Fashion: Menswear influences get an update

Photos / Babiche Martens

Menswear influences get a laid-back update.

There's nothing new about women borrowing sartorial style cues from menswear, from Coco Chanel's irreverent pioneering of a more androgynous look for women with her initial menswear-inspired separates, to Yves Saint Laurent's groundbreaking Le Smoking tux debut in 1966.

Present-day designers have also reinforced a tomboyish silhouette, redefining the look for a modern generation. Stella McCartney's cleancut pant suits and oversized coats touch on her formal training received from Edward Sexton, Paul McCartney's celebrated Savile Row tailor.

Today, those ideas of "man-style" and "boyfriend" dressing are quickly becoming irrelevant terms in an industry seeing a shift in attitudes to the blurred menswear lines at Rick Owens and new kid on the block J.W. Anderson, to new gender-neutral pop-up spaces at Selfridges.

While the PC police might have a field day with this new frontier, the fact remains that classic shapes initially attributed to menswear have well and truly made an impact in womenswear for all the right reasons over the decades.

Today, razor-sharp suiting works just as well with a pair of brogues as they do with a classic pump. For something more languid, look to the loose-fitting pants from Paula Ryan (#1) and Kate Sylvester (#4). Both styles evoke a nonchalant approach to dressing that never goes out of style.

1 Camilla & Marc shirt, $302. Paula Ryan pants, $790. 9ct belcher chain, $559, from Stewart Dawsons. Robert Clergerie flats, $985, from Scarpa
2 Karen Walker crosshatch linen coat, $895. Harman Grubisa shirt, $395. Itzme pants, $375. Mi Piaci boots, $300. Henry Holland sunglasses, $249.
3 Camilla & Marc shirt dress, $240. Vanessa Bruno jacket, $830 and matching pants, $599, from Adorno. Mimco pumps, $229.
4 FCUK top, $100. Liam trench coat, $349. Kate Sylvester pants, $365. Mi Piaci boots, $260 and bag, $360.
5 Zambesi jacket, $1115 and matching pants, $495. Wrangler T-shirt, $69.90. Mi Piaci shoes, $280.

Stockists:

• Adorno (09) 378 4333
• Camilla & Marc
• FCUK
• Henry Holland 0508 EYEWEAR
• Itzme
• Karen Walker
• Kate Sylvester
• Liam
• Mimco
• Mi Piaci
• Paula Ryan
• Scarpa (09) 520 1424
• Stewart Dawsons (09) 846 2146
• Wrangler
• Zambesi (09) 303 1701

- Canvas