ARTICLES/

MASCULINITY_TRENDS

Utility trends, tuxedos and fur coats are just a few of the female wardrobe that still confuses many of my male friends. “Whatever happened to some jeans and a t-shirt?” one cringed at me while I paraded around the hall in my black corset and shorts paired with brown vintage boots and a peacock bag. 'What’s with the dead animals?' I am not one to pass an opportunity to purchase a faux-fur coat; I love them, adore them to a point which some may think is an obsession. I have three, all in different colours to match many of the loud but utterly tremendous outfits I have gathered over the past years. I always find myself shocked when I get disapproving looks from gentlemen who dare question why I am wearing something that looks like an outfit dug out from the 1920's. My answer? “Its fashion!”

Now, I am not a knickers-throwing, tree-hugging feminist, but I do believe that women should dress for themselves and nobody else. Of course this is a lie – we do dress to impress, to feel magnificent, but we also dress to send out our own code. My message of course, has not been reciprocated by the opposite sex. Those who are victims of my stare and my catwalk strut find themselves resenting the fact that I have probably spent more money and thought on my outfit than I have on my plans for the weekend.

Are men intimidated by the woman in the clothes, or by the clothes on the woman? If we all wore baggy jeans, trainers and a white t-shirt (which may I add is the most comfortable combination when you are having a day off), can we really presume that men would feel more comfortable speaking with us? I stumbled across a website a few months ago which listed the items of clothing that really irritated men. Crocs, tailored shorts and logo t-shirts were a few of items listed, but what astounded me was that of the fur coat. A staple wardrobe item it keeps us warm in the winter, comfortable in the spring and looks fabulous in whatever we wear.

Are people who wear clothes that don’t scream 'look at me' meant to be more reserved and less high-maintenance? Whatever the male sex may think of the situation, female politics will clearly presume that “she has no style”. Those men who speak of fantasies of women wearing their boyfriends t-shirt or just an oversized shirt are happy to negotiate the heels and Fendi bag to go with it, but for what reason? Are only those men who are themselves fulfilled by fashion more than likely to accept fashion worn by us? Christopher Kane would be a fantastic example of the perfect boyfriend. Not only does he understand the world of Topshop obsessionism but he also knows the difference between lace and silk.

Sean Lennon is another fantastic example of a man that adores and respects fashion. His girlfriend, fellow band mate and ex-model Charlotte Kemp, speaks highly of the love of fashion she and Lennon share. Speaking to Vogue, Charlotte insists that Lennon has “impeccable taste” and that the couple “always shop for one another.” She also talks about to her lust for Sergeant Pepper Military Jackets, which she admits to owning 50 of. Lennon himself is not threatened by the songstress’ influence of 'travel and history' in her style.

The crossover of women moving into masculine clothing may have something to do with this bridge between men and appreciating fashion. Gone are the delicate lace dresses and the vibrant red stilettos and welcomed are the military jackets, white-collar shirts and the rebirth of the 'boyfriend jacket'. Are females becoming so obsessed with wanting to be taken seriously in a society where the dominant ideology is masculine superiority, or are we just weak to the ever-changing colours and fabrics that we fall in love with at first sight?

by Betheny Hall