Suit up!

I appear to have become obsessed with women in men's clothing, particularly suits, ever since watching Annie Hall. I just think there is something so empowering and subversively sexy about a woman not having to dress in stereotypically feminine clothing to feel good about herself. In this day and age wearing trousers may not have the political shock factor, or declaration of independence,  that it had in the past but that doesn't mean that it is less of a statement. Many a fashionable female has caused a stir wearing trousers on the red-carpet or to important social functions. I think that wearing traditionally male items of tailored clothing is edgy, unexpected and exciting. Just follow the example of the lovely ladies below and add a pair of killer heels,  a fabric with a slight sheen or bit of embellishment, and a more closely-fitting or scoop neck camisole underneath the blazer or suit jacket.

Olivia Palermo spearheading the trend as always in traditional shades of grey, but freshening the look with a thick turn up and yellow cage sandals.

Sienna Miller breaks away from her longstanding 'boho' label with a metallic print Gucci suit.

Rachel Zoe keeps the look modern by playing with proportions- black harem pants with a structural cropped suit jacket. Loving the black sandals and of course some circular frame sunnies complete the look. Also worth a mention here is her stylist assistant Brad. You need to watch the TV show 'The Rachel Zoe Project' to appreciate how sweet and endearing Brad is. He always rocks a quirky but preppy look and has a penchant for bow ties and patterned sleeveless jumpers and trousers, as you can see.

Erin O'Connor- one of the first truly androgynous supermodels. This photo is from Scott Schuman's blog, and proves that the men's tailoring look can be styled with flat brogues and yet remain feminine and interesting by pairing it with a subtly revealing crop top.

 

I'm not sure who this lady is, it is a photo from the launch of Erin Wasson's clothing line, but i love that she has paired a black top and blazer with cropped tapered trousers. I am forever encouraging my mama to wear cropped trousers, in a modern style of the classic Audrey Hepburn look, because it looks so chic on women!!!

As much as I dislike Kate Moss as a model, icon, role-model and everything else she does know how to work a suit. Angelina Jolie is usually the queen of the leather trouser look on the red carpet but Kate matches them with a tuxedo and stiletto court shoes and looks fab. An important point to take from these images is how streamlined and clean the look is with pulled back hair.

Agyness Deyn can always be counted upon to add some fun and frivolity to the situation. I'm not sure how I feel about her cropped bandeau top under the tuxedo jacket but I am in LOVE with her red heels!! They look shockingly high but extremely enticing!!

And last but not least I could not mention women in suits without including Madonna and her infamous Vogue dance!! Without a doubt the best music video of our time!!