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Meet designer Suzie Watson, who over the last year has been working on a womenswear collection for London label Mr Start - called er, Mr Start Woman. Personally, I think Mrs Smart is a much more catchy moniker but I wouldn't want to argue with Brix Smith about it. Anyway, as a big fan of androgynous style, the news that a couple of key menswear brands are moving into womenswear is good enough for me.
When we meet, Suzy - who describes her style as clean, modern and unfussy - is wearing the Brix Sparkle Boyfriend Shirt. A denim-look number with a subtle smattering of Lurex. Gorgeous. I love a simple shirt. The uncomplicated cut, the cool cotton fabric, the wobbly arm coverage make this the perfect summer cover-up. I have a small selection in navy, black and white - and should I fancy something in khaki or grey, I'll nab one of Mr That's Not My Age's. Proper boyfriend-style. Last summer, I lived in a pale blue Margaret Howell men's shirt - not wanting to look too formal, I wore it with a pair of threadbare old Levi's and Liberty print hi-tops. When the sun came out I dropped the denim for a J Crew maxi skirt.
The full Mr Start Woman collection launches in autumn, here are some of my favourite pieces:
Another menswear label branching out into womenswear is E. Tautz: the ready-to-wear range from Savile Row tailors Norton & Sons. And we have Katie Hillier to thank for that. The accessories designer is an advocate of men's shirting for women - and the girlfriend of creative director Patrick Grant, which helps. Meet one of the coolest couples in fashion:
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| Photo: The Independent |
Hooray for Hillier! The driving force behind the E. Tautz collection took inspiration from the classic men's shirts in her wardrobe and created a range of women's styles in Bengal stripes, crisp poplins and twills that launched this spring.
Proportion-wise the mannish shirt has a number of options. Take the French Vogue editor route and team a looser style with slim pants or jeans, choose a closer-fitted shirt and wear with slouchier pants, or embrace the nineties and opt for a classic shirt and flat-fronted, schoolboy trousers.
How would you wear one?
Men's style shirts are tricky for me because of a fuller bust. Depending on how these are cut...
ReplyDeleteBut oh, that Herringbone jacket is calling my name.
I love a pale blue men's shirt with my pale complexion. Men's fabrics are often comfortable on the skin yet sturdy in the wash. Love them!
ReplyDeleteI don't think men's shirts work well on woman with bigger boobs. They just look a bit odd, much better to have a woman's cut on a blouse/shirt to avoid the gaping at the front.
ReplyDeleteI love the Brix shirt - perfectly worn by Suzy herself. That's how I would love to wear a shirt and make it look so easy and nonchalant. It is quite difficult to find shirts which fit well and though technically classed as a teeny bopper shop, Jack Wills do a nice range of shrunken boyfriend fit shirts which actually do seem to fit and flatter my frame.
ReplyDeleteKeep going back to the Brix shirt - I love it more and more every time I look at it.
If these shirts are a longer cut, so they cover the top of my thighs when I wear them over my trousers, then I definitely want some of them. Most women's shirts seem to finish just above and it's not a flattering look. I'm looking forward to when the collection launches in the autumn. Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteI've always had a couple of mens shirts in my closet and recently re-discovered just how fantastic they are; the looser ones I wear tunic style over skinny jeans (much more forgiving when you actually don't have skinny legs) and the closer fit under sweaters with yes, tailored wool pants with brogues.
ReplyDeleteLove that first shirt. LOVE IT.
ReplyDeleteThe shirts looks good on SW and the models, but somehow, shirts don´t look good on me (;
ReplyDeleteThe other shirt you are showing, is unfortunately not to my liking.
The 2nd photo down,the tweed jacket/coat + the shirt are so me.
ReplyDeleteOff to check SW out.Judith/Ida
I keep coming back to look at the Brix shirt, love it
ReplyDeleteReally like the look of that Mr/Mrs Smart range... - thanks for letting us know! x
ReplyDeleteWhen the weather is warm, I live in men's style shirts. I wear them with cropped trousers, pencil skirts, shorts, and with jeans or khakis if it's cool. Poplin, broadcloth, silk, linen....you can't go wrong.
ReplyDeleteI am a great fan of the shirt. so easy to wear and comfortable. Love the navy one at the top.
ReplyDeleteI would say my favourite is also the 1st shirt. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteMen's fabrics are often comfortable on the skin yet sturdy in the wash. Love them!
ReplyDeletemen`s shirts online worldwide
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ReplyDeleteThe shirts looks good on SW and the models, but somehow, shirts don´t look good on me (;
ReplyDeleteThe other shirt you are showing. Some more beautiful products is in mens designer clothing
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ReplyDeleteI think this blog is great example of enduring women's fashion trend.Cool!also you can visit this site Visit our site
ReplyDeleteThe fabric gives feeling so cool. Men's fabric must be soft and comfortable.
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ReplyDeleteIts leather collection, now the store also offers a wide range of fabric clothes.
ReplyDeleteFabric Blouse
Thanks for sharing this beautiful post of shirts. I like the way you have designed the shirts that women can wear men shirt that is really a good idea. I like the first shirt that is my favorite color shirt. Dressspace online clothing store has huge collection of formal and stylist shirts for women which are designed by famous Italian dress designers.
ReplyDelete