It’s the end! The third and final piece from my menswear mini-series, and it all revolves around this killer piece with built-in suspenders and a bow tie graphic from Scotch and Soda. I paired it with a short, flared skirt and bright red pumps for maximum femininity, and I grabbed my man’s fedora and trench for the outerwear. I call this look, “Urban P.I.”
I found this top in the men’s section of Scotch and Soda here in Chicago. It’s a very handsome store – based out of Amsterdam – with some women’s items, but I think the men’s pieces are their sweet spot. A lot of them could be translated into a menswear-inspired outfit for a woman if the sizing is right.
When I saw it on the rack, I was so intrigued – the suspenders are attached, while the bow tie is printed on the tee, and it has white paint splatters on it – so bizarre, so unique, and so up my alley! It’s a size medium, so a bit bulky but not totally unfeminine either given the narrowed band at the neckline – this makes it look less like a t-shirt you’d wear to the gym.
My favorite parts of the shirt are the loops on the shoulders that hold the suspenders in place and make it clear that they are supposed to be there – not just something I added on my own. Normally the suspenders hook onto thick panels of extra fabric at the hemline of the shirt, but I unhooked them and attached them to the skirt instead so that I could tuck the top in.
OUTERWEAR
DETAILS
WHAT I WORE:
- Graphic Tee with Suspenders: (Scotch and Soda)
- Black Elastic Banded Skirt: (Akira)
- Red Patent Leather Pumps: (Nine West)
- Black Trench Coat: (Banana Republic)
- Gray Fedora: (my own – stolen from my boyfriend’s closet)
- Gold and Black-Ceramic Pave Earrings: (Giles and Brother, purchased on Gilt)
- Gold and Black-Ceramic Watch: (Stuhrling, purchased on Gilt)
- Black and Gold Cuff: (my own)
- Red Lip Pencil and Gloss: (MAC pencil – Cherry, (PLA) Beauty gloss – Ruby Slippers)
WHY I WORE IT:
I’ve tried to wear this shirt a couple different ways – over jeans and over a jersey mini-skirt – but the one I like the best is tucked into a flared skirt with a thick and high waistband. It cinches in the shirt at my narrowest part, decreasing some of the bulk and adding a feminine line to the whole look.
- I chose the red shoes to pick up the red flowers on the bow tie graphic and because I think they are extremely feminine. Plus, they’d match a deep red lipstick which I knew an outfit like this would need – again for the femininity.
- I chose black and gold jewelry to match the black skirt and tights and the gold/brass hardware on the suspenders.
- As for the outerwear – to make it a complete menswear look I knew I’d definitely need a hat and a trench. This gray fedora is one of my boyfriend’s favorites, and with the little red feather, it was just a perfect match to the shoes and lipstick. I grabbed the trench because I was freezing my bum off but also because it made me look like a detective with the hat. As a long-time fan of Inspector Gadget and Law & Order, I just couldn’t resist.
Well folks, that concludes my menswear ideas for women mini-series. We’ve touched on vests, blazers, cuff links, button-downs, ties, tie clips, bow ties, suspenders, hats and trench coats – the key elements of a man’s wardrobe. I hope you’ll leave with a few ideas to rock these looks on your own, or at least be entertained by my shenanigans.
XOXO,
Belle
