Trending Fall 2013: Menswear fabric for Women

Last week I got a call from a family member who lives in Washington D.C.  The day she called it was 73 degrees outside. That was the high for the day!! In other parts of the world (like down here in south Texas) it is still very hot. No matter what the weather is like in your part of the world, Fall 2013 is quickly approaching and it's time sew for it.  I want to make sure your wardrobe reflects some of the exciting trends that are coming your way.

One of the hottest trends this fall is menswear.  The popularity of leather has pushed this look into the forefront.  The Fall 2013 runways were chocked full of beautiful interpretations of what happens when fabrics--normally associated with a well dressed man--are reinvented into feminine designs.

The trick to making this trend work for you is creating a conservative suit, using your menswear fabric and adding the feminine bits to it.  A soft silk blouse, pumps and pearls add just the right amount of feminine charm. This fabric, Chocolate Brown Menswear Wool, is perfect for conservative suiting (Vogue 1325). The blouse from the same pattern can add a pop of color and a dash of femininity by using Coffee and Cream, a soft and drapey viscose fabric.






If you don't want your entire outfit to include menswear fabric, create a jacket OR pants/skirt out of the Black/White Pinstripe,
Desert Sand Menswear Wool or Black Menswear Wool.  Simplicity 2446, Marfy 2413 and Vogue 8333 are excellent examples of a feminine designed jacket, cinched at the waist.  The perfect foil for the fabric. 

(Theyskens' Theory Jabir Blazer)

Again, using a blouse is a fantastic way to add a touch of softness to balance out the tailored look of menswear fabric.  Vogue 8857, 1366 and Burda 7189 are examples of blouses that will work well to

contrast with menswear fabric. These patterns would look great made with the following fabrics: Black Silk Charmeuse, Eggshell White 3-ply Silk and White on White Stripe.  A peplum blouse (Vogue 8815) made with Ivory Basketweave is an other option.

                        

A man's shirt is an all important item in his wardrobe.  The shirt dress is the ladies version of this item.  Still using our menswear fabric, you can make the dress out of Midnight Tropical Weight Wool ,  Olive Martini Tropical Weight Wool or Wall Street Grey. Consider Simplicity 2246 and Burda Style 09/2013.

Remember grandpa's sweater vest?  We're going to put a girly spin to it and make a wrap top or wrap dress.  Use the sweater knit Streaks.  Top it with a black blazer using the Black Menswear Wool and add pearls to complete the look.  

Want a more structured vest? Consider making a vest (McCalls 2260, Marfy 2285 or New Look 6008) with the Grey/Silver Metallic Pinstripes.  This vest will have an extra flair if you cut the fabric on the bias with a chevron effect at center front. Fabulous!  You can wear this for work or play.

For a menswear weekend glam look, your go-to garments are the moto jacket and a corduroy blazer.  The moto jacket is a hot trend and smfabric.com is happy to special order lambskin leather for you in 50 colors.  

Burda Style Plus Size F/W 2013 #405

The Camel Corduroy will make a blazer paired with your favorite jeans. This will be great for running those weekend errands.

You can use accessories to add a smaller amount of masculinity to your outfit.  I love the high-heeled and flat loafers that perfectly complement the menswear fabric trend. These dolled up loafers do a great job straddling the the masculine/feminine fence.  Add a watch with metal links as another accessory borrowed from our guys' closet!

More Fall 2013 Trending Post are coming from smfabric.com, where fabric is sewn into fashion!