Menswear Inspired Outfit // Wear to Work #2

Growing up, I never was a tomboy so the entire “menswear inspired” or “borrowed from the boys” trend has always been pretty lost on me. I gravitate towards textures and colors that are inherently feminine. Looking into my closet, you’ll see more grays, pinks, and reds rather than greens and blues. Well, unless you count denim. I have a lotttt of that.

But, if there’s anything I’ve learned from blogging and getting to know my personal style better, it’s that experimentation is always a good thing. You’ll never know what you may discover about yourself when you try something new and different. Sometimes doing something uncomfortable can lead to new and better things. Or not, but that’s the joy of trying something new. You learn what you like, what you don’t, and why.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click a link and make a purchase I may make a small commission at no cost to you. I purchased these items myself unless otherwise denoted as c/o (courtesy of) the brand.

What I’m Wearing
Shirt: Farinaz Taghavi Attitude Shirt in Olive, gift
Vest: Brixon Ivy Pirie Cutout Tuxedo Vest {similar under $75}
Jeans: Articles of Society “Sarah” Skinny Jean via Nordstrom
Boots: Steve Madden Pistol Bootie
Rings: Rebecca Minkoff Spiral Ring, Forever 21 Stacking Rings
Bag: ASOS {similar under $20}

Photography by Megan of Diary of This Girl

I know that all of this may sound silly; this is just an outfit. It doesn’t have to be more than that, but to me (and hopefully others who enjoy getting dressed in the morning can relate), what we wear embodies who we are. Or who we want to be. Or allows us an escape from the realities and circumstances that we sometimes find ourselves in temporarily.

For me, this outfit is different. It’s not something I would normally put together. But I knew I needed to try it because that’s what fashion is all about. And it also fits perfectly into my wear to work challenge, so here we go.

For this outfit, I wanted to combine a couple of style trends that are inherently masculine. The classic button up is often ill-fitting and oversized. Fortunately, there are brands like Seattle-based Farinaz — that take the button up to the next level by tailoring it to the female form. It nips in at the waist, is cut more generously across the bust, and is easy to double cuff. The fabric also has a subtle pattern to add interest.

Combine the button up with a tuxedo style vest and you’ve got an instant menswear inspired outfit. This one that I kept from a Stitch Fix shipment last winter has a fun side cut out detail that adds a bit of edge and interest to an otherwise boring black vest. For someone who is petite, a vest is an amazing alternative to a blazer. The lack of sleeves keep the look more streamlined and less heavy. Plus, finding a vest that hits above mid thigh but below the hip elongates the body and can make you appear taller than a duster or cropped style vest.

To make the look feel a bit more casual, I opted to style this look with a pair of dark skinny jeans and my studded crossbody bag. From what I know of this area, dark wash, simple jeans are acceptable to wear to most offices. But, if you happen to work in an office where that’s not the case, never fear. To make it office appropriate, a black pencil skirt of cropped trouser would look killer. Tucking the button up skirt into a patterned midi would also be super chic.

When was the last time you took a style risk? What trends are you hesitant to try? I’d love to hear about trends that intimidate you or that you’ve conquered in the comments!