Borrowed from the boys: my latest inspiration

In keeping with my Gentlewoman style moniker (aka Grown Up Tomboy), the only times I have consciously copied a style element from a real-life source, it's been from a man.

The first time... Back in the Dress-for-success 80s, trying to find my sartorial niche, I was captivated by the cardigans worn by a private-school-teacher friend. Now they're called grandpa or boyfriend cardigans, but back then they had no name and were like hen's teeth to find in women's clothing. But I eventually succeeded, and have had a couple in my wardrobe ever since.

Fast forward a few decades... Still trying to figure out how to add a third piece comfortably while wearing a white coat over top: I noticed one of my male colleagues had perfected the shirt-and-sweater-vest uniform, and I followed suit. Great solution to the gaping shirt at the bustline problem. Over time it evolved into the shorter vest over untucked shirt proportion (as younger guys joined our group and showed how).

Then, about 5 years ago, I was at a day-long meeting to discuss government policy (at which nothing I said could make a difference). My wandering eyes checked out how the other women were dressed. Then I noticed one man wearing classic loafers without socks, and when I got home I dug out my black patent loafers and started wearing them sockless with everything, followed by several new pairs, and then they started trending.

Forward to my latest inspiration, this time at a concert of Renaissance music. The musicians were in all black of course, and soft-soled black leather shoes, because of all the foot-tapping. Except for the leader and setar player, who wore dreadlocks and a full beard, and a colorful shirt that was both boho and subdued. And HIS shoes had red laces that made me smile. Now all I need is the right width of red ribbon, and my 2 year old black patent oxfords will go from boring to just the kick my fall and winter wardrobe needs. (Without my spring/summer blues and navies, my closet is over 90% black, grey, and red.)

Anybody else find their inspiration in weird places?

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is wonderful. I love how you find your inspiration and it absolutely fits your moniker.

I get inspired a lot by the Beatles ' mod phase.

L'Abeille

Thanks Suz. I love your Beatle boots! I've been searching for Chelsea boots (in size 11) for at least 2 years and I think I may have settled too soon, as they are just now starting to appear in local stores.

Bonnie

Interesting post and a great read. I loved an outfit I saw on a woman in the plant nursery and even went to far as to buying a sewing machine and trying to make it myself. I bought some graphic tees and a black topper after seeing a woman wearing them on the subway in NYC on vacation. I never finished making the first outfit but below is my interpretation of the second.

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Great outfits with the Ts, Bonnie!

rachylou

Oh, I have a collection of little sketches of outfits I've seen on the street! My last personal fad following of one was cat socks and Carlie crocs, per one of my work children She gave me permission to be her creepy copycat, hehe at work.

Barbara Diane

Like.

Sally

Sounds fun. I like men's clothing. I can't say I get that kind of inspiration at my work place. But I often get inspiration on the street....particulary from young people waiting for buses.
I also remember seeing the most perfect black suit and shoes on this lady once. She was about 60 and had fabulous white hair pulled back in a clasp. It was lIke a man's suit but the whole thing was so understated and classy....I don't know where I'd wear something like that.

Bonnie...I love the graphic t outfits....very chic.

Style Fan

Bonnie I like your graphic T outfits. I might steal those ideas.
I get inspiration from many places. I see someone whose style I like and I break down what they have done.

Rambling Ann

Can I be your Gentlewoman twin?

MuseumGal

Well shoot, I was hoping you were going to go for dreadlocks and a full beard. Seriously though, I'm another who draws more inspiration from male than female dressing. BTW, etsy has ribbon shoe laces in every color and length. They also work well as little gentlemanly neck ties and as headbands.

kkards

love your inspirations! so wonderful to be open to new and different ideas!

( loved the idea of red shoe laces....so i googled it looking for inspiration...and learned that red laces have a political meaning to certain groups. you may want to Google it)

shedev

Addy on Z nation was wearing a red sweater with slashed sleeves, now I want something like that.
And I have the jacket from the hunger games.

Joy

I get most of my inspiration here from Angie's ensembles and WIWs on the Forum. Today I tried to do black cropped flares and a white woven shirt from my closet, inspired by Angie's blog post today. It is not a good representation but I think two orphans are being used

Nishaa

Active Member

Such a nice tip... Coloured laces with black / neutral shoes.

Staysfit

Your method for style inspiration has kindled even more interest for my image hunt. I have never looked at full outfits on others before for style inspiration. I have been looking at lots of outfit images and thinking about whether I can approximate them with what I already own, or if I would want to try. Most of the images are worn by the people I have chosen as style icons. I have picked several icons because I was unable to narrow it down to just one or two. It's more like 5 or 6! I find that my natural choices and inclinations are different than those in the pictures. So far it's all just a fun exercise. When I get dressed, I don't think anything I have learned translates to my everyday picks. My guess is that might shift over time if I continue this game of playing dress up! Maybe I will find a true inspiration like you have. I think you have a good eye to have picked these ideas and adopted them. Kudos!

Meredith

Loved reading about your inspiration. I'm still defining the elements of my style, so I don't have any good examples to share. I do agree the menswear can be a great place to look. And why are size 11 Chelsea boots so hard to find? I share your pain!

tulle

This was so much fun to read. I love your inspirations!

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