Who’s wearing the pants?

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Who’s wearing the pants?

— by Angie

on August 25, 2008

Menswear inspired trends are hot for Autumn, and I love a bit of the old androgynous look thrown into the mix with an uber feminine twist. Ties, waistcoats, spectator peds, tuxedos and boyfriend cardigans are great ways in which menswear looks can work on women with the right amount of grace and girly edge.

Bobbie Thomas of NBC’s TODAY describes several ways that women are working masculine items into their wardrobes. Katie Holmes takes this trend to an extreme, wearing what looks like hubby’s jeans. Do you think she pulls off the look with style?

Autumn 2008

28 comments · Add a comment

Tanya

I love the menswear trend and I am ( and will be ) wearing a lot of it: boyfriend cardigans, vests, oxfords etc. However, I seriously dislike those wide rolled jeans on Katie. Yes it’s different, and there has been a lot of buzz about the look, and some other celebrities have been copying it, but I don’t find it appealing at all.

August 25, 2008 at 8:30 am

sihaya

I love the androgynous look combined with some feminine touches. What do you think of suspenders on women? I used to like Katie Holmes style a lot but lately I think some of her stuff has been a bit over the top and unflattering, particularly some of her jeans or the designer outfit that she had in wonder woman colors that just didn’t jive with her. I love her hair and all the variations she’s been going through.

August 25, 2008 at 8:31 am

Meredith

I also love the androgynous look–I even purchased a boyfriend cardigan for fall. Sadly, the picture of Katie Holmes posted at the link above is not so flattering. It’s not so much an androgynous look, as it is a sort of “walk-of-shame” look. You know, “spent the night at someone’s house, couldn’t put on my martini-soaked cocktail dress, so I had to put on a pair of his jeans and slink back to my place” sort of look.

August 25, 2008 at 8:45 am

Julia

I adore Katie Holmes but I don’t care for this look on her. There’s better way to wear menswear and this is not one of them.

August 25, 2008 at 8:45 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting. (Meredith, you crack me up).

Sihaya, suspenders are a hit and miss. Can’t say for sure one way or another.

I absolutely love Katie’s new super short hair-do. I think she looks better the shorter she sports her hair. She was made for a short crop.

Any guesses as to what I think of the look that’s linked ?

August 25, 2008 at 9:02 am

i was loving all the floral dresses and flared pants, i knew it was too good to last. at least this menswear trend will keep me on my budget.

August 25, 2008 at 9:14 am

Antje

Ha, Angie, I bet you hate it. But I’ll be the dissenting voice. I actually think she looks super cute in that outfit. The big rolled-up jeans with the fitted top is a very casual-sexy look to me. Nothing to wear out to dinner or go to work in, but sweet nonetheless. So there you go… Antje is back from vacation and already being a troublemaker in her first post
(I also have to say that my very first reaction upon seeing the outfit was “haven’t we had this in the mid 90s already?” My timing might be off, but somehow this didn’t seem like a new look at all to me, but a revival of a style that we saw not too long ago.)

August 25, 2008 at 9:15 am

Joelle

Those jeans make her look short and bottom-heavy. They don’t do her any favors at all. Maybe the jeans would look better if she didn’t roll them up? I’m hoping that the fall menswear trend is more polished-looking than that. I love how those boyfriend cardis look in the photos in the earlier post.

August 25, 2008 at 9:42 am

Real Style Real People

(website)

The Katie rolled up jeans look was actually a big conversation on my site too. I was saying that the way she rolled them tightly on the bottom (in and up) reminded me of what we did in the 80’s with our jeans and it made me cringe. I like her more recent looks where she just rolled them straight up and I’ve done that with my jeans too, especially if they’re long. But I don’t know if I’m a fan of how super baggy they are on her (although they would be comfy-I could use them as my “fat” jeans).
Christina

August 25, 2008 at 9:49 am

amazona

This look is hard to pull off. I think it’s easy to look sloppy or frumpy. It’s best on young thin women. Older women need to stick a more feminine style, tailored and clean.

I for one won’t be wearing men’s shirts, t-shirts, jeans or cardigans.

August 25, 2008 at 10:13 am

San

Katie Holmes looks good in Tom’s jeans. I don’t know if anyone else could pull it off, but she is a head turner.

August 25, 2008 at 10:16 am

Laura

Angie, I bet you don’t like the look, since you seem to be in tune with European fashion, and this seems so American.

I remember doing this to my jeans in the late 80s, but that means that since I wore the trend once when I was young I can’t ever wear this trend again, right?? Besides, being petite, I find it hard to pull off a big, wide belt like Katie’s, and that seems key to the look.

August 25, 2008 at 10:27 am

Vildy

heh I kinda like that “walk of shame” look. I like the way Katie Holmes looks in those pants, particularly like the slightly slanted belt.

August 25, 2008 at 10:53 am

Kasmira

(website)

To answer the question in your title, “who’s wearing the pants,” not me! Fashion mags keep declaring the death of the dress and return of pants, but I’m not buying it. I’d rather incorporate the other menswear bits you mention.

August 25, 2008 at 10:54 am

Patience

As a teenager/young adult I *loved* menswear inspired clothing. It was a large part of my style. I thought I’d be more nostalgic about it now but I can’t say that I’m all that anxious to get myself into this style today. Maybe it’s the modern version of pairing it with girly pieces? For a long time, I actually bought men’s jeans and khakis because they just fit better. I don’t like Katie in Tom’s jeans. I admit she pulls it off and turns heads but the pants are ugly all the same.

August 25, 2008 at 10:58 am

Maya

I love the androgynous look! One of the looks I really want to investigate is a pair of “fancy” short shorts in a menswear fabric, black opaque tights, knee high boots, waistcoat/vest over a buttondown shirt, and pearls. So far I have everything but the essential elements: shorts and the vest. I could just whack myself over the head for hesitating on a pair of tweed shorts from Esprit that are now only $14.99. They’re out of stock in my size Currently I have my eye on a pair of pinstripe shorts from Urban Ouftitters but even $50 seems like too much to spend on what would more or less be a novelty item.

August 25, 2008 at 11:26 am

Maya

…and for the record, I am the most clueless female in America when it comes to celebrities. The only exposure I get to celebrity style and gossip comes from waiting on line at the grocery store checkout.

August 25, 2008 at 11:27 am

Sal

(website)

As someone who looks laughable in garments that aren’t tailored to a woman’s curves, I’m relatively anti-androgyny.

However, even though the trend doesn’t suit me and even though I think pegged jeans are a bit horrid, I really do think Katie looks cute in her new style. Maybe it’s because she’d look cute in a muumuu, hiking boots, and a top hat … but I don’t know. She just owns that look!

August 25, 2008 at 11:54 am

Nan

Seems like Tom’s jeans would be too short on her, not long enough to roll up. (shame on me)

August 25, 2008 at 12:03 pm

Miss Britt

(website)

I hated those jeans on Katie.

But I am DYING to find a great tuxedo jacket.

August 25, 2008 at 2:01 pm

Kristers

Nan–Tell it like it is!

I remember the pegged pants from the 80’s/late 90’s.

I’m sure the super big hair and lots of make up will follow to ensure that although the girls are dressed like boys, they are Still Girls. [Except for Boy George…but he was an enigma. And still is.]

I was never one for cuffed pants in any form as I think it makes one’s leg’s look stumpy. But maybe that’s just me. Perhaps a men’s vest or jacket over a mini skirt but I’m going to leave the men’s pants for the men.

August 25, 2008 at 2:57 pm

shiny

You are all cracking me up!

Although androgynous is not my personal style, I adore it on people who can pull it off. We see a lot of that style in and around the more artsy universities at Boston. But this, to me, is not what I call androgynous.

I’m … eh… on the look. As much as I can’t stand Tom & Katie (Tom is a scientologist and I think he needs some SERIOUS mental health – has anyone else noticed that his head has become misshapen – Travolta’s head does this too), I do applaud her for trying something different. I think the shoes are awesome, and save the outfit from being completely horrid. However, I am betting if we saw a rear view she’d look …. completely horrid. Dumpy butt syndrome, big-time!

Nope, give me straight legs anyday (heh – I’m such a quick convert, aren’t I??).

However, I DO really want a menswear-inspired jacket. One with an interesting lining so I can roll up the sleeves. To wear with my straight or skinny legs. Or throw over a dress. Worn with pearls and ruffles and other girly things…

August 25, 2008 at 3:33 pm

Kyle

She looks so good in just about everything, but can do a whole lot better than this. Victoria Beckham has worn this same look.

August 25, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for your opinions. You lot are a scream.

Laura and Antje, quite right, I do not prefer Katie in this look, or anybody in this look. I do not hate it though. There are very few things in life that I actually hate!

Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria were sporting a similar look. Something makes me think they might be working with the same stylist. That being said, I’m sticking up for menswear inspired designs. I love them as long as they were designed for women.

August 25, 2008 at 6:04 pm

Nancy T

I like the menswear look – just not those jeans on Katie! It looks like she pulled them out of Tom’s laundry basket….messy.

August 26, 2008 at 8:12 am

Fran

Those rolled up jeans are atrocious, and furthermore, she’s breaking Angie’s pant-length rule! Off with her head!

August 26, 2008 at 8:45 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fran, you crack me up. Your allegiance to PPL’s is awfully touching. Who knew my mantra would reach such epic proportions.

August 26, 2008 at 9:14 pm

Sarah

I like a lot of menswear inspired looks, but don’t care for women actually wearing men’s baggy jeans. I’ve given up that look myself and don’t think it’s anymore flattering on others, even if they are celebs. And for the record, I don’t follow celeb gossip either; I’m as clueless as Maya about them and would like to stay that way. That said I would love a menswear inspired vest.

August 28, 2008 at 4:45 pm

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