from getting thrown into the washing machine methinks.

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Tom Ford

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Marlene Dietrich

A veritable pioneer of poaching from the men’s department

Speaking of, definitely do check out the men’s/boys department of your favourite department stores.  You can find a ton of stuff there and usually for considerably lower prices than the women’s section.

New York , Paris & London are particularly good for cross over shopping.

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Divine!

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Dolce & Gabbana

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Prada shoes

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Oversized jacket somehow looking ridiculously good

I wish I knew who made it…

and those boots.

The model? She can just keep on walking.

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The Row

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The Row

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Dolce & Gabbana eyewear

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Via Elle Mexico

And may she never move to this country.

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Rich leather & grey flannel brogues by Angela Scott

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I had the pleasure of meeting the shoe designer  Angela Scott just last week- I just thought her look was adorable.

Angela attributes both her own personal style and the quality and workmanship that goes into the crafting of her shoes to her grandfather.

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The Row

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Slim Paley photo

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Invest in a great man’s hat or two

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Haider Ackermann Spring 2012

Loving Haider Ack., I must say.

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..No belt, but plenty of other fun things going on

Get those higher waisted jeans out girlfriends!

She’s got a Jethro belt and she’s not one bit happy about it.

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Look who was copying the boys waaay back when  (I think I was 18??!)

Could have used some Moroccan Oil in my hair even then!

Nostalgia…it’s a beautiful thing :)

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Slim Paley photo of Angela Scott’s “Mr Smith” oxfords

“It was Mr. Smith, a distinguished gentleman, who won me over that day. With every bit of class and dignity that one would expect to see in a man on the streets of London. From the horn rimmed glasses to his perfectly polished bespoke oxfords. I was in love with his sophisticated style. The striped oxford is my ode to Mr. Smith and the reflection of grace that I saw shining through the cordovan leather tips of his gorgeous oxfords.” Angela Scott

Dolce & Gabbana

-Play around with cuff & sleeve lengths

-Borrow your partner’s cufflinks

-Wear your watch on the outside of your cuff

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The Row

Love the evening slipper with no sock look

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Jane Birkin on looking sexy without being overdone said;

“I say, wear men’s clothes and smile. Old stuff is grand, especially men’s trousers. I wish I could find the corduroys (the actor) John Wood gave me. I feel very sexy when I’m wearing those.”  (via British Vogue)

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PS. Jane Birkin auctioned off her LAST Birkin bag for $163,000 to raise money for the Japanese Red Cross.

Now that’s sexy!

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Ways to soften your “Dude-iness”

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-Keep your tie loose

(think Don Draper after 3 Manhattans)

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-Structured clothes- soften the hair

-Wear a little blush ( channeling my mother “Would it kill you to put on a little blush ?!”)

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-Keep it slouchy

(although honestly, these pants look like they could be coming or going, don’t they?)

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Kate.

Of course she does it perfectly.

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Stella McCartney jacket

-Pin a corsage

or pop a beautiful silk poof in your pocket

-Roll your sleeves up, especially for day

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Alexander McQueen  “Le Smoking”

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-A soft white t-shirt will help keep you comfortable under a structured jacket.

Don’t be a stiff!

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-A touch of lace says “Hey- you still need to open the door for me”!

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-Suspenders can be cute (if you’re still relatively young, or conversely, very old (just not in the middle) & not too well gifted in the chestal area)

-try adding  tie-pins or nice blingy brooches or both along your suspenders.

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-Take a note from Older Son (or as we fondly call him “Mr. N.Y.”) and don’t wear socks OR laces with your brogues- OK, now you’re very cool too!

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Have fun with your accessories!

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Via Italian Vogue

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But most of all…

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Just have FUN!

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Will you be raiding Sir’s closet or do you prefer to linger on the lacy side of life?

~

PS.

@#$%^&* moths

My grey trousers

Smack dab where they can’t be repaired too.

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