These Three Menswear-Inspired Looks Combine The Best Of Both Worlds
On any given day, no matter my destination, you can find me in at least one article of men's clothing, specifically suiting. When I'm not wearing an oversized vintage blazer, then I'll be more than likely layering a men's button-up as a substitute for a lightweight jacket. What I love most about menswear is the overall comfort and not being confined to material that restricts my range of motion. Also, being tall and curvy, it's sometimes impossible to get that oversized feel when shopping within the women's department. Over the years, I've gotten my hands on a plethora of blazers and button-downs, even men's trousers in many different colors and prints but lately, I've embraced suiting with a more feminine approach.
With men's suiting, there are only so many styles that are available. Mostly designed with classic silhouettes, this fall, I want to embrace more trendy and stylish pieces in line with the modern masculine twist that I love so much. Keep scrolling to check out these menswear-inspired looks that are all "woman."
Peek-a-boo Blazer with a Twist
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
The moment I saw this blazer, I knew I had to have it. Perfect to catch an evening drink with the girls or a night out with bae, this outfit is not only chic but incredibly comfortable as well. Beyond its super stylish twisted knot detail and trendy side cut-outs, it's the perfect color for fall.
Keeping it seasonally appropriate, I paired slim black leather pants and matching mules for a professional yet sultry look. I couldn't forget my accessories, so I went with a two-toned gold linked chain necklace along with a tortoise print acrylic box bag to complete this look.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Cut-Out Button Down Dress
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Owning my fair share of classic white button-downs, I went on the hunt to find a more feminine style that embodied my favorite 2021 trends. Opting for this dress because of its bold front cut-out, I loved that it's not your everyday outfit. Perfect for transitional weather, I wanted to go for a more subtle approach, opting for a brown square toe mule.
When worn during cooler weather or at night, this look can easily be worn with an oversized blazer and boots.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Wide Leg Trousers With Subtle Mixed Prints
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
First things first, a black wide-leg trouser is a must-have in every woman's closet. To add more depth to such a dark look, I decided on the addition of prints with an abstract bodysuit layered underneath a men's oversized pinstripe jacket. Pairing a slim gold chain belt for a subtle pop of color along with a brown and black python print bag added the perfect minor details to this oversized look.
Feeling extremely chic and comfortable, my mission was accomplished.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
To get your fashion fix and to stay up to date with the latest trends, check out the xoNecole Style section here.
Featured image by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
Courtesy
Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy