The times are always changing, and with them so do clothes. But who expected the idea of gender roles in fashion to change so dramatically that it became okay for women to wear three-piece suits and men to get “man-icures?”
Please pardon my Jersey Shore terminology. I guess it sort of happened in the 1980s, with the whole punk-rock phase and black fingernails and immaculate hairdos on men. Girly girls are still fairly easy to spot, although rarely will you see a female student wearing dresses to class just because she likes to feel pretty. As for the manly men? As far as I can tell, outside Game Day they are almost an extinct species.
When did short shorts become the thing for guys to wear? This is not 1970s basketball, so Daisy Dukes aren’t really necessary out on the Quad. Thank God it’s getting cooler and they’ll start to wear jeans soon.
Still, I’m guessing flip flops won’t actually disappear until mid-December. Even then some brave souls will continue to bare their toes, maybe to show off that man-icure? Not that I have anything against flip-flops, except the fact that they do nothing to help anyone’s posture. I’m guilty of wearing them in the fall as much as anyone else in Alabama.
So, guys are wearing shorts that come to mid-thigh and getting their nails done. And keep in mind, plenty of these men are straight.
What about the girls? Well, it seems to be the reverse effect with the females, whose styles have evolved over the years to become more and more masculine. It surely has something to do with the roles women have gained in the business world and other fields since the uber-conservative mid-1900s. They had to find ways to run with the boys and make it look like they belonged there. So, women wear suits now. And if I’m being honest, I like it, especially when a vest is thrown into the mix. I just have a thing for vests.
But I’m not saying every girl should be like Hillary Clinton and wear a different colored pant-suit every day. Sometimes the situation calls for a more serious look than that floral print dress in your closet. Even just throwing on a classic-cut blazer with that dress or a flowy top will add an edge of masculinity, of streamlined seriousness that no one can ignore.
Military-inspired looks are all the rage this fall, as well. Break out a pair of leather boots and fitted cargo pants, then throw on a cute top for a fresh take on it. You can still be feminine and look like you’re ready for anything.
It’s all about finding the perfect balance in fashion. Men, don’t let The Situation inspire you to primp for hours just to go to dinner. Look nice, but please, don’t look like you spent more time getting ready than your date did. And lose the short shorts. No girl likes to see man-thigh.
Ladies, the more masculine look is in right now, but don’t get carried away with it. Be sure to add your own spin on it to keep from looking too severe, and make sure people can actually tell you’re a woman. Even the White House will appreciate it.
Fall trend to avoid: Excessive fur. I walked into Old Navy about a week ago and there was this fur vest thing hanging there. It looked like someone had skinned Chewbacca’s kid and made clothing out of him. I cringed when I saw a girl actually walk over and try it on. I’m sorry, I know some fur is high-class and very warm, but please stay away from these kinds of faux disasters. Please?
Celebrity style to watch: Leighton Meester (as Blair Waldorf) The “Gossip Girl” fashionista has finally graduated from headbands and school-girl skirts in the past couple seasons of the show, and I am loving it. Her feminine sweet-but-sexy style always puts me on edge, wondering just how she can pull that stuff off. But it works beautifully on her, and might just inspire you to try going Upper East Side chic sometime as well.
