Inspirational dominance

KATHMANDU, Aug 2: Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.As Coco Chanel believed, a trend that is in its full bloom this season is the balancing act between masculine and feminine proportion of apparels. First it was boyfriend(bf) jeans during Spring 2009 that caught almost everyone’s attention. It’s the turn of boy-blazers now, which is in its zenith.[break]

It was during 1930s Katherine Hepburn donned the mannish pants defying the social and fashion rules. And Coco Chanel gave us the women trousers during the time when it was still a social taboo for women to wear pants. In 1960’s and 70’s a woman wearing pants symbolised liberation in America.

Thanks to the ladies who donned trousers and busted the glass ceiling. And it was just the beginning of the fashion raid. Now women have been able to match almost everything from their counterpart’s closet---shoes, pants, shirts, blazers into theirs making them more rakish and hip. Thus this season “Boyfriend(bf) dressing” trend is in its full spin.

Streets where Kate Moss walked recently are the places where the bf trend started for this season. She sported boy blazers and succeeded in influencing the younger lot to follow the trend. Agnes Deyn, who is fashion’s newest and hottest find is the other model who with her edgy sense of style has been able to popularize the bf dressing trend.

The vogue is gradually making its mark in the capital. While the relaxed loose pants have been happily adorned by the ladies in the valley and can still be seen on the mannequins in the shops around, other masculine trends is yet to see its rise.

Recent add to the bf trend is the boy-blazers in the capital which have hit the market through D.S Collections, Durbar marg. “In streets of Hong Kong and US one can see girls sporting boy-blazers chicly so I thought about giving it a try in Nepal as well,” says Sharmila Gurung of D.S, “but the girls here still want pretty and tightly-fitted dresses.”

For the uninitiated, bf blazers may seem like an apparel picked out of a men’s clothing section, but if you try it on, you can find the feminine edge and structure to it or you can give one to it. Team it up with party dresses and gowns. So far skinny jeans have proved to be their best friend. Adding layers of thin chains around your neck would add oomph to your boy blazer look.

But coming to the grounds donning boy blazers in Kathmandu during summer is not be a great idea until and unless you are somewhere always around Air Conditioner.

According to Sharmila the look of boy-blazer is suitable around Dashian and Tihar season. And her shop has seen few sales in this section, mainly the black colored coats.

Besides the trousers and blazers, other apparels from men’s closet have also been able to make their mark in women’s clothes section. To name few are grandpa cardigans, hugging shirts, loose fitted sweaters, which provide non-chalant look.

Long tees paired up with waist coat, which can be either worn with shorts or skinny jeans is apt for the season. Or a loose fitted trousers with fitting sandos. Besides the simple looking trousers, low slung trousers twisted around hemline are available in the market. And not to forget is the boy shirt. If you want some air in it is a must have for this season.

Pair it up with skinny jeans or leggings. Or clinch your waistline with skinny belts or wide ones to bring out the feminine frame.

Including one of the bf clothing is not being tom-boyish or walking the walk of men. The key to carry off this look is all about balancing the masculine and feminine sensuality.

The inspiration seems not only clothes-confined but extends to accessories and footwears too. Inspired by the strong influence of bf dressing an accessory brand, Fossil, has launched oversized “boyfriend watches” for ladies.

Other masculine inspired trend can be seen in the footwear department. Oxford shoes are the next big thing in the international market and are well-received too. Sadly, It is yet to enter Nepal’s fashion scene.