16 October 2009 – Man Pants, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Blue blazer: BR Outlet
- Leaf brooch: Vintage Threadz on Etsy
- Yellow sweater: F21
- Wide leg pants: Banana Republic, thrifted new
- Orange pumps: Dolce Vita
End Notes:
When I stumbled on these wide(ish) leg pants at Goodwill a couple of weeks ago I had to chuckle. They are basically the women’s version of a pair of Banana Republic pants that my husband owns, made of essentially the same material, in the same indeterminate brown-gray-green color, with the same wide straight legs. It’s a little freakish, really, and I have promised to never wear my “man pants” on the same day that he wears his matching pair. It’s too bad, really, since we both love our respective pairs. Mine are ridiculously comfortable and, as the evident wrinkles attest, they are great for sitting on the floor with baby e.
Because of the more masculine cut of these pants, I wanted to make sure that I paired them with pieces that would create an interesting counterbalance, not look like I was playing dress up. For that reason, I doubt that I’ll ever wear a button down shirt (unless it has ruffles!) with these pants. Instead, I chose a slim fitting sweater and a cropped blazer. As A. mentioned yesterday, playing masculine and feminine pieces off each other is a great way to mix registers and craft an outfit that creates interest through juxtaposition. This outfit is not too drastic in its pairing, but it makes me want to try some more daring combinations in the future.
Do you have a favorite contrasting pair that you are particularly drawn to? Ruffles and tweed? Pearls and leather? Floral and denim? Sequins and chinos?
16 October 2009 – Man Pants, originally uploaded by academichic.
Those are some good-lookin’ man pants, doll.
The yellow and blue together is gorgeous, like the proportions here as well.
That navy jacket is so lovely and femanine, perfect for paring with “man pants!”
I love the color combo in this outfit. The top is a perfect counterbalance for the “man pants”. Love it!
I love your use of colors. Beautiful!
Great outfit! I never thought to mix more feminine items with my man-pants!
Great outfit! I love the orange shoes. Great pop of color at the bottom.
Of necessity, I typically wear heavy work boots and workwear pants to the sculpture studio. But I typically pair them with delicate pieces, like slim-fitting tank tops with a little lace. The aesthetic is pleasing to me, but more than that I feel like it’s an accurate reflection of who I am: a tough and competent sculptor who’s not afraid to be feminine, too.
And yes, I’m also an artist who ascribes visual meaning to pretty much everything I see…
my contrast favorites are black leather (tough sexy girl) paired with ruffles or other suggestively romantic pieces, put together to create a business casual outfit – e.g. black leather knee high boots with stilleto heels, pencil skirt, romantic top tucked in of course, and a leather trench.
It’s all “you cannot f with me, but take me srsly because i am smart and oh yeah, feminine too, yo.” so, it hits lots of people (men/women/peers/students/authority figures) different ways. :) most of all, i feel all of the above attributes and can work many angles as the situation requires.
Love the colours in this outfit!
I think my contrast combination is girly with utilitarian. I will usually wear a dress or maybe a skirt, and team it with flat shoes and a hoodie or denim jacket. It’s how I find the balance between two things I HAVE to be – feminine and practical.